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January 12, 2007
Where Does a Tree Stand in Development Hierarchy?
What do you do if you're trying to put up a building next to a city park and some pesky tree branches get in the way? If you're David Angel and the address is 639 Sixth Avenue, you amputate now, ask questions later. To bad for him that a neighbor who happens to quite like Mayrose Park and the old sycamore tree that has stood in it for decades. The Parks Department has handed out a summons already (which can go on the wall next to the outstanding DOB violation for work without a permit), but the really rub is that for the building to reach its full height the canopy of the tree will have to be substantially destroyed. We're a little hazy on the rules and procedure in a situation like this. Anyone case to fill us in?
Illegal Tree Pruning [Flickr] GMAP DOB
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Comments
mind your own business
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 10:54 AM
Let this guy finish, I do not want to see another abandoned development. it is not a pretty site to see a boarded up half completed building.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 10:58 AM
To the first two anon's..."mind your own business" and "let this guy finish..."
WTF?
This supposed asset to our community (wait, correct "ass" word?) is cutting down NYC Park's trees. Not HIS property, but all of OUR property. This is BREAKING THE LAW.
If he truly needs to trim these trees to finish his project (which we all want him to do), then he (and his contractor) should have contacted NYC Parks and had the trees pruned LEGALLY! Plain and simple.
Another scum bag developer breaking the law to cut corners and this time, ruin a neighborhood's park.
Well, the men in green have already visited Mr. Angel and will be doing so again, shortly.
I truly hope he stops, since the next tree in the back of the property is also on the chopping block (pun intended).
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:09 AM
Damn TypeKey, 11:09 am post was me. See, I like to leave my handle, rather than being an anon.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 11:11 AM
I moved from PS into this neighbor. I do not what is worst the stuck up yuppies/elitist I left or these fanatic nimbys. They have nothing to do but take snapshots and create stories for blogs. I hope this site is bankrupted, a non-profit buys it and converts into shelter or section 8 housing. I hope those new famiies bring in a bunch of little darling to sell drugs to kids in school, break into your house steal your cameras and computers, then spray paint your house.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:12 AM
the deforestation of brooklyn by scumbag developers..give it up. we can spare one or two tree limbs if it means providing housing for families in need.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 11:19 AM
Hey anon 11.19, mind your own business.
Posted by: loser at January 12, 2007 11:21 AM
Hey anon 11:12 am
Nice start to a day's positive dialog.
Sec. 8 is doubtful. Our bad-boy developer will be making big-bucks, bucko!
6 on 6th:
http://tinyurl.com/scnh4
Notice the rendering on Di Silva Architects' website (too bad the interiors showing views over looking the park and the trees they are CUTTING DOWN) is no longer up there).
Welcome to the 'nabe, chum.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 11:22 AM
"the deforestation of brooklyn by scumbag developers..give it up. we can spare one or two tree limbs if it means providing housing for families in need."
That's rich...or rather you'll need to be rich to afford these condos. These are not living spaces for families in "need" anon 11:21 am.
We're looking at $600-700 a sq. ft. and up. Check out yesterday's Scarano building thread and see some of the well thought discourse as to how no "needy family" will be able to afford a condo in our 'nabe.
At the BSA (and the reason he won) said he would abandon the project if he could not make at MINIMUM $600-$700K per unit. Now, there are 6 units in the building, so that's $3.6-$4.2 MIL in sales of these units. By the time they are finished, the market will be up again, so I'd bet he'll gross at least $6MIL.
A modest, but still very profitable development site.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 11:29 AM
I'm finding it incredibly hard to believe that a pack of anti-conservation, anti-ecological people have bum-rushed the brownstoner site. It seems pretty clear they are the developer or they work for him.
Developers in NYC look at laws as being meant to be broken. Period. And that offends good citizens. You trolls might not care much about a tree, but when they're breaking a law you do care about, suddenly you'll be whining. Mostly I have to ask, why CAN'T developers be responsible members of society? Why is it they above the law, again? Because they're just so special? I don't get it.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:32 AM
cos they contribute plenty of money to local politics
Posted by: napalm mccarren at January 12, 2007 11:33 AM
lostinbrooklyn you are true loser. It obvious you envy this guy's profit making ability. If you would stop wasting time worrying about other people’s pockets, you can get life together. To busy blogging to your own renovations done. Perhaps you can even have enough time to be just as successful at something. (besides being a whining Nimby).
