Keylime Steve, who captures some interesting shots of Red Hook, posted this image on flickr of the steel framework of the massive Red Hook Ikea as seen from the water. It has now been topped out. Steve writes:

In a tradition going back possibly as far as the late 1800’s, iron workers signify the completion of their phase of construction by Topping Out (raising the American flag) the the framework to the future home of IKEA.

It amazes me how new construction like this can (apparently) apply for and receive DEC approval for sheet-piling and bulkhead restoration, whereas others who are trying to preserve and keep much of the city’s historic structures (specifically Pier 41 and the Beard Street pier) from falling into the harbor can get mired in political and legal hoop-jumping for years.

Interesting how that happens, isn’t it?