Brooklyn?

[alex ballard]

Is brooklyn gonna become the new upper class suburbia? between big box stores, BAM's expansion plans, and a shift away from suburban sprawl, are palces like the outer boroughs or other middle city neighborhoods (Philly's northeast section, LA's south central, Chicago's south side,Oakland) gonna be the wave of the future for american life?

[MidnightRambler]

parts of brooklyn already are upper class suburbia. and all those other places you mentioned are very different from brooklyn.

[Schadenfrau]

I don't think big box stores are an indicator of the upper class.

[alex ballard]

I guess your right about big box stores. I forsee brooklyn, along with the bronx and parts of queens becoming the next westchester. The ingredients are there for this change and it's already happening, as for those other palces, I'm just saying could other inner cities make a resurgence like NYC.

[TonyO]

In what ways do you see Brooklyn becoming the next Westchester?

It has more of an identity than any other borough except Manhattan. It is a city in itself, not a sprawling suburb.

Big box stores and their influx into NYC are just a sign of the times, like Disney coming to Times Square. They have more to do with the public/private initiatives than with any status of suburbanization.

[Schadenfrau]

I have to say, you seem quite obsessed with the idea of chasing Blacks and Latinos out of New York City, Alex Ballard. What is that about?

[alex ballard]

It's not about chasing them out. I would like to see them mix. What gave you that idea?I'm half-black myself, and if what your saying is true then i guess I shouldn't live in NYC. I would like to see some more diversity in all neighborhoods. You see, I live outside philadelphia and the city is all black and the suburbs are all white. I am biracial and anywhere I go people give me looks and my teacher even siad a racial at me. I'm not racist when it comes to blacks and hispanics. I know what it feels like to be segregated and feel different. Don't accuse people of racism when you don't know it.

[Schadenfrau]

Forgive me if I misread, but nine of your nine posts have been about race, class or the gentrification of places you consider to be "ghettos".

[billyblancoNYC]

Gentrification is a way of life in NYC now. It has, and will continue to, change the face of NYC. It is all valid and just being curious shouldn't deem someone a racist.

Plus, you'd have to be crazy to want to see ghettos still exist.

[Ninjahedge]

I have to say, you seem quite obsessed with the idea of chasing Blacks and Latinos out of New York City, Alex Ballard. What is that about?

I have to say Shada, that you seem quite obsessed with the idea of starting arguements on things that people are not really contending.

;)

[Schadenfrau]

How do you get "Shada" from "Schadenfrau"? Please don't use the diminutive terms and winking faces with me.

I realize that I probably argue more than many people on this board, but I'm also probably more of a dreaded NIMBY than most on this board as well. If you're referring to my posts about the smoking ban: pot, meet kettle.

I'd appreciate it if Alex Ballard would clarify the neighborhood qualities it takes to constitute a ghetto, because I'm a little confused. I'm also a little confused about the idea of Brooklyn being the next Westchester, but that's another story.

[Ninjahedge]

How do you get "Shada" from "Schadenfrau"? Please don't use the diminutive terms and winking faces with me.

I realize that I probably argue more than many people on this board, but I'm also probably more of a dreaded NIMBY than most on this board as well. If you're referring to my posts about the smoking ban: pot, meet kettle.

I'd appreciate it if Alex Ballard would clarify the neighborhood qualities it takes to constitute a ghetto, because I'm a little confused. I'm also a little confused about the idea of Brooklyn being the next Westchester, but that's another story.

Sch = sh in pronunciation Shad.

Sorry it wasn't "Shade", but Shada was an abbreviation, and since when does a person get all anal about how someone is abbreviating their name if there is no implied insult to the abbreviation.


I was commenting on your hypersensitivity to the issues, which you just showed here again. I used pretty much your own words. You lashed out at this guy before you knew what he was talking about. You inserted the racial inferrence into his talk about ghettos and gentrification when he made no mention of that.

As for the smoking ban subject, you did make arguments on that right off the bat as well. SO I am referring to a tendancy that you have shown on several areas. Pot, meet back of scHad's head. ;)


And whay would Alex have to define "Ghetto" for you. That statement is an automatic tacit implication of accusation. It is also asking for information so you can tear apart his argument based on other things unrelated. Your definition of Ghetto to his.

Ad hominem attack.

Anyway, all I can say is relax. The mere fact that you reacted SO quickly and SO strongly means this is probably something that you either know yourself to be a problem OR other people have made the same comments OR both.

By the way, I am Anodized Aluminum. Kettle, meet burner.

[alex ballard]

Hi, I'm alex ballard. and i wanna know what made you think that I want to kick blacks and hispanics out of NYC? I love everybody. Besides, are you saying that they're are not rich balcks and hispanics? gentrification is a good thing, not a racial thing.

[Schadenfrau]

Where would you suggest people who are displaced by gentrification should move to?

This is a far more complicated issue than gentification=good and ghetto=bad.

I'm guessing that you don't actually live in the city, Alex Ballard. There are many people on these boards who don't, but I haven't seen many of them make the sort of broad and gross generalizations I've seen in your few posts.

Here's the dictionary definition of gentrification, in case you're unfamiliar:

gen·tri·fi·ca·tion ** (*P*)**Pronunciation Key**(jntr-f-kshn)
n.
The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people.

[billyblancoNYC]

The people should move to a place they can afford. Like I have to. You don't see me on Park Ave or in TriBeCa.

[Schadenfrau]

But you could well have been in Tribeca twenty years ago, BillyBlancoNYC.

There are very few neighborhoods I can afford to live in, and I'm a graduate of a decent college with a decent paying job. God bless you if you've been less fortunate.

Should New York City only belong to the rich?

[billyblancoNYC]

Of course not, but if someone was smart, or desperate, enough to own in a rundown area that is turning around, then they are in great shape and will not get displaced.

All I'm saying is that is you are a renter, then there is always a chance, be it gentirifcation or a fickle landlord, that rents will rise and you will have to more.

Overall, gentrification is a good thing.

[ZippyTheChimp]

I agree with Shadenfrau.

Gentrification has benefits that are obvious, new neighborhoods that we can admire; but it also creates problems that are easy to ignore. Low and middle income people are being driven out, not only of Manhattan, but now the outer boroughs.

Queens West: The planned development is nice, but take a walk down Vernon Blvd and see what's happening. What will become of the neighborhoods to the east.

Sunset Park: Park Slope is rolling down the hill.

Red Hook: The great views beckon.

Gentrification would be ok if it was accompanied by a rational city plan to provide housing across all income strata, but the "affordable housing" set-asides that generally accompany development are a joke.

More and more, New York City is becoming a place for just the rich and the poor. That is culturally unhealthy, and I think, one of our biggest problems.

[BrooklynRider]

80 / 20 needs to change.