On the good side, there have been numerous tulip plantings about the complex....
And trees that were already planted years ago are blooming, or beginning to bloom, nicely...
But other areas of the complex are pathetic. I don't even know why this is cordoned off by string. Do we expect to see something beautiful arise here or has the Miracle Gro run out?
There are many areas around the Oval buildings that are nearly bare of any plantings or trees. Is something going to happen here or does it just stay like this? (I would at least suggest cactus at this point.)
The central Oval grass/plant area has been diminishing through the years, with the latest diminution being a result of the cute white guard booth put in last year. Because the field of vision from it would have been blocked by the plants/trees that were around it, those plantings were cut down and now we have more bare space:
And don't get me started on the disastrous, slum-like appearance of the earth dirt area that housed the weekly Farmers Market (which I'm sure will be back in the same place, despite the area not being zoned for a commercial enterprise).
At least the pleasing activities on Easter were geared toward families, and the hope is that their promotion will attract more families to rent here, but I do have to state that the band that was playing was dreadful or at least the sound system was awful. Why is noise the prime factor in selecting music to accompany an event in Stuy Town? The aesthetic in choosing what music is played (if it has to be played) is completely missing.
I did head over to Tompkins Square Park on Sunday and, as you can see by the following photos, the grounds-keeping there is--surprise, surprise--better than what we have. Their Miracle Gro hasn't run out.
BTW, I'm just catching up on the backlog of messages.
34 comments:
oooo happy to see you. Almost brought a tear to my eye. Thanks much STR.
WELCOME BACK!! You were missed. Hope you had a good rest. God knows how many atrocities went unreported while you were gone.
One good thing you forgot to mention- the ice skating rink has been completely removed and the area restored to a play space. I was sure the ice rink would be converted to a roller rink. Glad I was wrong.
I was thinking the ice skating rink would be turned into a pool, as during many of our warmer days, the ice began to melt to provide a sheen of water for skaters to go through. I'm assuming the plantings around the playground will remain (no problem, obviously), as I saw them being watered the other day.
Random tulip plantings don't mean they've figured out how to maintain the grounds. What happened to grass?
New amenity is now if you sit at the flagpole, you have water bugs to keep you company. Crappy job, Rose.
Welcome back, STR. I hope you're not giving up.
I happened to be passing by the long stretch of ugly, bare ground on the south side of the Oval where the Farmer's Market has been located in years past and overheard a Management person, whom I recognized, telling someone that the ugly, bare ground is "where we have our Farmers Market, which will be back here soon."
Really? OK, Management. Put the Greenmarket back in that illegal location and you will have a fight on your hands, if you do. Tenants who care about your arrogant, above-the-law attitude will be asking the Department of Buildings to investigate. Count on it.
Welcome back, STR. We really missed you. Hope you had a good Easter or Passover and you and yours are in good health.
Great pix. Among all those, as you note there are many areas completely bare.
Welcome back STR.
Thanks again, for the welcome backs.
>>Tenants who care about your arrogant, above-the-law attitude will be asking the Department of Buildings to investigate.<<
The word is that CW has been trying to get the Department of Buildings to change its ruling. Why is it that I feel they will succeed?
Don't forget that there was also supposed to be a further ruling from the Dept of Buildings concerning the ice skating rink, aside from the initial one that mandated certain requirements. Somehow, we never heard about the follow-up.
I wonder how much Garodnick will be involved in Stuy Town/PCV now that he's running for comptroller. If he succeeds in the election, will he have more, or less, pull concerning what happens here?
STR, welcome back.
The noise from the Easter concert was pretty unpleasant. The way I judge the loudness is if I can still hear/feel the music in my apartment with the windows closed and the AC on full blast. Lo and behold, even with those mitigating factors, it was still very much audible in every room of my 2 bedroom that faces Playground 10. Also, it started very early (before 11 AM).
Now, I have absolutely nothing against families enjoying an Easter event in the Oval, but does the music really need to be so loud as to become an intrusion into my home with all the windows closed? I find that very unreasonable, particularly before noon on a Sunday when I just want to recharge after a stressful work week.
Unfortunately the summer concerts are right around the corner and I imagine they will be as loud and unpleasant as years past. I really wish there was something that could be done to ensure that the music isn't so loud that it becomes obnoxious and bothersome, but judging from this past Sunday I think it's pretty much a pipe dream.
Thanks again for coming back. I had nowhere else where I felt it was appropriate to vent about this.
I was surprised that the music on Easter Sunday started that early. I was heading out to the Oval to finish reading a novel and had to walk over to Tompkins Square Park instead, where I could read in peace, amid garden-like surroundings.
The music and acoustics in the playground were harsh, too. Children won't mind, but adults?
I just wish that if music is such a necessity at these events, that the choice would be less noise and more music.
Received a HUGE rent increase. Again. anyone else? what do we do?
I'm assuming you are a market rate tenant (or what used to be a market rate tenant before the Roberts decision). Unfortunately, I don't think you can do much at this point, until the whole Roberts issue is settled. I'm sure it's infuriating, as you wait and wait and wait.... Scandalous, really.
>>Tenants who care about your arrogant, above-the-law attitude will be asking the Department of Buildings to investigate.<<
The word is that CW has been trying to get the Department of Buildings to change its ruling. Why is it that I feel they will succeed?
How do you know this, STR?
