Pedestrian Run Down by Car Service Limo in Brooklyn Heights

An out-of-control car service limo struck a woman about to cross Cadman Plaza West in the north Heights with her family about 7:30 Thursday morning. The limo then smashed into the scaffolding installed around the 140 Cadman Plaza West high rise, demolishing a section.

ABC/Channel7 reports that the woman, her husband and children were on their way to become U.S. citizens at the federal court house. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition -- a person posting to the Brooklyn Heights blog says the doormen at the building are reporting her dead. The driver was treated at the scene.

Photos by MK Metz

Flatbush Flatiron: It Comes by Night

We know that Flatbush can be pretty spooky at night, but this particular rendering of Ismael Leyva's 21-story "Flatbush Flatiron" building -- officially approved last Wednesday, according to Brownstoner -- reminds us why we want to be home by dark.

The new residential tower will rise at Tillary and Flatbush in Downtown Brooklyn.

Apparently the principals thought they had approval in August, but the DOB disapproved plans related to the buildings foundation/structural underpinning. Or was it that dungeon?

More details available at the Brooklyn Eagle.

Could It Be?

Seen flying high over Manhattan or New Jersey, from a Brooklyn window, Christmas Eve/morning.
Click picture to enlarge image.

Photo by MK Metz

Petition Going Around Cobble Hill to Save Trusting Tailors on Court Street

Gowanus Lounge says there's an email that's going around Cobble Hill asking people to sign a petition to Bill De Blasio asking him to prevent the eviction of the Trusting Tailors on Court Street. The Oh family has been an asset to the community for years.

Some bloggers have asked what's so special about the Ohs. The Brooklyn Eagle's Trudy Whitman has written about them (called by one couple "the nicest people on the planet") and the place they hold in the heart of Cobble Hill. (There's a follow up here.)

345 Adams Street, Downtown Brooklyn

345 Adams Street in Downtown Brooklyn will soon contain two floors of fairly upscale retail -- like an Apple Store, a Barney's or a Gap. The building is pretty bland, but it has some nice touches -- like this ceiling, for example.

- Red Blooded Downtown Brooklynites to Dine on Barely-Cooked Steak at 'Morton's The Steakhouse' -- and Apple (Or Maybe Barneys) Might Move In Next Door

- Pedestrian Walkway a Pleasant Way To Get to Jay Street

- Apple Store in Brooklyn -- A Recommendation

Photo by MK Metz

Ultrahot Takashi Murakami Coming to Brooklyn Museum This Spring

More to come.

Alert: New York Water Taxi Suspending Its East River Service Till Spring

Major bummer: New York Water Taxi has announced that, due to fuel price increases (and the fact that ridership drops in the winter), the East River route is canceled until the spring.

In Brooklyn, this affects riders embarking at Fulton Ferry Landing near Barge Music, and some others. See here.

Dunned If By Land, Screwed If By Sea: Gothamist

Photo copyright MK Metz 2007

Holiday Greetings from Brooklyn BP Markowitz

What do Santa Claus, his reindeer, a Hasidic man handing out menorahs, and this past year’s Bay Ridge tornado have in common?

They're all featured on this year's holiday greeting card sent out by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

Holiday Greetings from Brooklyn: Brooklyn Eagle

Artwork by Dennis Adler

New Vietnamese Restaurant Coming to Brooklyn Heights

On the corner of Montague and Henry Streets in Brooklyn Heights, where The Greens kosher vegetarian restaurant used to be, the Kim Paris Vietnamese Grill is preparing to open. At one point the "Island Grill" was rumored to be opening in the spot, but that deal seems to have fallen through.

Locals' mouths are watering at the thought of Vietnamese food, especially since Saigon Garden on Remsen Street closed.

A Chowhound contributer says The Greens closed "because the proprietors were getting on in years and their children preferred to focus on the non-kosher downstairs restaurant..."

Photo by MK Metz

Governors Island, Transformed

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Eliot Spitzer Wednesday announced the selection of a design team that would remake Governors Island, a former military base, into one of the city’s most fabulous parks.

Materials from demolished military barracks would be recycled into fill for rolling hills and climbing cliffs; public art would inhabit a forest; and wooden bicycles would be available for free. The design, led by Dutch firm West 8, calls for 90 acres of parkland and a two-mile promenade. More at the Brooklyn Eagle

- Water Taxi from Brooklyn to Governors Island Starts Saturday

- Chapin Family to Gather on Governor's Island for Big Sing

- Circle Line Statue of Liberty Tour Boat to Leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park?

Rendering by West 8