You can expect some interesting changes and a bit of a makeover for the Municipal Building in Downtown Brooklyn. Mayor Bloomberg recently announced a $10 million deal to turn the first floor space into a “hip” restaurant and shops. The building currently houses the Department of Finance but I guess that’s a little boring and of little use to most Brooklynites. The first floor was sold to a developer and is part of a master plan to return the neighborhood to a retail and dining destination.

Who bought the 49,000 square-foot space? Al Laboz, chairman of the Fulton Mall Association, not to mention he’s sort of a big deal in Downtown Brooklyn’s real estate biz. Laboz states, “The goal is a cool, hip restaurant with a mid-level price range.” But this plan isn’t just about giving the hipsters more cool places to dine. It’s part of Bloomberg’s plan to cut costs by reducing the amount of city-owned property. Major retailers have been popping up all over the area, like Aeropostale and H&M. The area is a large business district, but probably won’t be for very long.

But this project also means job creations –64 construction jobs and 114 permanent jobs. No word yet on what stores will be built, but it’s highly doubtful it will be an Apple store. Hipsters cry…construction begins 2012.