Atlantic Yards' Developers Next Frontier: Human Biology

Sewage wastewater from the proposed Atlantic Yards project will flow towards the Gowanus Canal, rushing into the same antiquated pipes that are already overwhelmed, especially after a heavy rain. (Gowanus residents have even reported "10-foot geysers of sewage.")

Atlantic Yards developers plan to mitigate this in many ways, such as by installing water storage tanks, waterless urinals, low-flow toilets and showers, etc. But one big problem remains, according to Scienceline (via No Land Grab) and it's a stumper: "They can’t reduce the amount of solid waste produced by residents."

Can dietary restrictions be far behind?

Photo of the Gowanus Canal courtesy of the NYC Department of City Planning

Green Balls Behind Heights Library

These green balls are the new garden behind the Brooklyn Heights branch library, replacing bare cement and dirt. The green balls are confined to diamond-shaped areas, marked off by pieces of wood. The project is part of a "reading and learning garden," and was planted by the Horticulture Society of New York.

Photo by MK Metz

Brooklyn in Brief, Monday a.m.

- A "high-ranking city official" says that developer Joe Sitt's glitzy Coney Island redevelopment is "dead in the water." NY Daily News via Gowanus Lounge

- Assaults. leaks, broken elevators, live animals thrown from balconies: life as usual at Coney's Sea Rise. Brooklyn Eagle

- What can Develop, Don't Destroy Brooklyn (anti-Ratner) and the Carpenter's Union (pro-Ratner) agree on? Both oppose the NYC Economic Development Corporation's plans for Duffield Street. Duffield Street Underground

- Manhattan Bridge bikeway to reopen today. Streetsblog

- A neighborhood activist who would like to derail plans for a high-rise development at the old Domino Sugar site has erected a seven-story, red LED sign that screams, “SAVE DOMINO.” The Brooklyn Paper

- Lowes, the Big Box Home Supply store is coming to the outdoor parking lot next to Kings Plaza. The blue fencing is now around the property and the land is flattened. GerritsenBeach.net

The Big Dig in Front of the Brooklyn Historical Society

The extensive backhoeing and other work on the sidewalk in front of the Brooklyn Historical Society on Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights will be going on till February, 2008.

According to the NYC Department of Design and Construction (project number PV467-BH4), the project will cost from one-half to one million dollars. Officially, the work encompasses: "Installation of bluestone sidewalk paving over a new concrete base." But a sign at the site says that new ornamental railing, ADA ramps, curbing and site drainage are also included.

Photo by MK Metz

Brooklyn in Brief, Sunday

- The Brooklyn Bridge received a “sufficiency rating” of zero by the US Department of Transportation. The Largest Minority

- Crime in city parks is on the rise, according to figures released by the NYPD. Flushing Meadows Park had the highest number of crimes, 21, followed by Prospect Park and Bronx Parks. NY1

- Based on the paper trail, Brownstoner figures that the Clarett Group (developer of the Forte) is gearing up to build a 51-story, 491-unit, residential tower at 107-111 Lawrence Street in Downtown Brooklyn. Brownstoner via Belltel Lofts

- Someone's trying to stop a bill that would fine the stores whose names appear on those plastic bags of coupons that are dumped, in large numbers, on stoops and vestibules. Ditmas Park Blog

- Never gone to a Cyclone's game? Watch the Brooklyn Cyclones vs. the Oneonta Tigers on Brooklyn Community Access Television, Friday, August 10 at 7 p.m., and enter the Sports Trivia Ticket Giveaway. BCAT

Clownin' Around at Coney!

El Juglar, the Vice President in Charge of Juggling, Peanut Division, for the Brooklyn Cyclones, sent McBrooklyn this excellent video of his juggling routine at the stadium. The man is TALENTED.

In addition, we're happy to link to his blog, Tornadic Activity: A Cyclones Blog. In his latest post El Juglar reveals that on September 7th, the Cyclones plan to give the first 2,500 fans in attendance a Brooklyn Bridge bobblehead as part of their wildly popular "Brooklyn Legends Bobblehead Series".

El Juglar writes: "The giveaway will presumably consist of some sort of bobbling model of the Brooklyn Bridge. In the wake of the I-35 bridge disaster in Minneapolis, this giveaway seems almost creepy, and possibly an omen of things to come."

Realtors: Your Vibrating iPhone May Not Be a Customer

According to the BloodhoundBlog, which focuses on real estate marketing and technology, the iPhone holds a special appeal for real estate brokers. Is it the coolness factor, or is that the little bauble is actually useful out in the field?

Regardless, it turns out that there are security problems with the device -- which are no doubt being addressed by Apple as we speak.

One problem is "the ability of the hackers to “perform so-called ‘physical actions’ on the iPhone," according to Lani Anglin, author of the real estate blog r.e.Revealed.com, who wrote about the problems this can cause realtors on the BloodhoundBlog. This includes making the phone vibrate. Another hack transforms an iPhone into a bugging device.

Wired/AP reports that hackers could take control of an iPhone if its owner visits a doctored Web site or Internet hotspot. To protect your iPhone, the security guys recommend that users only visit sites they trust, not open Web sites from e-mails and not use unfamiliar Wi-Fi hotspots.

Where to buy an iPhone in Brooklyn: The List
iPhone Mania: Hey That's Brooklyn!

Uh-Oh, Looks Like Road Work's Coming to Cadman Plaza West

Though the Department of Transportation web site has nothing listed for Cadman Plaza West, something tells us that these cement babies aren't standing along the roadside near Clark Street for nothing.

Anybody know the use these large (you can stand up inside of one), hollow, heavy structures are put to?

Brooklyn Bridge Deficient, Gowanus Expressway 'Getting Worse Every Day'

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of 166 city bridges labeled "structurally deficient," say the Daily News, the NY Times and every other media outfit in the city. Under the the feds' rating system, the Brooklyn Bridge scored much lower than the collapsed Minneapolis bridge. The biggest problems were found on the Manhattan and Brooklyn approaches.

But another crucial piece of Brooklyn’s infrastructure, the elevated Gowanus Expressway -- not included in the report -- is in serious disrepair.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, “[The structure] is totally inadequate to handle the weight and volume of traffic that it’s getting now,” said Buddy Scotto, who co-founded the Gowanus Expressway Community Coalition. “It’s getting worse everyday. Someone has to do something about this.”

The Gowanus is currently being re-decked as it undergoes “continual emergency repairs,” according to the state Department of Transportation.

Photo by MK Metz

Two Girls, One Robot, Brooklyn Heights

In Manhattan, you frequently find restaurant patrons with little dogs eating outside. In Brooklyn, it's the same, only with robots.

Two girls and their blue robot (center, stomach hatch) enjoy drinks at Common Grounds, at the corner of Henry and Cranberry Streets in Brooklyn Heights.

Photo by MK Metz