Now that Carroll Gardens' Momofuku Milk Bar Is Gone, What Would You Like To See In Its Place?

There was general excitement and quite a bit of press coverage when Momofuku opened a Milk Bar at 360 Smith Street, near 2nd Place in Carroll Gardens in the spring of 2012. The location on the ground floor of a newly constructed building over the F and G train at the Carroll Street station seemed perfect for an outpost of the popular bakery, with its famous Crack Pies and Cereal Milk soft
serve ice cream. Besides, it was a convenient coffee spot for commuters.

In August, we received several messages from readers letting us know that Milk Bar was officially closing at that location.  It came as quite a surprise.

A note in the window explained that after 7 years, the company was moving the staff from Carroll Gardens to its new flagship store at 29th and Broadway in Manhattan, which is slated to open this fall.

The retail space now stands empty, but perhaps not for long since this is such a high traffic corner of the neighborhood. The space is rather small, however, limiting the type of business that can thrive here.

What would you like to see at this corner?  What sort of business would do well and would be useful to local residents?  Would love to hear your thoughts.

Here is a blast from the past, before the building at 360 Smith Street was built. Who remembers the newsstand that stood at the location once occupied by this retail spot?

The corner of Smith Street and Second Place before 360 Smith Street was constructed.

 The former newsstand next to the subway station.

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M.T.A. Currently Fixing Problem On Manhattan-Bound F/G Train Station Entrance At Smith And President Reported Last Week

The station entrance last week

You may remember last week's post regarding the parapet above the Manhattan bound F/G train station entrance at President Street, which seemed to be compromised and looked as though it may collapse.
There was also a nasty lateral crack along one of the tiled walls, adjacent to Gowanus Yacht Club's outdoor space, which got progressively worse in the past few days. The situation seems to have been caused by a tree that grew right next to the entrance.
Quite a few of you reached out to M.T.A. and to our elected officials to report the situation.
We are happy to report that the problem is currently being addressed by a large crew from the agency.

Thanks to all who made a call or sent an email, especially Danielle of State Senator Brian Kavanagh's office. Read more

Carroll Gardeners, Be Careful When Entering The Manhattan Bound F/G Train Station At President And Smith Street

Carroll Gardener Jay alerted PMFA about a potentially dangerous situation for subway riders in the neighborhood.  The parapet above the Manhattan bound  F/G train station at President Street seems to be compromised and looks as though it may collapse.
It is the entrance right next to Bagels by the Park and Gowanus Yacht club.
Please be careful and use the entrance on the other side of the street to be safe and until the situaton has been addressed by the M.T.A.
Please let others know.

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"More F Shenanigans": Some Manhattan Bound Trains To Skip Smith-9th, Carroll, and Bergen Street Stations Till January 27

 screen shot of MTA Service Change web page taken this morning at 8 am.

In the past few days, a "service change" notice has appeared (and disappeared) several times on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's web site concerning F train service at all three of our local Brooklyn stations.  According to the announcement,  some Manhattan-bound trains will skip the Smith-9th Street, Carroll Street and Bergen Street stations during morning rush hour and afternoon hours from Monday to Friday till January 27th.

Reader Kim made us aware of the notice a few days ago and called the service change the "latest F train shenanigans." She also concluded that this:
 "is most definitely NOT due to actual planned work. 
1) it is during rush hour when trains are running, 
2) the G would be running on the same line making stops on those same stations, so the excuse that it's "planned work" makes no sense. Is this the MTA's 1st plot to sneak in the local cuts in the new year? One has to wonder.
I am not looking forward to the ridiculous and unsafe number of people on the platform in the coming days. "

You may remember that the MTA announced last year that it was proposing the implementation of express F train service between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Church Avenue stations (with a stop at 7th Avenue Park Slope), with half of all F trains running express each way during peak morning and evening rush hours. No new trains would be added to the line.

The express service is slated to be fully implemented in the fall of 2017. During a few weeks this past summer, the MTA already tested the changes.

The plan was met with much skepticism from Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Red Hook and Gowanus residents, who feared that a 50% reduction in service during rush hour at their local stations would lead to severe and dangerous crowding on the platforms.

