Man on the Street: How're You Feeling About IKEA?
As the under-construction IKEA looms ever larger over the Red Hook waterfront, we asked a few folks how they’re feeling about the store opening in the neighborhood. “Anything different is going to be good for the neighborhood. It’s a small community and you usually need to go out of it to get stuff. So any…
As the under-construction IKEA looms ever larger over the Red Hook waterfront, we asked a few folks how they’re feeling about the store opening in the neighborhood.
“Anything different is going to be good for the neighborhood. It’s a small community and you usually need to go out of it to get stuff. So any time things come to us, like Fine Fare or Fairway, it’s great.” Annmarie; has lived in Red Hook for 10 years
“It’s going to be crazy from a congestion point of view. I used to go to the IKEA on Long Island, and out there they’re equipped for all the traffic going in. But I just don’t see where the traffic arteries are going to come from here.” Jerry; has had a business in neighborhood for 15 years
“I think it’s sad but inevitable. I’m from England so I’m not really privy to the history of gentrification or development here, but it’s sad to me to go and see the blue and yellow where the sugar factory used to be.” Jenny; has lived in Red Hook for 3 years
“It’s going to be a terrific help for this neighborhood. Anyone who’s against the IKEA hasn’t been here long enough to remember the bad old days.” Marty; has lived in the neighborhood for 42 years
Okay, what’s the problem with avoiding taxes? And I ask this in all seriousness and as a Swedish/Norwegian. Do you know what Scandinavians pay in taxes? It’s insane. And yes everything is taken care of and I’m not entirely sure how corporate taxes work in Sweden but if they’re anything like individual taxes then they are A LOT!!!! And why, just because they are based in the Netherlands, never mind that most of their business (i.e. profit) is elsewhere should they support Dutch schools, roads, government? I know many huge corporations in the U.S. that get tremendous tax breaks from the states where they are based just to stay put because the trickle down impact is much more valuable.
I know this is sort of an aside (and I can’t wait for the cafeteria–meatballs, bring ’em on) but painting IKEA as an evil corporate monster because of their tax structure is a little strange in a country where individuals (and I’d guess corporations too) have a much lower tax burden than Nordic countries. I don’t understand why they are keeping the foundation documents secret but if it’s a private foundation, do they really have to publicize their giving just to satisfy curiousity?
1:39, you can’t buy all the crap they have online, only some of the crap. for the rest of the crap, you (and i don’t mean YOU, because you have no crap in your life–except the crap between your ears) you have to haul your crap-ass to the big box.
Why bother going to Red Hook? Just buy the crap online!
IKEA. Traffic? Yeah. The steady flow into Red Hook to IKEA and Fairway will start the gears turning for major neighborhood road improvements.
IKEA is building it, and the shoppers will come. When they do, the roadway improvements will follow.
Furthermore, building the long-discussed Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel that would connect the Long Island Railroad yard at the 65th St Rail Yard in Bay Ridge to Jersey City might finally occur. Talks have started again. It’s time.
I can’t WAIT for IKEA!!!
My prediction – a ferry shuttles people from Manhattan. It will become a New York institution.
12:44
The Ikea site was privately owned. The city didn’t give it to them, the bought for $50M. The reason Ikea is getting away with not providing any major site improvements is due to the fact that there was no one credible and savvy enough to put in the ask on behalf of the community. During the ULURP, the Red Hook Civic Association and the other ad hoc opposition groups can off like a bunch of goofy villagers storming the castle gates – no tact whatsoever. Recently, the mustached civic leader tried in vain to stop the Ikea by starting an insipid and utterly false rumor that Ikea had ordered the demise of the Red Hook vendors. Sorry, but the Papusas v. Goliath approach is just plain amateur and ain’t going to stop a $100 million dollar project.
1:09 PM
You still lost. Plus, you’re not much of a community activist if, at this late date, you’re still spewing polemic nonsense. If you really cared about the nabe, you would admit you lost and start negotiating for more community benefits and amenities or working on rezoning measures to ensure something like Ikea won’t happen again. God forbid the smartpants, cooler than tho white folk work with the NYCHA folks and industrial advos to prevent the proliferation of big box stores.
Obviously, you would rather just rant and point fingers. Plus, you don’t want your pot smoking trustifarians pals from Bait and Tackle calling you a sell out.
“In ten years, Red Hook is going to be a strip mall.”
Sounds like a vast improvement.
if you think that waterfront space is stunningly beautiful, i feel sorry for you.