It used to be that the sale of apartments in PCVST was geared toward families, then, these last years, young professionals. But now, the pitch is gaining toward the student population, as is apparent from the above. The reasons are obvious: 1) a transient population gives the landlord the legal okay to make rent increases per turnover, and 2) a growing transient population is unconcerned about quality of life issues, the TA, rent stabilization, etc,--in effect replacing a more permanent class of renters who are troublesome to the landlord.
55 comments:
Someone could paint "Don't" at the top of that sign without repercussions.
"Someone could paint "Don't" at the top of that sign without repercussions."
With all those blue cameras around?
Someone could paint "Don't" at the top of that sign without repercussions.
or write the word "Misery" at the bottom of the sign!
Move into more? Who writes this crap lol?!
More what? Dorms? Dog shit? Human shit? Condoms in the parks?
Have a good read through the official Facebook page for Stuy Town before you move into more. The reality is we have much less.
A "More Green" banner is on the other side. An extra push for the greenmarket.
Fire the new ad agency immediately!
More dudes! More bros! More OMG girls!
And for the rest us there should be a banner that reads "ENDURE MORE!"
BTW, the Stuy Town leasing office finally replaced the old, heavily photo shopped, TS pictures they once had. The shot that you illustrated and some additional ones as well have replaced the old ones. One of the shots actually showed 2 children jumping on a bed with their two parents. Obviously, the “parents” were drop dead gorgeous 20 something models. I guess they had to at least to appear to be family friendly in their marketing. All who post here know the reality.
I haven't been able to see into the leasing office since they darkened the WINDIWS to Hyde the college kids and their parents.
Another selling point:
It will take just one year to vacate these apartments for a conversion.
From reading the TA fb page, it seems CW are further abusing tenants by busting into their apartments without notice, breaking top locks and their contractors (no doubt non-union) are pulling off heists as they install new intercoms. Lovely. Just lovely.
I attended the "Town Hall" meeting this evening and, while I have to say that Sean Sullivan needs to spruce up his PR skills (such as not turning his back on people who are asking him questions), some of the elderly AND young people there were extremely rude to him. There was one young know-it-all who was yelling at him to "answer the question" while some old ladies were just determined to be nasty. It takes two to dialog and Sullivan was outnumbered and, at times, out-shouted, by rude and frustrated people. Seniors don't do themselves any favors when they are outright belligerent and young turks don't do themselves any favors either when they are downright rude. Sullivan did the best he could with the somewhat limited communication skills he's got, but he certainly wasn't helped by the hostile crowd. Chief McClennan (or whatever his name is) seemed smugly amused by the whole performance. Not a very positive meeting, IMO. Sullivan needs to remember to NOT turn his back on people who are asking him questions which he is struggling to answer and the old folks need to remember that it isn't all about them. They are not the majority of tenants any more and, like it or not, PCVST is changing. There are many issues in PCVST and none of them is going to be resolved with the very low level of communication I witnessed today.
And the issues discussed at the town hall were......
I was also in attendance and, yes, it was heated at times, but Sean Sullivan brought it on himself. The people living in this community have very real and very difficult problems. For example, the woman and her wheelchair-bound husband who were stuck in their lobby for two hours due to the one operational elevator in their building being broken. She fears that if there is ever a fire, she and her husband could be trapped in their apartment. She was frustrated, rightfully so, and on the verge of tears. Sullivan's canned responses did little to assure her family they'd be safe in their building. They still have only one operational elevator and now it's being held hostage by the renovations teams who use it all day long. And if it wasn't for the “young know-it-all” who demanded he answer her questions, she never would have gotten one - all elevators will be operational by the end on May.
The same goes for the woman who, also on the verge of tears, told Sean Sullivan how employees had been in her apartment without her consent. He denied it happened. Someone in the crowd loudly suggested Sullivan read the official PCVST Facebook page because residents frequently complain about this problem, and many, many other there. Mr. Sullivan also tried to dismiss the recent burglaries that coincided with intercom work a rumor and brought Chief McClellan up to denounce them. Only McClellan confirmed 2 of the 3 burglaries.
Perhaps Anonymous 11:29 didn't mind having Mr. Sullivan tap dance around the issues. Perhaps she is one of the lucky ones who had no real problems in PCVST and showed up only for the free coffee. But 90% of the people in the room were having NONE of Mr. Sullivan's evasiveness. The only time he answered ANY question directly was when people got irate with him. So to the “young know-it-all” and nasty old ladies I say thank you!
