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April 11, 2008

Artists Could Maybe (not) Return to Matzo Factory by May

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According to two former 475 Kent Avenue residents—who along with 200 others were forced to vacate their lofts last January because of a dangerous matzo ball situation in the basement—there's some hope that the building's problems could be resolved by May. But they're skeptical. It's already been 12 weeks since they were forced out into the cold, with the landlord promising compliance as quickly as possible. "The FDNY is projecting they will lift the vacate order when the sprinkler system is done. It's taking longer than they expected at this juncture. However, it now looks as if the work will be done at the end of this month, but we worry about how work will stop for Passover," one artist, who asked not to be named, wrote in an email. "There is still work that needs to be done with the electricity and the gas lines after the sprinkler system is fixed, but FDNY says we can still move back in before all that work is done." That person said later, in a phone conversation, "There are guys in the Department of Buildings who are saying, 'No we can't live there anymore.' ... The Fire Department wants us back in there, they're trying to help us get back in there." Another former tenant said, "Truthfully, [it's] still up in the air. But the landlord told friends three weeks, a week and a half ago. I've seen May 1st written about on our email chain but people who know about Buildings etc. have expressed scepticism in return. And everything requires clearance by FDNY still."

Fire Department spokesman Jim Long said, "There is several violations and issues at that location and the onus is on the landlord to correct them, and once those have been corrected ... then they'll probably be allowed back in. But it's on the landlord." The Buildings Department didn't get back with an answer after several attempts. And Morris Hartman, vice president of 475 Kent owner Sheila Properties, said, "I can't comment on that exactly right now."

Meanwhile, 22 former residents are holding a "475 Kent Lives" exhibit at the Queens Museum of Art satellite gallery Bulova Corporate Center, 75-20 Astoria Boulevard in Jackson Heights. There's an opening reception tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. with performances by musicians from the building.
475 Kent Tenants to Bloomberg: Let Us Back In! [Brownstoner]
Glimmers of Hope for 475 Kent Residents [Brownstoner]
Hard times at Kent lofts[Metro]
Top photo by brucelabounty.

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Comments

What a crock publicity for an art opening.

Truth be told, you can keep dreaming of going back in, but the landlord won't want you back at 475 Kent. They tell everything you wanna hear though with many excuses. Forget it, this about development and I bet your bottom dollars the building is going to be sold to a developer. Read between the lines.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 9:53 AM

how come everyone in the pic is white?

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 9:54 AM

Thats great - So the FDNY is going to let all of the illegal tenants back into their illegal apartments once everything is deemed safe.

Does this really seem OK to most people?

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 10:08 AM

I see one, but they're mostly a special group with entitlement rights. If this happened to minorities who squat in derelict buildings because they have no choices, we would never hear about it. The less fortunate do not have a voice and ears to heed.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 10:10 AM

I heard that Manischewitz is facing a tam tam shortage this year for Passover. I don't know, I'm not Jewish. Shouldn't they let that matzo factory start up again because of this?? How dangerous can a matzo be???

Matzos don't kill people.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 10:11 AM

They should play frisbee with matzo. No one gets hurt.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 10:19 AM

I see old people

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 10:27 AM

If Tony Soprano is living in Brooklyn he'd be running a meat ball factory here. Everyone would get paid off. The building and the neighborhood would be the safest in the borough and these poor downtrodden people who are not "invested in the growth" of the economy would not be homeless with their easels and miniature dogs.

Tying multiple topics together!!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 10:35 AM

Are we supposed to have additional sympathy for them because they are artists? If it was a building filled with accountants, nobody would care.

And as the previous poster asked, why is everybody white?

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 10:40 AM

There IS one black guy...in the middle of the photo about four people in from the left. I think he's picking that woman's pocket in front of him!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 10:50 AM

10:50 I don't think you're racist, but you're playing with fire. Would you easily make that remark if he weren't black?

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:09 AM

can I tell you how little anyone cares about this story. drop it already - so lame and just makes me want to kick someone.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:10 AM

looks like there's plenty of people to kick in front of 475 Kent

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:23 AM

11:09 you are the typical person that is just so clueless!!!

I felt compelled to correct the earlier comment that there were only white people there since I have nothing to do this morning. The second comment was a joke...get it...a joke. Were you the one that responded to the Nigerian apartment scam??

