Monday, October 24, 2005

L-ification

Yet another doozy article from New York Magazine. The author follows the L train in search of the end of "gentrification" and finds it at the Jefferson L train. huh. where i live and work. from the article:

That’s when it hits me: I’m finally here. Simon’s gesture toward Jefferson takes in brownfields, industrial sprawl, derelict yards, and buildings that contain real working factories rather than raw loft space. There are no baby stores, soy products, or 24-hour delis. There is nothing to buy, no apartments not to afford. There are no Manhattan-bound commuters. There isn’t an ITHACA IS GORGE-OUS T-shirt in sight. Even Simon himself defines the line, which is exactly why the state has placed him right on top of it.

All day, I’ve been searching for the cliff edge of gentrification, and Simon has just casually pointed it out with a burning joint.


Where gentrification ends. okay, fine. I guess. but the characterization that the area contains no manhattan-bound communters and only ex-cons, drug addicts and welfare moms is wrong. There are hard working families in my neighborhood, many commuters, many people from many walks of life. A new restuarant just opened off my stop. It gets down to the haves and have-not scenario again. This is what brooklyn really used to be. I am not arguing to turn time back or to turn gentrification back (w/capitalism it's impossible). I just don't get the tone of this article.



This article makes me feel very conflicted.

22 comments:

sloth said...

Hm. That article is kind of entertaining, kind of irritating. The author clearly doesn't know the nabe around the Jefferson stop very well, and made a lazy flip judgment about it.

fairy butler said...

the author seems conflicted also on the one hand saying he/she is sick of the trendy t-shirts and making fun of the drugged out guy who is having his dad buy a building (in his dreams) or whatever. but it is dicey to judge a 'hood by the number of soy-milk delis and baby shops present. i dunno. i just wish people would go back to ignoring w'burg - and let it be the artist haven it was/is. new york is crazy. i am thinking again, it might be better underneath the slabs.

Anonymous said...

This is unbelievable. They are actually making a film on my block. It is a nasty filthy block and the actors are dressed like hoodlums. Today I took a long run through bed stuy. I ran past this amazing building which looked like a ramshackle bird house. Full of building violations. It was like an outsider artist fantasy. Two old hippy/artist types were sitting on the front steps.

Anonymous said...

I was heckled by fat guys all along my run. I'm slow. whatever....

fairy butler said...

ham paw, that's so funny about the fat guys. of course they would heckle you. ugh!!

arthur, I agree that lots of the area around our house are pretty grim, but it really is block to block. i just don't like the snap judgements - sensitive. however - maybe the trustafarians will stay away longer this way.?

fairy butler said...

it's like it's okay when i call it a shit area but not for someone else to call it that. ha! who am i?

i am a mixed up individual, honestly. i want to have my cake and eat it too.

Anonymous said...

Did you see there was also an article on a gay couple with matching sheepdogs who bought a house for 375 and rehabed it for a couple hundred thousand in bedstuy? It was in the times this weekend. I am very mixed up about gentrification too. I hate the poor people mentality of pissing everywhere and throwing your trash out your window, but I also have a mixed up feeling about gentrification. My neighborhood has changed a ton in 2 years. My disgusting filthy Associated now has an organic meats section. This happened 2 weeks ago. I like healthy cows but it is realistic to assume that I will soon be priced out.

fairy butler said...

hp, i did see that article in the times about that kick ass house. it was crazy! i felt like, 'good for them' in a way with their place and the rehab. nyc is just so expensive and everyone wants a part of it i guess.

i am thrilled to have this new restaurant in our nabe and a & i have noticed that the ass is now selling organic milk which is great. recent developments, but i also don't want to live on bedford avenue. annoying land. and i hear you on the scarcity of good deals and being priced out. that's why a & I moved. we couldn't stomach paying 2 grand in rent for a crappy loft space anymore.

Anonymous said...

Their renovation is beautiful! Have you gone to the new restaurant yet? Check out the panda cam. Baby panda is rolling around on his back right now.

pandahttp://animal.discovery.com/cams/pandavidr.html

Anonymous said...

I started the article at the beige, before reading your post, and got ill after the Phoebe's section.
UGH

Anonymous said...

just remember folks...

when it's YOU who moves to a not necessarily white/rich neighborhood that's not gentrification.

Gentrification is when your 'new' neighborhood gets crowded...with lots of other people just like you :)

Anonymous said...

It seems like there is a difference between artists moving into rough neighborhoods for studio space and cheaper rents and yuppies moving to williamsburg demanding starbucks. It adds up to the same thing though.

Anonymous said...

It's a tough call. I am scouring "hoods" right now and I notice some particular ill will as I walk around jotting down for rent numbers. I feel like the harbinger of doom (although I don't know why. . .I've been in J. Square for four years and I don't see a Blockbuster or a Starbucks yet- *thank god*.)

I don't want to be among the jackasses that usher in high property tax. Yet, I find it kind of funny. My ancestry is native american. I guess it's reverse manifest destiny. Want a blanket?

Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous....shut up.

fairy butler said...

hi krix! i WOULD like a blanket today so that i could curl up at beige and sleep type today. thank you!

every time i try to type something addressing the harbinger of doom thing i erase it. it's a touchy subject. and anon #1 - i realize that i am a gentrifier, that is why i am conflicted. But gentrification is not always negative if it doesn't get out of hand and force everyone out. It can bring better services, infarstructure, more business opportunity, more jobs, better schools, more landlord accountability, etc. I have written several letters to city officials asking for assistance around our hood and it seems to get results. i want things to be better for everyone.

really, it all goes back to big, abstract problems of class and economics, of capitalism, and the f*cked up nature of this city.

fairy butler said...

and ham paw i think your comments were well put. artists are willing to live in a rougher area (or a place that is perceived to be rougher) because of cheaper rents/homes plus these areas are often near industrial areas where there is studio space. the arts get little support so we do what we can. but we are the first wave - then we are pushed out and the advertising execs move in. it's just the way it is.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you FB. In the nabe I live in now, the small baby steps that have been taken in the past year have been the result of an influx of folks who have demanded better services, the main service being clean grocery stores without rotten food. No one is asking for a Banana Republic or a Jamba Juice but it would be nice to have a restaurant that has something other than counter service spanish food or fried chicken. The neighborhood is still primarily working class with families who have been around for quite awhile. I don't see J Sq. turning into a Hoboken anytime soon, although I'm sure ten years down the road, things will be different.

Sorry FB, you can't have a blanket. I am the harbinger of doom and all my blankets have small pox. I'll give you a nice hat instead. http://www.coastalpeoples.com/purchase/spirits/raven_transforming_into_human_ceremonial_hat.htm

Anonymous said...

rats, my hat link didn't come through. I'll try again.

hat

Corny said...

Describing the reality of the neighborhood would make for a dull artical. Drug addicts and ex-cons are the spice of life.
Hammy you are so right about there being a difference between Artists movign into an affordable neighborhood and then the yuppies following suit. Would it be so bad to throw garbage at them or something to discourage gentrification?

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