@1129PM The woman who was near tears wasn't a senior and wasn't rude. Her rights had been violated and Sullivan denied it! People ARE frustrated and Sullivan isn't experienced and wasn't prepared. He had a lot of nerve to even try to conduct such an event since he can't do it. You can't control how people behave when they're so frustrated. Who are you. And even though John Marsh, who wasn't even there, preaches that Sullivan should be praised, this just isn't true. Who are you people? Look what they've done and continue to do. PR skills? This isn't about PR. It's real people who have every right to be emotional and upset. If it was meant for seniors, then people should know the population they're there for. Ridiculous.
I was at the meeting and have to say I was grateful for the "young know-it-all" who, whle rightfully outraged, was able to gather his thoughts and speak for many of us who couldn't verbalize our frustration with this company or this inept and unqualified CW representative. Thank you, young know-it-all.
Hi. I am "the young-know-it-all."
As I approach my 45th year - I am not sure that title really applies anymore. I am not young nor have I ever claimed to be a “know-it-all.”
When I WAS a young man I was a PR executive for several years. My clients were high-profile. As I stated to Sean, I know every trick in the book when it comes to tactical evasion. He came across as an amateur WAAAAY out of his league.
He was unprepared and under-qualified. We were aware of his plan from the word GO. Schedule a “Town Hall” at an hour when most people with a voice and ability to express opinions are not even close to being home. He was placing his bets on elderly residents whose concerns are along the lines of which way the doors open.
He gambled and lost.
He got LONG TERM residents who re-arranged their schedules to attend. When confronted with actual issues he at best changed the subject and at worst looked people in the eye and said their experiences never happened.
I raised MY voice because I was frustrated with his lack of ability but also it was the only way to be heard. When the woman with the wheelchair bound husband told the story of having to call 911 just to get back in their home – it was my call to give a hard date that forced Sullivan to give an answer.
He eventually got so scared that he actually said the meeting was about ways to improve the Senior Center. NOT what their own invitation had stated.
I did not raise my voice for myself. It is a safe bet that my final breaths will not occur on this property. I raised my voice for the many residents who call this home and will live out their lives here.
Manhattan Island has not become the epicenter of the universe thru polite conversation about safe topics over coffee.
Voices have been raised. Gauntlets thrown. Lines have been drawn in the sand.
People's homes are being entered without their permission. There are reports of theft. Elderly people can't access their homes because renovations and rent hikes are more important than quality of life.
Don't like raised voices??? Stay home and watch TV.
And keep telling yourself you make a difference as you further blend into the woodwork.
We need to organize a meeting to engage in real action against CW's continued indifference to tenant issues and now their hiring employees and/or contractors who are entering into apartments without permission in non-emergency situation (that's known as "breaking and entering" , a felony in NYS) and in several cases have allegedly stolen personal property from apartments (yet another felony) . I note that under NY law, an employer is generally liable for the acts of its employees or contractors when they are conducted in the course of their work for the employer.
It is time to stop just complaining but for action. Such action could include , without limitation, public protests and reaching out to the media beyond Town & Village.
I suggest that the TA , which is the only organized group of STPCV tenants, convene an emergency meeting within the next couple of weeks to implement action steps.We have tried to be patient for over 6 months since Sandy but the situation not only hasn't improved but , given the recent rash of unauthorized break -ins and robberies , has been significantly exacerbated!
I was at the meeting, and I have rarely seen a worse performance by someone in an important executive position. Sean Sullivan tried a lot of corporate double-speak on us ("That's a good question," "I can assure you..."), but he wasn't even skillful at that, and haven't we all heard this style of deflection enough to know when we're being fobbed off?
Sullivan clearly had a different idea of what the "town hall" was about than the rest of us. He didn't answer any questions (and yes, Sean, those were good questions. You don't have to tell us that--get rid of that annoying rhetorical tic), and he ducked and evaded consistently--even when he didn't have to. Why not explain factually why it's taking so long to fix the basements instead of spewing nonspeak? Don't "assure" us that you're going to look into something even after you've essentially denied it happened.
One of the highlights was when a tenant asked him if he was familiar with CW's ad that don't show floors sufficiently covered. Sullivan hemmed and hawed, and then the tenant showed him the ad on his laptop. Sullivan's response? None. He incompetently thinks that the proper way to deal with noise complaints is to have the tenant call Public Safety ("the protocol"). When someone pointed out that this was a management issue and that apartments should be inspected after new tenants move in, he refused to consider this reasonable and time-tested approach.
Sullivan accused us of venting, but tenant after tenant brought up problems that need to be solved and gave hard facts and details, such as time and place. We didn't come to vent--we came to get answers. And Sean Sullivan showed himself incapable of giving any (as opposed to the straightforward style of Public Safety chief Bill McClellan). Sometimes Sullivan admitted he didn't know certain things were going on--I guess he doesn't read this blog or T&V or check on what tenants report to Management.
