Everyone goes nuts about the Cherry Blossoms, but the true stunners are the Magnolia Trees, which make the most glorious giant pink and white flowers that only last a week. My last apartment in Greenpoint had a huge Magnolia in the yard and when it bloomed last spring we had a punch party to celebrate. These photos are dedicated to my Mom and Dad who took me to Brooklyn Botanic Gardens an infinite amount of times as a kid.
Our hearts truly go out to the people of Boston. After yesterday’s tragedy there, which was shortly followed by a man killed by the G Train in Greenpoint, many of us may be starting off the day confused, saddened, and scared.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg wants you to know that he feels okay taking the subway after the “bombing” or “explosions” or “whatever” attack that happened yesterday during the Boston Marathon because NY is on high alert. Thanks Mike, but in a post-911 New York, many of us are probably shook up. But like brave New Yorkers, we carry on. Which can often make us feel even worse, guilty for acting like nothing happened.
While on a photo shoot yesterday, Jon texted me as the tragedy was unfolding and I quickly brought up the news on my iphone. The art director took one look at the horrific video and continued putting jewelry in front of my camera. It was disturbing to keep working, while at that moment amputees were being rushed to the hospital, but in all reality, what could I do in NY, but watch or keep working? Watching powerlessly can be worse.
After nervously returning home on the train, we listened to the news because watching would mean seeing the explosions on repeat, which is what many of us did after 911, which is even more traumatizing for our already shattered nerves. It’s not like after Sandy, when we could all come together and do something. In times like this, we can only watch and wonder and chose how to continue on.
And today we go back to our regular lives and think about how the people who were standing on the finish line yesterday had no clue how in one moment their lives would change forever. There is no comfort in this, that living in a city like New York, packed with people, vulnerable to such catastrophes, that at any moment any one of us could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is the chance we take to live in such an amazing place. It was the chance the people in Boston took to be part of such a spectacular event. We are never 100% safe but we can’t give up on those things.
Today the best thing we can do is keep Boston in our hearts and cherish the people and the city around us that we love.
Go home early, hug your dog, make dinner with your sweetheart, get a drink with an old friend, call your Grandma. Enjoy life.
With the proposed ten luxury high rises coming to Greenpoint, adding over 5000 new homes to the area, nearby residents of The Greenpoint Hotel currently live in deplorable conditions. With rents on the rise, are low income residents being victimized by landlords looking to cash in on valuable real estate?
It ain’t the Greenpoint depicted in Girls – that’s for sure.
In 2006, the NY Times described the The Greenpoint Hotel on Manhattan Ave, reporting that the “hallways stink of marijuana and urine; the bathrooms – one per floor – are caked in dirt, and hot water is rare. The front desk is barricaded shut with sheets of plywood. Theft and violence are a constant threat.” Since then, not much has changed.
Last week a public walk thru took place after 30 residents of this Single Room Occupancy (SRO) had their first court appearance to file a law suit to address violations, which were described in a Greenline article in December to include, mold, rats, sporadic heat and hot water and electrical issues. Since then, none of the issues have been addressed by the landlord.
Advocating for the residents, Greg Hanlon of St. Nicks Alliance provided us with photos from the walk thru and the following statement:
The situation at 1109 Manhattan is an egregious and unconscionable example of what has become a common trend in North Brooklyn: Unscrupulous landlords’ forcing out longtime tenants by any means possible, so that they can make more money from their buildings. In some cases, it’s harassment and intimidation; in some, neglect. In this case, it’s both.
These tenants pay around $250 to $350 a month. We’re talking about prime real estate in Greenpoint, a stone’s throw away from the proposed Greenpoint Landing Development, which will have ripple effects on property values throughout the neighborhood. Tenants have told us that the landlord, Jay Deutchman, is trying to sell the building. It’s not too hard to see what’s going on here, and what Mr. Deutchman’s motivations are.
Greenpoint Hotel Resident Bill (above) hangs his belongings to keep them out of reach of the rats.
Along with St. Nick’s Alliance, Council Member Stephen Levin was at the walk thru and had this to say:
For years, the Greenpoint Hotel has been a haven for miserable living conditions. Rats, broken toilets, and collapsing ceilings have become a part of everyday life at the Hotel so that the landlord can vacate the building and sell it.
We cannot allow this to happen in our city. No New Yorker should be taken advantage of like this. No New Yorker should be subjected to live in this type of environment. That’s why I have called HPD repeatedly to complain about the state of the building and commend the legal action taken on behalf of the residents to make sure these conditions do not persist.