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:36 AM
lostinbrooklyn you are true loser. It obvious you envy this guy's profit making ability. If you would stop wasting time worrying about other people’s pockets, you can get your life together. To busy blogging to your own renovations done. Perhaps you can even have enough time to be just as successful at something. (besides being a whining Nimby).
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:37 AM
average life of a tree in new york city? i heard it was 5 years.
Posted by: Rider at January 12, 2007 11:38 AM
Anon 11:36
Another great, positive and well thought out post.
I am at work, I have renovated my house and I still find time to look after MY community and call ANYONE who is doing illegal activity. And WTF does that have to do with my posts?
What have you done lately, other than become a troll on the board and a shill for this (and I am sure other developers?
I do not envy this man's profits, more power to him. I am not anti responsible development in my 'nabe. What I do hate is his total disregard for the laws of this fair City and his thumbing his nose at his neighbors...and now NYC Parks.
Now, who's the loser?
And PS. will some of these trolls take a spelling and basic grammar class. I feel like I am posting back to 3rd graders...perhaps I am.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 11:44 AM
average interest of a developer in the community he's trying to make a profit in? I heard it was zero.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 11:50 AM
Here's an idea - what about creating an incentive for developers to behave and to build decent buildings in Brooklyn by presenting annual awards for categories focused on developers who really work with a community, and for good design. The awardees could be chosen by a panel comprised of residents, of architecture academics/experts, and of people who follow violations and things. A new panel each year that remains anonymous until the awards are presented. I would only suggest that the awards be open to modern design too, and not just buildings that match the old brownstones. Focused on both well-done "period" design, and on harmonious modern design that integrates modern with the old in a community. If the awards become prestigious, then it really could be incentive for developers.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:02 PM
Sorry, to all, for going at lostinbrooklyn. I do not want to give him to much attention. He does not represent the majority in the nabe. Most of my neigbors are very hard working and down to earth people. I have to go a branch fell the in my yard this morning. I have the CSI unit trying to trace it. So far it is not part of a Developer conspiracy to rid the neighohodd of trees (branch by branch). The last report it just just some innocent home owner who got fed up with this branch. As he was handcuffed, he said “for god sake it was just a branch, I love trees”.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:06 PM
It's amazing that every time someone catches one of these guys ignoring and breaking laws in order to keep building, someone starts crying that NIMBYs are stopping the building of necessary housing for the masses. Give me a break! Not ONE of the projects outed here on this blog has been for the masses. As lostinbrooklyn and others state over and over again, these projects are marketed for upper income buyers.
This city needs decent middle income, and truly affordable housing. None of these projects are addressing that need. If anything, they are destroying the traditional working class housing that was there. If people who are so upset that developers are being picked on, and want something to do that is worthwhile, a project like 12:20's suggestion is certainly worthy, and would be a great idea.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at January 12, 2007 12:19 PM
Nice grammar, 12:06 (not).
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:20 PM
Excatly, Crown Heights Proud (the real one!). None of these developments are for middle and working class families. Which is why it really seems those who defend them are the developers themselves.
The idea for awards is good. It's true community action, and a positive way to address the issue.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:25 PM
I dunno - but I always thought if tree was overhanging your property - you had right to trim the overhanging part
(but not kill tree).
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:35 PM
Whoops, TypeKey lost me. Yep, that really was me.
Of course the cynic in me thinks that these type of brokers wouldn't care if they won any award or not, but if winning or losing translated to dollars, then we'd be talking.
I think it would be great for the public to see a positive side of development. Take yesterday's thread about developer Shahn Anderson's possible partnership with the Woods' and Broken Angel. I know nothing about Shahn except I go by his house to see how it's coming every once in a while, have never met him, and wouldn't know him if I saw him. But the fact that he is a member of the Clinton Hill community, and seems to be interested enough to support the artistic legacy of the neighborhood, and put his time and money where his mouth is, makes me think there should be more people like that who are worthy of the name "developer", ie, one who is providing homes for communities in which they live and work. Not just one who comes into a community, and with no regard for that existing community, throws up, in the cheapest, and often lawless way, a piece of poorly designed, badly built, overpriced piece of crap, designed to solely maximize the bottom line in a location that he/she/they take no time to get to know, and care less about because they don't live anywhere near there, and never will.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at January 12, 2007 12:44 PM
"I dunno - but I always thought if tree was overhanging your property - you had right to trim the overhanging part
(but not kill tree)."
