Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Degentrification Watch: Lofts 305 Still Sucks
Filed under: 11222, Bloomblight, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Remember this edifice? It is located at 305 McGuinness Boulevard. I have written about this testament to the failure of the “gentrification” of Greenpoint on far more occasions than I care recount. Look ’em up on my site. That said, I really enjoy comparing this to this. That’s some damned good Photoshop work! But I digress.
My friends at Curbed scooped me on the infamous lock-out back in April. Today, I will recount to you a few problems a current resident is experiencing at 305 Lofts. While you read the following I want you to bear in mind this person, whose identity I will keep anonymous, is paying $2,800 a month in rent for this “experience”. Here’s the back-story:
- The reason this person lives at 305 Lofts is because he/she originally signed a lease (and tendered a security deposit of $3,000) for an apartment 110 Green Street: another nondo known as The Viridian.
- The organization behind this atrocity went bankrupt and his/her agent (under the hire of Cityspaces) showed him/her 149 Huron Street (the now failed Geo Condominiums— see a pattern developing here?). After noting the buckling wood floors (and less square footage) he/she refused.
Then the agent took him/her to 305 McGuinness Boulevard. AKA: 305 Lofts. He/she signed a 2 year lease and now regrets it. BIG TIME. Among other things:
- His/her apartment is still unfinished— as is a great deal of the building.
- The tap water is white or brown— this varies by apartment.
- The tiling in his/her bathroom is cracking and laden with mold. This has to be doused with bleach every day.
- His/her oven does not work properly due to lack of sufficient insulation/cabinetry.
- The landlord— or someone purporting to represent the landlord, one never knows with this place— has made it known that anyone involved in forming a “tenants’ group” will be evicted.
Nice, eh?
By the way, landlords retaliating against tenants for organizing is illegal. Then again, given all the problems with this property it is all too clear they don’t care— and why should they? The people behind 305 McGuinness have been hit with several violations for endangering public safety. The fines assessed (and paid) range from $480 to $2,000. This is what public safety (READ: a human life) is worth per the Department of Buildings.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Questions About My Photos
Filed under: 11211, 11222, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Eryana writes:
I am a fan of your website and your photography. I won’t be able to make it to the opening at t.b.d. tonight as we have our office holiday party. I was wondering if your photography would be for sale online at any point? Otherwise I can wait for January.
I have given this matter some thought. Here’s my “plan”—- inasmuch as I trifle with such matters. Life has a funny way of rendering human endeavors void and useless at its caprice. Therefore, I endeavor to be flexible.
- I realize a number of folks are harried this time of year…
- and for this reason may or may not have the time to swing by t.b.d. to see my show.
- Therefore, I have posted a “virtual exhibition” online!
- Although I would highly recommend that you see these images in person (they’re much more engaging and bereft of obnoxious text claiming them as my creative property), I am amenable to selling “online”. Anyone who is interested in purchasing any of these prints should shoot me an email at missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Which brings me to a question my buddy Rowan asked last night:
Will these be a limited series?
The answer is yes! Here’s the deal:
- Lest the delightful situation arises that more than one person wants the same photograph, I will gladly oblige. And thus a series will be born! I will gladly sign and number each and every print. But here’s the catch:
- After January 7, 2010 (which is when I will be having a “proper” closing reception) I will NOT be making any more reproductions of these photographs. No “ifs”, “ands”, or “buts”. That’s it. Finito! No mas!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Cat Nap
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Judge Street, 11211
Huron Street, 11222
On that note, dear readers, today’s offerings will probably be lite in light of the fact I am totally exhausted after hanging my show at t.b.d. and mingling with friends— new and old. Inasmuch as I can deduce I pulled a 12 hour day yesterday! I need a cat nap.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Bling
When my grandchildren— no, make that OTHER PEOPLE’S GRANDCHILDREN— ask me:
Auntie Heather, what was Greenpoint like back then?
I am going to show them this (which hails from Manhattan Avenue at Freeman Street): a pearl metal flake Hummer with a $$$ license plate holder.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Gentrification Watch: Help Wanted!
First up, I want to thank all the folks who braved the downright painful cold this evening to come to the show, hang out and chat. It was pleasure meeting finally meeting a number of my “online” friends face to face! I am especially grateful to the young woman I met who tipped me off to the following employment opportunity which comes from (where else?) Craigslist.
Recession, schmcession! This “elite” establishment is not only hiring, but they’re willing to train and you can keep all tips including lap dances! Now if you don’t mind, I’m off to polish my cover letter and curricula vitae.
Miss Heather
P.S.: I have my suspicions as to which Garden Spot business posted this ad. For the time being am going to keep my prognostication private— but I heartily encourage any and all of you, dear readers, to get the ball rolling by tendering your guesses in the comments. Together we can and will crack the mystery of the Greenpoint go-go girls!
Tis The Season: Engert Avenue Rustic
Granted, this decoration is for the wrong season, but nothing says “Greenpoint” like a jack o’ lantern made out of an oil drum. In December. (Which is when this photograph was taken, lest you are wondering.) I for one can only hope these folks* will keep this bad boy out all year ’round. After all, it is Halloween every day in the Garden Spot of the Universe!
Miss Heather
*Who are also responsible for this: a snowman made out of an oil drum. They loves them some oil drums on Engert Avenue!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Two Degrees of Separation
Today, as you are all well aware, is the day my show goes up at t.b.d. I mention this because was disappointed to learn that a frequent contributor to this site and all around nice guy, Tony Luib, will not be able to attend. This is because he will be having an opening of his own tonight!
Here’s a basic rundown of what this group show is about per Gallery Satori’s web site:
Gallery SATORI is pleased to present “Two Degrees of Separation,†a group exhibition with ninety artists to be held in the Project Space and Lounge. The artwork ranges widely from intimate paintings to delicate paper sculptures to videos on minute monitors to a ceramic soccer/bowling ball. The show investigates the web-like interrelationship between many of the artists working in New York as well as a few artists working in London, Seoul, Tel Aviv, and Sydney who have connections to the artists based in New York.
If you happen to be in the Lower East Side this evening swing by and say hi!
Two Degrees of Separation
December 9, 2009 starting at 6:00 p.m.
Gallery Satori
164 Stanton Street
New York, New York 10002
Tony writes:
…If anything come out to see my rarely seen shaved face!
Same goes here, dude!
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Welcome to Williamsburg
This morning as I was running errands I noticed the A & J Farm Market at was getting a face lift. It new awning now proclaims it be the “New A & J Farm Market”. But that’s not what I found interesting. Rather, it was what was revealed when they removed the old awning.
The old sign (which can be seen in larger format by clicking on the above image) reads “Williamsburg Floor Covering”. Yes folks, it would appear that the ‘Burgification of Greenpoint not only predates the real estate boom, but also reaches as far north as Green Street. I for one take issue with this. To set the record straight this building is located in Williamsburg Heights or North Vinyl Siding.
Miss Heather
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