Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
The Word On The Street, Part II: Special Green Street Edition
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, The Word On The Street
I am going to go out on a limb here and state that the above depicted is probably not official DOT issue. It’s way cooler— of course with our Mayor’s “Vision Zero” initiative whose to say…
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue Gets A New Sign
A recent source of fascination for yours truly is recent adjustment of parking on the western side of Manhattan Avenue between India and Huron Street. This is because I have seen a great many motorist receive a parking ticket while patronizing the recently criminalized space on this block. If I had a dollar for each one I would have a nice little chunk of beer money— but I don’t and I digress. This morning I noticed something quite interesting… a Department of Transportation employee replacing the sign adjacent to said non-parking space. His handiwork did not go unnoticed by my fellow citizens. They all agreed he did a nice job. Naturally they— as many others hereabouts— raised the question as to why the parking space straddling 983 and 987 Manhattan is verboten. And as you can see, he is explaining the bus stop has been moved, etc. etc. Upon completing the task at hand, he collected his ladder… and loaded it onto the truck parked in the bike lane across the street. As for the need for a “new” sign (as seen above), perhaps looking at its predecessor will shed some light on the matter. Why yes, those all caps are way too easy to read. And those nice big icons? Way too legible. This must be stopped immediately!!! I do not make this shit up, folks…
Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Live From Manhattan Avenue
Some of you may recall that not terribly long ago I authored a post admonishing motorists not to park in this space. Long story made very short, the bus stop which used to grace the corner of India Street Street and Manhattan Avenue, due to construction, had to be moved ~15 feet north. Therefore— in order to accommodate bus traffic— the parking space which straddles 983 and 983 Manhattan Avenue has been removed. Not that someone who is using the white line on pavement as a guideline would be aware of this, mind you. Although a sign has been erected the powers-that-be have not seen fit to change this. I suppose it goes without saying our meter maids have been enjoying this curious development tremendously.
Now jump forward to today, April 25th. The time is 4:57 p.m. What do I see? Well, the following photographs say it all…
It would appear:
- Even the Department of Transportation is not aware thsi parking space is, in fact, illegal. Or:
- They do not care.
I wonder if this person will get a ticket? (Just kidding.)
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Question About Obstructed Sidewalks
A person we’ll call “N” writes:
Hi Heather,
I’ve been walking down Ash Street for the past 3 years. NYCHA has gotten increasing worse at parking their vehicles on the sidewalk prohibiting pedestrians from using it on their way to the stairs on the Brooklyn side of the Pulaski Bridge. It has gotten so bad that they now park vehicles on sidewalks on both sides of the street causing pedestrians to walk in the street.
I have attached some photos from this morning. They even pushed a snow plow blade’s furrow of snow into the sidewalk making passing on the sidewalk even less possible.
I will continue to take pictures of this as it happens. I have tried contacting NYCHA and 311 about this but have noticed no changes. Do you have any suggestions for me as far as who to contact to get this issue noticed?
After a little “back and forth” I have learned that “N” has not only been diligently lodging complaints, but he/she has been recording the complaint numbers as issued by 311. Great! What “N” has not done is forward these complaint numbers along with a general description of the problem, “timeline” and any/all photos to our local Community Board for follow-up! I have said it before and I’ll say it again:
Documentation and persistence is how problems get addressed!
You know the adage about the “squeaky wheel”? Endeavor to persevere, “N”!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Lights Down At Nassau Avenue & McGuinness Boulevard?
Per a tipster:
the light on Nassau and McGuinness is totally out. I called 911 at 7:20 and no one showed up – except the cops who drive through the knot of people/cars about 7:30 and didn’t stop. I went out to get wine about 8pm and there was still no one there. Its gonna be bad.
More details:
I walked up to Nassau/McG at 720 heading home, lights were totally out. traffic was bad and impatient, so were the peds/bikes (yes bikes). I called 911, they took the ca(ll), but I got a feeling they thought I was calling about a single light bulb being out. Waited ten more minutes, worried that someone was going to blast through, trucks, cabs, etc. Other people called the pct. Patrol car w/ 4 cops (not sure if it was a 94th) wormed its way through the knot headed north, didn’t even stop only blipped the siren…
As of 8:43 it is still K.O.ed. Be careful over there, folks!
H
The Word On The Street: Banker Street
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
P.S.: While I am on the subject, there’s a pretty magnificent array of filth gracing 239 Banker Street…
New York Shitty Street Seating Du Jour, Part I: 239 Banker Street
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Furniture
Taken February 23, 2013.
Quicklink: Pothole Patrol!
Filed under: 11211, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
This rather fun (if brief) bit of viewing material was brought to my attention by a fellow named Todd. Do take a moment to give it a watch!
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part III: Delivery Bikes Only?
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Planet Entitlement, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
A fellow we’ll call “T” (who took the above photograph) writes:
Just saw this shiny new sign on the westernmost edge of McCarren. Is this even legally enforceable? I don’t think that if you install a structure like this on public property (ie: the sidewalk) you get to enforce who uses it. Anyhow, it’s a pretty gross gesture to others in the neighborhood: “Our wealthy tenants have so many meals delivered that we need an entire rack to accommodate the bikes. I’m sure the rest of you serfs don’t understand what that’s like, but we appreciate your compliance. Please go chain up against the nearest street sign.”
Is this legally enforceable? That’s an excellent question. One I have taken up with a few folks in the know.
To be continued…
UPDATE, 6:43 p.m.: Follows are a few responses I have received!
Needs a DOT revocable consent for street furniture.
There was another one of these “private bike racks” in the east village last year.
Gothamist got to the bottom of it. http://gothamist.com/2011/10/14/can_you_have_a_private_bike_rack_on.php
Quoth the DOT representative: “even if a permit is issued for installation, that does not mean the bike rack is for the exclusive use of the owner if it is installed on a public sidewalk.”
Public sidewalk = public bike rack.
So the next question becomes:
Will this ordinance be enforced?
Given the predilection for selective enforcement hereabouts, I for one am not terribly optimistic.
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