It would be most unfortunate if they get the Department of Buildings to change its ruling because it might open the door to all sorts of other shenanigans on CW and Management's part, as well, as setting a possible precedent in other parts of the City.
I heard from a reliable source that CW is, or was, trying to get the Dept of Buildings to change that ruling. Obviously, I have no clue as to what will develop. It's just my pessimism that considers a change more of a possibility than not. But my prediction, ruling or not, is that we will see the Farmers Market in the same place. If that's NOT going to happen, why keep that area the way it is, ready for its use?
Need advice. We are MR tenants (small family) and paying a boatload to stay here. Would stay if we could buy our place here, but seems that won't happen.
OUr lease is up in august. do we resign , hoping there's a conversion? What doe other tenants think. Students are all over our building now. Hate to see this all go to nyu and baruch.
Why the hate on the farmers market?
Re: Conversion. IF it happens, I think it will be a while, a couple of years perhaps. But state your case at the TA Facebook, where someone may give you are more definitive answer.
Re: The Farmers Market. No one that I know hates the Farmers Market. It should be located somewhere else, though.
Amazing that so many do not get the issues re: farmers market. sigh.
Agree with STR. No one hates the Farmers Market, but it needs to be moved to a legal location. It's current location is not, which has not stopped CW and Management from continuing to host it in that location anyway. Just one more example of their disrespect for the law.
I don't understand drawing a conclusion of "hating the farmers market" when all one does is ask that they comply with the law. It's kind of like being labeled a dog hater when one takes exception to them crapping and pissing all over the grass and trees on the property. I just don't understand the thought process here.
Does anyone know if the ventilation ducts in our hallways actually work and if not are they legally required to do so? I ask because we have an apartment of NYU sewage on our floor and the stench of cigarettes/marijuana/vomit frequently overwhelms the hallway for hours at a time.
CW Capital’s role model, Leona Helmsley:
"We don't pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.” Replace with zoning laws, you get the picture. I guess the fix is in. In Bloomberg’s world, why are we not surprised? Also add to the list of those who have sold us out, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who basically approved the NYU major expansion which will have a major negative effect on this community as well.
So what its in an illegal location? Who cares? Dont get it.
Bigger things to care about,
RE: Conversion
You and your small family are in the same boat as a lot of others. Should we stay or go? The fact is that any conversion will not happen for a number of years if at all. Those who would love to make this beautiful oasis in the middle of Manhattan their home will have to weigh paying these exorbitant market rates in the hopes the conversion occurs or washing your hands and saying I can buy a house somewhere with a 4% interest rate and pay half what I'm paying here in rent. Timing is everything.... and location....
about leaving or staying, hard call, but are not all apts in NYC just as over priced? Or a least most.
I quess the choise would be to leave Manhatten - something I use to think was heinous, but things are so culturally bankrupt now, the only reason to stay is for freinds family and if it is near work. And the dream we might go coop or condo...
Anon - April 12, 2012 4:53 PM
So what its in an illegal location? Who cares? Dont get it.
Why don't you try caring and educating yourself about why the Greenmarket is illegally located. A ton has been written about this over the last year. Lots of us care that CW Capital and Rose Management subvert the law whenever it suits them and they feel like it. The Oval is NOT zoned for commercial activity. What's next there - a Walmart?!
>>The Oval is NOT zoned for commercial activity. What's next there - a Walmart?!<<
Well, the way it appears now if the Walmart were for the pleasure and use of "residents and their guests," it would be perfectly acceptable here.
leaving or staying-
Absolutely agree with you about NYC apts. The point I was making is what you stated about leaving Manhattan. What makes our situation a little different is that there might be an opportunity to stay in STPCV becasue of the proposed conversion so it is a gamble because of the uncertainty. A market rate tenant will have to shell out rent month after month and year after year with the hope that it will convert and the money spent would have been worth it.
I knew there would be some outlandish example of how CW breaks the rules, Walmart, ha, its a Scalia's broccoli argument.
This rule being broken happens to benefit the community.
Petty, just petty, get a life,
The oasis is gone. It's now a filthy frat dorm. Let's put a cvs and a nail salon at the oval. Why not? who cares? Then a nice huge BANK. yeah!
"Does anyone know if the ventilation ducts in our hallways actually work and if not are they legally required to do so? I ask because we have an apartment of NYU sewage on our floor and the stench of cigarettes/marijuana/vomit frequently overwhelms the hallway for hours at a time."
I think you are missing the point. You are actually guilty of theft of services. Apparently, you have been receiving the Oval Amenity "City Scents" package without actually paying for it.
Shame, shame, shame...
I knew there would be some outlandish example of how CW breaks the rules, Walmart, ha, its a Scalia's broccoli argument... This rule being broken happens to benefit the community.
Will you feel the same way if/when CW Capital and Rose Management decide to break a rule - actually, no, not a rule, A NYC LAW - that affects YOU adversely?
No? I thought not.
The reason we have laws is so that people, entities, etc. do NOT do whatever they feel like doing whenever they feel like doing it. Without laws, my friend, there would surely be chaos in the world.
I am amazed and dismayed at people like you who think that it's OK to break the law whenever it works in your favor. Given your line of reasoning, it appears that you would applaud CW Capital and Rose Management if they put a Walmart on the Oval. After all, many people would see that as a convenience and a benefit. A Walmart on the Oval might seem like an outlandish concept to you now, but be careful what you condone; it might come back to bite you later on.
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