The Stuyvesant Town Report: The New Christmas Tree

Monday, December 8, 2014

The New Christmas Tree

Days of yore, Stuyvesant Town had a real Christmas tree. Brought in like they bring in the tree at Rockefeller Center. Big and fresh. Impressive. Dazzling at night. Then, several years ago, came the "green" tree, a planting off to the side that was supposed to remain at the Oval year round and used as a Christmas tree during the holidays. That tree looked perpetually sickly; never got better, only worse. Now we have an artificial Christmas tree. Progress?

One of the old trees:

The "Green" Tree:

The new artificial tree:

Merry Christmas from CWCapital and CompassRock!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...: What they have done to the Oval and all those beautiful trees that used to be there is nothing short of criminal.

I wish CW and Compass Rock a Miserable Holiday Season. And may stinking Fortress crash and burn.; December 8, 2014 at 3:18 PM
DONTEVERCALLME BRO said...: You know, they should have gone the whole Goodfellas/Married to the Mob look with a white tree. Fuhgeddaboudit; December 8, 2014 at 4:18 PM
Tommyboyardee said...: There's a metaphor here somewhere; December 8, 2014 at 6:30 PM
Anonymous said...: I don't feel like celebrating ANYTHING here! Especially in the Benghazi war tent!!!; December 8, 2014 at 7:07 PM
Anonymous said...: They make me sick! They torture us all year long with their leaf blowers, bros, tentns and billing mistakes and now they act like they give a fuck? Seriously?!?! DIE CompassRock. Just die.; December 8, 2014 at 8:28 PM
Anonymous said...: Back in the day, early to mid fifties, there were three Christmas trees IN the dry Oval fountain. I was in early elem school at PS 61 on 12th St. and thought they were the most magical trees ever!

Stuytown Baby; December 8, 2014 at 11:30 PM
Anonymous said...: There is nothing to celebrate about Stuyvesant Town or Peter Cooper Village now. Both complexes have been ruined and driven into the ground by greedy, stupid hedge fund-fueled despicable scum known as CW Capital and Compass Rock.

CW/CR may you all have rotten holidays and miserable and catastrophic new years. We HATE and DESPISE you. Don't you get that? Are you THAT stupid?
The above sentiments apply to our slimy bastard "elected representatives," too. May you all have miserable holidays. It's what you deserve.; December 9, 2014 at 12:20 AM
Anonymous said...: Three large flower pot beds placed right next to the Leasing Office on First avenue. All of this to make everything look sooooo elegant, until ,once you sign that lease, you just got suckered. SUCKERED!! BUYER BEWARE!!; December 9, 2014 at 7:51 AM
Tommyboyardee said...: We'll have yourself a Merry Fugazy Christmas.; December 9, 2014 at 8:01 AM
Anonymous said...: It should be called the TA Christmas tree...since they're both FAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!; December 10, 2014 at 11:01 AM
Anonymous said...: Not this is what I think about your FAKE Christmas tree.....

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How tasty are your branches!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How tasty are your branches!
I nom nom nom, then nom some more
Then barf it up upon the floor
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How tasty are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
I love your shiny ornaments
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
I love your shiny ornaments
I bat at them until they fly
And crash to the floor most every night
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
I love your shiny ornaments

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!; December 11, 2014 at 12:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Artificial or not - I think it's a beautiful tree and give kudos to the people who did the decorations.; December 13, 2014 at 3:33 PM
Stuy Town Reporter said...: Decorations? What decorations? Just a string of similar lights. Very dull.; December 13, 2014 at 10:14 PM
DONTEVERCALLME BRO said...: Anony 3.33 PM. Keep your day job at the official PCVST FB page.

"The Oval is still patiently waiting for it's blanket of white for the Christmas tree. Thanks for getting a picture of it "

First time EVER for an artificial Christmas tree in PCVST history. Saddest…Tree…Ever! Bring back the Charlie Brown Tree.; December 15, 2014 at 5:01 PM
Anonymous said...: To STR:

It looks beautiful when walking through the Oval. Such negativity!
Open your eyes!; December 31, 2014 at 12:12 PM
Stuy Town Reporter said...: It looks like what it is: artificial. And what are those boards lying in front of it?; December 31, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Stuy Town Reporter said...: And, if you go outside of Stuy Town, you will see Christmas trees that put ours to shame, like the one in Madison Square Park. Ours is a cheap, speedily put-together embarrassment. Please open your eyes and see the truth!; December 31, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Anonymous said...: The Oval looks awful.
It was once beautiful especially when the trees were many and were blanketed with snow.
Now it is a sad shame.; December 31, 2014 at 9:35 PM
Anonymous said...: I get enjoyment every time I walk through the Oval and see this tree. It's too bad all you can see are its flaws

More annoying is the menorah with two of its lights out and never replaced.; January 3, 2015 at 2:02 PM

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FALSEHOOD: No one has won against our landlord in court. Our landlord, this case Blackstone, would like nothing better than for residents to think that anything legal is hopeless. Management wants residents to go away on certain issues and be forever quiet. The "fact" that no one has won in court is a FALSEHOOD. I know of an individual who won in court when she proved that her ST apartment had loud noises outside that prevented her from doing her job, which took place in said apartment. Also, please remember that the new rents laws passed in NY and landlords are not pleased. Also, remember that there was a case, about the tax break J-51, where the landlords charged more than they should have. The landlords had to pay up. (Of course, they crafted the situation to their advantage, but that is another issue.) The fact remains that you, as a resident of Stuy Town, have legal recourse, but you need documentation, the more documentation, the better.