Do you think I would actually be racist living where I do??

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 11:28 AM

I had to write something! This Blog is getting worse everyday!

BTW I was at the Brownstoner asshat yard sale! Hey Brownstoner, I stood right next to you and No the traffic was fine coming in. A wonderful place to buy overpriced junk, you might have something there.

I noticed the traffic is decreasing and the amount of posts is dropping! I think you have to double post thing there for a reason to make it look like you have the same traffic. But this is "click fraud" and should be reported to your advertisers. I bet they will get a kick out of that!

BTW They are building like mad now! I guess they want the find the last suckers. Condo Madness is what I call it.

This Mutant Real Estate Bubble and this Blog is SO over!

Here is something to watch, wrap your minds around this.

http://www.deepcapture.com/

A massive financial crime is harming the United States. The crime makes a hoax out of corporate governance, destroys firms, deprives society of innovations, and robs Americans of their savings. It may be bad enough to cause the collapse of the financial system. The institutions that should stop it have been corrupted (”captured”) by the criminals doing it. These captured institutions include the financial press, which has remained so willfully blind it borders on a cover-up. Dots are being connected in the world of social media, but the same criminals who are behind the scam are manipulating social media to forestall the day of popular epiphany.

This means you suckers. Yep, this means the "smart guys"!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:45 AM

"Do you think I would actually be racist living where I do??

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 11:28 AM"

Nope homeboy! I think you are a Pole Smoker like those other Asshats Biff and Jerri. I think you are hunting for African cock!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

I might lift my No Cursing rule.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:48 AM

I wonder if the LandLord is getting away with paying a lot of Taxes. If he is renting this building as Class B residential, he really should be taxed to that level.

BUT, if his taxes are lower because the finance dept thinks it is different and the revenues generated are lower than what it is, then guess what, we as Tax payers are paying for this illegal BS.

Think about it. We subsidize this crap.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:50 AM

Hey What, you asshat

That deepcapture website is sure a class act...can't even get their type sorted out. Yet, Overstock.com is sponsoring it! What a farce it is...just like you.

go back to NJ, crawl back into your hole and stop bothering us

and just post once...its easy

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 11:50 AM

Hiya Dave! The server on this site is messed up so I have to post 3 times to get one post out.

The Overstoock thing is not a farce, this Blogs is! And I'm not getting in a pissing contest with you. Whats the matter, Jerri and Biff won't give you a reach around. LOL!!!!!!!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.....

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 11:59 AM

I'm going to call you What the F@ck from now on you moron.

Do you know anything about the corporate management of Overstock.com?

Reach around this or go back into your hole..someday you're gonna end

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 12:18 PM

just in case anyone cares: that black guy happens to be one of the greatest bass players in the world. His name is Melvin Gibbs.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:30 PM

just in case anyone cares: that black guy happens to be one of the greatest bass players in the world. His name is Melvin Gibbs.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:31 PM

To all of the people commenting on the sea of white faces: Stop! I assure you that artists in NYC are a "diverse" group comprised all many nationalities, sexual orientations, genders, etc. Just because they appear white does not mean that they are not "diverse". They support Obama and some of their best friends are black. Unlike The What...

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:34 PM

11:28 and 12:18 Dave with a sty. Wrong on all counts. You have nothing to do today alright, but place your jokes in context. Do you see Nigerian scam in this column? Or, be creative 'cause this is the Internet and you're not connecting. Just bec someone lives in bedstuy doesn't he/she can't be racist. Ever thought of that?

Someday the joke's gonna be on you.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:42 PM

12:31...WOW...Yes, I've heard of him

12;34 We will NOT allow this site to degenerate into politics. I'm sure ALL of them don't support Obama.

Some of my best friends are black too.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 12:42 PM

"Some of my best friends are black too."

Nope Asshat, some of the Guys who go up in ya is black! Plus your Stap-on and Dildo's is black LMAO!

Ah, feeling like my old self again.

Hey Biff! Come "help " your homeboy!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:50 PM

Hey The What - thanks for the multiple shout outs and obsession. Clearly you miss Jerri and me.

Now you say you were at the Brooklyn Flea, but everyone noticed how there wasn't one African American person in any of the Brooklyn Flea pictures. Or have you given up fighting the truth and are ready to finally admit to being the white real estate broker living in Lodi, NJ that we all know you are? And given our obsession with African c@ck, reach arounds and other gay activities; no doubt you're hiding other things from us too.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 12:52 PM

How's the weather in NJ today, tWhat? Have you framed your Phd in STREET ED yet?

