Why Did Studio B Close?

August 4, 2008 by
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

That is a very good question. Perhaps the following has something to do with it?

The very day the Public Safety Committee decided that Studio B did not merit a recommendation for a Cabaret license, the Department of Buildings disapproved their Place of Assembly application.

For both floors.

No worries, I am certain former City Councilman Ken Fisher will have an answer*. He has a lot to say!

Miss Heather

UPDATE: Citizen Skein (who was present at last week’s meeting) explains it all for us! (Check the comments). ALSO— here is my buddy Neighborhood Threat’s take on the whole brouhaha. Do give it a read.

*The difference is amazing. Ken the City Councilman berates safety violations but Ken the Lobbyist justifies them! No wonder Greenpoint is so fucked up. Thanks Mr. Fisher!

Comments

5 Comments on Why Did Studio B Close?

  1. Citizen Skein on Mon, 4th Aug 2008 9:12 am
  2. Miss Heather,

    I (guy with a fussy baby) actually had those disapprovals with me on Thursday; they were in the package I handed them; unfortunately I couldn’t finish what I had to say cause my youngest was gassy. They [the PA apps] were filed the day before. Since they didn’t self cert that’s actually the normal procedure. File, disapprove, have a few meetings with the examiner, get approved, permitted (it can only get permitted after they get a TCO which requires an FPP–fire protection plan–not to be confused with a fire safety plan. The story is not that it’s disapproved, it’s that they’re not making a serious effort to legalize a joint (specifically the 2nd floor; the first floor is less of a concern) they’ve had open for 3+ months. There will be no PA permit until they file the FPP. I will get around to outlining everything I had with me Thursday, I just had a lazy 3 day weekend.

    The question to them–as I had rehearsed in my head a few times–was going to be, “you filed the PA app for the 2nd floor over 3 mos after you opened the 2nd floor and you’re telling me you’re serious about legalizing this club?” I was then planning to answer my own question, I guess that makes it a rhetorical device, by saying that “if I wanted smoke blown up my ass, I’d be at home with a pack of cigarettes and a short length of hose.”

    If they really wanted to be a good neighbor, they would just cease use of the 2nd floor (zero occupancy) until they legalize it. It’s that simple, from a code/zoning perspective. I truly believe they could strike a balance between the law, neighborly concerns, Studio B making money and patrons having lots of fun, but they don’t seem to be going about it in the right way.

  3. DieYuppieScum78 on Mon, 4th Aug 2008 11:37 pm
  4. I hope that place stays shut down. It would make such a great crack house.

  5. kdugan on Tue, 5th Aug 2008 4:11 pm
  6. I checked out the DOB website yesterday, which had a different notice up from the one on your blog. So I decided to check it out myself (I work for the Greenpoint Gazette, btw). When I was went by, two construction workers were there, putting up drywall and insulation on the second floor. They showed me around–it looks like they’re doing a total revamp of the upstairs area–and said that it would be finished in two to three weeks. The workers were very nice but didn’t know anything about the situation surrounding the building.

    Kevin

  7. missheather on Tue, 5th Aug 2008 4:18 pm
  8. Interesting. I imagine the work they are doing has something to do with this:

    http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=310114122&passdocnumber=01

    If they get their s**t together and run that place like a professional business, great. End of problem. But given the following (which was brought to my attention today) I am not optimistic:

    http://www.thevillager.com/villager_67/crossondelancey.html

    Thanks for sharing, Kevin!

  9. missheather on Tue, 5th Aug 2008 4:31 pm
  10. Oh yeah, here is another business Ms. Drozd (one of the ostensible owners of Studio B) has a hand in:

    http://www.juliettewilliamsburg.com/

    If you check their latest/only certificate of occupancy you notice the second floor is not mentioned.

    http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/COsByLocationServlet?requestid=1&allbin=3062195

    She sure likes her some rooftop terraces, doesn’t she?

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