Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Bad Santa
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
From Moultrie Street.
Miss Heather
Best On India
Ever had one of those things you keep telling yourself you’ll get around to but never do? This post is one of those. After much delay I am going to clue you guys in about the happenings at 156 and 158 India Street. On May 19, 2008 a tipster wrote:
The house one lot down from my boyfriend and I received an order to vacate at about 3 pm on Saturday. Fire trucks blocked the street and stayed put.
We went down to get some food and I asked one of the ten or so firemen who were standing around one of the trucks what was going on. He said the building at 156 India was about to collapse and they had to immediately evacuate. I asked if this was due to undermining of the foundation because of construction at the neighboring lot (158 India Street — Ed. Note) and he said no.
It was just due to years and years and years of neglect…. We saw people taking everything they could carry and getting out… and ever since there’s been a police car parked out front of the house with a spot light pointed at the open door to the building.
Funny thing is, about two weeks ago my boyfriend saw a guy coming home to 156 India with a chick, presumably his date…
Male Resident of 156 India: Here we are! My new place…
Chick: You live here…? (Incredulous look)
M.R.156 India: I know, I know, it looks shitty from the outside, but wait ’til you see my space!Lucky for her she saw it before it collapses into a heap.
This house was evacuated May 17, 2008 after the F.D.N.Y. had the Department of Buildings checked the structural stability on a non-load bearing wall following a complaint of the “BUILDING SHAKING/VIBRATING/STRUCT STABILITY AFFECTED“. The Department of Buildings’s findings are as follows:
(HAZARDOUS) FAILURE TO MAINTAIN EXTERIOR BUILDING WALL. DEFECT IS:REAR WALL IS ROTTED,DEFECTIVE AND PULLING AWAY FROM WOOD FRAME. FIRE ESCAPE IS IN DANGER DUE TO AFFECTED REAR WALL AND COULD DISLODGE IF USED.
Pretty bad, eh? Brace yourself because it gets worse.
The owner of this building was cited by the Department of Buildings for more or less the same problem OVER A YEAR AGO. As you can see, Mr. Nealis was fined $2,500. He has yet to pay up. In fact, if you browse the ECB violations for 156 India Street, you’ll notice non-payment of fines and non-compliance seem to be his modus operandi. Here’s one of my personal faves. It dates from May 5, 2007:
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BLDG. NOTED: AT CELLAR OF FRONT BLDG=NO FIREPROOF ENCLOSURE FOR BOILER RM,MISSING FIREPROOFING AT CEILING AT VARIOUS LOCATION,ROTTED JOISTS NEXT TO BOILER RM,LARGE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS THRU-OUT
Gee, that sounds really fucking dangerous. You might be interested to know that once again a fine of $2,500 was levied. It remains unpaid. Stick we me— it only gets more interesting. Take this fun fact, for example.
Kevin Nealis is (or at least was) the owner of another property in Greenpoint with an interesting history: 95 Clay Street. If this address sounds familiar to you, it is because I have written about it. Repeatedly. An apartment building was recently built there with no permits whatsoever.
I don’t know about you, but this Nealis chap sounds like a fun guy. What’s more, he may very well be responsible for a Greenpoint first:
A construction site being evacuated because the existing building next to it posed an imminent threat to public safety.
Or did the chaps at 158 India Street (Best On India LLC!*)have a hand in the demise of their neighbor? Their brand-spanking new Stop Work Order would certainly suggest so:
OBSERVATION OF DEFECTIVE AND SUB-STANDARD WORK IN PROGRESS
I suppose only the Department of Buildings and the owner of 156 and Best on India LLC only know for certain. There is, however, one thing I can assert with total confidence: thanks to one landlord’s total disregard for the safety of his tenants and the Department of Buildings appalling lack of effective enforcement six individuals and/or families are now homeless. This is inexcusable.
On the brighter side, at least this family was spared being displaced. I wonder who their landlord is?
Miss Heather
*I am NOT kidding. Click here and see for yourself!
Greenpoint Gets A New Bus Shelter!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Those of you who were out and about last weekend probably noticed that we have finally been given one of those slick-looking new bus shelters. It is located on Manhattan Avenue just north of Greenpoint Avenue.
Here it is. You can almost smell the cement curing. Greenpoint is sure getting tony nowadays. First it was Starbucks, now it is a nice shiny new bus shelter. I wonder what we’ll get next— more efficient subway service perhaps? NAH.
Here is a woman using said shelter correctly. I’m glad to see my fellow Greenpointers have adapted to this new addition to our urban landscape effortlessly.
What’s more, someone or something has already seen fit to christen it! The powers that be can throw as many new bus shelters, luxury condominiums and double skinny lattes they want at us. There are some things that will never change. An ordinary person would tender their thanks for civic improvements (such as this shelter) by writing their duly elected officials. Not us. We are not ordinary. We are Greenpointers and we have our own inimitable manner of expressing gratitude.
Miss Heather
Hey Joe
(Someone in the Garden Spot really, really does not like you.)
Yesterday afternoon I ran errands. Among my tasks was purchasing household cleaning products. Let’s just say one of our cats decided to use our bedroom as a vomitorium, I will spare you the details except to say it was quite disgusting.
As anyone in the know will tell you, any and all consumer products in Greenpoint are to be found in one place: Manhattan Avenue, so I headed there without delay. When I reached the Greenpoint Furniture store I noticed a man standing in front of the door. Well, noticed isn’t exactly the right word— HEARD is much more like it. Imagine this, if you will, being bellowed in the biggest Brooklyn honk imaginable:
You know what you are Joe? You’re a fuggin’ piece of shit! That’s what! A fuggin’ piece of shit!
