While we are on the topic of the crumbling townhouses of Old Fulton Street yesterday, it appears that Grimaldi’s (19 Old Fulton Street) is also crumbling (so to speak) under back payments owed to the landlord. Apparently, the long lines at Grimaldi’s isn’t enough for restaurant owner Frank Ciolli to pay back rent of $44,000 to the landlord, Dorothy Waxman. So Ms. Waxman has served eviction papers. “The landlord will ask a state Supreme Court judge in Brooklyn to throw out her famous tenant”, according to the story in the Wall Street Journal. The article states that “Mr. Ciolli also has set aside money to pay August’s rent and $7,000 in attorney’s fees, and can pay the $38,000 for a security deposit, but Mrs. Waxman’s attorney has refused the money. “He’s trying to create a default,” Ciolli’s attorney Mr. Perrella said.”

Even if things end well this week for Mr. Ciolli, he’s lost his right to renew his lease, so the restaurant would likely leave the space next fall. Mr. Ciolli plans to open a pizzeria on Sixth Avenue and 20th Street in Manhattan.

The 1,100-square-foot storefront on Old Fulton Street is part of the city’s pizza lore, in part, because it houses one of the city’s few coal-fired ovens. Patsy Grimaldi, who learned the art from a renowned pie-making uncle, opened the restaurant in 1990, retiring in 1998 and selling the Grimaldi’s name to Mr. Ciolli. The restaurant is one of the city’s top-rated pizzerias in Zagat’s annual survey and has been featured on food shows and in pizza tours.

The city, too, is owed money: nearly $12,250 in property taxes and business improvement district charges, according to the Finance Department. Mr. Ciolli was responsible for paying taxes and city fees under the lease, courts papers say.

With the consistent lines and the recent $2 surcharge for the privilege of picking up pizza (a local’s “special”), why Grimaldi’s cannot pay rent and property taxes are a mystery to us.

[UPDATE: Gothamist reminded us that Grimaldi's had account mistakes in the past. In July 2007, they were shut down for a few hours because they owed the state $150,000 in taxes.]

Grimaldi’s Pizza (grimaldis.com)
19 Old Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.858.4300

We’ve previously wrote about a full vacate order at 11, 13 and 15 Old Fulton Street townhouses. In addition, on 8/3, the NYC Department of Buildings served a full vacate notice on 9 Old Fulton Street, due to “major structural defects to exterior walls.” This makes the four buildings (9, 11, 13, 15 Old Fulton Street) at risk for demolition. A source close to the situation told us that 11-15 Old Fulton are going through the process of what is called “demolition by neglect”, which means that the City is trying to compel the owner of these buildings to maintain the property so that they do not deteriorate to the point where they will have to be demolished. Allowing buildings like this to deteriorate to that point is a tactic sometimes used by landlowners who deem it cost-ineffective to renovate the existing structure, and who would prefer to raze the building and start over.

Regarding 9 Old Fulton, the owners submitted an application for a “hand demolition of one story structure”. They are probably going through the approvals process in preparation to construct a new building on that site.

In the meantime, while waiting for the approvals process, the owner of 9 Old Fulton gave verbal permission to the restaurant next door (A&B Fulton Corp.) to use the lot as an outdoor garden with restaurant seating (pic here). This activity too, however, has been stopped by the DOB.

{NYC.gov BIS for 9 Old Fulton Street}
{NYC.gov BIS for 11 Old Fulton Street}
{NYC.gov BIS for 13 Old Fulton Street}
{NYC.gov BIS for 15 Old Fulton Street}

The following is a guest post as an open letter. Thank you to Ilene for submitting this to us. I will leave out any of my commentary. ~hide

When I moved to Dumbo in January 2001 I had been to Brooklyn no more than a handful of times. But I knew. I knew the amazing views, cobblestone streets, and untapped potential of the waterfront was going to be a great place to call home. And it was. Until recently.

My family and I have a lot of history in this neighborhood. I was married at 70 Washington – before the condo conversion. We stood at what is now the flag pole entrance to Fulton Ferry watching the Twin Towers fall. I share this as I feel a bit like I am betraying an old friend to be voicing so publicly the serious problems that have overtaken our neighborhood.