A "Don't Cut Local F" petition was circulated by a group opposing the change. This past September, the group met with City Councilman Brad Lander, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon, who pledged to fight the cuts.

Since Kim sent us the latest F train service change information and the link to the MTA web page two days ago, the notice has been taken down and put back up several times.  It was back up this morning at 8 am, so we were able to take the screen shot above.

What the MTA is up to. Either this is a legitimate service change due to "planned work" or its not.  If it is, why does the announcement keep on disappearing? Why is the G train able to use the tracks that it shares with the F train at these stations?

More likely, it is just MTA's way of getting us used to the express F train and the skipping of our stations during rush hour.

Have you noticed any F train service changes in the past few days? If so, how did this affect you?

To read the MTA Feasibility study for the F rain express service, click here.

UPDATE
I sent the information and a link to this post to State Senator Squadron's office, since he has been very vocal about the F Train express issue in the past. This afternoon, I received a response from Andrea Bender, who works for Squadron.
She writes:

Hi Katia,
Yes -- we are aware of the issues. We've had high level conversation with the MTA about this. They told us they are working on a signal near Bergen Street causing seven Manhattan-bound trains in both the AM/PM rush to run express between Church St. and Jay Street. We are monitoring the impact on the local stations closely. We're asking people to share photos and their experiences with Don't Cut Local F.
Thanks, Andrea

Photo of the F/G train platform at the Carroll Street Station

Taken January 9th by Lesley Grossman

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Community's Opposition To Proposed Local F Train Cuts Grows

from  MTA's "Feasibility and Analysis Study of F Express Service in Brooklyn" here 

From Don't Cut Local F

Back in May of this year, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed the implementation of express F Train service between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Church Avenue stations (with a stop at 7th Avenue Park Slope) in the fall of 2017, with half of all F trains running express each way during peak morning and evening rush hours.
The change in service would not involve adding new trains to the line.

Though this may save time for many F train riders, the proposal would mean 50%  fewer trains for riders in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Gowanus since express trains would bypass the Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith Street/ 9th Street and 4th Avenue stations.
In recent years, ridership has steadily increased at these stations and the platforms are dangerously overcrowded during the morning rush hour.  This, predictably will become an even bigger problem with planned development in this highly desirable area.

The reaction to the proposed change amongst local residents has been overwhelmingly negative.
Our local officials almost immediately expressed their dismay by "the utter lack of process on the part of the MTA ."

A Don't Cut Local F web site and petition was set up by Carroll Gardener Erin Lippincott to inform local residents and "to build a voice and the support of our political reps as well as let all of the residents and groups across the affected residents know what's at risk."

This past September, Erin brought our elected officials together with concerned  residents, business owners and local school representatives to discuss what the F Train changes will mean to many in the community. 

She was kind enough to recap the meeting for PMFA here.

Opposition to Local F Train Cuts in Brooklyn Grows
10/21/16

by Erin Lippincott  of Don't Cut Local F

On September 29th, residents, parents, business owners, school administrators, and community leadership from across the areas threatened by the MTA’sproposed cuts to F Train service in Brooklyn met with elected officials. City Councilman Brad Lander, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon pledged to fight the cuts and listened to attendees express the myriad ways these cuts would cause hardship.
Natasha Campbell, executive director and founder of the Summit Academy Charter School in Red Hook, said her school will not survive if the cuts go through.  Dr. Eric Kenworthy, a private practice physician in Cobble Hill, said not only his patients but also his staff depend on timely F Train service. Peter Freeman, co-owner of Carroll Gardens’ Brooklyn Farmacy, said any cuts to F Train service would be devastating for local businesses and their employees.

The MTA has proposed to its board a 50% cut in peak, Monday-Friday rush hour service at the following F Train stops in Brooklyn: Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 15St-Prospect Park, 4 Ave-9 St, Smith-9 St, Carroll St, and Bergen St stations. These cuts would start sometime in 2017. The MTA claims the cuts are needed to facilitate the return of the F Express. But the MTA’s own report shows that the local F Train cuts would hurt more people than the express would help. It also predicts that population growth in Brooklyn will be focused in the very neighborhoods for which it is proposing cuts.