For residential (between neighbors) yes...though here is some gray area. For a property adjacent to a NYC Park, no. Also, street trees are protected as well, from trimming or taking them down. Parks or a licensed sub-contractor, are the only one's able to handle them.
If not, it's up to a $4K fine.
And for my last comment to the snarky troll (anon 12:06 and his other posts), you do not represent most of the folks in the 'nabe, sorry buddy, that I know for a fact.
With community groups that are 400+ people (home owners, renters, etc.) full support from CB7, your "...the 'nabe does not think this NIMBY way..." (see, proper grammar) is total BS.
Keep trying.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 12:48 PM
Nice try, fake "Crown Heights Proud". ..loser...
Anyway, look everybody...What's happening here is that some of these old-school brooklyn construction/contractor guys never had anyone question what they did, or complain in the past, because they were pretty much ignored by everyone, including the DOB. They probably threatened people who took issue with them in the past too, but this is a different era. one in which people are now held more accountable for their actions...
Many of these contractor/developer guys have become fixated with a word (NIMBY) which is easy to spell, and it serves their purposes of venting pent-up frustration publicly.
But the yuppies, hipsters, NIMBY's, midwestern hicks, EuroTrash, Trustafarians and others that you bash (yet pay your freakin' bills!) have a right to protect their new real estate investments. That also means protecting the neighborhoods that said properties are located in. That means protecting the parks, trees, and other nature and open space which is truly at a premium in nyc. That means calling someone out when they act like a douche.
Duh! Isn't it obvious that many of the new owners paid a lot of money for their homes, and SHOULD care more about the community than the guys who block streets, leave unsafe conditions, damage houses, release asbestos in the air, and do most everything possible to minimize effort and maximize profits?
Don't blame the people moving in here and buying the properties for being a problem to your working methods - YOU are the problem!
Please - Get your act together and start showing a little more self-respect for your own workmanship. Your ancestors would cringe if they saw the shit that most of you guys are putting up these days. It's embarrassing to everyone. Where's your pride?
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 12:48 PM
a developer of eco friendly construction does more good for the environment then a few tree limbs. a developer plays out his part in the nabe by selling condo's to the high end folks, allowing what remains to go to those less fortunate or having to rent out apartements to afford a mortgage. Why don't they get credit where its due? just think, if all these rich folks didn't have condo's, they'd convert the townhomes that remain into single family homes.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 12:50 PM
"Loser" here, as well as on both of my past posts, don't know if Typekey will register me this time either. Neither here nor there, really, but not the fake CHP.
12:48, I can't tell if you are pissed with the developers, the community people, or everyone in general. Seems like you are only defending the new people who move into the nabe?
Please clarify.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at January 12, 2007 12:57 PM
"allowing what remains to go to those less fortunate or having to rent out apartements to afford a mortgage"
Anon 12:50, what rentals are you refering to? And how are these old "renters" affording these "new condos?" Many of the potential rental properties have been torn down to make way for luxury condos (we lost 8 rentals on my block alone to luxury condos). With the exception of I think 4 buildings in the past 5 years in GWH that have become rentals.
The only thing that has happened is the reduction of rentals by the destruction of viable housing stock. i.e. a two or three family where the owners rent out 1-2 apt's to handle the mortgage. But, those are disappearing rapidly...
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 1:03 PM
Oh sh*t! TypeKey is finally working again. Thanks Mr. B.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 1:05 PM
A couple of things.
1. The atrocious squeal of "mind your own business" types, the quick reach for the NIMBY smear, the foul language -- who wants that crowd on your side or in your neighborhood?
2. The developer, builder and architect of projects like this view laws or trees as mere obstacles. The mentality is "forgiveness is easier to get than permission." Or fines -- doesn't matter. Very New York, actually.