Management has two priorities: 1) Making sure money is made, hence upgrading and filling up apartments is their goal. "Amenities" are important in selling the place, though few residents use them. 2) If someone needs medical attention, Public Safety will be there, if alerted.

Quality of life issues are not that important, however. Things like the carpet rule or outsider dogs. These "rules" tend to be ignored, on purpose it seems. So you will see a lot that isn't taken care of properly, and complaints will be met with a creative excuse and a smile.

Though money was always important, it is now more important than ever. Money rules many things, as you will find.

At this point, 30 years into living here and seeing many things, I can state that Management and their reps are BS-ing us. I can't say that loudly enough: We are being BS-ed. I don't see any genuine change, though the "selling" of this place is intense. Few of the "rules" will be enforced, as Management doesn't want to lose customers or potential customers. Where personal integrity is a hallmark of an excellent management style, this integrity is not seen in enforcing some of the rules.

Our Tenants Association is, basically, null and void. Oh, it is still around, but it lacks the will power to confront much of anything. The TA will ask for your dues, however. By now, the TA is a charade.

Life in Stuy Town

I write this on May 3, 2018: Since this year, there have been three suicides in ST/PCV. Aside from silence by almost everyone, there occurred a suicide where sulfuric acid was used and the city had to be called in, including the Fire Dept. As of now, there has been a general state of silence about this suicide, even though other resident lives were at danger. Yes, our councilperson is silent. The TA is silent. Obviously, Management is silent, too.

Added April 29, 2019: Another suicide in ST/PCV. That we know of.

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"We'll be introducing a new process to identify registered dogs thus enabling Public Safety Officers to clearly approach offending dog owners. The registration will hang from the leash handle; clearly identifying the dog as registered.

"If the dog is not registered by May 1; a summons will be issued at the point of contact. If we learn the dog owner is not a resident, they will be escorted off the property."

Rick Hayduk, CEO and General Manager of PCVST. Letter to Barry Shapiro, February 2016.

STR here: I have been around since the inception of this dog policy and I have NEVER seen anyone escorted out of ST or PCV with their non-lanyard dog. But I have seen, many times, a dog owner from outside, and his/her dog, casually walking through ST or PCV.

BICYCLES, MOPEDS, SCOOTERS, ETC.

What is legal?

Something for everyone to read:

Motorized vehicles:

The direct link:

https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/motorized-devices-cannot-be-registered-new-york

And...

Of course, "private property" but "public access" - whatever that means! And if a part of it is public access, do the rules of the city apply to our roads and sidewalks? Or does anything give because this complex is "private property"? Who comes here in case of a fire in one of our buildings? The Stuy Town Fire Brigade?

Hint: Look both ways if you are in the complex. Look on the ground, too!

61.03 Control of dogs and other animals to prevent nuisance.
(a) A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog, cat or other animal shall not permit the animal to commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway, sidewalk, lawn, garden or roof of any public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall [or], stairway or entranceway of a building abutting on a public place

Banned & Oversize Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

Message from now EX-Landlord Rob Speyer to Stuy Town & Peter Cooper Tenants 11/06

I am writing on behalf of everyone at Tishman Speyer to express how honored we are to become part of your outstanding community. We are a business with deep roots in New York, a true love of our city and a great respect for the neighborhoods that make it special. We are committed to maintaining the unique character and environment that have made Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town such a wonderful place to live for so long. We look forward to providing you an extraordinary level of service and attentiveness that will be the source of pride and satisfaction for the entire community.

Neighborhood Recommendations

New to Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village? Here are some basic recommendations.

Best gym: Don't waste your money on the Oval Fitness Gym. Instead go to the earthy but real Asser Levy Recreational Center, right above 23rd St on Asser Levy Place (near the FDR Drive). $75 for a year's membership; seniors are almost free. Contains seasonal indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ping-pong table, two pool tables. Called by some rich people who wouldn't get caught going there "the prison gym," and you know why.

A Stuy Town favorite is Lenz's on 20 St. between the 20 St. Loop. The way New York used to be. Be careful of unwanted "pepper" in your food, however. Lenz's got a B grade rating and was temporarily closed down due to an order from the Health Department. Bruno's on First Avenue is more upscale, with a greater selection of food items (higher-priced, too), but was closed down temporarily by the Health Department. Stuy Town's own cafe was closed, too! And not because of all the dogs that hover and piss outside.

Gracefully has two locations, but we prefer for its size the one on 1st Ave. Prices are high and reflect the new tenants that are currently renting Stuy Town and Peter Cooper apartments. ("Do you have a credit card?") We like Gracefully's lunch specials, which are somewhat affordable.

I priced the CVS on 1st Ave near 14st. The non-aerosol hairspray was 20 cents above CVS' own website price, and one of the highest in NY. (Yes, I have hair.) You can save at least a dollar or more buying at another place. So beware. Look around for a better deal on all your items.

I love warm Quaker Oats in the morning. Gristedes is not the place to get it, nor is Associated, though their price is less. Look around!