Ready for that Pool!

 

It Never Ends

 

Meanwhile...

As predicted, that outdoor gym in back on the leasing office isn't used during the cold weather. Months go by, and it is dead or closed. Today was beautiful, brisk but sunny, and April 11th. At around 10:30 am, there was just one person using this gym. Now, tell me how many residents live in Stuyvesant Town? Once there is more warmer weather, there will be two or three more people using that gym, but I have never seen it used with even the small numbers that the photo op produced by Management and published by Town & Village. Residents were correct: This outdoor gym was just used as a promotional gimmick.

And the noise, the noise, the noise. Opposite one of our buildings, they have been working on something and continue to work. The noise is incredible. Remind me again about "peace and quiet." Ah, but "you chose to live in New York City," the latest mantra from Management. Of course, this "choosing" was before a money sign was emblazoned everywhere in Stuyvesant Town, and noise became a reality residents have to deal with. And then we have the mess that is happening on 14th Street, next to Stuyvesant Town. Luckily, I don't live there, but I do pass it by almost every day. And then...there is the shutdown of the L line and the many ways to "accommodate" that....

All over New York, you will see work being done, and redone, many times on streets where someone is getting paid well. In these troubled times, the best work (meaning getting paid) is to the "upgrades" that are done. And don't even get me started on the high-rises that are popping up. The City Council should be embarrassed by some of the high-rises that they are ultimately responsible for. But money talks.

See Nothing, Do Nothing

I could have missed it, but aside from an initial letter of regret from Management, I think the issue of three suicides happening here since the turn of the new year has officially quieted down. See nothing, do nothing.

I realize that the families may want to keep the suicides away from the news, but the possibility that someone may have committed suicide because they couldn't take it anymore (yes, here in Stuy Town) should be mentioned, as well as what to do if you are in a psychological place where doing away with the life you have been given is a real option. There are many causes for a suicide. Suicides should not be limited to a post in a week, and then life goes on.

Having said that, one of the suicides, a NYU student, created a problem for neighboring residents, and one roommate had to go to the hospital because of the toxic nature of the suicide. These things can happen, but there was no follow up by the local newspaper, Town & Village, nor was anything more said by Management. Again, I could have missed it, but I didn't see this latest news or an inquiry that would have given more solid information to the residents of this community.

That said, I have seen Public Safety officers walking around the property much more than before. But I have not seen the lanyard rule for dogs obeyed. So far, I have not seen a non-resident escorted off the property with his or her dog, a policy that has been in place for two years! If fact, I have seen many non-resident dog walkers inside the property, casually walking and passing by a PS officer who does and says nothing.

We also learn that packages and mail have gone missing. There is a notice from PS about this very problem. Lobby doors are permanently left open by movers, and "piggy-backing" someone who has a key car is known. People who are not supposed to be here are being let it, and some of them have intentions that are not charming.

We also learn that AirBnb is happening in this community. I sympathize with people who cannot afford these rents and must use AirBnb to get by, but I have no sympathy for people who are making money for the sole purpose of doing business and little else. There are people who are setting up these businesses and lying to the leasing department to become "residents."

No comment, yet

The latest news is that two suicides happened in our complex. A few things I could say. Angry things. Probably not the time, though.

We should know more this week.

One More Down

At first, I thought the noise was coming from an apartment that needed the important upgrade. But, no. As I neared the Oval, I saw that a huge tree had gone down. The photos will tell the story. One less shaded area in the Oval. Sorry.

Online Storyteller and other Positions are Open!

So Stuyvesant Town Property Services, which does such a wonderful job in this community listening to tenants and actively working to make their lives better, is seeking various positions in their office, one of those positions being a "storyteller." They are also seeking someone who can write English, as they can be challenged a bit on proper grammar and spelling. The CEO (we assume Rick) is a funny guy who welcomes anyone coming into his office to tell him he's wrong. And in case you missed it, Gumby works in the office, too. I knew he was around someplace.

"We have a CEO that will make fun of himself and would welcome you to come into his office and tell him he was wrong. If any of that sounds interesting, then maybe we are a fit. Life is too short to work with people you dont like. So whatever you do, dont make that mistake."

And:

"We know that if we take care of our team everything else will fall into place. We arent perfect, but we will try to set very clear expectations, always let you know where you stand, and do everything in our power to help you get where you want to go. We dont have any best place to work awards, but that will change soon. Just watch."

Hat-tip: STR reader.

And now a word from our sponsor--StuyTown Property Services

Your Security Deposit Check

There has been some question as to who gets the interest on your security check. This is the law:

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/rentguidelinesboard/resources/security-deposits.page

Here is the most noteworthy information:

"If the building has six or more units the landlord must pay interest, if any, on your security deposit. The owner may keep one percent of the deposit amount each year as an administrative fee. If the building has fewer than six units and the owner deposits the security in a bank, the interest also belongs to the tenant, less one percent for administration.

"For example: A tenant pays a security deposit of $1,000. The landlord places the deposit in an interest-bearing account paying 1.1%. At the end of the year the account will have earned interest of $11. The tenant is entitled to $1 and the landlord may retain $10, 1% of the deposit, as an administrative fee. However, be aware that with interest rates averaging below 1% in recent years, tenants may not be eligible to receive any interest at all."

To read other information, go to that site.

It appears that one's security deposit is different for each tenant, depending on what rent is paid and what is the security deposit.

Recently, there has been a change of banks. We will see if this change benefits one side financially.