Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Inbox: More Crane Hell Greenpoint Avenue and West Street?
Some of you might recall several months ago the proprietor of Red Star Bar (which is located at the above-mentioned intersection) was having some issues with trucks bearing cranes. More specifically: said trucks tearing down street signs, hitting parked motor vehicles; generally scaring the living daylights out of people and not being very good neighbors. If the missives I received this morning from Eric are any indication it would appear this is an ongoing problem. He writes (in the wee hours):
Bay crane at it again! Truck blew the stop sign, took out the light pole on greenpoint and west and kept right on going! Didn’t even slow down! Cops are here now. I just missed it! Left to go home. Ill have my guys take some more pics and send them to u…
He continues:
Lucky they didn’t kill someone! 3 customers were standing on the corner smoking. The pole barely missed them as it fell.
…I’m so tired of this shit. Who’s gonna pay to fix it? Me! Yeah the city will put the light pole back up….so we all pay, but the sidewalk is all messed up now. You think the city is going to fix that? No! I’m going to have to pay someone to repair it….or risk someone falling and suing me!
Trust me …it’s not the couple hundred bucks it’s gonna cost to fix the sidewalk that has me enraged! It’s the principal! These fuckin guys have caused thousands and thousands, probably tens of thousands in damage, since they’ve totaled at least two cars, in the six years since I’ve been here. And eventually THEY WILL KILL SOMEONE!
They’re driving massive trucks. You’d figure they’d be extra careful? They come FLYING down Greenpoint Ave, ignore the stop sign, make the turn and if something is in their way…..tough shit and they keep right on going! You mean to tell me this asshole had no idea he took out a light pole? He didn’t even slow down!
They get away with it because of a loophole. If you get the plate on the trailer…the cops can’t do anything (because the trailer plate isn’t the same as the plate on the cab and usually a lease or rental). You need the plate on the cab of the truck. And how are you supposed to get that when all you can see is the ass end when he’s halfway down the block with a trail of carnage behind him. You think the drivers aren’t fully aware of this? lol
I understand Bay Crane has a business to run. But so do other people! Why is their business more important than someone else’s business or LIFE? We’re not asking for them to leave the neighborhood or make any drastic concessions. Simply obey the fucking law and drive responsibly. Is that a lot to ask?
I’ve been saying this forever…..this is a TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN! Mark my words…someone WILL BE KILLED ON THIS CORNER! Probably sooner rather than later!
REMINDER: Transportation & Traffic Town Hall Meeting Tonight!
This is a quick reminder that this evening our City Councilman, Steve Levin, along with a number of elected officials, the 94th Precinct and Department of Transportation will be conducting a Town Hall meeting regarding the manifold number traffic “issues” which concern our community. Show up and speak up, Greenpointers!
Greenpoint Transportation & Traffic Town Hall Meeting
November 19, 2012 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Polish & Slavic Center
176 Java Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Mark Your Calendars: Transportation & Traffic Town Hall Meeting
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
That’s right folks: next week a host of our elected officials along with the Department of Transportation and our very own 94th Precinct will be conducting a transportation town hall meeting right here in Greenpoint. As you can see, our very own Boulevard of Death has received top billing on this rather intriguing agenda. Mark your calendars, be there and have your say Garden Spotters!
Greenpoint Transportation & Traffic Town Hall Meeting
November 19, 2012 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Polish & Slavic Center
176 Java Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
New York Shitty Feral Furniture Watch: North 10 Street Al Fresco Living Suite, Revisited
Filed under: 11211, Feral Furniture, Street Furniture, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Another sunny (if brisk) day, in North Brooklyn, another walk. And another dispatch as to how the North 10th Street “rustic” living room suite is faring. As you can see the sectional to the right has been moved.
It has also been tagged.
For those of you who are keeping count, this arrangement has been in effect for at least 24 days. The current record holder for feral furniture goes to this specimen on Meserole Street: 53 days.
P.S.: While I am on the subject of matters Department of Sanitation and Department of Transportation, what’s up with this?
Anyone?
Spotted On McGuinness Boulevard: More Bloomblight
Filed under: 11222, Bloomblight, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists please take note some of the traffic and crosswalk signals at McGuinness Boulevard (such as this one at Java Street) are not working. Be safe and look out for each other, Greenpointers!