It’s fortunate that the residents of The Greenpoint Hotel have spoken up and sought help. We hope we can count on our public leaders to help improve conditions there and be an advocate for other Greenpointers in similar situations.
With housing prices on the rise in Greenpoint, will more low-income residents be mistreated like by landlords who want to raise rent? Have you or your neighbors been the victim of such neglect?
Miami, Brooklyn is coming to Greenpoint. And it aint’ perty.
Did you know we are lacking in community here? In his recent State of The City 2013 address, Mike Bloomberg announced plans for “creating a ‘new community’ in Brooklyn – Greenpoint Landing – with more than 5,000 new homes, parks and open space, a marina, a public school and shops.”
5000 new homes! At two people per household, 10,000 people means a population increase of about 25% in Greenpoint. Is that sustainable?
I see a whole lotta big buildings. Where is the open space?
Back in November Curbed reported the first “NIMBY” protest against, “Park Tower Group’s proposal for 10 residential towers on 22 acres of the Greenpoint waterfront. The megaproject will include 4,000 apartments in 30-to-40-story buildings, a new East River marina, a seasonal putting green/ice skating rink, and a pedestrian bridge designed by architect Santiago Calatrava.”
How will this impact businesses, mass transit, infrastructure, open spaces and the character of the neighborhood?
And more importantly what hipster is responsible for this?
Is Greenpoint Landing part of your vision for the neighborhood?
Only two things could make me wake up and trek to the Upper East Side: Art and Central Park. This Sunday, I was well rewarded with both.
George Terry, a local Greenpoint artist, has masterfully orchestrated an art exhibit, salon style in a pre-war Manhattan dwelling, aptly named Classic Six, which was steps away from Central Park. “New York I Love You Sometimes” features a unique pool of converging circles of friends in the art sphere. This interesting co-mingling of seemingly disparate worlds: Brooklyn Artists/ Upper East Side Exhibit, was made possible by the generosity of Alison Chace, the owner of the space.
Background on Walls L-R: Lumin Wakoa Paintings, Max Reinhardt and Janelle Iglesias (Constellation) and Carolyn Salas (Untitled). Foreground L-R: Andy Ness (all dressed up and nowhere to go) and Brett Day Windham (Floating Harlequin)
As I walked into 1 East 62nd St., I was formally greeted by the doorman, escorted up and was ushered into this amazing apartment. Large picture windows and pristine white walls were the perfect canvas for housing the beautiful art pieces. George Terry gave me an in-depth tour of the exhibit and sat down with me for an interview. Continue reading →
Ed Koch, a real New Yorker, and former mayor of our great city died overnight of heart failure, as reported by CNN. Rest in peace, Mayor Koch. You were badass.
My absolute favorite citywide and now multi-city and multi-country event is happening on Sunday January 13th, 2012: Improv Everywhere’s No Pants Subway Ride! As in riders take off their pants while riding public transportation and the priceless reactions of straphangers are recorded for the utter enjoyment of me! Genius.
I wonder if the G train will get any no pants action this weekend?
The Historic Districts Council (HDC), New York’s city-wide advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods, has just selected Greenpoint as one of the six neighborhoods to celebrate in 2013!
Preservation Greenpoint–a newly-formed organization dedicated to protecting the historic architecture and character of our lovely neighborhood–submitted Greenpoint for participation in this program. Throughout 2013, HDC will work with Preservation Greenpoint to set and reach preservation goals through strategic planning, advocacy, outreach, programs, walking tours, and publicity.
As insightfully put by Simeon Bankoff, executive director of HDC: “Neighborhoods throughout New York are fighting an unseen struggle to determine their own futures. By bringing these locally-driven neighborhood preservation efforts into the spotlight, HDC hopes to focus New Yorkers’ attention on the very real threats that historic communities throughout the city are facing from indiscriminate and inappropriate development.”
Check out the press coverage from NY Daily News and Brownstoner, and make sure to like Preservation Greenpoint’s facebook page to follow along with their development over the coming year.
I got an exciting email from K, who works at Martin Luther School in Maspeth. Yesterday, what she believed was a hawk joined the students for lunch, enjoying a freshly hunted seagull. After taking a look at the photo and seeing the distinct eye marking and dark head, I believe that this is a Peregrine Falcon.
Why is this bird so awesome? “The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching over 322 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop (high speed dive), making it the fastest member of the animal kingdom.” (Wiki.) What a sighting! It might be suspicious to lurk around the school grounds with binoculars, but I need to get a look at this bird! Great shot, K!
