Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Inbox: F*ck Them
Filed under: 11222, BULLSHIT, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
As some of you might recall I made a last minute announcement about a meeting regarding the future of Box Street Park. More specifically, there are some folks in our community who want to see this piece of public park space as a hang out and “chill” kind of place (“passive space”) as opposed to an athletic field. The latter is what has been proposed by the Parks Department.
Quite frankly, I had been— albeit slightly— leaning in favor of “passive space”. After being notified by a tipster that this park/athletic field will sport (as Marty Maher, Brooklyn Parks Chief of Staff, as seen at left) stated that Chemgrass “may” be used I raised an eyebrow— and changed my mind. My tipster went on to opine that it sounded like something from the 1960’s. That is because, gentle readers, it IS from the 1960’s.
And our planet’s eco-terrorists good neighbors Monsanto, holds the patent for it.
Given the amount of environmental abuse this community has experienced— and continues to experience— presently, can we:
- Get a park with real grass in it?
- And not fill the coffers of a corporation that has no respect for the environment— or people— for that matter?
Then again:
Given the park space in question is the former MTA/Access-A-Ride depot at 65 Commercial Street…
and contrary to prevailing real estate trends, was sold by our fair city to Clipper Equities…
(the developers behind 77 Commercial Street and its proposed “poor door”) at $8,000,000 (versus the original asking price of $12,000,000 back in 2008).
Should I really be surprised? Outraged (once again), yes! Surprised? No, not in the very least I am sad to say.
I mean, after all, what Greenpoint really needs is affordable housing at 175% AMI. Or at least Clipper Equities does— that way they can pass along the “charitable act” (more specifically its cost) of building this park (which, in return, they get to build a 40 story tower) onto their tenants— all of them.
Let them— or would that be us— eat cake, Astroturf, CHEMGRASS!
The Credulity Files: As Gleaned From Craigslist & The North Brooklyn Community Group
If there is one thing yours truly really loves, it is a really good prank. Especially one that makes light of how ridiculous the monetization of our parks has become. CASE IN POINT: the response this solicitation (albeit updated) received on the North Brooklyn Community Group on Facebook.
New York Shitty Analysis:
- At a very casual glance I fell for this. After all, I have been suggested to “like” Motherburg,,,
- and I no longer rule out any event as being so ridiculous or totally irrelevant to the community here if it is “artsy”. Or more importantly: garners revenue.
- By all appearances it would appear other people hereabouts harbor the same mindset. Rather sad, isn’t it?
- Nonetheless, we harbor it for a reason. Our community’s parks, as few as they are, are being disproportionately monetized for events which cater to people— lots of people— who reside outside the community. More specifically their: capacious wallets. What do we, as citizens, get out of this arrangement? Not much as far as I can tell.
- In any case props go out to Joe Lentol for actually looking into this. This is what a public servant should do!
Spotted At Java Street Pop-Up Park
As captured today, October 8th, 2013. Can someone please explain to me exactly what happened here? Anyone? In any case, it does not exactly give a stellar impression of my community to the manifold number of tourists who patronize the East River Ferry (whose pier can be seen in the background).
Spotted On Commercial Street: Space Piracy
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
I know what you’re thinking, gentle readers:
How can this possibly be legal?
It isn’t— but we all know enforcement of rules and regulations (such as those precluding the obstruction of our city’s sidewalks which is what appears to be happening here) are scatter-shot at best. I wonder how a mobility-impaired person is supposed to negotiate this? Anyone?
Quicklink: Oh Boy!
Holy MARCH operations, Batman! It would appear Maspeth has a problem on its hands— and that problem is the Knockdown Center which, as Queens Crap notes:
- A cabaret license for this type of venue is required. None is on file.
- The current certificate of occupancy is for a factory, therefore having any event open to the public is illegal.
- Does anyone really believe that in a building with the capacity to hold 5,000, only 600 people will be served alcohol? And at what type of events? There have been drug busts at “raves” in other area factories that have been converted into clubs. It seems that “up to 600” has been chosen to avoid having to obtain a cabaret liquor permit from the State Liquor Authority (which is different from the city’s required cabaret license).