It is no secret that times have changed and Dumbo is now on the map. And not just on the new subway map. We are the destination for film shoots, photo shoots and of course….those lovely wedding parties seeking the ultimate NYC backdrop for their wedding day photos.

While we welcome everyone to enjoy our fabulous views, we are very concerned for the safety issue this traffic creates. As the neighborhood has grown, both in residents and visitors, we have in some ways become a victim of our popularity. The block of Main Street (between Water + Plymouth) becomes overrun with double, tripled parked limos every weekend. At some times, the block is impassable both to pedestrians and vehicles.

I recently started a petition to bring political attention to the safety issues of our neighborhood. The community response was incredible. As a neighborhood, we seem to be holding our breath expecting a tragedy to result from the reckless limo traffic. I also had dozens of people mention the other big issues (filming, construction) and asking what we can do about them.

As a community we are desperate for someone, anyone, to take hold of the multiple assaults that are combining to create an untenable, unsafe, situation for Dumbo residents and visitors alike. Since there is no Mayor of Dumbo (sorry David), it is up to us to create a critical mass.

When we had trouble with our condo board years ago, it took an organized effort and countless hours to enact change. This is just what we need to do in Dumbo. There is no one but the community of Dumbo that can call attention to these matters and get some real change in order.

Limos
I have been working with Assemblywoman Millman’s office on The Limo Issue. (See letter to Millman’s office: PDF format). We have been told the 84th precinct will be creating flyers that remind drivers not to double park, and suggest that they stage their drop off area over on Adams Street, where there is another entrance to the park. Apparently through all of our efforts and 311 calls, the city is aware this is an issue and this is how they see a resolve. I’ll keep you posted.

I also think the TLC needs to get involved and advise their drivers accordingly. The number of stretch hummer double decker limos has to be small and I am sure the offending drivers can be found. Take license plate numbers when you can.

Dial 311 or (212) NEW-YORK (212 639-9675) for all TLC related matters

Film Shoots
Film shoots happen almost daily. Often taking up significant amounts of our limited parking. And those are the correctly permitted shoots. As a producer myself, I have busted more than my share of unpermitted shoots dangerously laying cable across park paths and taking up sidewalks with their video village.

If you encounter a film shoot that is taking your parking, blocking your way, or operating in an unsafe manner ask to see their permit.

Read it. Make sure it says the correct date and exact address of the shoot. A few weeks ago someone tried to show me a permit that said they can shoot at the Brooklyn Bridge and take parking ‘as available’. They were illegally parked at 1 Main and had their crew taking the entire sidewalk forcing us into the street. Film production people are trained to take charge and look like they have the authority to do what they are doing. I should know.

If you do not want to face a confrontation (see: Man Head Butts film crew) here is what you can do:

Call 311. Call often. The city tracks which issues get the most calls, and responds accordingly. Keep your case number.

Call the Mayors Office of Film + TV , ask for the complaint department: (212)489-6710. You will get a live person who can look up the permit for the shoot in question and take action accordingly (business hours only)

**Use this number to complain about frequency of shoots. This office approves permits and is supposed to monitor how many crews and how often. They need to hear from you.

Also FYI this is what a permit looks like (they can be faked).

Construction
The course of action for this is a bit more obtuse right now. 311 calls seem to be the answer for now, as well as any additional pressure we can put on our representatives to draw attention to the matters.

Assemblywoman Joan Millman: 718-246-4889 (to come other representatives contact information)

I recently arrived home after several weeks out of the city. As I tried to navigate a small opening in the limo traffic to pull my car up in front of our building (young son, 2 dogs, completely stuffed car), I was literally verbally harassed by a gigantic wedding party whose bride’s photo op in front of a Time Warner van I inadvertently compromised. In front of my son. While this was not a safety issue, this time, things are clearly out of control.

In the melodic words of the great Peter Tosh “Get up stand up, stand up for rights. You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time. So now we see the light, we’re gonna stand up for our rights”.

