For Those Who Haven’t Found New Space, It’s Going to be a Hike
By Sarah Ryley
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — About 70 cars were parked at the Love Lane Garage in Brooklyn Heights yesterday, according to manager Thom Wigfall. But now there are none.
After more than 40 years of operation, the 400-car garage in Brooklyn Heights has closed up shop on July 31, with the complex slated to be transformed into sprawling apartments and townhouses in four buildings, romantically named the Love Lane Mews.
Wigfall said most of the car owners have already secured a spot at another local parking garage, but there have been some holdouts. “The ones that have been waiting for a last-minute reprieve, they’re going to have some trouble,” he said, noting that customers were given a year’s notice of the garage’s closing.
Those people will be able to find a space, but it’s going to be a hike for residents of this parking-starved neighborhood. Sales associates at garages in the Heights all said there’s a waiting list — 150 people at Cadman Plaza Garage and 43 people at the garage at 44 State St., for example.
“And there’s not hardly a chance that even two of them will get a space because nobody gives up a space this time of year,” said a manager at the State Street garage. “There’s hardly going to be any openings as far as I can see.”
Wigfall passed out fliers for other garages in the area that have openings, all at least a third of a mile away in neighborhoods like Boerum Hill or DUMBO. But the rates are a little lower than Love Lane’s $360 monthly rent for cars.
The new 100-car garage at 200 Schermerhorn Street between Bond and Hoyt streets should be open by September and is running a special introductory rate of $175 for cars. Michael Benz, who is in charge of rates, said spaces that aren’t taken up by the building’s 154 tenants would be available to the general public.
Greg Gonzalez, a principal for parking giant Manhattan Park Group, said less than 10 of the 350 spaces are rented out in his parking garage beneath the J Condominium at 100 Jay Street, and there are 30 spaces available at 205 State Street.
Luis Castro at 111 Livingston said there are about 20 spaces available there at amonthly $325 for cars. Spaces for larger vehicles like SUVs are more expensive at every garage.
And an attendant at the parking garage at 85 Livingston Street said four spaces are left, starting at $305 a month.
“Anybody who waited until the last minute, it was ludicrous. They knew it was going to close; they were out of their mind,” said Ivan Arguello, a manager at Key Foods on Montague Street. Arguello said he moved his car from Love Lane Garage a year ago to a parking garage on State Street, and although it’s a little farther, he’s happy with the change.
“The service is much better. They don’t dent my car; they are in uniform; they are pleasant. Over there, the management was arrogant,” he said. “It’s a walk, but I guess we all need a little exercise.”
As reported earlier, Love Lane Mews would have 38 apartments, two townhouses and roughly 25 underground parking spaces. The four buildings are protected by city landmark status, so the facades cannot be significantly altered.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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