Monday, January 7, 2013
What to Do With that Big Empty Lot on Kent Avenue?
Posted by Henry Stewart on Mon, Jan 7, 2013 at 11:30 AM
The Domino development in South Williamsburg includes the old Domino sugar factory on the west side of Kent Avenue, but it also involves a 55,000-squre-foot lot on the east side of the street, between South 3rd and South 4th. (That grassy lot across the street from The Woods.) The new Domino developer, Two Trees (this company's landlord in DUMBO), has issued a Request for Proposals for what to do with this lot when it becomes available in March (and before construction begins in earnest around October), something that would benefit all members of the community. (Also, "Financial consideration that will be paid to Two Trees for use of the space will be helpful to your proposal, but is not a requirement of this RFP.") Here are some of our ideas.
A Drive-In—For Bicycles!
The drive-in movie theater is all but dead in New York City, and 55,000 square feet might not be enough to bring it back, but imagine how many bicycles you could fit in there? You could throw in some lawn chairs, too, for nearby residents without bikes, and show movies that appealed to a wide demographic of viewers and not just hipsters, like Whit Stillman's Barcelona.
County Fairground
The Kings County Fair is something they already do out on Floyd Bennett Field in the spring, but I'm skeptical that you could have too many county fairs, especially on opposite ends of the borough. I'm sure the people of Williamsburg (and beyond!) would love to enjoy some rides and games. Plus you could incorporate some of the local food trucks, or something. [photo]
Dodgeball Fields
I hear supply does not meet demand for dodgeball space up in McCarren Park. Why not start a rogue Dodgeball League South that plays its games down here? And then has to disband almost as soon as it began? Alternatively, people could also play soccer here. [photo]
Free-Speech Zone to Protest Domino Development
A lot of people still don't like this development. This could be a nice way for the developer to reach out to them. [photo]
Sell Expensive Beer and Food to Hipsters
I don't know, isn't this what they do with everything in Williamsburg? [photo]
The drive-in movie theater is all but dead in New York City, and 55,000 square feet might not be enough to bring it back, but imagine how many bicycles you could fit in there? You could throw in some lawn chairs, too, for nearby residents without bikes, and show movies that appealed to a wide demographic of viewers and not just hipsters, like Whit Stillman's Barcelona.
The Kings County Fair is something they already do out on Floyd Bennett Field in the spring, but I'm skeptical that you could have too many county fairs, especially on opposite ends of the borough. I'm sure the people of Williamsburg (and beyond!) would love to enjoy some rides and games. Plus you could incorporate some of the local food trucks, or something. [photo]
I hear supply does not meet demand for dodgeball space up in McCarren Park. Why not start a rogue Dodgeball League South that plays its games down here? And then has to disband almost as soon as it began? Alternatively, people could also play soccer here. [photo]
A lot of people still don't like this development. This could be a nice way for the developer to reach out to them. [photo]
I don't know, isn't this what they do with everything in Williamsburg? [photo]
Follow Henry Stewart on Twitter @henrycstewart
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About The Author
Henry Stewart
Bio:
Henry Stewart is the Culture Editor at The L Magazine and some kind of editor at Brooklyn Magazine. He has always lived in Brooklyn.
Henry Stewart is the Culture Editor at The L Magazine and some kind of editor at Brooklyn Magazine. He has always lived in Brooklyn.
