Category Archives: Neighborhoods

250 Words on the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn

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The neighborhood that I have chosen to focus on reporting is Bensonhurst of Brooklyn. Even though I used to live in two other neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Bensonhurst has become my favorite neighborhood after living for three years. One can see this neighborhood as a little square box in the Five Borough Map. However, the demand for this neighborhood is as increasing as the real estate price due to its significant location and the diverse ethnicity. This is one of the convenient places in Brooklyn because the major “D” express subway runs on New Utrecht Ave which crosses from North to South and the Bay Pkwy which connects Belt Pkwy expressway on the West and Ocean Pkwy on the East of Bensonhurst.

Bensonhurst has also two different names: one is known as Little Italy and another is second Chinatown of Brooklyn. These two names reflect the 24-hour Italian grocery stores, Deli and Italian bodega, Arabic restaurants, several of Chinese restaurants including a giant seafood buffet place and supermarkets, several 99 cents stores, and the different small businesses ranging from phone repairs and accessories shops, Kung Fu bubble tea shop, Burger Kings, Sprint, Radio Shack to Marshalls on 86th street. The demographic of Bensonhurst neighborhood is the mixture of different socioeconomic status including from many households of middle class such as doctors, physical therapists, teachers, and business owners to low-income wage earners such as college students, new immigrant families, and cab drivers. On the way from 79th street to 86th street subway station, one can enjoy the view of different lifestyles. For example, from 79th to 81st street Jewish orthodox community is occupied and the rest of the neighborhood is occupied with Italian, Russian, Chinese, and few Hispanic families.

As Bensonhurst neighborhood is surrounded with the convenient stores, medical clinics, schools, banks, the community center, the senior housing, the parks, and the churches, there are some conflicts I have noticed since I moved in 2012. These conflicts are children trespassing, noise from midnight parties, and the parking disputes as the new households are moved into the neighborhood. As a local resident, these conflicts are arisen due to lack of coherent and communication among other groups in the neighborhood. In my neighborhood profile, I would like to interview the director of Bensonhurst Jewish Community Center, which is right in front of my home, to learn more about the community services at the center and the conflicts around the neighborhood.

250 Words on Flushing, Queens.

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The neighborhood that I would like to focus on is Flushing, Queens New York. For the natives that live and work in and by downtown Flushing, it’s synonymous with “the Chinese Manhattan.” Over many years Flushing’s iconic low-rise, mom and pop vendors, and restaurants have sprawled across the north central parts of Queens. Though I do not currently live there, I’ve work and grew up mainly within Flushing.

In the early to late 1970s, Chinese communities and Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association started to establish niches or foothold in the Flushing, Queens. This wave of immigrants who started first populating and developing Flushing’s Chinatown was from Taiwan. It was known as “Little Taiwan” or “Little Taipei,” as Taipei was the capital of Taiwan. During the 1950s and 1960s, New York’s Chinatown predominantly spoke Cantonese and was made up of Cantonese immigrants. But during the 1970s, the Taiwanese immigrants who were one of the first types of immigrants that spoke Mandarin Chinese tried to adapt and assimilate within Manhattan’s Chinatown. Unfortunately with poor housing conditions in the city and large language barriers within the communities, the Taiwanese immigrants could not relate to the Manhattan Chinatown and eventually settled in Flushing.

Our own Manhattan’s Chinatown was thought to be the only center of Chinese culture and history now has another rival, and that rival’s name is Flushing. Bigger and larger Chinese supermarkets have been rapidly growing and developing within flushing, queens. Flushing in itself is becoming an epicenter of Chinese culture outside of Asia and China.

According to Census.gov, Queens as a whole in New York has 56.5% of people who speak other languages then English at home. Also Queens has a greater amount of immigrants then settlers.

United States Census Bureau: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36081.html

250 Words on Alphabet City

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I recently moved into New York City from upstate New York. I lived in Harriman, NY for my whole life. Only one hour from New York City, but it might as well have been worlds apart. It wasn’t until I received this assignment that I realized I barely knew a single thing about the different neighborhoods in the city. My father who spent a good amount of time in his life living in manhattan suggested Alphabet City to me. Not only is it close to my new apartment, but has some pretty interesting factors that make it very “New York” while also distinguishing it from other neighborhoods.

This village used to be home to starving artists as can be seen of the beautiful murals surrounding the neighborhood. It is rooted by generations of families that have owned restaurants and businesses there their whole lives. I think this would be interesting to find a family that has lived their forever and first hand experienced the major changes that the neighborhood has undergone.

 

Another part of this neighborhood which holds a lot of history is Tompkins square park, also known for the Tompkins square park riots. There has been a huge growth in the homeless epidemic here. Some families completely avoid the beautiful park all together because it has become somewhat of a campground for them. Restaurant owners have been coming together to form organizations to feed them. I think interviewing the homeless, the cops in the area and a few business owners can lead to me to a very unique angle and uncover something interesting and unspoken about this neighborhood. I will try understand why there is an epidemic, who is helping it, who is making it worse and any other interesting facts I can uncover when I am there in the streets.

