Annotated Bibliography

Summary of Research Findings

The performance will take place in Downtown Brooklyn in front of Atlantic Terminal located at Flatbush Avenue and Hanson Place. The terminal is across the street from the Apple Store under the 300 Ashland residential building by TEN arquitectos. Barclays Center is also located in front of the other entrance of Atlantic Terminal between Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. Most of people in the area were locals, others were shoppers since there is a large shopping area around our site. It also provided our performance with a lot of commuters due to transportation available by the MTA. There was a multitude of sky rise apartment buildings and construction sites. Our site is not an area for relaxation, buildings and streets with cars going several directions do not provide a comforting vibe. Our interactive props will move with the pedestrians helping to garner attention from them as well as giving out flyers with information to distribute. Our space will provide ample people and relevance to our cause given its history and impact on Fort Greene and surrounding areas.

 

Crespo, Marcos A. Tenants’ Rights, nyassembly.gov/member_files/085/20090617b/. 

This internet source is a message Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo discussing how tenant rights are unknown to residents and how he can help them live better in NYC by knowing their rights. The source discusses what he considers important to know about your tenant rights. This includes: leases, security deposits, evictions, subleases and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in New York State. Also, discussing other information that can help you with problems you are having with your tenant and other useful information that you may not be aware of as a tenant. The source helps us to discover what we can and cannot do as a tenant and a landlord, helping us identify the differences. Crespo mentions how residents are aware of their rights and how he can help them better their living situations.

Gill, John Freeman. “Fort Greene, Brooklyn: A Neighborhood With Many Faces.” The New York          Times, The New York Times, 24 Sept. 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/09/28/realestate/fort-greene-brooklyn-a-neighborhood-with-many-faces.html  

Fort Greene neighborhood is located in Brooklyn, New York. It is known as the area with many cultural options and the area where gentrification exists at its highest. This article discusses Fort Greene as the neighborhood it is today and how it has changed over the years from its streets to its schools. From everything located inside the neighborhood to how much it will cost you. The article also talks about the rich history and how the neighborhood has become very cultural and mixed. Also, the article talks about change in Fort Greene and why this neighborhood has, “many faces.” Fort Greene has been at the top of the gentrification list for a while now. With the changing structures and changing environment, the neighborhood continues to be gentrified and residents continue to lose value of their tenant rights.

Gonzalez, David. “When Gentrification Knocks on the Wrong Door.” The New York Times. 03 Sept. 2017. The New York Times. 02 July 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/03/nyregion/when-gentrification-knocks-on-the-wrong-door.html  

 Monxo Lopez and his family were residents in Fort Greene before they were forced to move due to drastic changes in the neighborhood and high rent. He recalls local stores and restaurants being replaced by pet shops and boutique pizzerias trying to sell “gourmet food and organic cookies”. He now resides in South Bronx where he bought a house back in 2006 for $400,000. The problem now is that he is being heckled by strangers asking him to sell his house, which is estimated to be worth $1.5 million due to the neighborhood being “among the five hottest real estate markets in the nation” as a result of gentrification. Mr. Lopez claims he doesn’t want to sell his house because he doesn’t see it as an investment but as a home for his family.  He is also one of the founders of South Bronx Unite that pushes forward to obtain city owned building or lots and transform them into local cultural centers.

Inae Oh. “Spike Lee’s Incredible Gentrification ‘Rant’ Is Backed By Solid Facts”. The Huffington Post, August 5, 2014 Tuesday. https://advance-lexis-com.citytech.ezproxy.cuny.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:5CVH-F471-JCMN-Y0J7-00000-00&context=1516831  

 Spike Lee a legendary director, a Fort Greene native talks about gentrification in Fort Green and rants about how does it really helps the neighborhood and criticized as “bullshit”. And how Fort Greene natives already have a culture that has been there for generations and now that more wealthy people are moving in it go to change for them to adjust to the neighborhood which it brake neighborhoods. And he also speaks about real estate developers how they creep up to brownstone houses.  this relates to our topic because its coming from a Fort Greene native how the neighborhood is changing and people are being pushed out and redeveloping the area.

James, Letitia. “Tenants’ Rights Guide.” Ag.ny.gov, Office of the New York State Attorney General , 2018, ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/tenants_rights.pdf. 

 The website is a booklet approved from Attorney General Letitia James on the laws in New York State between tenants and landlords. The booklet states detailed facts on the protocols set in place in regards to housing in New York State and the laws that accompany them. The booklet also states a multitude of solutions to complex concerns New York State tenants commonly have, with further resources provided. The website provided an abundance of information about rights and laws tenants have and the legal explanations were easy to follow. This source was essential in our performance because it provided our performance the questions and answers for our jeopardy like game on tenants’ rights.

Monet, Mariah. “Fort Greene Council celebrates new victory in the fight against gentrification.” New York Amsterdam News: The new Black view. 13 Oct. 2016. 02 July 2019 http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2016/oct/13/fort-greene-council-celebrates-new-victory-fight-a/ 

 The Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center and The Young Minds Day care Center were at risk of losing the property after 44 years of service over a dispute between the city and the landlord about the lease. NYC Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo along other elected officials of Fort Greene fought to preserve these facilities and for both parties to come to an agreement. As a result, The Forte Green Council was able to sign a new lease with the city that will last another 10 years. However, residents of the community are worried that with new people moving in  and changing the neighborhood there is little legislation to protect African-American businesses.

“Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities.” HPD – Renters – Tenants’ Rights, Housing Preservation & Development, 2019, www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/renters/tenants-rights.page.   

 This website provides tenants with rights they have to ensure safety and quality in regards to their living conditions. The site states laws protecting not only tenants but the building owners has well, laws and rights against situations like discrimination and harassment. Even though the website was focused on providing tenants information on their rights it was not biased and presented facts and laws and rights landlords have. This site provided resources to the readers looking for further assistance for individual circumstances. This source provided resources like  phone numbers for non-profits like the urban Justice Center and the Legal Aid Society.

Woolfe, Zachary. “This Is What Gentrification in Brooklyn Sounds Like.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/10/10/arts/music/place-brooklyn-academy-bam.html?searchResultPosition=1 

 This article talks about the change happening in Fort Greene, director Patricia McGregor had been around the area but in 2018 she had just notice that there’s an Apple store in the neighborhood. And talks about how the neighborhood has been transforming. Also about an 80 minute video called “place” that talks about gentrification in an indirectly was but in an obsessive manner.  Terms like “power and limitations of white male privilege”, and the junction of changes in communities and families. this is another article that shows how Fort Greene had mayor changes in the neighborhood. this connects back to our topic to inform people about what is going on in the neighborhood.