Friday, March 3, 2017

About that Message to Tenants....

I'm still annoyed, but two weeks has gone by and it's time for a new post, the last one getting over 200 responses. While I understand Rick and Blackstone, my take on his message is still negative. I understand that Rick is trying to put the best face forward and, at the same time, promote this property, which is now Blackstone's, as a place that is safe and full of amenities that should impress. Personally, I have nothing against Rick, and I'm glad that at least he is living in the community. He appears to be a "nice guy," but I'm sure there is a hardcore element to him which ultimately insists "my way or the highway." I also understand the workings of Blackstone. Having been in situations that duplicate the company spirit and intentions, I am more than familiar with the public versus the private face. It is not, however, my job to present the public face of Blackstone or of Rick or of PS, the latter of which I am thankful for if something serious happens in this community--and they see it!

That said, I am far from impressed by Rick's message to tenants after the "incident." Let me remind people that there was a beating and an attempted rape and an attempted murder happening in this community. Obviously I am aware that the murder accusations could be overcharging, but the perpetrator has admitted to rape and murder in front of police. The courts and evidence will now take over.

Again, for fairness, let me repost Rick's message:


>>Dear Resident,

In the aftermath of the sexual assault that occurred on Sunday, StuyTown Property Services has been following social media posts whereas comments are being made concerning resident safety.

Before addressing, SPS would like all to know that our thoughts continue to be with the victim; in all the dialogue over the past few days, I trust no one forgets there was an innocent person involved.

That said, this incident occurred on our watch. This is not lost on anyone on our team.

Hence, SPS is taking steps aimed at preventing such acts or similar acts from occurring. One of these steps is an awareness campaign highlighting the tools available to residents should one feel threatened:

Emergency Phone/Video Stations: 36 stanchions illuminated with blue lights on top and connected to Public Safety, located throughout the PCVST neighborhood.

“SECURITY” buttons on building intercoms located in vestibules and on the exterior walls of the Terrace (Stuyvesant Town) and Lower Level (Peter Cooper Village) entrances.

Officers (wearing fluorescent vests) patrolling on foot and in cars 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Officer escorts from the Peter Cooper Village security booth on 1st Avenue and 22nd Street. Give this address to cab drivers, Uber drivers, etc. and an officer will escort you to your building. If in Stuyvesant Town, the Command Center located at 2 Stuyvesant Oval is available 24/7.

Put the Public Safety telephone number into your contacts: 212.598.5233.

Another step is an expedited review of the lighting around the PCVST neighborhood. New lights were just installed along the 14th Street corridor but a review of the remaining perimeter lighting (Avenue C in particular) and the interior lighting will be advanced; areas needing improvement will be addressed.

The third step will be SPS working with its security consultants to map out a plan to identify where new and additional equipment can be placed to enhance coverage. A considerable number of cameras and related equipment have been introduced into the PCVST Public Safety department over the past 10 years, but even with today’s surveillance configuration, coverage can still be increased. Sunday morning’s assault was not fully visible by the cameras.

Lastly, SPS will offer complimentary self-defense courses to any resident interested in learning how to ward off an attack. Even as we work to make our neighborhood safer, such skills can benefit someone anywhere one goes. Information on these courses will be distributed next week along with details on location, class size, and sign-ups.

The safety and well-being of PCVST’s residents remains our top priority. We will work tirelessly to keep every resident safe.

Rick Hayduk
CEO | General Manager<<

Almost from the start Rick berates the community. This is the way I read it; others can read it differently. "I trust no one forgets there was an innocent person involved" does not read to me innocent of implications. Who is forgetting this? Certainly not I nor the people in this community for whom this incident is serious. For someone, who has been a member of this community recently, to come along and say "I hope you don't forget..." is kinda insulting. Sorry, Rick, we are not forgetting.


"...this incident occurred on our watch. This is not lost on anyone on our team." Thank you for this. Seriously.

