475 Kent Avenue: How It All Began
It all started with a standpipe. When the Fire Department passed by for a routine inspection of the sidewalk in front of 475 Kent Avenue last week, they discovered a rusted, non-working pipe. This led them to follow the pipe down to its source in the basement, where they were greeted with a sea of…
It all started with a standpipe. When the Fire Department passed by for a routine inspection of the sidewalk in front of 475 Kent Avenue last week, they discovered a rusted, non-working pipe. This led them to follow the pipe down to its source in the basement, where they were greeted with a sea of grain boxes piled high to the ceiling. According to one building resident, this was done to gain economies of scale in the kosher certification process: The larger the stockpiles of grain, the less often a rabbi would have to shlep over to bless it. The result: A barely navigable maze of boxes, a fire hazard only compounded by the lack of proper electricity and water sources.
Big Showing From Pols at 475 Kent Vigil [Brownstoner]
Closing Bell: Moving Out at 475 Kent Avenue [Brownstoner]
‘Commune of Creative Types’ in the Burg is Emptied Out [Brownstoner]
475 Kent Message Board [475kent.com] GMAP
Photo by Drew Catlin
As a Jew it’s painful for me to say this, but I have to co-sign 10:31’s statement. I just wish he/she has made the distinction re: Hasidim.
And to the rest of us jews out there, let this be a lesson. When we don’t stand up to the way these maniacs break the laws and generally look down their noses at the rest of society, we’re going to get lumped in with them.
North Sleeper — The violations didn’t end in the basement. After a further inspection of the building it became clear that there were myriads of violations — kinds not unlike the ones that killed the two firefighters in the Deutsche Bank building not long ago, and also similar to ones a few years back when four firefighters were forced to jump from a 5-story window without ropes, killing two of them. Had a fire actually broken out in this building, it would have put not only the residents’ lives in danger, but also those of the emergency responders. That is an unacceptable risk only compounded by the fact that there was a risk of a grain dust explosion in the basement.
I find it really unbelievable that these residents are reacting so harshly against the fire department in light of these issues. They knew many of these violations existed for years and did nothing to remedy it. They are also the same people that would have sued the City of New York up the wazoo had there been a fire. So there’s a massive double standard in place here making very difficult for me and many others to feel that sorry for them. It could have been a LOT worse.
down, boy. I think 10:41’s reaction was to the generalization that ALL Jews need to learn to obey the law. When, in fact, it’s some of the Hasidim and the Orthodox (and they make up a small percentage of Jewish people) that time and time-again, flout the law and endanger lives. Anyone that flouts the law and puts people’s lives at risk should be punished, and in this case, meet their maker for final judgment.
“They make such a big deal about wanting to be different and then get defensive when called a jew.”
The problem was the poster didn’t say “a jew,” the poster said “the Jews” as if every single Jew was responsible for the landlord’s reprehensible and illegal activity. That’s called hatred.
It’s funny how jews don’t like to be called jews. They make such a big deal about wanting to be different and then get defensive when called a jew. What do you want to be called the?
Whoa, 10:41, anti-goyum much? Some Jews are even actual cops and firemen. Not all become doctors and lawyers or, of course, artists like the tenants.
That dude was anti-semitic for sure, but the post describes why orthodox communities (of any religion) have such a hard time in the community – they don’t participate as part of a larger community. By choice. They like the outsider alien status. They like feeling like everyone is against them. It makes them feel more noble and superior.
All religion is absurd and does nothing good anymore. It’s just destructive and backwards and holds humanity back from any kind of progress.
Whoa, 10:31 AM! Anti-Semitic much? “A lot” of Jews are lawyers, judges, and elected officials who make and enforce the laws. In fact, I would bet that at least some of tenants at 475 Kent Ave. were Jewish too. Get a grip!
The Jews need to learn, if you live in this country, you need to follow the laws. A lot of Jews have total disregard to the rule of law and cherry it the laws they want to address. They could have killed, no not killed, they could have murdered a lot of people with this kind of disregard for the welfare of there fellow neighbors. It is disgusting.