A security guard for the Brooklyn Academy of Music for 6 years. Initially worked at the Harvey Theater building but then was transferred to the Peter Sharp Jay building 2 weeks ago. Mid 40- early 50’s. Had an indistinguishable accent.

•  Has there been any noticeable changes around the neighborhood or the area in the time that you’ve been working here?
  • I can only talk about the area around the BAM buildings as I don’t live here. Usually I just leave straight for home once I’m done here, you know? Some changes that I have noticed is that there are new residential buildings popping up around the area in the past… 5 years. Like the new buildings that’s right next to this building, by Ashland and Lafayette? Yeah, like… back then, it used to be a large parking space.

• So you do agree that there has been a change within the neighborhood itself, with all of the bringing in of these businesses, how has that reflected in like, the people you see here or in the audience and around the area in terms of people?
  • At least for now, I have noticed that there are a lot more sold out shows. So there is an audience for it. So I guess that that’s a good change for the BAM. And with these new residential buildings that are going up around the area, you are bringing in new, and more, people to live here in the area.

• Ok, so there is a positive side to the whole change.
  • Yes, definitely. They’re bringing people in to live here and so people will probably work here, shop here…

• Who do you think they’re targeting with these new residential buildings?
  • They say that they are [the builders] for lower to middle class income families but… I don’t think that’s the case. It’s just not possible with the rent for these apartments starting out at around $2,000 per month. It’s not possible. I think that they are targeting people more like in the higher class. No one is making that kind of money to pay for rent…

• In what other ways has there been a change in Downtown Brooklyn, like in the commercial/business side?
  • With the arrival of Barclay’s Center five years ago, everything has changed. Everything got more expensive and there has been a lot more big chain retail stores all around Fulton St. Back then, Fulton St. used to be filled with these small owned shops but they’ve been kicking them out, buying the buildings, and opening up all of these stores.