3. Some people romanticize this breaking the law by doing whatever you want as somehow sticking it to the man, or striking a blow for libertarianism. But what they're doing is not to be romanticized: it's simple selfishness leavened with arrogance. It's not sticking it to the man, it's really sticking it to the neighborhood.
4. It's worth repeating that this housing being built is not affordable to the majority of people who need housing. And ironically, this crap sandwich going up is going to have a hard time appealing to the "target audience."
5. I share the sentiment of people like lostinbrooklyn who have a stake in how their neighborhoods grow and preserve. It may be an imported sentiment, however -- plenty of people in this town (not just developers, but owners) could give a rat's ass about something getting in the way of maximizing their return. A sad fact of New York.
--an architect in Brooklyn
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 1:06 PM
12:48 here.
You got me, CHP...(unless you really are doing a serious mindf*** on everyone here; it didn't read like your style to me and i know you're on typekey now...)
I'm pissed at the developers for thinking that no one has a right to call the DOB, or the Parks Dept. or the cops, when said builders do something illegal.
I'm defending everyone who is a property owner, oldtimers and newcomers alike. I'm also defending lost in brooklyn, who i don't know personally; at least he's out there trying to prevent more damage from happening...
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 1:06 PM
so you cut down 1 large sycamore and plant 5 or so pear trees..isn't that enough? what more can a developer do? let a tree get in the way or progress or profit..unfortunately that isn't a viable proposition.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 1:12 PM
OK. Nah, it's Friday, too tired to be bogus, or even very coherent, note the lack of periods in the above tomes, just lots of commas, and boy, my English teachers would plotz!
I think lostinbrooklyn is a great asset to his nabe, as well as Bklyn in general. Those who just sit and complain aren't helping. Agitators and people who hold developers feet to the fire may not win any popularity contests with them, but who cares? If we don't step up to protect our neighborhoods, we won't have any, and we'll all be living in giant Co-op City type minicities. Not what I want Brooklyn to look like, nor where I want to live.
Posted by: Crown Heights Proud at January 12, 2007 1:18 PM
"let a tree get in the way or progress or profit..unfortunately that isn't a viable proposition."
That is not the point here. Illegal activity is. The tree may have to go to have the project completed. Fine. But, let NYC Parks be the judge of that and not some day laborer with a circular saw...or the developer for that matter!
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 1:18 PM
the city parks dept or any of city agency for that matter are a bunch of arses. should a developer call them, they will act to stop the removal of any tree, and should the tree then be cut, a sizeable penalty will result. its far easier, cheaper and smart to chop now and beg for forgiveness later. lets forget the environment for a second, would everyone here allow the IRS to make a judgement on their taxes, or would they just submit a bullshit return and hope for the best.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 1:27 PM
1;27,
That is precisely what bothers me. All of these illegal activities are done knowing that fines will be levied, everyone will get a slap on the wrist, thjey'll pay their measly fees, (or big fines, they don't care) and go their merry way, leaving the community with whatever they "built".
I don't like the model of "It's just a part of the cost of doing business."
BTW, how do people know they are buying into a quality building? does the DOB actually inspect structures and mechanicals to make sure everything is done corectly? i'm not so sure...
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 1:37 PM
"how do people know they are buying into a quality building?"
Generally we have seen that no matter how well designed a building is (up to interpretation on aethetics, but I will not debate that) or not well designed, the majority of the jobs are CRAP!
Rushed foundations & exterior work, cheap finishings or bad craftmanship when the finishings are appropriate.
Basically, quite a few of us (and our elected officials & CB) are worried what will happen with some of these developments 5-10 yrs doen the line.
Structual damage due to inferior rebar being used, not vibrating the concrete, too much block used vs. poured concrete and steel, improper dranage in the rear yards, substandard exterior finishes (doors, windows, balconies, railings, etc.).
Especially on sites like 162 16th St a.k.a the Katan Tower.
Even the war going on between our home oners and the developer of the Scarano POS on 16th St.. that one is already listing an leaning and no one has moved in yet.
"Buyer beware" is more definite now than ever.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 1:59 PM
Damn! I misspelled "down." Shame on me after going after folks on earlier posts.
