Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Rush Hour
Filed under: 11101, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Newtown Creek
Taken by autovac.
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: What Is Wrong With This Picture?
After about a minute or two they opt to turn on the roller balls!
As spied and captured today at 2:10 pm on Manhattan Avenue. If this parking “space” looks vaguely familiar to you, gentle readers, it is because the “parking space” in question is a ticket trap of choice hereabouts.
Of course I suppose this may only apply to folks who park in the correct direction. This one’s for Sheryl Yvette. She just happened to bump into none other that NYPD Commish Bill Brattan last Friday. What’s more, she took a photo!
About this encounter she writes:
I was on 2nd Ave, waiting at the light at 57th St. I see a double parked SUV directly ahead of me, on the other side of the light, so I know I have to go around it when I get there. The light turns green. As I’m approaching, a big suited guy opens the rear passenger door – into oncoming traffic, mind you – and into the path I’m headed – and lets in none other than NYPD Commissioner Bratton. I had a cab right next to me and nowhere to go so I had to stop. Naturally I took a photo…
oh make sure to mention that they were double parked in a “sharrow” – which, if you don’t know what that is, wikipedia explains them like so: “This marking is placed in the center of a travel lane to indicate that a bicyclist may use the full lane.” It’s supposed to be a visual cue to drivers that cyclists are likely to be there. You can see it in the photo – the painted sharrow. Thanks #mynypd!
Urban Artifact: McCarren Park
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Urban Artifact
Taken August 8, 2014.
The Word On The Street: Pulaski Bridge
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
Taken August 7, 2014.
Lost In Greenpoint: Baby Fatty
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff The Makes Heather Sad
As spied today on Manhattan Avenue. Baby Fatty has been missing from her stomping grounds (Green and Huron Street between McGuinness Boulevard and Provost Street) since July 29th. If you have seen Baby Fatty (who, is should be noted IS micro-chipped!) or know of her whereabouts please contact her people at the above-listed phone numbers. A cash reward is being offered. Thanks!
New York Shitty Street Art Du Jour: Norman Avenue
This wonderful piece was spied and captured today by a very nice lady named Donna. Great find!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: It Came From Beneath The Creek
Filed under: 11222, Gentrification, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Or: Release The Kraken!
This corker was sent to me a couple months ago via anonymous tipster. I tabled sharing it until I felt the time was right. Today, for reasons which will soon become apparent, is that day. The above polemic was created shortly after the 2005 rezone. As it was explained to me (by said tipster) its purpose was to criticize GWAPP assuming the lion’s share of credit for the successful fight against the Trans Gas power plant which was slated to grace Bushwick Inlet. For those of you who were not here in 2005 (and I suspect there are many) I present the following video from NY1.
If the above “Community Activist” looks/sounds familiar it is because:
1. He was recently appointed* to the advisory board of the new “GWAPP”.
2. And I also recently verified that contrary to what is stated in this gent’s biography on the aforementioned site (an excerpt of which is above), Mr. Perlmutter is not now nor was he ever under the employ of Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn.
Interesting yes? Well today I had the item at left brought to my attention by my buddy Crappy. It got me to thinking— and finally it hit me:
What is not mentioned in this biography is every bit as fascinating— if not more so— than what is.
Namely, that in addition to being a “Community Activist” in the fight against the Trans Gas power plant, Mr. Perlmutter also happened to be under the hire of George Klein, the fellow responsible for Greenpoint Landing, so as to argue in favor of the 2005 rezone.
But don’t take my word for it. It is stated quite clearly in the April 29, 2005 edition of the New York Daily News.
(You can/should read the rest here.)
Straight up: as the featured cartoon attests, GWAPP has been the subject of controversy for some time. Controversy which persists to this very day. Controversy which would have, could have, should have been avoided by the simple practice of transparency.
Greenpoint Landing, regrettably, is going to happen whether we want it or not. That’s reality. However, I do not think expecting an organization which purports to represent the interests of the community giving full disclosure of their activities and board/advisory panel’s business relationships— past and present— is asking too much. Or is it? Now if you don’t mind, gentle readers, I am off to corner the market on ear plugs. I sense a very lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity is at hand!
*By a panel which includes his spouse. How’s that for nepotism?*
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: 1059 Manhattan Avenue
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
Taken August 5, 2014.
Quicklink: A Story To Tell
Filed under: 11211, 11222, 11249, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Gentrification, Gowanus, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Maspeth, Maspeth Queens, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This tome was brought to my attention by a fellow named Richard. Richard is a resident of Lawrence, Kansas. This Letter to the Powers That Be, not surprisingly, pertains to matters in Lawrence, Kansas. However, while reading this tome more than one community hereabouts— and the non/not-for-profit organizations (which purport to act as a “voice”/”advocate” for the aforementioned communities) came to mind. I do not think I need to list/name the previous here, gentle readers. We know them.*
Follows is an excerpt from this essay so as the pique your interest:
…I have been long in forming my opinion of the Cultural Arts District and the 9th Street Corridor. When the pros and cons of the issue are laid across a scale, I find myself on the side of favor. I am in support of the Cultural Arts District and 9th Street Corridor in East Lawrence. I am excited at the prospect of renewal and repair that the Cultural District designation dollars can bring. I want new sidewalks and safer lighting and renovated limestone curbs and bricks in my streets. I want the businesses in my neighborhood to thrive and prosper and have the funds to reinvest in my community. I want an economic base that can support an East Lawrence or Downtown grocery store. I want my daughters to grow up in a vibrant, thriving neighborhood that supports the arts and creativity. I am personally invested in positive outcomes for the Cultural Arts District.
And yet…
There remains a sense of unease when I think about what will happen as the Cultural Arts District and 9th Street Corridor develop. I cannot shake the feeling of anxiety, of foreboding, of “ick” in my belly and bad smell wrinkle in my nose. And this time, it isn’t a downdraft from the wastewater treatment plant (Emphasis mine— Ed. Note) or the river. It’s the aftertaste of cultural co-option. But what does that mean, you say? I can’t explain it to you without the help of Alice Walker. Here’s where the story comes in…
You can— no, make that should— read this essay in its entirety by clicking here. Pass it along. Who knows? Maybe it’ll inspire someone (else) in our fair burgh/city to speak up?
*Hence why I found this excerpt of Adam “GWAPP Advisory Board” Perlmutter’s biography so fascinating:
…Adam is a currently lawyer for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn opposing the Atlantic Yards project …
Speaking as a resident of Greenpoint for fourteen years now who knows quite a few bloggers— bloggers who have taken a keen interest in Atlantic Yards, no less— I have not once heard his name mentioned. What’s more, someone closely connected with DDDB confirmed my suspicions:
He isn’t in the employ and never was. He volunteered with DDDB about 9 years ago and helped them find their great lawyer Matt Brinckerhoff – but he’s not done anything with them for about 7 years.
Hmm…
Note the “Treasurer”. It is none other than Steve “Brooklyn Beer/I loves me some Atlantic Yards” Hindy himself.
Double hmm…
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