I hope they just do SOMETHING with that carcass. ANYTHING. Flesh it out, take it down, whatever.

Posted by: solidago at November 11, 2009 5:19 PM in response to Development Watch: 333 Carroll Street

Kind of related - what's happening to what I think was known as the "Hell Building" - am I going to have to look at the skeleton of some developer's dream until the end of time, or can the city have that thing taken down?

Posted by: solidago at October 29, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Carroll Gardens Downzoning Sails Through Council

Have you actually confronted the tenant about this? This tenant could just be a jerk, but a more likely explanation is that the apartment isn't warm enough for the tenant.

My landlord keeps the heat kind of low, and when it gets too cold I just crank the stove on (which is a heck of a lot cheaper than using a space heater, but which I still pay for). If I felt like the landlord was being unreasonable with the heat (or if I were just particularly cheap and selfish), I'd run the shower instead.

Posted by: solidago at October 23, 2009 3:58 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

That location on 5th and President is most definitely cursed! The landlord should give some lucky tenant free rent for about five years so the stench of chronic failure can dissipate. I'm not superstitious in the slightest, but if I were picking a place to open a restaurant I'd definitely take a pass on that location.

Posted by: solidago at October 8, 2009 5:17 PM in response to Thursday Blogwrap

Dittoberg, thanks for the idea, "lentil bolognese" - I'm always looking for new things to do with lentils. One bag will last me two or three days - ideal for a cheap and lazy guy like me - but after a gazillion variations of lentil soup and lentil salad I've started running out of ideas.

Posted by: solidago at September 24, 2009 12:58 PM in response to The City Spurs Grocery Stores to Underserved

Good luck DDDB in trying to derail what is now a Russian oligarch's vanity project. You should have worked with Ratner while you could. He at least needed to care about his image in the US and the economics of the project. Russian oligarchs aren't well known for taking "nyet" for an answer.

Posted by: solidago at September 24, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Nets Will Have New Owner; FCR Will Have New AY Partner

This is a demand and culture issue and it drives me nuts that so many seem to portray these people and neighborhoods as corporate victims, which just perpetuates the problem. Who doesn't love an excuse for their poor choices? This is nanny-state policy at its worst.

As others have mentioned, look at all the cheap as hell beautiful produce available in the Chinatowns around the city and other ethnic neighborhoods such as Brighton Beach (not that it seems to keep the Russians healthy). It is insane how cheap great fresh produce can be in those places. Did the city put those markets there? No, there is a strong demand in the neighborhood for that stuff at that price point, and the businesses deliver. Also, even in bodegas, there are all sorts of cheap healthy options like lentils, beans, and pasta. One $1.50 bag of lentils will easily feed a family.

Posted by: solidago at September 24, 2009 10:55 AM in response to The City Spurs Grocery Stores to Underserved

There's an evergreen Magnolia in a container on Union Street between 3rd Avenue and Nevins. It's been there a few years - they wrap it in burlap in the winter I think. It is looking kind of scraggly at this point however.

Posted by: solidago at September 23, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Southern Magnolia in Brooklyn?

I think it looks great.

Posted by: solidago at August 26, 2009 11:30 AM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station May One Day Be Complete!

Sounds like an upscale 99 cent store.

Posted by: solidago at August 24, 2009 3:04 PM in response to StreetLevel: New Men's Shop Coming to the Slope

" 'On-site parking is required for 50% of the units'--seriously, this is required by the city?

Wow, that's stupid. Seriously, no parking should be required in any NYC building. Especially one so close to the subway."

Ridiculous, non-sensical rules in NYC (and NYS) - never! It wouldn't be a surprise if there's something in the building code requiring dirigible moorings, and that some jackass bureaucrat would enforce it.

Posted by: solidago at August 20, 2009 12:41 PM in response to How the Argyle Greets 4th Avenue

Brenda, I think your comment could form the basis for a hilarious comedy. I'd call it "Bjork and Barney." Just thinking about the scenarios for their first date is cracking me up. How the heck did these two ridiculous and ridiculously serious people court each other? Oh man...

Posted by: solidago at August 19, 2009 10:25 AM in response to Björk Moving to Brooklyn Heights

My quasi two bedroom on Third Avenue in Gowanus is $1500 (I moved in in November). The bedrooms are on either end of the apartment, and in the middle is the kitchen/dining/living room. It was renovated in the last couple of years and is in great shape. Great neighborhood with quick and easy access to 5th Avenue in Park Slope and Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. It feels more like the heart of the area than the fringe. My advice is go Gowanus if you are trying to keep your rent down.

Posted by: solidago at August 12, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Studio/1BR Rental Prices?

My guess is that this cement plant will be just like the ones in Gowanus (my neighborhood) - there's one on 5th and Bond, and another over near 9th and Smith. Sure, you've got tons of trucks coming and going, and its dusty, but if you choose to live in an industrial neighborhood, it comes with the territory. It is great to hear that there will be some more jobs for the people who make these neighborhoods what they are. The opposition should pack their bags and take their selfish and elitist attitudes elsewhere.