Next: The rest of the proposals are not serious or even laughable. A self-defense course??? I don't know about you, but a limited self-defense course can just infuriate a potential perpetrator instead of disarming him. You take your chances with self-defense unless you know what you are doing and know it fairly well or are Chuck Norris. As someone commented, jokingly maybe, it would be best to arm people to protect people. Is Rick willing to go this far? Is PS?

Lights not working? Why?

And enough with the cameras! This community has plenty of them, and they were not able to stop the incident which was "not fully visible".... What? Were they partly visible? The addition of even more cameras would have helped--how, if the people watching the cameras are not increased also?

And that is the point. Read my last post about the problems in this community happening years ago, problems which we now know have not been alleviated AT ALL.

This is what I'm waiting for. I see many rules and many signs. But I see little enforcement. Even now. And I am not the only one. Other residents see this and are aware of this. And many have given up hope.

Perhaps it costs too much to have professionals working at the "lower" positions. It is up to Blackstone to decide.

I have always reported accurately on what I see. Sometimes I am forced to take photos. Let this community thrive, but it will not thrive with blinders on or proposals that are not to the point.

170 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kudos STR, well said!

Anonymous said...


Look, Rick Hayduk has 2 girls soon off to college and was moved up here from familiar FL surroundings to deal with a contentious situation and bottom line, he's a real estate guy. So by circumstances alone, this tells you he has to be fairly desperate for his bosses to see his tenure here as a success.

And what does that mean? No waves. Everything appearing relaxed. As few complaints possible.

Potential conflicts with dog owners and bikers are avoided by lax enforcement. Conflicts over everything avoided by lax enforcement. Because like the entire real estate and political worlds, Hayduk knows that barring some major event most people are absorbed with surviving, are fairly apathetic or afraid of mgt and willing to take a lot on the chin rather than upset themselves and get angry.

The people at this blog would generally be viewed by Rick and his mgt as malcontent outliers present in any large community who can be ignored. Plus it's all anonymous, so who cares.

An event like the terrible and well-publicized attempted rape are exactly what results from an policy of lax enforcement.

The TA should be railing about this. But they, too, are part of the attempt to keep up the appearance of no waves. So that Rick will treat them as important and seem to be their friend. Since they get little respect from the community, if Rick treats them as if important, at least that's something.

If T & V were a decent rag, it would run ongoing stories about security here or the lack thereof. But it too doesn't want to make waves. Exactly what a newspaper shouldn't be.

So we're left with an unfortunate situation. Real security may only become a cause here after more attacks occur w/o any actions from watchful enforcement.

Anonymous said...

And the beat goes on. S.O.S.

Anonymous said...

Why would you like him or Blackstone? For years we have been complaining bout the lighting on the property. I see many seniors walking at night who have trouble seeing and can't find their way. Scary, awful and they are nothing but thieves. Pay for the damn fuck all lights Rick. Do something. Cowards.

Anonymous said...

Yes, very well said STR. I am still waiting for the after dark patrols.

Anonymous said...

Finally the TA spoke out in a letter response to Rick's e-mail regarding safety. They mentioned manning those structures at the loops and increased foot patrol after dark. I keep saying that safety starts at the entrances to the loops. His e-mail was inadequate, especially the emphasis on self-defense classes. Ridiculous.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Very good response from the TA.

https://town-village.com/2017/03/03/ta-says-more-boots-on-the-ground-needed-better-interior-lighting/

Stuy Town Reporter said...

We will see if the recommendations from the TA become part of protocol. The ball, as they say, is in Rick and Blackstone's hands.

Anonymous said...

Quite an amazing job keeping the beating of this poor girl and more out of the press. Barely a word, In fact, residents near gramercy never read about it or heard about the crime.

clap clap well done next victim?

Anonymous said...

"I trust no one forgets there was an innocent person involved" is a wrong statement on so many levels. Of course we do not forget a person was assaulted and raped for ten minutes. On another level, the phrasing "an innocent person" if offensive. No person, no man, woman, child no matter how innocent or not, deserves to be raped. The proper phrase would have been "...there was a StuyTown resident involved."