- How would 5,000 people even get to Maspeth? Public transportation is lacking. Where will the parking be when the yard is in use (which is often)? And should people be driving around after they have been drinking at a club all night?
- This venue would no doubt become a trouble spot for the NYPD. The 104th precinct is already stretched way too thin.
- There are row houses on the same block as the venue and a residential community sits right across the street. When the club-goers start leaving during the wee hours of the morning, they will cause problems for the residents of the area. Complaints have already been received about noise and crowds at this location.
Did I mention they are also presently selling liquor already? They are— via Roberta’s no less. Please read this entire tome for yourselves, gentle readers.
It is quite something.
In closing I feel compelled to point out what the Knockdown Center proposes is more than a little similar to Studio B— and we all know how well the ensuing shenanigans (as seen at left and right) went over with the neighbors…
Good times!
UPDATE, 7:48 p.m.: It would appear the matter of the Knockdown Center has been noticed by the New York Daily News. You can read their coverage by clicking here. Choice excerpt/teaser:
…City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), whose district includes other portions of Maspeth, has been the business’s lone champion, saying it will bring much-needed jobs to the community.
“It seems like a good way to revitalize the factory,” said Crowley, who added one of the investors — Gina Argento — also owns Broadway Stages, which employs more than 1,500 people at its Brooklyn site.
“Those are good union jobs,” Crowley said about Broadway Stages. “I have known the owners for a long time. They also do good philanthropic work.”
So why not make this another film facility instead? This would certainly be better than the thirty jobs the Knockdown Center claims it will create if given a liquor license. But there I go using “logic” again…
New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: Greetings From The Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Newtown Creek, Wow, WTF
This is the “haul” for two fellows, very nice guys both), crabbing on Manhattan Avenue Kayak Launch earlier this evening. As you can probably deduce they are not doing this “for sport”. In other words this is probably tonight’s dinner. Yup…
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Ironing Board
Filed under: 11101, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Subway, Wow, WTF
Just another day in our mass transit system, folks. Great find, eriadorian! He opines:
The most awesomest NYC photo I have taken! He used the ironing board to work on his drawings.
From The New York Shitty Inbox: DNA.info
Filed under: 11222, Culture War, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
Choice quote/teaser:
“You know what? Change the laws, because nobody came along and said there were rules and regulations that would allow people to stay in place in their homes in the Polish community here,” Olechowski said. “Nobody’s regulated the rents in this community. Market-rate rents are legal but they’re affecting peoples lives.”
You don’t say, Mr. Olechowski? Speaking as a resident of north ‘Point I have seen a great many people priced out of this community. The Latino population, in particular, has taken a drubbing. Don’t take my word for it— a simple comparison of the 2000 and 2010 Census statistics say it all.
To favor one part of the community above all others is not only illegal*, but it strikes me as craven political pandering. I would also like to note that by designating housing for a specific group/demographic, one is effectively precluding others access. Thus the discrimination being exercised is actually two-fold.
Of course you can’t say I did not see this one coming. I wonder who will administer this special Polish-specific housing? North Brooklyn Development Corporation, perhaps? Yes sir: those ULURP hearings were essentially co-opted by local organizations whose interest is getting a cut of the action be it in the way of parks, affordable housing, etc. The overall health/well being of this community is immaterial. I’ll refrain from using the unseemly word “extortion”. Whoops, I just did.
You can (and should) read this tome in its entirety by clicking here.
*The man doesn’t give a flip about Community Board One’s By-laws or Parliamentary Procedure, so why should this be surprising? Really?
Spotted in Astoria: Steve Levin
Filed under: 11205, 11206, Astoria, Astoria Queens, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
The primary might be over, but the mysteries and vestiges remain. Like these posters on Broadway in Astoria, Queens the Mister and I spied this weekend, for example. Why are they here?
Anyone?
New York Shitty Photos Du Jour: Moms & Dads
As handed to a patron with children in tow. Meanwhile, however…
I would like to humbly recommend asking parents to refrain from using picnic tables as changing stations. Fellow patrons (such as myself) may elect to use them for their intended purpose: dining. The outside world/beer garden is not your lavatory.
NYS Flickr Pool
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