Englewood, New Jersey

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The neighborhood I would like to focus this semester on is the city of Englewood. Located in Bergen County, New Jersey, this city is the jewel of the suburbs. Only 15 minutes away from Manhattan, Englewood allows its residents to have the best of both worlds. Residents are gifted with the relaxation and quietness that is only found within the tranquility and natural beauty of suburban living. A quick drive from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, individuals can experience city action within minutes.

Englewood provides its residents something New York can’t, the luxury of space. Each street is filled with beautiful homes, backyards, swimming pools, and plenty of recreational venues for sports and play. Growing up in Englewood, provided me with a personal exposure to a close-knit community where everyone knows each other with an inseparable bond with my neighbors. It is a city composed of people from many religions and ethnic backgrounds. I grew up in a Jewish community where my Synagogue is just a block away from my house. It’s comforting to have a strong religious base in a community where you can practice your beliefs. With sports clubs, gyms, parks, nature centers, shops and restaurants, each business in Englewood provides an array of activities for each person to enjoy and a story to report behind it.

This city has key figures that help the community grow and prosper. From the strong private school system, teachers and mentors have helped me personally as well as others strive for excellence. Local policemen, coaches, mailmen, and the mayor all contribute to the foundation of Englewood. These are just a few possible individuals that are worthy of personal profiles and notable mention.

A neighborhood conflict I could potentially report is the issue of streetlights in the city. At night, it is almost impossible to see people walking in the dark. This is so dangerous for drivers who can’t see the pedestrians walking. There have been occurrences of people getting hit by cars, proving it to be essential to add more lights for the safety of the community.

(A Little More Than) 250 Words on Bayside

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The neighborhood I want to work in is Bayside, Queens. I grew up in Bayside, though I haven’t lived there in about eight years.

The person I have in mind for the profile piece is Robert Pozarycki, the editor in chief at the Queens Courier, which has one of its offices on Bell Boulevard. He was my direct supervisor while I interned at the Courier over the summer, and I built up a good professional relationship with him.

As for the business profile, I have three different ideas. One place I’d like to profile is an organic supermarket that opened recently called Big Green Apple Market; though small, it has a surprisingly wide range of products that seem more typical of a Whole Foods than a neighborhood grocery. The second business is called Challenge Escape Rooms, where visitors are locked in a themed room for an hour and have to solve puzzles and find clues in order to escape. It stands out because there’s nothing remotely like it among the other shops and restaurants. Finally, the third business I’d be interested in profiling is VIPizza, a pizzeria that I’ve been going to since I was a little kid. I know that it’s been there for quite some time, so it seems like an almost-permanent fixture of Bell Boulevard.

Finally, I have to admit I’m not wholly certain about what kind of conflicts are currently ongoing in Bayside. However, I can think of a few areas where they might exist. One area I could look at is real estate—who is buying property in Bayside, and for what purpose? What impact is it having on people already living there? Another is business in a broad sense—are there any conflicts that have come up as the result of the opening or closing of any businesses? Who is opening businesses in Bayside? Who do they serve and what kind of services do they offer?

I’m not limiting myself to these two ideas, of course, but they’re what I have in mind for now.

250 words on New Brighton

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The neighborhood that I would like to focus on is the New Brighton section of Staten island. Some of the main areas that make up this section are, Richmond Terrace, St. George and Jersey Street. I am interested in this neighborhood because I grew up here and currently still reside here.

I live on Jersey Street, and have for 13years. I have seen a lot of faces come and go. As well as plenty of successful business or those that failed. I have witnessed the evolution of the youth as well as the transformation of the neighborhood. For example, the rebuilding of the park down the block from my house.

The St. George area, home to the Staten Island Yankee Stadium as well as the Staten Island Ferry, is constantly transforming. Inside the ferry terminal itself, many new restaurant’s and stores have opened. There are currently many changes still in the process of being made that will be finished within the next year or two. Since the ferry is a major tourist attraction, the city is trying to revamp the area. Tourist take the ferry into Staten island and go right back in the city, with the new construction plans, they are hoping visitors will come and enjoy Staten island. They are working on a giant ferris wheel as well as opening a shopping outlet.

I think I can find some interesting stories about the transformation of this neighborhood.

250 Words on Astoria

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     The neighborhood I have chosen is Astoria in Queens. I chose this neighborhood because it is where I grew up. I moved away 10 years ago, but whenever I go to visit my family, I see changes happening all around me. Astoria is not the place I once knew. I have noticed a change in the types of businesses that are thriving. Classic diners, pizzerias and clothing stores are going out of business and more organic markets and juice bars are opening. I have also noticed many places are going out of business relatively quickly. Some buildings have ownership and business changes every few years. I think it would be fascinating to learn more about why these places keep closing, and what the owners who have been successful in the area are doing to maintain their profits.