Anonymous said...

I am not holding my breath for Blackstone to act on some of the recommendations of the TA. The e-mail from Rick probably sums up what they will be doing, not enough.

Anonymous said...

"Very good response from the TA."

TA TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Question is will Rick now respond. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen!

Anonymous said...

I think it was a very good response from the TA and I am definitely not a TA troll. I am usually very critical of the TA because I don't think it speaks out often enough in defense of tenants. Kudos to Susan Steinberg for writing that letter. She hit the nail right on the head. We most certainly do need more boots on the ground and fewer backsides on seats.

Anonymous said...

Even if they man that booth on 14th St and on other loops, which I am certain they will not do, they probably would not be proactive in weeding out undesirables. Given their track record on enforcing rules, I would expect them to let anyone just come in.

Bruce Lee Wannabee said...

Self defense courses? Is management delusional? Should our older residents have to fight off assailants? Teach a 70 or 80-year old a karate kick? That is the answer?
Insensitive, stupid, or insulting...take your pick? Kung Fu Rick better come up with a better idea.
Naturally our TA is nowhere to be found. They are as vile and useless group as can be.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

The TA did write that letter, which is, for this incident, a major step forward, much better than self-defense courses. Again, let us see what Blackstone does, if anything.

Anonymous said...

LMao the defense course is offensive, how cheap are these people.

Anonymous said...

We need more details on the attack. Sorry but this will enable us to be more proactive. especially after 9 pm.

Anonymous said...

Everyone is praising Susan for her response, but the fact of the matter is that the things she put in her letter were brought up to no end on this blog and the TA Facebook page. We know that management reads both sites, so they heard the ideas and concerns long before they came out through the TA letter.

Also, why did it take almost a month for a response from Susan. This is something that should have been addressed within a day or two. Is it because of all the chatter wondering where they were during all of this?

I am surprised that you gave Susan kudos STR. This is obviously nothing more than a PR move that Rosen told them they needed to do, and it's working. I'm just surprised how many people are falling for it.

Not this guy.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I don't disagree with a lot of what you said, but I'm willing to take a change of heart. Always.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Again, we will see what the result is. As I said, the ball on this issue is in Rick and Blackstone's hands.

Anonymous said...

Let's also remember and keep wise to the fact that the councilman and previous management company did the same arrangement where they pretended to be on opposite sides of the now infamous photo rendering of the bunker construction where the councilman asked this blog to take down the photo rendering so the councilman and management company can pretend to the tenants that Dan asked for it from the management company and the company then yielded in an effort to make the councilman look to be on the side of the residents while the residents had to battle on their own the construction problems and noise.

Let us all keep wise to the fact that the tenant association and the current property management company both use the same PR firm who did that now infamous bunker photo rendering blunder that STR published before the PR firm could get the councilman's coup over property management in the local Town & Village paper. There was no coup, that battle was staged, the photo rendering was on STR which is the only place the Truth of this property is told. Let us all keep wise to the games and wiser for all we have learned from this blog since the Tishman BlackRock purchase from MetLife.

Anonymous said...

They said they monitored the social media before they responded. It looks like they divided the information from this blog in two, added their own pieces (defense classes) and Stuy Town Services took half and the tenant assoc. took the other half of what was said on this blog by very smart tenants who know how to fix the problems. The tenant assoc. with Stuy Town Services will then run an article about their joint effort to fix the problems after Stuy Town Services acquiesced to the tenant assoc. but really the tenants on social media specifically STR blog are the ones who came up with all the solutions and this blog published the tenant's boots on ground, man the booths solutions. We would be nowhere without this blog. STR deserves the credit on this one. Not Stuy Town Services or a tenant association.

Anonymous said...

Another Saturday morning in the Sty. Moving out and dumping their garbage wherever. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish their garbage from their personal possessions. And of course not a PS officer in sight.

Anonymous said...

Usually I can have a change of heart too, but not with the TA. I gave them too many second chances and had too many changes of heart with them, and I'm finally done.

