Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Labor Day, 2008.

This area had been neglected, was run down, seedy, and not very visitable. It’s main landmark was a city housing project.

And then something wonderful happened.

The Swedish home furnishings company know as IKEA, stepped in and did wonders. In return for its waterfront property it created Erie Basin Park, a free water taxi service to lower Manhattan (to lure over Manhattan-ites). The great thing is, anyone can use the taxi service, and they do, to go to work or to get to Manhattan.

Many people forget, including the city government, that New York City is virtually a couple of islands, and where there are islands there is water. But public access didn’t exist for many years in most areas. Instead, industry was the resident.

So IKEA has not only erected and established these wonderful additions to the area, but established jobs. People can walk to work from the area and take pride in having a job with health benefits and perks.

No wonder the employees were smiling. And all were well trained and helpful, aside from being very pleasant. A good example of one hand washing the other.

In addition, a gourmet supermarket, Fairway, opened nearby in a former factory, and also has a water taxi. More jobs.

So where there was poverty, there is now life, money flowing, and gentrification.

Along the waterfront a bit further down in a former factory, is Steve’s Key Lime Pie bakery. Real key limes. He is in a little garden paradise thanks to the plant nursery next door. My first blog on Yahoo was a mini photo essay on Steve’s.

So I’ve done a little photo journal on this corner of Brooklyn.
But, I was foiled at Fairway. I managed to fire off a few shots but was stopped dead in my tracks at the prepared food counter. “No pictures!” I was told. I guess they thought I was a spy for Zabar’s or some such similar gourmet competitor.

The water taxi takes 20 minutes to cross and the views are spectacular. Please take your sea sick meds before watching! I am amazed at the image stabilization of my camera.

You will see “waterfalls.” These are art installations; there are 7. There is one under the Brooklyn Bridge. Catch the Statue of Liberty waving?