Posted by: solidago at August 11, 2009 2:49 PM in response to US Concrete, Red Hook's New Resident

The stuff to the left of the Lambs Quarters is Mugwort - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_vulgaris - which is a perennial invasive you see everywhere.

If that were my backyard, I'd use Roundup (when the neighbors weren't looking, so I wouldn't have to go through a lengthy spiel about how it's exceptionally safe and breaks down very fast ). You should be able to start planting in the fall. Just make sure you don't get any on shrubs or trees you want, as it is a systemic herbicide that gets absorbed through the leaves and travels down to the roots.

Posted by: solidago at August 10, 2009 2:59 PM in response to Weed Identification

Back to the parrots... I've gone to Greenwood Cemetery quite a few times just to watch the parrots, but it would be silly to pass a bill that's parrot specific - as mentioned above, they are an invasive species (and a particularly destructive one at that) and shouldn't get any special status above other animals of the city just because they are beautiful and fascinating to observe. Aren't there already laws on the books protecting birds from various sorts of mischief (capturing, poisoning, etc.)?

Posted by: solidago at December 12, 2008 11:08 AM in response to Closing Bell: Wild Quaker Parrot Protection Bill

Rob, I was going to defend you before, but I see people have fun busting your chops. I very much like the motion sensor faucet. A motion sensored shower would be even better. Keep him moving...

Posted by: donatella at October 23, 2009 6:58 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

of course, all the greenies on this site realize these motion sensors run offa batteries, right?

Posted by: denton at October 23, 2009 7:13 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

put a sub meter on his water line to document his actual usage compared to the whole. Done in small mixed use buildings for billing purposes. Easier to prove than photos...

Posted by: pig three at October 23, 2009 9:00 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Interesting exchange. What I don't understand are the numbers getting bandied about. I am a single guy, but still, I added up 2/12 YEARS of water bills-- roughly $770. I shower ever day. I wash dishes. I even had a contractor who once was running the water constantly for nearly a month. I don't understand claims of $1000 a month water bills for a single tenant.

mikez

Posted by: mikez at October 23, 2009 9:08 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Mikez: what I said was additional $1,000 to a QUARTERLY bill. I cite that amount from personal experience with young, entitled, NON-rent-regulated tenants who let their toilet run constantly for three months between bills without ever reporting or attempting to remedy the problem. Take a look at DEP's chart of leaks and their cost. It's eye-opening: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ways_to_save_water/waterleak_wide.shtml

Posted by: vinca at October 23, 2009 10:40 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Your tenant is on the floor below you, I assume there is a basement below the tenants apartment.

Bring two dedicated lines (one for hot and the other for cold water) to the tenants apartment.

In the basement, install two sub meters onto the tenants lines (one for the hot water, the other for the cold water). Install a shut off valve on each line, thereby enabling you to shut off the tenants water if it continues to run. You will know that the water is running because you will see the triangle on the sub meter spinning. Keep a log of the meter readings so you will have proof in case the tenants calls the authorities. I am sure when they see the usage they will reprimand the tenant.

The cost of water/sewer charges has risen sharply. It now cost $6.63 for 100 cubic feet of water which is equivalent to 748 gallons.

The tenant can easily run up your bill several thousand dollars per month. Just look at the chart in the below url.

It is unfortunate that you are stuck with this tenant, follow the advice I gave you and you will save yourself lots of grief and money.

Good luck...

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ways_to_save_water/waterleak_wide.shtml

Posted by: jre at October 24, 2009 9:53 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

it is all sounds like more escalation of the situation with RS client. If you take him to the court for water, he will do something else.
Sounds like your tenant is passive-aggressive. He lives water running for 1-2hours. He goes to court and then pays the rent. Maybe he will get use to idea of not having the roof access and the thing will blow off?

Posted by: bobjohn at October 25, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

how old is the tenant? if he's not 62, send him a notice of nonrenewal based upon user occupancy when his lease is up.

He will likely fight it. Then you can magnanimously offer to let him stay if he behaves himself.

Posted by: slick at October 25, 2009 8:08 PM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

This is a matter for your attorney, you need to take legal action against the tenant. BTW, it is now possible to change the configuration of rental buildings so that tenants are responsible for paying for their own heat and hot water, but you have to reduce their rent. I would follow this course if possible (your attorney will explain the process) as the amount of the rent reduction is not nearly as much as it costs per apartment to provide heat and hot water - you will find it harder to attract good tenants to vacant apartments if you provide expensive to run heating appliances (avoid electric base board heating).

Posted by: bohuma at October 26, 2009 5:57 AM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On

Thanks, everybody - some very useful ideas, and I appreciate the input. I think a combination of legal action, a dedicated and monitored water meter, and what bohuma suggests is about the best I can hope for here.

Posted by: jimmyoforange at October 26, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Tenant Leaving Water On