Over two decades as a member and hundreds of membership dollars that I now feel was robbed from me by this no-good group. I'm still waiting to see where our membership money actually goes, because I doubt it's all to their inept attorneys and renting 104.

Susan's statement was nothing more than a bunch of fluff meant to cover up their own continued inaction in the community.

Anonymous said...

DEAR IDIOTIC RESIDENTS STOP SMOKING IN THE PC STAIRWELLS. YOU SUCK AND MY DD HAS ASTHMA. STOP SMOKING HERE. GO OUTSIDE AND SMOKE.

Anonymous said...

10:48 AM: you are so right on all points.

As for their fucking self-defense class, unless they are handing out guns and/or cans of mace and pepper spray to those who are not quite in fine enough fettle to learn how to do the Kung Fu thing, then they should just forget it and spare us any more of their major league bullshit!

Anonymous said...

I agree with 10:36 and 10:48. How can we not expect the TA and STS to come forward in the near future claiming victory in the battle against crime in this community. A concerted effort where the TA, STS and Dan pat each other on the back for something that would have never happened if STS listened to the people on THIS BLOG, not the TA or Dan.

STR - you deserve the credit for keeping this property informed on the truth, not Susan and the TA. Don't have a change of heart when we need you more than ever!

On another note, is 7PCR the only building where the brains at work were fast asleep with the signage? In the elevator on the panel at the top, they randomly put up "The Security Office at 2 Stuyvesant Oval," with nothing else. It obviously should be at the bottom to cover up the note that the elevator certificate is at 317 Avenue C, but leave it up to STS to make such a dumb error.

Anonymous said...

I wanna learn karate. I wanna kick bag guy ass!

Thanks Rick! You rule.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Again, all I'm saying is let's wait and see what Blackstone does. I have my own theories, but let just wait and see.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Of the Steinberg letter we have this, at the end:

"Why not put those unused public safety booths on the perimeters to work? Keep them manned and lit at night. They will signal safety to residents returning home and danger to anyone looking for trouble."

Management has a chance to fill those empty PS booths and monitor any "nuisance" coming in. Will they do that?

Anonymous said...

MCI for the manned booths and Lights. Wait for it!

Anonymous said...

STR, I remember when the guard booths were manned 24/7 by Security. At that time PCVST was really an oasis in the city. Apart from being very green, lush and tree-filled which in and of itself made it an Oasis, we had little to no crime on the property. The neighboring area, especially to the South of 14th Street, was filled with slums, drug addicts and dealers. Anybody remember the "shooting galleries" where addicts used to line up to get their "fix?" They even had their unfortunate children with them oftentimes. Gunshots would ring out quite frequently, coming from the direction of Avenues A, B & C!

We felt safe on the property because Security formed a sort of steel ring of manpower around the property and they would do walk-throughs of the buildings every night.

Unfortunately, since the property was sold to greedy scum who sought to turn it "luxury" and the adjacent neighborhood became gentrified and student-infested and PCVST itself became a giant dorm, we have more crime and much less Security presence that ever in the history of the property. Peter Cooper Village used to be the "upscale" version of Stuy Town because the apartments were larger and air conditioning was allowed and, of course, the rents were significantly higher. Now PCV is known to be an extremely badly run dorm where, because of the larger apartments, students are crowded in like cattle. Sty Town isn't much better. Students attract low-life predators because there are so many young girls and so much drinking and drug use is a given. I don't hold any hope that things will get better. I think it will just get worse here. Management only cares about money and the TA was emasculated long ago. As for "Security?" PS, as they like to call themselves are nothing more than rent-a-cops with no power or reason to be anything more than window dressing.

Anonymous said...

I have been living here for many decades. I have dealt with many organizations whose ruling personnel either don't give a damn about you, delight in your miseries, might enjoy seeing you gone and/or dead. In the vast majority of cases, their prime internal directive was to steal your money and possibly property, including the necessities of life.

These people are all mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually sick, deficient and defective.