Your grammar, spelling, and punctuation are improving, but still need help.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:53 PM

I don't need help from your 5th grade comments What. You were complaining about this site...get off it if you don't like it and go start your own.

Your boss at your part time order entry job is going to come by and see you surfing the web and you're gonna get fired.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 12:54 PM

"Nope Asshat, some of the Guys who go up in ya is black! Plus your Stap-on and Dildo's is black LMAO!"

The What, really!! Still obsessed with the gay stuff. Is that all you got or you want to make a legitimate point now?

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 12:54 PM

See I told you that Brownstoner will do some thing controversial! Traffic is dying so he plays the Race Card. Nigerian scammers and other Bullshit and yes I going back to my old self. No more being nice! The gloves come off! Brownstoner iid a fucking covert racist and the asshats who roll with him are too!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 12:55 PM

What's a "reach around" What? You seem to be the authority on these matters.

Someday this reach around's gonna end....

The What

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 12:57 PM

Uh oh. The What, clearly your meds are running low. Please refill your prescription immediately.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 12:58 PM

For the one grey poster who thinks The What stays on topic and is funny: please, please, please cut out just one example from any of his moronic posts above to support your point.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 1:01 PM

"Hey The What - thanks for the multiple shout outs and obsession. Clearly you miss Jerri and me."

Nope, I what to stomp the shit out you. As for the Gay stuff you and your homeboys have been doing a great job at that!

See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist!

I I say something enough, maybe I believe that shit, NOT!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 1:01 PM

"Hey The What - thanks for the multiple shout outs and obsession. Clearly you miss Jerri and me."

Nope, I what to stomp the shit out you. As for the Gay stuff you and your homeboys have been doing a great job at that!

See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist! See I'm not a racist!

I I say something enough, maybe I believe that shit, NOT!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end....

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 1:01 PM

SAD, VERY SAD

DEFINITELY GONE OFF HIS MEDS

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 1:05 PM

OOOHH Biff! Help help help Me!! The What is attacking me help. Stop What leave my Gir.. Boy friend alone save me save me Help!!!

LMMFAO You are some punk bitch dudes and if I ever see you on the street, pray there are some cops around! Both of you get punched in the face, no questions asked!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.. ( Not for Biff, jerri and Dave)

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 1:08 PM

You "what" to stomp the shit out of me? Calm down The What and try to make sense for a change.

The What, I don't have to say I'm not a racist. It's evident to anyone who's read my posts. Somehow you are the one who seems to think railing against certain groups, like homosexuals, will somehow prove to people that you really hate them. Using your warped logic, the more you claim to hate them, the closer you are to being one.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 1:09 PM

"The What, I don't have to say I'm not a racist"

Thanks Biff! You just proved my point. Thank you so much.

The What

Someday this war is gonna end.....

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 1:12 PM

"OOOHH Biff! Help help help Me!! The What is attacking me help. Stop What leave my Gir.. Boy friend alone save me save me Help!!!"

The What, Dave needs absolutely no help from me or anyone else to defend himself from your ramblings which are so juvenile, they would make a kindergarten class blush. You see, Dave uses wit and intelligence in his posts; something that you will never be able to do, sadly.

"LMMFAO You are some punk bitch dudes and if I ever see you on the street, pray there are some cops around! Both of you get punched in the face, no questions asked!"

The What, you're really resorting to school yard taunts? In that case, I'll be happy to arrange a meeting with you and identify myself at the next Brooklyn Flea. You can show up and get the @ss beating you deserve. For some reason, I doubt you'll take me up on the challenge..

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 1:16 PM

"Thanks Biff! You just proved my point. Thank you so much."

The What, let me explain. You need to actually make a point first before I can prove it. Now please go back to your meds.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 1:19 PM

OOOWWW Dave please take it out!!!! OWWW Dave Please please take it OUT! OH man that hurts!! Stop using the strap on! Be gentle with me.

Posted by: Bifff Champion at April 11, 2008 1:55 PM

Damn Biff, I see you and Dave are playing Reindeer Games. Can you do that shit quietly?

