Our landlord, BLACKSTONE, can't handle Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village. There is a lack of enforcement of certain "rules," and no amount of notice to this alleviates the problems. We are continually being told half-truths and fabrications. And we have no viable Tenants organization, despite our TA asking for dues all the time. So far, the politicians have proven to be basically useless. A typical New York story.
I'm very close to changing this blog to only let through certain people. I may close shop altogether, though at this point I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteBasically, this place stinks and will continue to stink. Now, that doesn't mean what it appears to mean: that this place is the worst you can achieve as a renter. It's not bad at all considering what you can get in other parts of the city. And areas are still "green" with minimal change, though the lack of foliage that was around the Oval is very noticeable. But the old "affordable" and "dog-free" ST and PCV is gone, never to return. And if there is some minor movement to it returning, the politicians will take care of that. Can't let a good thing escape.
Face it: With the blessing of our new manager, who has two dogs, it's a certainty that the dog situation will get more troubling. As it is, I see dog crap that's not picked up, or negligently so, almost every day. It's a small number, but it still disappoints. And I see dogs that are above the weight limit. Constantly. And outsiders still walk their dogs inside this complex.
And bicycles still go round the Oval despite the clear signage that says NO. You are just pissing on the rules if you go around the Oval with your bicycle. But what the hell? What's it to you?
Tell me: How many months has Blackstone been in charge?
I can't take monitoring this and won't. Do whatever you want. Make the pathways of this complex look awful with gouges, make the rents increase while the "old-timers" die or move away. Make even some of the old timers pumped up with self-interest or naivete at the expense of some of the rest of us. As I said, few really give a damn, and I'm just tired and see the impossibility. Oh, and give away a certain amount for "affordable" rent.
This place will be "used" until it gets knocked down. It may happen in fifty years, but it will happen.
Please don't close the blog STR. I know what you mean about the dogs and the bicycles. Yesterday, there was a fly-frenzy around a big turd right in front of 445 (down near the T level door) and it clearly had been trodden in by some hapless person. I went for a walk around the property the other day and was terrified because of the bicycles and golf carts and those little truck things that Maintenance rides around in. It was really hairy and I couldn't wait to get to the relative safety of First Avenue! PS stands around chatting and doing nothing about the bicycles and the speed they're going at and they don't chase dogs or bicycles out of the Oval. The rules and signage are purely form without substance, nothing else.
ReplyDeleteI've been here over 30 years and have no intentions of moving unless I win the Lottery until I am ready for my box. I just stay away from walking through the grounds now because I can't afford a broken hip. I'm not THAT old even (sixties), but I am small and don't weigh much and I feel in danger from all those bikes, skateboards, etc., and some of the large dogs scare me. Not all, but some of the real biggies that I see being walked (especially when there is a herd of them being walked by a dog walker!).
You're right that the place will never be the same again. It's been raped and pillaged by greedy scum and the rest of the City has pretty much met with the same fate. DeBlasio and his Evil City Council just signed a bill that guts the Landmarks laws. Nothing we can do about it except vote for whoever the opposition is when the time comes. I am a registered Democrat, but that won't be the way I vote unless they come up with some totally new and clean blood.
Please keep up the good work, STR, even if you don't post that often. There will always be SOMETHING going on here! ;-)
Love ya! And THANK YOU!!!
There was also an obviously high homeless woman passing out on a bench near the eastern flagpole in PCV. My guess is she just came from Bellevue, as she had on hospital pants and the wristband.
ReplyDeleteLooked for security, but none around so I called from the intercom.
Security doesn't like to get involved with such matters! They are only for show, just like the cameras that are all over the place and are not manned! I think they have to have the appearance of a certain level of security so that they can qualify as an off-campus dorm (and collect a big MCI for the "improvements"), but that doesn't mean that there actually IS any real Security presence.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this development is really going down the drain. What I find funny is that many residents look at Rick as a messiah who is solving all problems. They also view Blackstone as caring, benevolent owners. These residents do not see behind the PR façade, there has been no real change here, in fact students, dogs and hotels are increasing. Rules are not enforced, especially on those paying the high rents. I had to leave another blog because I was constantly being criticized for my pessimism, was even told to move. Sad.
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th STR
ReplyDeleteTY for your service my friend to our country and our community we may remember better days but good days are still ahead[ the hydra may get taken down we can also hope] happy july 4th
ReplyDeleteWeren't people supposed to be dangling ID from the dog lanyards by now or something so that security could determine that they are residents? I was at the oval today and didn't see a single dog owner with an ID. There sure was plenty of shitting and pissing going on though!
ReplyDeleteI wish Macy's had stayed on the West Side with their fireworks display. When you've seen one Macy's July 4th display, you've seen them all. It sounds like fucking downtown Bagdad.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth, everyone!
ReplyDeleteRick and bs will be far worse. It's already happening and having had a few discussions wiith bs and Rick I can swear to this. Peace out people. Should have moved to Brooklyn.
ReplyDeleteI thought Macys put on another great show last night! At 9:55, we haven't all been around here since 1948, so don't be so grouchy about a great American pastime in your backyard (oh, and fyi, I have been here 35 years and love the fireworks each and every year!). I feel bad for someone like you that can't handle this tradition once a year for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteIt may have put on a great show, but I wasn't interested.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the obnoxious cigar smoking guy, I suggest anyone who sits a the new chess tables adjacent to the café, that they bring a can of Lysol to wipe away the crap from the guy who sits there every day with his filthy shoes draped over the table like he's lounging at home. A real pig.
ReplyDeleteSecurity knows who he is and will address the issue if you ask them to tell this pig to get his feet down, but on their own they don't bother.
