535 replies to this topic

[Sneakeater]

So who patronizes the Hooters if it's not of the culture? Tourists? Maybe it won't succeed.

That's really what pisses me off so much about that article.

The writer is like, I want to come to your neighborhood for basketball games, and then I want to have a Hooters to go to in your neighborhood afterwards. Like fuck you, you know. Go to some other neighborhood for Hooters.

[Sneakeater]

Don't think I can't see the humor in this, though.

Somebody tried to open a huge dance club in Park Slope nearish to the arena. Local opposition made them change their plan to a wood-lined farm-to-table restaurant.

[splinky]

So who patronizes the Hooters if it's not of the culture? Tourists? Maybe it won't succeed.

That's really what pisses me off so much about that article.

The writer is like, I want to come to your neighborhood for basketball games, and then I want to have a Hooters to go to in your neighborhood afterwards. Like fuck you, you know. Go to some other neighborhood for Hooters.

You probably hate Walmart too

[Sneakeater]

I want Artisinal Wal-Mart.

(If Wal-Mart wants to bribe me to obtain my support for a store in my neighborhood, I'm open to negotiations.)

[oakapple]

You expected high culture near a basketball arena?

[Rail Paul]

I want Artisinal Wal-Mart.

(If Wal-Mart wants to bribe me to obtain my support for a store in my neighborhood, I'm open to negotiations.)

In a "little box" store. None of those evil big box stores.

How much additional property do Ratner and Forest City properties own in the area, and how do they plan to develop that additional space?

[Sneakeater]

You expected high culture near a basketball arena?

THE BASKETBALL ARENA WAS FORCED ON US. WE DIDN'T WANT IT.

Outsiders can't now tell us that once the arena is there, we just have to give into trash or move.

[splinky]

I pity the fools who paid $1k a square foot at one Hanson. First, a flea market in their lobby, now this.

[Sneakeater]

How much additional property do Ratner and Forest City properties own in the area, and how do they plan to develop that additional space?

They have the entirety of the air rights over the LIRR train yard -- about five blocks.

They plan to fill them with enormous mixed-use office and residential towers (also fiercely but ineffectually opposed by the neighborhood). The residential towers were originally supposed to have significant middle-income holdbacks -- but it was recently announced that was eliminated.

[Sneakeater]

I pity the fools who paid $1k a square foot at one Hanson. First, a flea market in their lobby, now this.

Maybe they can put the Hooters into the lobby.

[Sneakeater]

You expected high culture near a basketball arena?

Actually, the arena is two blocks from BAM, the Mark Morris Dance Company building, and the new Theater for a New Audience space. And one of the sops to the neighborhood that may or may not end up actually happening was that BAM would program at the arena.

[hollywood]

You expected high culture near a basketball arena?

THE BASKETBALL ARENA WAS FORCED ON US. WE DIDN'T WANT IT.

Outsiders can't now tell us that once the arena is there, we just have to give into trash or move.

You want wings with that?

[Wilfrid]

You seem to be awfully negative about Hooters, Sneak. It has never done West 56th Street any harm.

[Rail Paul]

How much additional property do Ratner and Forest City properties own in the area, and how do they plan to develop that additional space?

They have the entirety of the air rights over the LIRR train yard -- about five blocks.

They plan to fill them with enormous mixed-use office and residential towers (also fiercely but ineffectually opposed by the neighborhood). The residential towers were originally supposed to have significant middle-income holdbacks -- but it was recently announced that was eliminated.

So, more rich folks will be moving into the area. That seems like a good thing for creating more restaurants, art facilities, Starbucks, etc. Raises property values, etc. Batali and Bastianich will be looking for space, etc

[oakapple]

You expected high culture near a basketball arena?

THE BASKETBALL ARENA WAS FORCED ON US. WE DIDN'T WANT IT.

May be, but now that it's there, you have to expect that the surrounding businesses are going to be typical of a sports venue.

Also, +1 to Wilfrid's point: Hooters hasn't ruined W. 56th Street.