~ Ilene Richardson

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• DoBro’s $7 Million Bridgeview Tower Penthouse, 06Aug10, Curbed
• The Parking Lot Movie at ReRun, 05Aug10, NYT
• Tobacco Warehouse Should Stay Public, 05Aug10, BHB
• Shoutworthy Lets You Endorse A Friend In 140, 02Aug10,
  Techcrunch
• Ditch Plains Opens at BBPark, 03Aug10, TONY
• Pic: ESB From Dumbo, 03Aug10, NYCDailyPhoto
• Brooklyn Industries Rumors, 04Aug10, Gothamist
• Brooklyn’s cookin’!, 07Aug10, MirrorUK
• Catch a ReRun, 06Aug10, NYPress
• Staying Ashore, or Wading In, 05Aug10, NYT
• 2010 DUMBO DANCE FESTIVAL Calls For Artists, 04Aug10, BWWorld

Munch Truck is a relatively new truck stationed on Washington Street in Dumbo. They serve breakfast and lunch foods. For breakfast, egg/bagel sandwiches and omlettes (breakfast menu photo). Lunch items include falafel sandwiches, gyros, chicken burgers, veggie burgers, and fries/onion rings (lunch menu photo). We tried the falafel sandwich with hummus sauce today and was pretty tasty. Let us know what you think.

[UPDATE: There's also filming for "FWB" on Everit Street at Old Fulton Street and on Water Street at Old Fulton Street. Pic below.]

Rubicon is filming in Dumbo again today– On Front Street between Pearl and Bridge Streets and on Jay Street. Rubicon is a new tv series on AMC previously filmed in Dumbo.

Also, something called “Booming Is” is being filmed on Main Street at Water Street.

First Thursday on Thursday, August 5th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A chance to visit many quality galleries at night in the Dumbo Historic District – galleries showing works from artists of many disciplines, especially photography, while hosting receptions, producing live music performances and curator/artist talks among other highlights.

Let’s not forget the incredible views you can enjoy as you walk from one gallery to the next and the local drink specials afterward. Most of the art is for sale. Printed maps and 1st Thursday cards are available on-site.

Participating galleries may vary each month. For more information contact Zannah Mass at zannah@twotrees-dumbo.com or 718-222-2500 x38.

This month’s highlights include: Photographic exhibits Sultry II and Quorum at KRIS GRAVES PROJECTS, Venetia Dearden’s Glastonbury: Another Stage at VII Photo Agency, exploring the Native Spirit with Andre Martinez-Reed, Atara Baker, Anne Foudral and Ruben Reyes at the Henry Gregg Gallery and a solo exhibition of new video work “Field Transitions / Memory Screens,” by Sean Capone investigating the ‘special effects’ of media and cinema at the Dumbo Arts Center.

Check gallery websites for updates.
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Bose Pacia, 163 Plymouth St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
Caption Gallery, 55 Washington St., Suite 802
Cave Canem, 20 Jay St.
Central Booking, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Collective Consciousness NYC, 10 Jay St.
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Farmani Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 212
Giacobetti Paul Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 220
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Kris Graves Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 224
Magasin Totale, 10 Jay St., Suite 724
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
Mighty Tanaka Gallery, 68 Jay St., Suite 416
NY Studio Residency Program, 20 Jay St.
One Arm Red, 10 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Pratt Institute Photo Seniors, 20 Jay St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Randall Scott Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 204
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.

Rubicon is filming today in Dumbo on Jay Street. Rubicon is a new tv series on AMC previously filmed in Dumbo.

The Dog Run at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Dumbo was recently expanded with the help of the Brooklyn Bridge Park and a corporate volunteer group. There are additional upcoming enhancements to the dog run plus opportunities for volunteering.

To donate: Your donation is tax deductible thru the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, a non-profit 501(c)(3).

Go to: BrooklynBridgePark.org, “Get Involved,” then “Donate,” and fill in Organization box with: “FOR DOG RUN”

Join the email list at: BBPDogRun@nyc.rr.com

First 55 Washington Street is being repaired due to a falling debris and now 45 Main Street has a hole (see photo above the windows on the second floor) with concrete on the sidewalk on Front Street. Let’s hope no one gets hurt.