ReplyDeleteThe fireworks were beautiful, but again, after the first few it's all the same. Should have stayed in and finished my DVD.
Won't bother if I'm here next year.
Yeah, I've seen some big ones, and after a while....
ReplyDelete>>Speaking of the obnoxious cigar smoking guy, I suggest anyone who sits a the new chess tables adjacent to the café, that they bring a can of Lysol to wipe away the crap from the guy who sits there every day with his filthy shoes draped over the table like he's lounging at home. A real pig.
ReplyDeleteSecurity knows who he is and will address the issue if you ask them to tell this pig to get his feet down, but on their own they don't bother.<<
I know who he is, too. He also likes to ride his bike around the Oval if he can get away with it, which he usually does.
Security is a HUGE problem here. How are homeless people able to just take up a bench here in PCV??? PS doesn't see this ? The PS is useless. They should be walking or biking around the property & be proactive. When will this happen???? Never. They are just for show.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of huge dogs being walked about the Oval right now. They may be close to the 50lb limit or over it. I don't know. But they are large! Keep 'em coming!
ReplyDeletethe security thing is a wasted cover. We moved here 6 months ago. We have had horrible problems with above tenants and noise, shoes, music, and worse. So when we call to report this, we need a security peronsel to show up to confirm? This is a waste of the dudes time. At my last residence, doorman west side, management handled this, no fucking security guy has to confirm this.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say? The "establishment" has a plan of action...which involves calling PS, monitoring, calling again, monitoring, etc. Eventually the problem is rectified. Eventually.
ReplyDelete11:43 AM, why the hell did you move here? Didn't you read the Yelp Reviews (not the ones that Management posts) or read this blog? You lived in a doorman building on the west side and then came HERE??!! I trust there was a really compelling reason to move into a dorm/shit hole!
ReplyDeleteYea, this place blows!
ReplyDeleteI just walked through the grounds to management office with my lease renewal. Everything lovely and peaceful. I have no complaints.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're paying prices that match the loveliness and peace here!
ReplyDelete"I just walked through the grounds to management office with my lease renewal. Everything lovely and peaceful. I have no complaints."
ReplyDeleteA 5 star Yelp reviewer, I assume?
Love how the poster tells other posters where and where not to move.
ReplyDeleteNo we did not see Yelp reviews. I work on east side. Yelp reviews are ok now that you mention it. And had never read blog or knee about it until now!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with cigars? I smoke cigars. Is it such a crime to sit outside and have a smoke? What's wrong with you people?
ReplyDeleteIt used to be very nice here, but it's now overcrowded, understaffed and anybody with a pulse and a checkbook can move in. I don't think Management even knows hoe lives her because there is such a turnkey culture now. It's very sad.
ReplyDeleteSmoking cigars is fine as long as others don't have to inhale that don't want to inhale. Smoking anything in the Oval Fountain area is a no-no and particularly that cigar!
ReplyDeleteAnd why, please, must others in the Fountain area smell your smoke? They do, in case you don't know.
ReplyDeleteIt never stops. More wall partitions being walked about the Oval, more bicycles running around the Oval, more tenants (?) using the Oval Study patio for lunch when the assistant isn't looking....
ReplyDeleteI agree that management doesn't know who lives here anymore. They keep saying that they want to weed out illegal hotels, but in order to do that you must be more proactive. All I see is more moving vans, students, and dogs.
ReplyDeletestop threatening with closing the blog, I read this because it's insane how much the older people here complain and I find it amusing. Stop blogging if you want and stop bitching all the time
ReplyDeleteI dunno.... I feel like bitching... What to bitch about though?
ReplyDeleteSTR, if someone smokes a cigar in his apartment he is criticized because the aroma wafts into other peoples' units. If he smokes it outside, he gets grief. With all due respect, this is still America and if a person can't light up a cigar either at home or outside, then we need to raise the hammer and sickle, ISIS flag or whatever. Please, let's live and let live. Move away from the guy smoking the smelly cigar. Better he stinks at the Oval than in his apartment where so many delicate souls would faint away!
ReplyDeleteI am getting sick of PC. I won't vote for Trump, but I am really getting sick of PC.
I hear you. But I do know that I had to move from the Oval Fountain because of him. That's a problem, I think. Now it could be my problem....
ReplyDeleteBitching aint against the law, STR, so let's do it before they start taxing it! :-) Love ya!
ReplyDeleteHere are the smoking restrictions as per the PCVST official web page.
ReplyDelete“1. “SMOKING
Smoking in any building common area, such as stairwells, corridors, lobbies, and carriage/laundry rooms, is a violation of the NYC Clean Indoor Air Act. Please obey the law and be considerate of your neighbors.
Additionally, please remain 50 feet away from buildings when smoking outside and utilize a smoking urn placed around property.”
Not sure if all of the PCVST playgrounds have this posted (playgrounds 12 and 10 do) via signs but smoking is prohibited inside all of the playgrounds as well. That's makes sense.
Dogs are prohibited within the Oval Fountain area as per the sign. Currently, smoking is not prohibited. As per the rules sign on the Oval Lawn, smoking seems to be (no mention of it being forbidden) allowed there as well. IMO, smoking should not be allowed at the Oval Fountain area nor at the Oval Lawn itself. Plenty of other places to light up on the property.
BTW, where are those $500 urns? :)
Don't you leave us Str. Don't do it. :))) We need you and screw those who dislike the complaints. THINGS SUCK here AND ONLY A TOOL WOULD NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT the issues you write about.
ReplyDeleteYeah Rick..what happened to your no smoking plan?
ReplyDelete