Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
The Word On The Street: Special Bloomblight Edition
Filed under: 11222, Bloomblight, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
As is frequently the case, the story behind taking the above photo is as interesting— probably more so— than the image itself. Thus I will share it here and now. Enjoy!
Shortly after noting this rather piquant observation a man from a car called out to me. I could not make out what he was saying, so I walked over.
Are you shooting this for magazine?
He inquired. To wit I answered:
In a manner of speaking, yes. I am going to post it on my web site.
This construction fence appears to have become an evolving art-installation”, I added, “and this is probably the only thing this site has going for it. I’d wager if you looked behind that fence you’d be up to your ears in rats.
I opined. My new friend concurred, stepped out of his car (so as to better view said art— liking it, he took a photograph), and introduced himself. His name was Juan and as serendipity would have it, he happens to work for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He was sent to this piece of Bloomblight (my terminology, not his) because they have received complaints about rats. I assured him any and all complaints were quite well-founded. Then a third party joined our party: a chap driving a rather large sport utility vehicle.
Do you know of a hotel around here?
he asked.
Which one?
I replied.
There is more than one hotel here?
He asked incredulously.
Of course there is! Didn’t you know (pointing at the Pulaski Bridge) that THIS is the new Gold Coast?
My new friend looked at me like I am insane. This may very well be true— but so is the fact that North ‘Point is home to no less than two hotels (albeit targeting vastly different demographics). Nonetheless, I felt compelled to clarify anyway:
That was sarcasm. I’m guessing you mean our new luxury hotel. (pointing to 77 Box Street) This can be found right over there.
Are you serious?
He sputtered.
Most assuredly. If you look to left of the front door you will find a sign reading “Box House Hotel“.
At this point he is once again speechless, so I continued:
The hotel proper is located on top of said building. It has some rather stunning views of the Pulaski Bridge.
Having regained his composure, he thanked me and went on his way. I turned to Juan and said:
People used to reside in those apartments above 77 Box Street. Then the landlord raised the rent, got them out and opened a “hotel”. I shit you not their penthouse “suite” goes for $5,000 a month.
At this point it was Juan’s turn to be incredulous and time for me to go on my merry way. Approximately 30 minutes later I bumped into Juan again on West Street.
Still on rat patrol?
I inquired. Juan answered to the affirmative and added he was checking all the abandoned/stalled construction sites on this thoroughfare for evidence of rats. I commented that there was plenty to give him busy on here. We proceeded to review various sites and compare their varying states of decay/neglect. Upon the conclusion of this discussion I told Juan (once again) it was pleasure meeting him and “good luck”. And with a smile, he drove to his next “assignment”.
It just goes to show that Bloomberg and his grand scheme for this city has, in fact, resulted in job creation.
For individuals whose specialty is inspecting derelict construction sites for detritus and rats, that is.
This one’s for you, Juan. You are an absolute prince. Keep up the good work!
Greenpoint Photos du Jour: A Huron Street PSA
Filed under: 11222, Bloomblight, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
Taken November 4, 2011.
New York Shitty Street Seating du Jour: Recliner
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Furniture
From McGuinness Boulevard.
News You Can Use: The Man Hole Report
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
As many of you have undoubtedly noticed, I have been quite intrigued about the disappearance of public property hereabouts lately. This is not mere idle curiosity either; when walking down the sidewalk I’d like to have some semblance of assurance that there is, in fact, something upon which to walk. I am not alone in harboring this sentiment. Jay (who forwarded me the photo to the left) writes (in an email charming entitled “another hole”):
Here’s another case of a missing metal plate on mcguinness near driggs. I’m sending another photo of a missing plaque in Father Studzinski Sq at the same intersection.
And sure enough, he did. But still, I could not get this image off my mind.
Exactly how many such covers have been commandeered so as to be “repurposed” by our local scrap metal establishments?
I asked to myself. Well, gentle readers, yesterday morning I found out! I walked from one end of McGuinness Boulevard to the other in search of plundered holes. And find them I did!
Upon heading out on my mission I bumped into my friend Chris at The G Spot. He too had noticed that these sidewalk/street covers have been disappearing at an alarming rate. So much so, he could not recall what they looked like anymore. I vowed to find out and, fortuitously enough, at the beginning of my survey (and at a location I will not disclose) I found one!
As you can see it reads “WSNY”. This means “Water State of New York”. In other words, it is state property. Or soon to be was. Now on with the show!
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Ash and Box Street
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Clay and Box Street
Some kind of canister has been used to close the hole. Resourceful!
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Dupont and Clay Street
Here a more customized solution has been found. As it would happen, I had the pleasure of meeting the chap responsible for this. He told me this is the second time he has had this plate stolen, he has called 311 to no avail (“they don’t care”) and he asserted quite stridently that he knew the man responsible for both thefts. He is allegedly a resident of the 3/4 house on Clay Street. Good times!
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Dupont and Eagle Street
Here we encounter our first (but hardly last) novel use of a traffic cone. Note how it has been pressed into service as a trash receptacle. Genius!
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Eagle and Freeman Street
Another block, another hole. Beginning to discern a pattern here?
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Huron and India Street
Someone has been very busy!
McGuinness Boulevard, east side, between India and Java Street
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, between Kent Street and Greenpoint Avenue
And then as I crossed Greenpoint Avenue the thievery stopped. I have a theory about this which I would like to posit here. Aside from proximity to the Greenpoint “Hotel” and 3/4 house, I observed that north of Greenpoint Avenue these plates were invariably to be found adjacent to fire hydrants. On the south side of Greenpoint Avenue this is not the case. Thus, I would posit that the reason the plates are intact “down south” is because they are not as easy to locate.
McGuinness Boulevard, west side, at Bayard Street
For the most part.
So how many missing covers did I find along our community’s solution to the Champs-Élysées, gentle readers? The grand total (including Jay’s find) comes out to ten. It should be noted that I later found three ones MIA in Williamsburg. In closing I will leave you with an interesting, if unrelated, discovery from my investigation (as spotted at Nassau Avenue).
It would appear that someone is a Jack Daniels fan.
NYS Flickr Pool
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