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

BTW Hey Biff, ask Dave for a reach around.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 2:02 PM

I missed something Biff,. I was on the subway going to Penn. Now i'm on Amtrak headed down to the 6th Borough

I heard from The What's gf or bf (can't be certain) that he HAS to use a strap on

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 2:07 PM

1:55/The What, that was a really pathetic try. Hmm, coincidence that an imposter comments and you immediately respond to it?I guess you really must be obsessed to actually set up a log in ID to imitate me - so that's what you were doing when you mysteriously disappeared after I asked for you to meet me in person - which you still haven't responded to.

Well they say imitation is the highest form of flattery, so thanks for that. And thanks for continuing to be so obsessed with me.

What will you do for an encore - daveeeinbedstuy?

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 2:10 PM

Hey Dave, The What is apparently cracking himself up by setting up fake IDs and then complimenting himself faded type style. He's unfortunately really lost it.

I've offered to meet him in person to knock some sense into him, but he keeps avoiding the topic.

He's definitely regressing into an infantile state.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 2:14 PM

The What....

Why are you so obsessed with a reach around?? i don't even know what it is; although I can guess. Did your uncle give you one when you were very young???

Someday this asshat's gonna leave!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 2:17 PM

Dave, The What's bf/uncle The Who clearly made quite an impression on him, or should I say "in him" when he was but a little asshat.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 2:22 PM

I love them reach arounds daveinbedstuy. Yes, 2:22, my uncle tought me everything he knew. He was the master. Strap ons, dildos, he did it all and Damn I loved it! I wish i could get into the cool group wit you Jerri and Biff

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 2:31 PM

And why I don't respond to Biff wanting to meet me? because truth is I'm a punkass and scared to get my ass kicked!!

The What

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 2:32 PM

The What, admitting this is the first step to recovery. I'm proud of you, buddy!

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 2:35 PM

How pathetic. This blog has lost it.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 3:11 PM

3:11 were you going to add something to the plight of these artistes in the matzo ball factory??????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at April 11, 2008 3:18 PM

I'm sorry to say Biff, you and Jerri come off almost as loserish although not as crazy - as the What. Hopefully for your sake something is just lost in translation in blog land.

I have never seen What say he was black. Why does everyone assume that? Are you black What? I also do not believe in the NJ theory.

It is interesting how i have become so much less interested in this site since the meltdown - didn't realize my interest was so tied to the value of my own property - or I guess I did realize it a little.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 3:20 PM

3:20, I'm sorry. You also seem to have missed the memo saying that faded type insults don't count.

It's interesting how I have become so much less interested in you. Buh bye.

Posted by: Biff Champion at April 11, 2008 3:28 PM

How pathetic. Dave has lost it.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 3:29 PM

Glad to see the What is back and off his meds. He's certainly entertaining.

Hey What, I love the currency printing machine mentioned on deepcapture. For those of you too busy to look, bigshots get to carry this little machine that prints any currency they like.

As someone who knows a little bit about printing, can I ask what the technology is? Inkjet? Laser? Dye transfer? How do they carry all the different papers around with them?

Oh, and back to the original post, I'm curious, the landlord makes all these improvements and the artists get to pay the same rent? How does that work?

And since we know from stoner that the world's best bass player lives here, I'd also note one of the world's best photographers lives here (David Alan Harvey). These cats ain't all starving artists, for sure.

Posted by: denton at April 11, 2008 4:59 PM

Brownstoner traffic has dropped because this site is a more or less imperfect barometer of the local market. When our housing was at its most inflated, traffic to this site peaked. Those who thought they had chosen smartly by investing in overpriced garbage, for flip or otherwise, were assured by Brownstoner and others doing the same that their investments were genius. Let’s not forget that Brownstoner would, without qualification, puff every single piece of overpriced brick and mortar as a steal. We now know better. The market has tanked, and nobody (including Brownstoner) is claiming a 2 to 3 million dollar brownstone is a good value. Not surprisingly, interest in this site has dropped precipitously.
The conclusion is obvious: let’s call it a day. Brownstoner, shut this site down and give it a rest. We are all a little depressed, we don’t need this anymore.

Posted by: guest at April 11, 2008 5:44 PM

« He Built This City CB1 OKs Brooklyn Greenway Bike Path »

April 11, 2008

Artists Could Maybe (not) Return to Matzo Factory by May

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