Damn spell-checker ;)
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 2:02 PM
reminder: mind your own business
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 2:11 PM
Very simple solution...hire someone who knows something about trimming trees. NOT SOME IDIOT WITH A SAW-ZALL.
In you really lived in the nabe, you would know that cutting street trees is just the tip of the iceburg. There is a climate of disrespect among some piss ant developers who having nothing but contempt for those who happen to live next door to one of their goldmines.
Section 8 housing? Sure, if it was being built by someone who knew his asshole from a hole in the ground!
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 2:26 PM
Turning to condo buyers: I want to know why there so some much hatred for people seeking to buy a condo. They are portrayed as rich do nothing.
Myth
All condos buyers are not in the same income bracket
Many were not born into the middle class
Questions
Who is defined as low income or middle income?
Who is defined as low class or middle class?
What kind of neighbors and what kind of income does this nabe want?
As someone who has worked hard all their life in order to buy a slice (not the whole pie) of the American pie.
I was low income almost my whole life, strived to make more $ in order buy not rent. Then when you finally get to an income where you can buy “a slice”, people jump up and down and say no we what low income people.
???????
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 2:59 PM
Anon 2:59pm
?????? is right? Who said anything about only wanting low income people?
We said "affordable housing" so folks like yourself can own your "slice of the pie" like the rest of us in the 'nabe, whether you be a home owner, condo/coop owner, landlord, etc.
$600-700K for a 1,000 sq. ft. condo, does not sound "affordable" to me.
You?
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 3:20 PM
define "affordable housing" what are the numbers?
everything is relative to one's situation.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 3:32 PM
I support lost in brooklyn 100% and have lived here long enough and met enough people to know that his views are representative of the neighborhood and some of the other vile trash posted here must be by the developer or his familiars.
As for what is affordable, how about checking census data for average income in these tracts and extrapolating how much of a rent/mortgage those numbers could support? That should demonstrate that nothing built around here is affordable, and the preponderance of one-bedrooms should demonstrate that nothing being built is designed for housing for residents.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 4:23 PM
NYC's Affordable Housing Center website:
http://tinyurl.com/ydzlzd
Mostly based on different % of median incomes for the entire City or borough. Numbers are ALWAYS up to determination and debate...especially when they have added Westchester to the mix of household incomes in some cases.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 4:39 PM
nice tree, but it was encroaching the property line and until you pay your neighbors property tax its not your property. Simple rules any tree limbs that overhang a property line are allowed to be cut. The tree will look different but it will still be green and leafy I have seen street trees more severly trimmed than that.
Posted by: george at January 12, 2007 5:43 PM
just think how much the less work there would be for everone if all bklyn trees were to be cut down..i hate sweeping up leaves.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 6:03 PM
Interesting thing about trees, I like 'em, enjoy their shade and yet they can cause so much damage. Two asides, if the sidewalk responsibility law was changed and homeowners, not the city, were liable for trip and fall accidents on their sidewalks how many trees would be felled by homeowners to level their sidewalks? Think of all the uneven slate slabs in Carroll Gardens or Cobble Hill, stately trees yes, liability as well. The other situation is this: my landlord wants to cut down a tree in the backyard because it is causing foundation damage, my neighbor is fighting the work order because he likes the tree, none on his property mind you, not really particulary stately either, but a nice enough tree. Should they, my neighbor, be able to prevent my landlord from cutting down the tree?
Posted by: Baer at January 12, 2007 6:21 PM
I called 311 repeatedly about the problems with the Greenhouse developers chopping down the tree limbs on Carlton and on Greene Ave. to make it slightly easier for them during construction (that point is theirs and it's arguable.) I went so far as to pull my car over one day, and make them stop while I called the local parks dept. offices in Prospect Park. They came out immediately and made them stop. So that felt great. Also they took pix of the current conditions of the trees so they could document it in case they cut the limbs anymore. Nobody without a permit from the park's dept. is allowed to cut limbs of street trees and even then you are only allowed to cut them without using a ladder or any other type of device to get higher up. Union workers do the higher branches for safety's sake (public, tree and property.) Alas the jerks running this construction site HATED HATED HATED the neighborhood and its residents and they cut down all of the branches they could the very next day. I called the parks dept. and they came out and said they issued tix. But still they were gone. I hope that those workers were more considerate of the needs of the future residents in that building when they did the work on it!
