11 Comments on Interesting Reader Email Of The Day

neighborhood threat on Tue, 27th Jan 2009 1:11 pm


Dear David:

DId you not notice the slaughterhouse next to your building before you moved in? I do not walk to the G train up Greenpoint Ave. in the summer because I cannot stand the smell, I cannot imagine under what circumstance I would voluntarily choose to live there.

The slaughterhouse is zoned to be there. I know your broker probably told you that they would be going away soon, but I wouldn’t count on that.

I do not mean to sound uncourteous or unwelcoming. but you chose to live next to a chicken slaughterhouse. the smell is there at all times, day and night. the sign is also there, day and night. I am sure you thoroughly checked out the neighborhood before moving in, no?

rowan on Tue, 27th Jan 2009 5:27 pm


i have heard of a few people that were told the slaughterhouse was going away when they moved in across the street. this was two years ago, so even if David had done the right thing and checked his neighborhood out, the broker gave him false information.

my own story: one morning, on my way to the Greenpoint Y, i had to jump over a small river of bloody water running down Greenpoint Ave and pooling at the corner (i was crossing at Greenpoint and Franklin). after my workout, heading back, the sun had managed to heat the small bloody river until the stench was noticeable from half a block away. everyone at the intersection crossed with their hands pressed against their noses. people approaching that intersection had confused looks on their faces, which quickly turned into looks of dismay as they reached the corner. Only in Greenpoint.

david on Tue, 27th Jan 2009 6:00 pm


Indeed the broker gave me a wrong information and one of my neighbor actually asked one of the guy working at the slaughter house when they were supposed to leave and he said: “yeah well … in six months…”. I think it’s bullshit.
I knew about the terrible smell but when I’ve noticed this disgusting thing on the sidewalk I could not believe it and I could not believe the fact that they don’t care about this at all. These people should be really taken to court for that and I am pretty sure it’s hell on earth inside their shop.
Well, I called 311 this morning and I hope more people will file a complaint.

missheather on Tue, 27th Jan 2009 6:15 pm


Brokers, promises and what not aside, all I’m saying is when I walked by this place on Saturday (when it was something like 25 degrees) it smelled especially ripe. We’re talking like it usually does in July or August. I do not expect this place to smell like a bed of roses, but david is onto something when he points out this establishment has been especially revolting of late— and I too have my concerns about how hygienic the conditions there are.

yum1 on Wed, 28th Jan 2009 2:36 pm


Yes, slaughterhouses are smelly. The aroma is just something that nearby residents have to deal with from time to time. It’s an urban trade-off. However, emptying animal refuse/waste regularly on to the sidewalk is unacceptable. Having trucks filled with crates of live chickens idling in front of your business for hours is unacceptable. Keeping such poor control of your stock that dazed birds make it out into the street to wander around is unacceptable. These are all legitimate complaints, I think. I’ve called 311 before about these issues, and I’ll continue to do so.

neighborhood threat on Thu, 29th Jan 2009 7:33 am


If you believe a real estate broker and don’t do your own due diligence – like calling CB1, or asking people in the building – I’m sorry, then you *didn’t* do your research. “a neighbor asked one of the slaughterhouse guys” – was this before or after you moved in??

“Caveat emptor” could not apply more in the case of new york city real estate brokers.

I mean, what did you think? that the slaughterhouse guys were going to tell you the truth? no seriously. SERIOUSLY.

I don’t know what a slaughterhouse is and isn’t allowed to do legally. It would be interesting to find out what the limitations are, and if they are outside of them, by all means, follow appropriate channels. but don’t come in with righteous indignation that you live next to a slaughterhouse because you chose to live there. they didn’t show up after you moved in.

Also, I greatly respect Miss Heather, but I’m curious why you wouldn’t just call 311 irregardless of whether or not it’s hopeless. Why not just CALL? They are open for calls 24/7. WOuldn’t you want to find out what the regulations are, which city agency governs slaughterhouses, if this is a DOH issue (sounds to me that it might be). Did you think about calling PETA?

palaganda on Thu, 29th Jan 2009 10:48 am


i live directly accross the street from this. Every morning around 5:30 there is a truck parked outside with chickens and ducks. This truck idles for long periods of time – somtimes for 45 minutes. Then they unload the animals. When they do this they slide the crates off the truck and let them slam down on to the sidewalk. It’s a very loud noise which is followed by screaming ducks and chickens. Later on they hose down the sidwalk but it just smells like death and amonia.
Then, around every midnight a garbage truck comes by (and it is really, really loud!) and picks up the horrible waste that would come from such a place. After the truck leaves there is often some weird kind of grease from the animal “parts” and feathers left behind on the side walk. You should call 311. I will call them today. I know someone esle who filed a complaint. I doubt anything will come of it. Here is the info; New Lees Live Poultry Market Inc (718)383-4065, 122 Greenpoint Ave.
The Bloomberg admin is more interested in catering to the needs/wants of condo builders so don’t count on getting any help in these matters.

matthewre on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 4:46 pm


I live in the Canvas Condominium and never really believed the broker’s promises that this place was closing. I even checked with an employee of New Lee, who said he they were waiting for their CofO in a new space across town. Whatever. I am fine with the operation being next door (this street is half industrial and rather ugly – just part of its character) but there is no reason to be messy about it. The next time I find feathers and gristle on the sidewalk I am scooping it up and shoving it down Mr. Lee’s throat.

matthewre on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 4:58 pm


N.Threat, you’re right – this place has been a slaughterhouse since it was built in 1922, and I am fully prepared to accept it has a part of the neighborhood. I lived in Morocco for a year, and believe me, it beats having goats slaughtered outside your front door. However, when there seems to be a conspiracy on the part of brokers (and who knows, maybe Mr. Lee was paid off!) I believe people have a right to be upset by this. Mr. Lee also needs to clean up his mess. I have dialed 311 about this numerous times, and indeed, he is required to immediately clean up any material from his sidewalk. It is also illegal for a slaughterhouse to discard pieces of animals on the sidewalk or street. The problem is, once the city makes it out here to investigate, he usually HAS cleaned it up after 3 days of letting it sit.

colorbarrs on Mon, 23rd Feb 2009 2:13 pm


palaganda, did you see your comment here was quoted in the New York Times?

missheather on Mon, 23rd Feb 2009 2:15 pm


colorbarrs: Palaganda is aware of this— I made sure of that!

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