Bedford Avenue Segment 3

Broadway 

to

Metropolitan Avenue

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      This segment shows early signs of gentrification in the numerous construction projects one can see along the blocks. However, large industrial-looking buildings still dominate the landscape. Many of these buildings do not yet show any signs of being under renovation. There were a few cafes and creative spaces but not enough to change the face of the neighborhood. This area, like most of Williamsburg, also sported many interesting works of graffiti like murals on the sides of buildings. We saw a number of Hispanic men in the neighborhood. However, they seemed to be working at the numerous construction projects in the area and did not actually live there.

Williamsburg Art & Historical Center

The WAH Center

Located at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and Broadway is the WIlliamsburg Art & Historical Center. The WAH center suits Williamsburg well seeing as its mission statement is to, “coalesce the diverse artistic community.” In this way, the WAH center is the arts version of the Williamsburg, representing diverse cultures and viewpoints. It was founded by Yuko Nii in 1996. The WAH center and the historic building it is housed in are an integral part of WIlliamsburg’s cultural fabric.

(Pre)Gentrification:

This segment of Williamsburg seems to be in a state that precedes gentrification. There are large industrial buildings that, by all appearances, seem to have stopped functioning years ago. The neighborhood, at various points seems deserted and eerily quiet. However, construction and renovation projects are cropping up all along these blocks, leading the way for future gentrification.

Metropolitan Pool and Recreation Center:

The Metropolitan Pool and Recreation center is located at the corner of Metropolitan Avenue and Broadway. We were able to speak to one of the employees at the center, Ms. White. Ms. White did not live in Williamsburg, “I am not from this part of Brooklyn,” she said with a slight smile. Her opinion of the neighborhood was generally favorable although she acknowledged that there was a clear distinction between various communities along Bedford. Interestingly, Ms. White brought up the concept of economic disparity in WIlliamsburg. According to Ms. White, the segmentation of Bedford Avenue could be looked at as differentiation based on economic factors. Her statements were in compliance with what we had discovered from our visits to various stores along Bedford. As one walks further north from the Hispanic neighborhood to the hipster neighborhood, we noticed a definite increase in prices of goods and standard of living. Demographically, Ms . White finds Bedford to be a mixture of young and old, native and immigrant.

Image mosaic of Bedford Avenue Segment 3

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