the thesis

Many factors influence the neighborhood of East New York, but it's the violence that heavily effects development.

The Interview

1- How long have you lived in East New York?
It’s been too long, ha-ha. My entire life man, it’s about to be 22 years.
2- What would you say is a major difference between your youth in ENY and now?
WORSE big time! I could stay out late and not worry about a thing when I was young. But now there are drug dealers and helicopters with spotlight every other night. There are also ups to this place; many stores actually make it in this area.
3- What is your opinion on the growth of independent business?
As I said they do grow, but in order for them to survive those Kmart’s have to stay away! Imagine a McDonalds on Fulton, over here the Dominicans would go crazy.
4- Do you think race has anything to do with the development of more commercial stores?
The majority of stores are divided into either Hispanics or Muslims. I don’t think big stores come in caring about who buys their products. They just want people spending and spending.
5- Violence is a factor would you say this is a huge part of the face of East New York?

Brooklyn itself is violent so I think it’s always going to be a part of the city, you can’t escape it but you can keep it in check, there are more cops around.
6- Have you ever witnessed any robberies of local stores?
Yes my own, on the corner of my own block! I mean I don’t own a store but that should count. I know that the new Dunkin Donuts got robbed clean and now they aren’t open late, oh and the gift store too! They got robbed but they beat the robber up. Why would you rob that store any ways?
7- Do you know anyone who owns their own store within the neighborhood?
Well I guess our friend Gabby did, but recently his father who owns the meat market sold it.
8- How do you feel about the recent addition of the fast food chains?
Well the Wendy’s and White Castle and Mickey D’s on liberty have always been around. Lately there has been a jump of more big name stores. There are sprint stores a new radio shack, even a footlocker within like the last year.
9- How do you see East New York in 20? 30 years?
More businesses but these small shops are going to be gone if more big stores take notice. This will probably attract more people maybe less violent people, however that works.
10- Would you want to continue living here and create a family or have your own store considering the changes that you predict will follow?
Uh no, I’m out of here dude, if you see majority of the people don’t want to try, their too into that gangster lifestyle but that won’t get them anywhere, I don’t want my kids growing here with that mind set. Change has to start with each individual. I’d be taking risks staying here.

one for my town

Newman, Andy. “Housing Plan Puts Ideas of East New York’s Revival to the Test.” NYTimes Article.31 May.2007. NYTimes. 02 Oct.2007

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/31/nyregion/31housing.html

Andy Newman writes that in a town filled with packed building projects and small business not too far off the kind those tenement buildings are used to will be in way for more development. The plan by New York City housing authorities would sets approval for use of empty space. Homes will be built for those making less than 60,000 and families making more than 90 grand. The potential for more affordable family home condominiums is threatened by the history of violence that never seems to go away. Questions arise as to whether more homes in an already crime crowded area will bring in families. This is the shadow that’s cast over East New York everyday plaguing the opportunity of the village. With a recent shooting of a young boy violence is the broken string that let’s the fish get away. Quotes from local residents put the idea of creating homes in an already slumping area useless, but real estate brokers think otherwise. With an increase in demand for housing and several building proposals the idea is more than “slumping”. All in all, the area like any will have some problems but by moving forward is the only way to know if we make progress.

one for the city

Landesman, Alter F. A History of New Lots, Brooklyn to 1887 including the villages of East New York, Cypress Hills, and Brownsville. New York: Port Washington,

1977.

“A history of new lots” takes into account the settlement of this village and its’ surrounding towns. More importantly it tells of the development of the fertile land and how certain figures contributed to the start of the area. The story begins in 1835 with a wealthy business man, John R. Pitkin, who in order to have his goal accomplished decides to buy the farmland off Dutch and English settlers. This would become an area of transportation and urban community able to compete with that of New York City. First he used what he had learned in life to create business and opportunity for the immigrating persons from all over the world, all the while avoiding an economic scare of 1837. Building factories and industrial workshops Pitkin was the catalyst of what the towns of New Lots, Cypress Hills, and East New York are today. Following this explosion of prosperity was the German settlements and its addition to an already expanding village. Fleeing an over populating Germany they brought their culture and skills they’ve gained from home. Hotels were built, toy factories constructed, and breweries assembled. These two events furthermore increased development and opportunity, bringing wealth and differentiation in business.

Ten Questions

1- How long have you lived in East New York?
2- What would you say is a major difference when you were younger and now?
3- What is your opinion on the growth of independent business?
4- Do you think race has anything to do with the development of more commercial stores?
5- Violence is a factor would you say this is a huge part of the face of East New York?
6- Have you ever witnessed any robberies of local stores?
7- Do you know anyone who owns their private store within the neighborhood?
8- How do you feel about the recent addition of the fast food chains?
9- How do you see East New York in 20? 30 years?
10- Would you want to continue living here and create a family or have your own store considering the changes that will ensue?

TWO

East New York is a small neighborhood near the lower east side of Brooklyn. Today some consider it coupled with the Cypress Hills area but it was town all of its own. Growth began in 1835 and was seen as a dream to be the best. In time immigration of nearby neighbor hoods elevated its percentage of minorities and presently it is demographically a Hispanic town. Whites populate at a distant third while African Americans come close but overall it is Hispanic driven. So far it looks like a report on demographics but this leads me to my main point, business. How does race evaluate how a community thrives? Does it at all?
For the most part of my blogs I have been trying to capture the balance or lack balance in commercially owned stores and small business. Throughout the neighborhood most if not all are “mom and pop” owned ninety-nine cent stores, corner groceries, food markets and clothing stores. For as long as I lived these shops have provided support for the idea that a small community can drive in consumers with few big chains. Recently it comes to thought, have we reached the tipping point? When does attention that money is being made here become too much? Opportunity for more wealth in a minority populated town spikes! More and more stores are being closed down and replaced by fast food but at a slow pace.

Where we're going there are no roads

This right here is a photograph of my school, Franklin K. Lane built in 1937. I had great memories in here and learned some stuff I am sure I have forgotten by now. It’s a very beautiful school building when observed in detail. The edifice stands five stories and has a tower for which I have no clue as to why it’s there. The columns in the front give it significance and with time will only make it look better. The young football field is a good addition, but that artificial turf is a pain. It gets everywhere and more than sand, trust me. Lane is not without its’ rumors and strangeness. We have one of the largest libraries, weight rooms, gorgeous auditorium, and an amazing swimming pool, but all overshadowed by the news, polls, and the graves!
Half of the school is surrounded by fields of tombstone and mausoleums. It could be the nicest day out but that darn cemetery would make you refocus on your class work and not what father time has planned for you. The school is also planted dead center (pun intended thank you very much) on the invisible Brooklyn-Queens border. So theoretically, after Spanish class I would have to walk to chemistry in Brooklyn. The address of the school is a flipped number that most consider bad luck. There were some deaths and adding that to the violence wouldn’t make it too welcoming. The recent addition to the SURR list was no help either. Newspapers stamped our school on the front page. We were considered one of the city’s top failing schools; even though there were worse, I’m sure. First to arrive were the truancy officers and their iron fists. Then the swarm of reporters wanting a story came. Half of the school had some sense of pride and ignored, the rest simply added insult to injury and dogged on their own school, smells like teen spirit. In the end it was the students that could only change the school. The papers may print what they like but I met some incredible kids, intelligent students with potential. I’ve made memories I could never forget and that will never die out.