Posted by: Anonymous at January 12, 2007 7:01 PM
Save the trees! Down with the profiteers!
Posted by: carla at January 12, 2007 7:14 PM
"so you cut down 1 large sycamore and plant 5 or so pear trees..isn't that enough? what more can a developer do? let a tree get in the way or progress or profit..unfortunately that isn't a viable proposition."
Well, it is when it's the community's tree and the developer's profit. I don't think you'd be quite so keen on "profit or progress" if I decided that I had a great idea for a venture but to do it, I had to clean out YOUR bank account.
Simply put, there's no inalienable right to do whatever you want as long as it generates profit for someone. Our society has laws and boards and regulations to give the parameters of your profit-making endeavors. And there's no reason to put yourself in the position of judging progress for everyone else.
And echo on everyone who is tired of developers who simply see fines as a cost of business to be ignored.
Posted by: Matthias at January 12, 2007 7:21 PM
George...
See my post at 12:48pm.
You are wrong! This is a City Parks' tree, not yer neighbors...
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 12, 2007 7:29 PM
developers don't get enough credit. i'm not talking about your local shoe repair man that saw an opportunity to build condos and profit. I'm talking about the ratners of the world making huge improvement across the country, creating jobs, creating housing, etc. a true developer understands the value of a tree and a community and they serve to enhance and be part of that. however, its the narrow focus of some community leaders that seek to alienate them, and make difficult their great work.
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 7:31 PM
to answer the original question posted..a tree doesn't 'stand' a chance!
Posted by: anon at January 12, 2007 7:33 PM
Tree or no tree, this guy is bad news and has a reputation for not only poor quality construction, but for properties that flood with sewer back up, bad roofing which leads to huge leaks with the first rain fall, bad electrical, heating systems that do not work and much more. Anyone who buys from this guy has much more to worry about than trees.
Posted by: Anon at January 12, 2007 9:03 PM
10:19,
What is the name of the contractor that was working on the site? Or at least tell us the address of that construction site...
Thank You.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 13, 2007 12:43 PM
639 6th Ave
Posted by: Anonymous at January 13, 2007 12:48 PM
Perhaps 639 6th Avenue needs some epoxy glue in its locks on a regular basis.
At union wages, how many lost hours will it take to equate to $5000?
Posted by: Downtown guy at January 13, 2007 3:11 PM
I believe according to the DOB rules, the tree does not have the proper permits for the air rights due to its height, therefore, the DOB must put a stop order on the tree and bring the tree to court proceedings to remove the excess height that it is not allowed. The developer could easily replace the tree (and should definately be forced to if something happens to the tree). What's the big deal here?
Posted by: air rights at January 13, 2007 3:47 PM
Hm. 10:19, I'm confused. Other people here are saying that any developer that graces Brooklyn with "profit and progress" are saints that should be canonized. You aren't implying that one of our living saints was responsible for something harmful or not 100% good, are you??!???!?
Posted by: Matthias at January 13, 2007 4:45 PM
Well don't forget the recent murder of actress Adrienne Shelley, committed by some guy doing renovation work in her building, when she complained about noise. And look at the threats we've seen from AY developers on various threads saying basically they'll do violence to protesters or those who give them grief once AY construction begins. We're not talking about the best people in the world, here. So yes, be wary and don't confront them directly.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 13, 2007 5:59 PM
5:59 totally agree w/ you. just observe and do something about it quietly.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 13, 2007 6:26 PM
Downtown guy:
Union wages? You are kidding, right?
99.9% of these jobs are non-union and 95% of them are undocumented day laborers...
Sad truth.
Posted by: lostinbrooklyn at January 14, 2007 6:50 PM
"Well don't forget the recent murder of actress Adrienne Shelley, committed by some guy doing renovation work in her building, when she complained about noise"
interesting enough, that guy lived right around the corner from this site. Really.
You can see the building he lived in from this building.
Posted by: Tree-Lover at January 15, 2007 10:39 AM
01.15.07
FYI, new photos from further "pruning" via circular saw have been updated on flckr.
Posted by: Anonymous at January 15, 2007 10:59 AM
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