     There is an individual I would like to profile named Andreana Verona. She is a local tattooist from Italy who opened her own shop in 2004, after traveling and tattooing around the world honing her craft. Her shop was named one of the best tattoo shops in New York City by clients and was mentioned in an article on CBS New York’s website.

     There are many local businesses, but the one that stands out most to me is Queens Comfort. The restaurant opened in 2011 and has quickly become a favorite amongst Astoria residents. This pop culture themed eatery serves comfort food with a twist. On the weekends, the line out the door could span to the end of the block.

     An issue in Astoria that I found to be of interest was the proposed closing of Shore Boulevard in Astoria Park to make a pedestrian walkway. The street is along the shore line next to the park and has been the subject of complaints for many years. There have been many fatal car accidents due to driver’s speeding down the road. Many people gather at Astoria Park to ride their bicycles, walk their dogs or even take their children to watch the boats go by. The proposal has angered some residents who enjoy driving and commute via Shore Boulevard. Others are in favor of the road being closed to make the place safer.

250 Words on Lenox Hill- Revised

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Often grouped with Carnegie Hill and Yorkville or just simply referred to as the Upper East Side, Lenox Hill is a historical part of Manhattan, with roots dating back to some of the earliest inhabitants of the city.

Named for Robert Lenox, an immigrant Scottish merchant who purchased the land in 1818 from Archibald Gracie (of Gracie Mansion fame). Lenox used this expansive piece of land, ranging from East 60th Street to East 77th Street, all the way east to the East River and reaching as far west as Park Avenue, as a farm. A steep slope on what is now East 70th and Park Avenue lends itself to the “Hill” portion of the neighborhood’s name.

After Robert’s death in 1839, his son James Lenox took over the farm, but ended up selling most of the land by the 1870s. James kept and built on some of the land, most notably building the Lenox Library on East 70th and 5th Avenue, now known as the Frick Collection.

 

After having attended High School in Lenox Hill for four years and after living there for two, I feel very strongly that Lenox Hill has become my “home” in Manhattan. My familiarity with the neighborhood will hopefully enable me to talk to the right people, obtain the best information, and uncover the deepest secrets in order to write about a neighborhood conflict that no one has written about before.

250 Words on Soho

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Soho is a historic neighborhood in lower Manhattan which has transitioned from a neighborhood of artists and art galleries to a commercial are with many chain stores geared to tourists. many of the art galleries have been moved to different neighborhoods in the city and gentrification and shopping have shaped the Soho that we know today.

The neighborhood became a go-to spot for entertainment in the mid 19 century, and this also brought in brothels and the atmosphere began to change. The middle class moved out and and was replaced by merchants. in the 1960’s the artists moved in and the neighborhood began to change again. Artists would be attracted to the empty industrial buildings because of the large windows, vast indoor space, and natural light. There was a period of time where the City ignored clandestine housing in buildings which did not meet any requirements for living conditions. this was due to the city’s poor economy at the time. (1960’s) . After a while, the city addressed the growing artist population and made it legal for artists to live in the places they worked, this was partly because manufacturing had left New York City at the time.

Soho is in between Canal Street on the south, Crosby Street on the east, and Sixth Avenue to the west. The northern part of the neighborhood consists of clustered chain outlets and the streets are often filled with tourists visiting New York City. The southern part of the neighborhood along Grand Street still resembles the neighborhood’s earlier days.

Soho residents, according to the 2010 United States Census, are mostly white, Asians and Latinos are in lower numbers and Blacks constitute a 1% of the population in that area. (Soho is part of the Manhattan community board 2).

250 Words On Kips Bay

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The neighborhood of my choice for this semester will be Kips Bay, which spans from FDR Drive to Lexington Avenue, and Twenty-Third to Thirty-Fourth Street. The reason as to why I chose this particular neighborhood is because I spend most of my time in Kips Bay. I live there and also visualize the problems and atmosphere that it has, during both the day and night.

During the day, it seems like a normal New York neighborhood- you have a few playgrounds, apartment buildings, semi-expensive restaurants that have been around for over a decade, and etcetera.

When the day turns to night, however, it is a completely different story. People come out and venture out into their favorite sport bars, one particular establishment being Tonic East. Every Friday and Saturday, Tonic has the dynamic of a nightclub as music bursts through the apartment walls adjacent to the building. Do not be surprised if you walk out your apartment door with a trail of bile on your front porch.

There is a homeless problem, in my eyes, that needs to be looked at more carefully. It’s understandable that homelessness is normal in Manhattan, but it has gone to the point where you can see the same people in the same place at the same time, countless times as if they are residence at the twenty-four-seven bank on the east side of Third Avenue between Twenty-Ninth and Twenty-Eighth Street.

The homelessness problem does not compliment the restaurants, bars, and apartments for rent, which could average to about $4,000/month for a two bedroom apartment.