Maybe in the Marines Sullivan was used to giving orders and having his troops salute him and say yes sir. Maybe he runs his staff that way. It was hard to miss the nastiness in some of his responses. But we're paying customers and we're not getting what we pay for. And for anyone who doesn't know, it now costs $75 to be let into your apartment when you don't have your keys. When a tenant pleasantly suggested that was "disrespectful," Sullivan basically said, Screw you. That's the fee.
There's not much point being polite with someone like this. His contempt for us was obvious, and he deserves no better from us. He's a tool (in every sense) of CW, and he made it clear that he doesn't have the knowledge, experience, or competence to deal directly with tenants or staff his operation with people who do.
Just a point of information about fire safety. The buildings in ST/PCV are Fireproof. That means because of the steel, concrete and plaster construction, in practical terms, fire cannot spread. There are procedures for fire safety that management distributes and posts in every apartment, and the LAST place you would go in case of a fire would be the elevator.
I'm not excusing the situation, but the fire issue isn't related to the elevators, functioning or not.
@12:14, John Marsh is out of town, or he definitely would have attended this meeting. Considering how much of his time he donates (and has for man years now), on behalf of us all, perhaps you might dial it down a notch. No, he won't always be successful, nor will his choices please everyone in this community. Nevertheless, he has learned that if you only point out "the enemy's" faults & shortcomings (which are many), and never acknowledge when they (albeit rarely) get it right, you'll never get anywhere toward mitigating any of our wealth of problems. Cut him some slack OR consider volunteering even half as much time as he does and see if perhaps YOU can do any better. Looks like selfish entitlement has become the new name of our entire community's game (no longer designated to just the early 20-somethings realm, who inhabit it quite genuinely. Then again, their parents spoiled them quite legitimately)... what's the rest of your excuse?
I agree, poster 8:04pm. Though I've had some fiery words for John Marsh when he banned me from the TA Facebook (because I was using an alias), I certainly commend his work and the work of any volunteer who is trying to help this complex. The TA remains important and viable, and the TA Facebook page is very frequently an excellent source of information and debate.
Very good points, ParkAvenueGrinch, and thanks for speaking up. Judging from what I'm hearing (I wasn't at the meeting), I would have become increasing pissed at the evasions, etc. Just reading what happened there raises my blood pressure.
And what are we GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS?????????
I don't think Sean Sullivan was ever a Marine. It's not in his bio. That's a different Sean Sullivan he is being confused with.
Another reason I don't think he was a Marine: the Marine motto is "The difficult we do immediately; the impossible may take a couple of hours."
I thank John Marsh, the TA, and all of their volunteers. But Sean Sullivan deserves no praise in this case. At all.
Sean Sullivan arranged this meeting knowing most tenants wouldn't be able to make it at 5:30PM. Sean Sullivan all but called tenants liars when faced with tough questions and was oblivious to the fact his inability to give straightforward answers was the reason people were becoming irate with him. They weren't there to vent. They were there for answers. Answers they can't get from his staff, team, managers, etc. And he proved he is just as ineffective as they are.
Again, I thank the TA for their hard work and long hours but Sean Sullivan deserves no praise. It was an embarrassment to watch and I left feeling nobody in a position of power has any idea what the hell they are doing.
Sean Sullivan is the male, white version of Donalda Habersham. They must love each other! I bet they give each other high fives every time they abuse a tenant!
STR, you should never have been banned from the TA FB page. That's so stupid. Kiss up to Sullivan and ban you? Marsh is definitely out of town.
Thank you, Park Avenue Grinch, for speaking up and for taking the time to report here. Glad you're still around!
Posters/potential posters, please try to restrain virulent attacks/put downs of specific people. Thank you!
"Posters/potential posters, please try to restrain virulent attacks/put downs of specific people. Thank you!"
Now, would we ever put anyone down?
STR you missed the chance to meet your bestie Lady Maya! And no, the Oval Cafe traitor didn't have her Starbucks with her this time!
Park Avenue Grinch, loved you on Lux, thanks for the clarity and the caring in your comment.
>>STR you missed the chance to meet your bestie Lady Maya!<<
I've been quite close to her in the past, proximity wise. She even smiled at me one time.
Another Oval Cafe "traitor" is Sean Sullivan, btw. Seen him a couple of times at Starbucks in the morning.
"I learned that we actually have a director of Apartment Redecoration and Standardizations."
I wish we had a director of Noise Abatement and Quality of Life Issues. My downstairs neighbors are stomping, moving furniture, whoo-hooing and hooting and it is almost 11:30 pm. No doubt it will go on most of the night. Calling Public Safety is an exercise in futility because the moment PS go away, they get louder.
I attended the meeting the other night. Unfortunately, because I sat toward the back, I couldn't hear most of what Mr. Sullivan said and couldn't hear most of the questions being asked. His mike didn't work most of the time.
