During all this time, the large empty lot has amassed an impressive amount of violations from NYC Department Of Buildings, including violations for 'failure to maintain construction fence." In fact, the wooden construction fence, when not in the process of collapsing, has blocked most of the sidewalk along Smith Street, which has become a pet peeve amongst many local residents.
Finally, in 2015, Commercial Observer reported that "Madison Realty Capital provided Brooklyn-based Second Development Services with a short-term $9 million loan for the acquisition and development of 232 Smith Street." Louis Greco of SDS told the Observer that he is planning a 15,000-square-foot retail building on the site. In recent months, D.o.B. permits have been filed by OCV Architects for a two story structure.
A few days ago, reader Mary reached out to PMFA to say that equipment has been moved into the empty lot. Yesterday, a crew was working on the site.
Are you glad to see that something is finally being done with that lot?
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8 comments:
This is a good thing, even though it's likely the retail space will be useless to the community (another bank, boutique, etc.). Does anyone know yet what's going into the old Met Food site on Smith? I know that the site will be a two-story building, as well, but I haven't heard anything about potential use other than "retail."
i heard a bed, bath and beyond for the old met. no idea for the one on douglass.
from the article in commercial observer about the smith/douglass lot: "The building is pre-leased and will feature a single retail tenant."
Happy to have the sidewalk back, that's for sure!
Although I think that the prospect of a BB&B at the old Met site would be exciting, it is highly unlikely. The space was barely sufficient for a half-way decent supermarket. Even with a developed basement and second floor, it wouldn't make sense. What would make sense (and has been rumored before) is to put BB&B in any of the new buildings going up on Atlantic Avenue and downtown Brooklyn which would provide adequate space and way more existing heavy foot traffic for a store of that type.
Regarding the former Met Food space, there are a lot of rumors circulating, so I'll throw this version out there (according to one of the construction supervisors: Smaller grocery store on the majority of the the ground floor. Fitness club on 2nd floor. Definitely not a BB&B... that's opening in Industry City.
Anon 12:36, I hope you're right. A nice, normal grocery store is necessary and would be a good thing. And by normal, I don't mean fancy gourmet, Whole Foods prices, or Union Market chic. Fancy stores are nice, and I do patronize them for the occasional special item, but we've got enough of those already. We need a store that would be a good quality substitute for Met Food. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
I agree with Anonymous 4:25PM, a regular Key Food type grocery store would be great. I have nothing against the high end places but they should be alternatives, not the only thing.
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