Few things have united the Greenpoint community in opposition like the recent news that the Tao Hospitality Group planned to open a new nightclub at 25 Franklin Street, near Bushwick Inlet.
And our local elected officials concur as they’ve made clear in a new letter to Tao management.
In a letter addressed to Phil Rofsky, Tao’s Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs, the elected officials Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and City Council Member Lincoln Restler share their concerns about the project and urge management to find a different location. All three offices say they have been fielding a barrage of complaints. “Not a single constituent has voiced support for this project,” the letter reads in part.
Neighbors have been organizing to stop Tao from opening since we first reported on their plans in May. Concerns have run the gamut, from noise, traffic, quality of life, and the impending opening of an additional nightclub directly across the street. Many neighbors fear the club could negatively impact local wildlife due to its location on the Bushwick Inlet waterway.
Now it’s up to the New York State Liquor Authority to decide whether to approve Tao’s liquor license.
Ah but it’s okay for these same elected leaders to let a homeless shelter be built in the working class section of Greenpoint – hypocrites, one and all!!
Mary, just say that you hate homeless people with your chest and get out of Greenpoint! You’re a coward!
Opening a homeless shelter vs a club is not comparable. Those decisions and proposals are important to discuss and take into consideration on an ethical and moral principle. A club? Is a business that further clutters, pollutes and exploits the neighborhoods natural environment to make money. A business like that can easily be moved or negated without putting anyone’s life on the sideline and morally does not need to happen. The comparison is inappropriate, I agree.
The comparison is inappropriate because a business adds value to the neighborhood, while a homeless shelter brings problems. If a homeless shelter is needed, put it in a wealthy neighborhood so the people who vote for the policies that create homelessness can live with the consequences.
Mary, so you’re basically saying only build homeless shelters in low income neighborhoods?! I’m guessing that you’d prefer that the homeless build shelters in McCarren park?!
The level of ignorance in this comments section is astounding – to the person labeling me a coward, the irony of you hiding behind a keyboard espousing insults is quite humorous. I would love to see Lincoln Restler support the placement of a homeless shelter in Brooklyn Heights – or would that incur the wrath of his wealthy constituents similar to how this club has incurred the wrath of the well-heeled in North Greenpoint?
Mary, so you’re basically saying only build homeless shelters in low income neighborhoods?! I’m guessing that you’d prefer that the homeless build shelters in McCarren park?!
I would love a night club to added to the neighborhood. Especially since It is Toa nightclub