Highlights From Community Board 1: Let’s Talk Trash
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Planet Entitlement, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
One of the more provocative parts of last week’s convocation— and there were quite a few, I assure you— were two ladies speaking on the subject of illegal garbage can holders.
More specifically: these garbage can holders. Behold the Community Board 1 action regarding them for yourselves, gentle readers (start at 7:28).
New York Shitty analysis:
1. Exactly what constitutes a “beautiful” garbage can holder? If there is in fact such a thing, it in the eye of the beholder.
2. While certainly nice, they are placed on public property (READ: the sidewalk). This is a big no-no.
As these ladies noted, their neighbor is obeying the law:
3. This is not to suggest I am not sympathetic to these ladies’s plight. I am. They brought up a very salient point: the developer of their respective properties did not consider trash collection when designing their respective condominiums. This is clearly a problem. One which should have been prevented at the “planning stage”. Which brings me to…
Yesterday I decided to see how 239 Banker Street’s illegal garbage fixture cum bicycle rack was faring.
Not only is it still there, but among the assorted detritus I found something of interest.
Not one but two boxes which formerly contained stoves. (For those of you who are not in the know, “estufa” means stove in Spanish. Somewhere my high school Spanish teacher is smiling!) As you can see the powers that be behind this illegal conversion are scarcely concerned about getting caught. What’s more, I learned at last week’s proceedings why.
So there have you: fines are simply part and parcel of “doing business”. Given the “lofts” at 239 Banker Street are going for anywhere between $2,700 – $3,400 for 700 square foot (if that) of “living space” nowadays, well, it has become all too clear how effective these “penalties” have been as a deterrent against this landlord continuing to illegal legally lease out this property as residential space.
In closing I will leave you, gentle readers, with the latest bit of “immaculate construction” I spied at 239 Banker Street.
As the screencap of a video I shot on June 3rd of this year indicates, what is now an “apartment” used to be a doorway.* But don’t take my word for it: view the video for yourself.
*For those of you who are wondering, this is perfectly in keeping with the plans for this “hotel”…
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Weekly Construction Bulletin
Those of you who are impacted by this endeavor (and there are many) will undoubtedly find this information useful. Plan accordingly, Greenpointers!
Today At 239 Banker Street…
…an agent showing the property to a prospective client?
And of course this.
It would appear that not merely being satisfied with illegally leasing out spaces at this edifice as residential space (and violating a Stop Work Order) our friends at 239 Banker have decided to kick it up a notch by adding this garbage can holder— or is it a bike rack?
It’s kind of hard to tell. In any case I can assure you this is quite illegal (it’s located on city property). Anyone care to call 311? Rounding out this, the latest but certainly not to be last, post about this property I leave you with this Craigslist advertisement…
and this recently issued disposition from the Department of Buildings.
Hilarious.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part III: Grand Street Walks!
A very nice fellow from the Grand Street Business Improvement District* writes:
My name is Jaime Paniagua, I am with the Grand Street Business Improvement District. On July 14th & 21st the Grand Street BID will be hosting a Weekend Walk Block Party. Is it possible for you to add the Weekend Walk Block Party to your webpage?
True confession time: Yours truly L-O-V-E–S Grand Street! So naturally I am more than happy to oblige Mr. Paniagua’s request. You can learn more about these block parties and the Grand Street “BID” in general by clicking here or perusing their Facebook page. Check it out!
Weekend Walk/Block Party on Grand Street
July 14th & 21st 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Grand Street between Manhattan Avenue & Union Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211
*Whose head honcha (I mean this in the nicest possible way), Artineh Havan, was recently sworn in as a Community Board 1 member. Not only is she a very nice lady, but one of her goals is to reopen the tunnel from the Lorimer Street stop of the L train which provides egress for subway patrons to Grand Street. There is one— and not only does Ms. Havan want it accessible to the public (again) but I do too. Let’s make it happen, north Brooklynites!
TONIGHT: Two Meetings Of Interest
Nassau Avenue Construction Meeting
May 24, 2012 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Messiah
129 Russell Street
Brooklyn, New York 11222
May, 24, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Polish National Home (AKA: The Warsaw)
261 Driggs Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222
Take your pick, Greenpointers!
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