The proposal was sent to the MTA Board and leaked to the media before public officials, community boards, or other public representatives were aware of it. A joint press release and petition released by local elected officials expressed anger and disbelief.

Attendees at the September 29th meeting formed two committees. One will work with transit and other specialists to review the MTA’s report proposing the F Traincuts (the MTA report is available at DontCutLocalF.com).  The other committee will continue outreach within the communities that would be affected. To that end, Assemblyman Ortiz organized a meeting on October 20th, which brought together Red Hook school principals, PTA leadership, and representatives from the community outreach program at Santander Bank to discuss how to fight F Train cuts.

One parent, near tears, told the room how she suffered when the Smith-9 St station was closed for years of renovation and that she continues to struggle because there is no elevator in the new station, which is elevated and has dozens of stairs. The new plan to cut F Train service at her station, she said, is unthinkable.

DontCutLocalF.com was founded to join communities together to fight these cuts and demand transparency from the MTA and its board. In its petition, it states: These cuts will have serious and negative ramifications across several neighborhoods; from long waits and overcrowding at the even now over-packed stations at Carroll and Bergen Streets to reducing subway access for the already under-served residents and businesses in Red Hook and the ColumbiaWaterfront to leaving our infrastructure unprepared for large-scale developmentsuch as what is planned for Gowanus. If the MTA wants to add the F Express, that is great, but it should not do so by stranding residents and businesses via cuts to local service.

Learn more, sign the petitions, and get involved at DontCutLocalF.com or email DontCutLocalF@gmail.com

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Is F Train Express Service Causing Vibrations And Impacting Brownstones Near Subway In Carroll Gardens And Boerum Hill?

In mid-May, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it will be running express F train service between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Church Avenue stations (with a stop at 7th Avenue Park Slope) as early as this summer for a limited time. The express service will be fully implemented in the fall of 2017, with half of all F trains running express each way during peak morning and evening rush hours.

Besides cutting trains by 50% for those in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Gowanus, there is another concern for local residents who own homes near the Carroll Street Station.
The MTA has already been using the express tracks through that station, and every time that happens, it creates an incredible amount of vibration.

I received the following email from a reader:

We think there is a serious problem with the F Express running past the Carroll Street and Bergen Street stops that has not received attention: Our house, which is a third of the way down our block from Smith Street, has terrible vibrations when the Express runs. The Express track was cut deeper into the earth at these stops for some reason (its not stacked, just lower), and it runs faster. We wonder how many of the historic houses up and down these blocks that make up the character of Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill are experiencing this, and what structural impact it is having?

If enough neighbors are also experiencing this, the MTA could (1) conduct engineering studies to determine the level of vibration and possible damage and fixes, and/or (2) SLOW DOWN the Express at these stops until these questions are answered.

Concerned neighbors

I live close to the Carroll Street Station myself and have noticed the strong vibration as well.  Though a mild shaking can sometimes be detected in my house when a train goes by on the regular tracks, it is definitely more noticeable when one runs past the station on the express tracks.

I can only wonder what will happen when the proposed expanded express service goes into effect this summer.

Do you live in a brownstone close to the F Train line near the Carroll Street or Bergen Street Stations?  Have you noticed this increased vibration in your home?  

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What Do You Think Of The Proposed Express F Train Service? What Do You Think This Will Mean For Riders In Gowanus, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill?

from  MTA's "Feasibility and Analysis Study of F Express Service in Brooklyn" here 

On Tuesday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that it will be running express F train service between the Jay Street-MetroTech and Church Avenue stations (with a stop at 7th Avenue Park Slope) as early as this summer for a limited time. The express service will be fully implemented in the fall of 2017, with half of all F trains running express each way during peak morning and evening rush hours.
No new trains will be added to the line.

