Flatbush Streetlamp Project Draws Criticism
A $4.7 million project to replace 500 working streetlamps in Flatbush with antique bishop’s crook lamps has met with local resistance, reports the Daily News. Some residents do not understand the utility of spending $10,000 per lamp (standard streetlamps cost $4,000 each) when the current fixtures work just fine and when the neighborhood could spend…
A $4.7 million project to replace 500 working streetlamps in Flatbush with antique bishop’s crook lamps has met with local resistance, reports the Daily News. Some residents do not understand the utility of spending $10,000 per lamp (standard streetlamps cost $4,000 each) when the current fixtures work just fine and when the neighborhood could spend the money elsewhere, such as streets and sidewalks in disrepair. “It’s ridiculous,” Kent Thomas, 24, told the News. “The lights we have work fine. There are hungry people in this neighborhood who need help; we need shelters and soup kitchens.” The project, which is half complete, received funding from the borough president’s 2007 capital budget. In contrast, Brooklyn Heights has launched a similar, $2.7 million campaign to install bishop’s crook streetlamps, with support from the Brooklyn Heights Association. Whereas opponents of both projects decry the waste of funds, the BHA defended the new street lights, saying they are beautiful, they enhance the neighborhood, and they are historically significant.
Flatbush Street Lamp Replacement a Dud [NY Daily News]
Brooklyn Heights’ Lights [Brownstoner]
Actually, BM, I have noticed that when riding my bike at night…. the street is actually pretty dark, while the sidewalks are bright. Makes sense, but I need to get a new headlight.
I live on a Bishop’s Crook street… I have to admit, they look pretty damn nice.
bxgirl, you are the hall monitor and yes my satmar comment waqs a little over the top, but you know what? it’s true.
Last year the whole freakin’ waterfront under brooklyn heights was taken up by a huge, I mean humongous, tent, loud music and merry-making all night by thousands of men in black suits. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t rent that space for my holiday party. Folks who can deliver big block votes are, to paraphrase Barbra Streisand, the luckiest people….in the world.
My block (Midwood II) has been pretty dark too and Midwood I was even darker tonight, with most mid-block lights down. however, the Bishops Crook light installed near my house this morning throws considerably more light onto the sidewalk [and, conversely, less on the street) than the old cobra-head.
All well and good to replace the streetlamps, so long as it’s done in a reasonable time frame – I live in PLG, and my block has been plunged into darkness for the better part of a week, as the old lamps are taken down. NOT the most reassuring feeling if one is out after sundown.
I do wish more thought had gone into the design: the “cobraheads” were one thing, but to be time-warped back to the late 19th c.? Why couldn’t Pratt or other local design-focused institutions participate in a juried competition first? What next, horse-drawn fire engines?
From my understanding unionized firms bid every so often for large maintenance contracts with the city. A few years ago Petrocelli Electric were the ones responsible for all electrical maintenence like repairing a traffic or street light thru out the city.
I hope people respect them more in your neighborhood, Bob.
They are nothing but free advertising space on Smith (and 5th Avenue)…and end up looking crappy.
FWIW the lamp posts are being paid for out of capital funds which can’t be used for operating expenses, like maintenance.While you might take exception to such arbitrary rules, they’re an integral part of municipal finance.
I don’t know about the lights in other parts of Brooklyn, but the ones currently being installed in the Prospect-Lefferts Gardens Historic District have been in the works for several years, since long before the economic collapse. The contractor doing the work (at least here in PLG) is Welsbach, which is based in NYC, so at least some of the money is staying here.
yes- good point, jack. Would the city do that, using city employees? Or do they hire contractors so the job actually goes to businesses and workmen that really need it?