Over and over. I turned to the man next to me, gave him my best “wtf” look and said:
It’s always healthy to let your anger out. What’s more, if I ever meet a guy named Joe I will know he is a fucking piece of shit.
He laughed.
I then went back about my business, as did my fellow bystander and the man who hates Joe.
Several hours later after I accomplished all the chores on my “to do” list I decided to head home via my favorite thoroughfare: McGuinness Boulevard. I have extolled upon the magical qualities of the street named after Greenpoint’s favorite alderman many times. I will do so yet once again here: McGuinness Boulevard is the undiluted essence of all things Greenpoint. It is the very soul of the Garden Spot. Some of the most interesting things I have ever seen have been found on this boulevard. Yesterday was no exception.
This mural is located on Newton Street. It originally read “diva”. As you can see, someone has seen fit to make a few annotations.
I really like this shot. Methinks this image should be on a greeting card. Seriously.
Not since high school have I seen hatred meted out in such a passionate and heated fashion. This person is seriously angry. If any of you are wondering what that brown stuff is, use your imagination. If that fails, here’s a clue: read the url for this web site.
You know, I cannot help but respect someone who would do this. I do not condone their behavior, mind you. I simply believe it is good policy to have a healthy respect for people who have no qualms whatsoever about picking up shit off the sidewalk and smearing it on a wall. Even I wouldn’t do that. If you’re out there reading this Joe, take my advice: stay away from McGuinness Boulevard.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: Decorative Installation
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
From Humboldt Street.
Miss Heather
Stolen Bike
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
If anyone sees this bicycle, whoever is riding it is either a thief or purchased it from one. V writes:
My bike was stolen from Greenpoint Ave and Eckford St today (May 27, 2008) while I was at work. I filed a police report but all that allows me to do is claim it legally if I find it on my own… It’s a vintage, ladies’, cranberry colored, Schwinn with a big basket on the front and all the paint worn off the center of the frame from the chain lock. It was locked to a sign post with a Kryptonite lock.
It just really gets my goat that someone would take the time to cut thru my Kryptonite lock, in broad day light, on a Tuesday afternoon, just to steal my beat up old Schwinn with a wobbly wheel, bent basket, and shot breaks. Why me? Life’s not fair…
So let me get this straight: a police report was filed but all this allows V to do is claim it if she finds it on her own. Aren’t the police supposed to retrieve stolen property? Or at least investigate a little bit? I guess not. I suppose they’re too busy harassing photographers.
In any case if anyone has seen this stolen bike please call the 94th Precinct: 718 383-3879.
Miss Heather
Gophergate
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
Last week some of you might recall I noticed something bearing a strong resemblance to a gopher strapped to a fence behind the bath house on Huron Street. Well, lest any of you have been wondering, it’s still there.
What’s more, some sucker lucky guy or gal who buys this unit at the Viridian is going to get a particularly scenic view. I really like this photo. It almost looks like this little critter is riding a magic carpet.
Or trying to escape.
Take your pick.
Miss Heather
Greenpoint Photo du Jour: The Writing On The Wall
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
That’s what makes parts of Brooklyn so special. You have all of these rowhouses, townhouses, smaller-scale developments, more neighborhood-friendly developments. You have more open space. The quality of life in this way is going to be preserved in Brooklyn.
– Karl Fischer
Hey Karl, you might want to head down to the Boulevard Tavern on Meeker Avenue. Someone would like to have a word with you.
Look at it this way Mr. Fischer, at least one person in Greenpoint doesn’t think you are the “worst architect ever“.
Miss Heather
Photo Credit: BIG props got out to Jay Slack for forwarding this gem. Great find!
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
It has been brought to my attention that Studio B is applying for a cabaret license! Community Board One‘s “Public Safety Committee”* will be having a hearing this Thursday, May 29th, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss this matter. Those you who are interested in giving your two cents at this meeting (and I know you are out there) should swing by CB1’s office at:
435 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211
(718) 389-0009
I wonder if these folks know about Studio’s B yet-to-be rescinded Stop Work Order and fire code issues? Well, I suppose they’ll find out soon enough. In closing I would like to quote the findings from my favorite Studio B D.O.B. violation:
WORK W/O A PERMIT. WORK NOTED: INTERIOR SHEETROCK PARTITION WALLS ERECTED TO CREATE 1 CLASS ‘A’ DWELLING WITH 2 BEDROOMS, LIVING ROOM, KITCHEN WITH GAS STOVE, SINK AND BATHROOM WITH SHOWER, SINK, TOILET, BIDET &
Bidet?!?
Miss Heather
*Not to be confused with the Public Safety Commission.
Memorial Day BBQ At Papasitos
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
As I wrote in this post today the newest addition to the Greenpoint dining scene, Papasito’s, threw a Memorial Day Barbecue. If what I saw late this afternoon was any indication, it may very well be a hit! I didn’t have to time to check out their foodstuffs (was too tired after playing baseball with a four year old base/heart stealer supreme) but I did take a few photographs which you can see here.
All in all, everyone appeared to be having a great time and it was a very mixed crowd. Now if you don’t mind, I am going to soak my sore feet!
Miss Heather
UPDATE: Per a tipster the food was plentiful, good and crazy cheap. A mere $5.00 a plate.
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