Though this may save time for many F train riders, it does cut trains by 50% for those in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Gowanus. Indeed, ridership along the Bergen Street, Carroll Street, Smith Street/ 9th Street and 4th Avenue stations has steadily increased over the past few years.
Local resident Rob Underhill doesn't think this will be an improvement for Carroll Gardens subway riders. He told PMFA:
"I can't see how this is going to be better for people at those stops if you have to wait twice as long for a train in the mornings. It gets pretty crowded as it is if one of them is just a couple minutes late."

Second Avenue Saga, a site dedicated to all news pertaining to the New York City transit system, doesn't think this change in F train service will help riders who use the Carroll Street or Smith/9th Street Station.
"F express service would lead to reduced service for some of the F’s busiest Brooklyn stations. Carroll St., Smith-9th Sts., 4th-9th Sts., and 15th St.-Prospect Park, to name a few, would see less frequent F train service, and the ridership from those stations far outpaces the number of riders who would gain a few minutes from the express service. If the MTA can’t rehabilitate the lower level at Bergen St. to permit passenger service — an undertaking that would be quite expensive, according to 2012 comments from one Transit official, another 11,000 riders would see F service slashed. Simply put, based on current load guidelines, the MTA cannot add F express service while maintaining local service frequencies that handle customer demand."

Brooklyn elected officials Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Stephen Levin, State Senator Daniel Squadron, State Senator Jesse Hamilton, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, State Senator Kevin S. Parker, and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon issued the following statement yesterday:
“We are extremely dismayed by the utter lack of process on the part of the MTA regarding proposed new F-Express service between Church Avenue and Jay St-MetroTech stops in Brooklyn. The proposed service change harms more people than it helps, ignores our request for increased service, and pits Brooklyn residents against each other, creating ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ without sufficient information or dialogue."

Let us hear from F train riders in Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill or Gowanus.

Do you see this as a positive service change or will this just mean more crowded platforms and more wait time in our stations?

Let's discuss.

Access the MTA Feasibility and Analysis Study of F Express service in Brooklyn here

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"Trial In Patience": On Yesterday's F Train Delay At Carroll Street Subway Station

The F train station at Carroll Street

Long time Carroll Gardens resident Anastasia sent us an email in regards to yesterday's F train delays. She writes:

"Friday's commute was another trial in patience at the Carroll Street subway station as the "F" train was grossly delayed. What I am curious about and what makes it worse is the fact that there is a token clerk in the booth and speakers in the Carroll Gardens subway station however, commuters were standing around talking to each other wondering what is going on while waiting for an "F" train to come. With no resolve, many took the "G" train, at least they were moving. It is too much to ask the token clerk to use the speakers in the subway station to announce whatever the problem the Culver line is having? Or better yet, get off his 'duff' and walk the platform and inform commuters what the problem is. Is this where our $2.50 is going? What good is having speakers in subway stations if they are not used? If they don't work - fix-it! after all, subway fares are going up to $2.75. For what?? FORGETABOUTIT....the "F" line sucks!"

Couldn't agree more. Apparently there were quite a few delays on the F this past week. How was your commute these past few days?

I, myself, took the train into Manhattan yesterday afternoon and had some serious problems swiping my metro card.  So did some of the people behind me.  One card reader would not work at all and the other only worked after repeated swiping. For a second, I thought I would have to jump over the turnstile like the folks over at the Bergen Street station last week.



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Mark Your Calendar: More F & G Train Week-End Service Disruption

photo credit: wikipedia
Culver Viaduct

Argggghhhhh! Get ready for more F and G train week-end service disruption, due to the Culver Viaduct Rehab project. On the dates below, F and G train service between Jay Street and Church Avenue will be suspended and will be replaced by shuttle buses.
You know the drill....

Below is a note from the Metropolitan Transit Authority:

Below, please find the weekends in 2010 when MTA NYC Transit will need to suspend F and G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue, due to the ongoing Culver Viaduct rehabilitation project.
A shuttle bus will be replacing F & G service between Jay Street and Church Avenue and will operate both local and express. Hours of operation for each weekend are 12:01 a.m. Saturdays through 5:00 a.m. Mondays.

February 20-22
February 27-March 1
May 8-10
May 15-17
May 22-24
November 13-15
November 20-22

More dates for 2011 will be announced later

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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