You don't need me to point out that if you stay inside your apartment for a week, in this greater metropolitan area, when you emerge you might not recognize your nabe. Depending on the real estate vibe your block has, the sound of tear downs and rebuilds could be your daily, not-so-ambient, soundtrack. Bottomless private pockets eradicate historical landmarks in our towns and cities in the name of economic growth, taking away major memories like Asbury Park and Coney Island along with the incidental but gorgeous drugstore from the 1960's that had continually illuminated your corner with a blinking glow. (This is my I am fed-up with over development
rant, don't worry it's almost over) And unfortunately corporate concerns frequently don't include public day to day activities: food shops, schools, gas stations and neighborhood niceties like home-made mozzarella or brick-oven baked bread.
Downtown Brooklyn has lately been embattled in a private vs. public real estate war, that creates a new use of "public" government as the ruler of all it surveys. Local groups such as Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn have created a community presence providing information and lobbying power to offer an alternative voice to that of corporate concerns.
Samara Smith responded to this battle, compiling two years of documentary sound recording, interviews, and research to create Anyplace, Brooklyn, an audio walking tour that critically examines this struggle, while providing guided observations on the visually changing downtown landscape. Every Saturday in November, you can get a more personalized lowdown on the eminent domain and re-organizing of city streets around Fulton Mall. Anyplace, Brooklyn asks that you bring a cd player or downloads on an MP3 player. Noon-2pm; free and open to the public.
Good reads that give a glimpse into our greater urban metropolis in long days gone by:
Low Life by Luc Sante
Five Finger Discount by Helene Stapinski
The Waterfront Museum and Showboat Barge, in Red Hook, offers this reading list on Brooklyn.
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