I did approach him with a question afterwards and he was very pleasant and approachable. Next time, he should have a better microphone and not walk around because that room was not a good place to hold such a meeting. He couldn't help but turn his back on some in order to face others and there was a lot of chatter going on on one side of the room while he was taking a question on the other side of the room. I saw the lady with the husband in the wheelchair and I could see she was upset. I couldn't catch anything she said, though. It was an uncomfortable meeting in many ways and I think it would have gone better if it had been in a more suitable facility. There's always next time. Let's give the guy another chance to take and answer questions in a more suitable venue.
right... give him another chance to prove that he's nothing more than a corporate shill.
PS. The clock in Playground 10 is still showing the incorrect time six months + after Hurricane Sandy. I think that's symbolic of the way management runs things around here.
http://escapestuytown.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/sean-sullivans-train-wreck-town-hall/
I don't know where to put my question but this thread is just as good a place as any. Has anyone gotten a letter (shoved under the door) recently informing you of an inspection of the "physical structure of the apartment to verify that it complies with law and the terms of the lease"? I am an RS resident of many, many years, and as far as I know, I am in full compliance with the lease, etc. When I called to firm up the inspection date, I asked why the visit and was told, more or less, it was a routine inspection and that all apartments are being similarly inspected. This comes as a surprise to me.
>>http://escapestuytown.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/sean-sullivans-train-wreck-town-hall/<<
This should have been the report in T&V this week, instead of what's there.
>>Has anyone gotten a letter (shoved under the door) recently informing you of an inspection of the "physical structure of the apartment to verify that it complies with law and the terms of the lease"?<<
I've not received this (yet), but it may have something to do with checking for unofficial wall partitions.
>>"Has anyone gotten a letter (shoved under the door) recently informing you of an inspection of the "physical structure of the apartment to verify that it complies with law and the terms of the lease"?<<
I've not received this (yet), but it may have something to do with checking for unofficial wall partitions."
Yes, I thought of that when we received the letter; however we have no wall partitions, or anything else that could be a violation (I believe). We're the type who like to call mgmt and check before we ever do anything!
They checked my apartment a couple of years ago for illegal walls. This was under the regime of TS. I am a long term RS tenants and wouldn't dream of chopping up my apartment with any stinking pressure walls. I hope they are not coming in again because I really resent the intrusion. I may have to greet them in the nude and scare them away. They'll be in therapy for years! ;-)
I and at least four others in my building have received notices. Why we were singled out, I don't know, but there's something fishy here. Anyone else notice that we were given only a week? Anyone else notice that the Compliance Inspection Hotline does not, in fact, call you back within 24 hours if you need to change the time? It may be legal to give tenants only a week's notice, but that means if you're out of town for any reason, you'll come home to find that your apartment has been "inspected." With the recent burglaries here, you have to hope that your property is safe. Has Management lost its database of phone numbers and email addresses? More ineptitude.
What we got this week is a form letter shoved under the door (no envelope), addressed to "Residents" and starts "Dear Resident(s)" and has no name, signature or department name at the bottom, just CompassRock Real Estate LLC. We called to change the date, leaving a message twice, finally we got a call back, after the 24 hour call-back the voicemail promises. We don't know what prompted this inspection. Our apartment is of the "old" variety but in very good condition, certainly no chopped up rooms. Yes, the letter says if they don't hear from you, "the inspection will proceed as scheduled" (you have a week's notice).
STR--that rant in Escape is not journalism, it's a rant. A funny one, but that's not journalism. Please stop contributing to the problem where we can't just get regular news anymore and we can draw our own conclusions. Today, if you don't skew yellow, no one reads it. It's sad. Have your ranting blog, but please allow journalists to just cover the facts and the consequences without all this angry maligning based on viewpoint. Seriously, you can agree with that?
In the case of my blog, the posts are not just information but advocacy. I report on things, but also give opinions. As to which "journalists" you are referring to who are just covering the facts--well, as we all know by now, "journalists" have their own slant on how they present "the facts." What they put in and leave out is crucial.
If you want news, look to news sources. Wow! That was easy!
So 8:48 AM is Sssean Sullivan, right?
"STR--that rant in Escape is not journalism"
The post on Escape is full of specific facts. People in attendance, and there are several that have commented here and elsewhere, said the Escape post is a true account of what occurred. I was there and concur.
I didn't find the Escape Stuy Town post the least bit funny. It's sad and infuriating. Thank you to whoever attended the meeting and took the time to write a review. It was more helpful than the criticism surrounding it.
>>The post on Escape is full of specific facts.<<
I agree. It didn't read as a rant.
Who said the ESCAPE STUY TOWN piece was supposed to be funny? Instead, especially when compared to the T&V piece, it was certainly far more accurate & newsworthy.
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