Greenpoint
Cafe Cito Bogota
Southside Photo Du Jour: Prince Charming
From South 3 Street.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Much Ado About Edge
No, not that Edge, this one!
Anonymous writes:
Hi Miss Heather,
I enjoy reading your blog from time-to-time and especially appreciate the news on the developments around the neighborhood.
I’d like to share with you some information about a building on the Southside, in hopes that it can get out to others who deserve to know… So, here goes:
The building has a retail space in the bottom which is currently owned by the developer and being rented to a John Suarez, who is running it as a gym, called Cutting Edge.
Well, there are many problems here:
1) The space isn’t zoned to be a gym
2) He is occupying space in the basement and using it for classes and workout space when it is only supposed to be used as storage
3) There’s no proper emergency exit from the basement
4) He’s illegally (i.e., with no work permit) installing showers/bathrooms in the basementThe biggest problem of all is that John Suarez has been forbidden by the Attorney General to ever operate a gym. A few years back he had advertised the opening of a new gym in the neighborhood, called Core Health and Fitness. He never opened the gym, even after taking people’s money. He was ordered to pay back $172,000 in restitution, but I know for a fact (a neighbor was a victim of the scam) that people did not get their money back…
As you can see my anonymous friend has a lot to say. Let’s take a break for a moment and evaluate points 1-4.
1. The space isn’t zoned to be a gym
This is, in a manner of speaking, correct. You see, 117 South 3 Street has no Certificate of Occupancy on file. None. Zero. Zippo. Therefore, the fact this building is occupied at all— be it by tenants or businesses— is an issue. Then again (and this is where it get really interesting), this depends on which 117 South 3 Street you look up. You see, for some inexplicable reason this building has two Building Information Numbers (BINS): the latter has a Certificate of Occupancy on file. Not that it allows the basement to be used as a commercial space: it doesn’t.
Point numbers 2 & 3:
He is occupying space in the basement and using it for classes and workout space when it is only supposed to be used as storage… There’s no proper emergency exit from the basement…
Okay, I haven’t actually been in this building so I cannot verify this. Which brings me to to point number 4:
He’s illegally (i.e., with no work permit) installing showers/bathrooms in the basement.
Now this one I can prove! You see, the Department of Buildings paid 117 South 3 Street’s basement a visit last month.
In fact, it even netted him a Stop Work Order.
Not that this appears to have done much, mind you:
How this tale end? Will Mr. Suarez get caught— and if so, by who:
- the Department of Buildings?
- the office of the Attorney General?
- The Edge’s trademark infringement attorneys?
Or:
- have my tipster and my copyrighted material plagiarized by the New York Post? Flagrantly and without apology.
I suppose only time will tell. In the meantime, caveat emptor.
Miss Heather
P.S.: Those of you harboring any doubts as to whether or not John Suarez is behind this business (and is at large at 117 South 3 Street), Google the phone number on the below flier.
New York Shitty Day Ender: Urban Artifacts
Marcy Avenue, 11211
North 5 Street, 11211
North 6 Street, 11211
Leonard Street, 11222
Miss Heather
Southside Photo Du Jour: Groovin’ On A Sunday Afternoon
Filed under: Williamsburg
From South 3 Street.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: Southside Cinderella
Filed under: Williamsburg
This afternoon the Mister and I went out for a walk, cameras in tow. Wishing to see sights that are genuinely interesting— not a spectacle that has been engineered as cheap campaign advertisement for a certain City Councilman running for Comptroller and the developer on whose site this dog and pony show came to pass. And, it should be noted, has seen fit generously donate to said councilman’s campaign.* We headed to the Southside without delay.
The Mister and I disagree about a number of things. You name it; we argue about it. Our household is like My Cousin Vinny albeit with a southern drawl: his. He’s a carnivore, I’m a vegetarian. I like sunshine, he prefers rain. He likes winter, I love summer.** The list goes on and on.
But we both agree one thing: we love Art Deco apartment buildings. The Southside has many of them. At some point I will feature my favorites right here on New York Shitty. But this post is an impressive Sweet Sixteen party we stumbled upon at South 2nd Street. Although it did feature ponies we had to confess: we were very impressed!
And of course the guest of honor…
A lovely lass in red!
This “Sweet Sixteen” celebration warmed my heart. Enough so that I’m go to end this post with a little Ringo.***
Happy Sweet Sixteen!
Miss Heather
*You can expect a post on New York Shitty about this. Soon.
**Which is sort of interesting given he was born in the summer and I in winter. I guess the grass is greener…
***The least objectionable and still very alive Beatle. Married to a former Bond girl and Playboy centerfold, no less: Barbara Bach.
North Brooklyn Street Art Du Jour: Potpourri
Kent Avenue
Berry Street
South 3 Street
Boerum Street
Harrison Place
Grattan Street
Miss Heather
Thoughts From The Southside
Havemeyer Street
South 3rd Street
Wythe Avenue
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: A Walk On The Southside
Tuesday afternoon (before the sun decided to take another extended vacation) I finally got around to taking an extended walk on the Southside. There is much to be enjoyed in the way of architecture, gardens and street life or even art for that matter on South First through South 4th Streets. This area has something the Northside simply does not possess: a soul. Follows are some shots from my latest excursion to this fascinating neighborhood. Enjoy!
In closing those of you who happen to be in the area should swing by the public garden on South 2nd Street between Kent and Wythe Avenue. The people behind this sorely-needed bit of greenery did a smash-up job of this space last year and if what we saw in the previous slideshow is any indication I think they are going to top themselves this year. I am especially fond of the bird houses. Good stuff!
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