Blackstone is a poster child for all of the above as are TA "leaders," politicians.

Simple translation: if you do not give them a compelling reason to behave as if they are decent, honest, trustworthy creatures, they will continue to hurt you very very badly.

The answer to the question of what Blackstone will do is simple. They will do more of the same.

Sometimes, reading this blog, I am encouraged to know that some of us have some idea of the depths of the ugliness to which we are subjectied here.

Sometimes, I am discouraged by the lack of understanding and the naïveté expressed here. This is one of those times. My fellow residents: We are only objects of scorn and contempt and sources of money until we are disposed of by these fine people who own this place, run this place and purport to protect us. That is the controlling narrative here.

Anonymous said...

I have been saying for along time that those booths on the perimeters need to be manned. Even if they do man them(which I doubt) those wimpy do-nothing PS officers will probably just sit there and not challenge non-residents coming in. It is also a great way to screen bnb, but of course management is in line with that.

Anonymous said...

Other properties are handled securely and problems IE noise, garbage, green water are dealt with but here in StuyPC they are not it is a fact they ignore as all the above would cost them money and their bankroll is up when we all move out. All, not just me or the elderly with low low rents, all of us. it is a fact Jack.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I think that an MCI for the manning of those booths will not work, as the safety of the residents is something to be taken for granted and provided by the landlord, unless the landlord doesn't want safety.

Also putting in or fixing "the lights" should not be met with a high-five.

Boots on the ground, and the manning of those booths will address the issue in a major way. And that is this issue, not the others that are still active.

Yes, I too remember. At least the Oval center large booth that was always manned by security. Try to find a PS officer in one of the new "small" booths. Particularly if his head is not down and checking his private messages.



Stuy Town Reporter said...

Right now, the only booth that is manned 24/7 is the one for Peter Cooper next to 1st Avenue. Of course, I've yet to see the guard check the dog-walkers streaming in from other properties. Hey, what happened to that lanyard rule? I thought Rick and PS was going to be on top of the situation, and escorting those who are not complying out of the community?

Anonymous said...

March 4, 2017 at 11:11 PM
100% true and well put.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

BTW, unless I'm wrong, there are very few positive comments on the TA Facebook about Susan's letter. Way to go, TA members. The right color of the paint in your rooms is far more important.

Anonymous said...

Dont underestimate the importance of bright, good lighting. Especially for the elderly. Criminals love to work in the dark.

STUYTOWN MANAGEMENT KNOWS THIS. awful, purely negligent.

Anonymous said...

Not one booth has ever been manned to my knowledge, other than PCR. There are 2 more in PCV and 3 in ST. They are in ideal locations to be manned - along Avenue C, 14th Street and 23rd Street. I don't see how an MCI would be possible, as the structures were put up more than a decade ago.

It wouldn't hurt to have them manned, but I too agree that the guards would not stop every suspicious person that came in. They are better to be out and about looking for suspicious people and also suspicious activities, which they can't do from the booth.

Has anyone seen an increase in security thus far? Nothing has changed in PCV at night as far as I can tell.

Anonymous said...

A lot of these TA members who are not commenting on Susan's letter , believe so much in Rick, that they just believe and know that he will fix things and make this place safe and secure. Rick is the messiah to many of them. They do not look anywhere else. Great PR job, Blackstone, to fool the masses.

Anonymous said...

March 4 @ 11:11 PM, you have got it exactly right. We are at the mercy of greedy, immoral scum and, unfortunately, I don't know what, if anything, we can do about it. Our politicians are crooked and we are a nation of Oligarchy and it is just going to to get worse, especially considering who is in charge these days. STR doesn't like us to mention the recent election, so I'll just say that since the White House became annexed by the Kremlin, there isn't much hope for any of us. As they used to tell us during Nuclear Attack drills: bend over, put your head between your legs and kiss your ass goodbye.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

About the only place I head after dark, to and from, is my building, so I go by the Oval very frequently. I would have to say that it is poorly lit in general. To "new" lights do not help.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>so I'll just say that since the White House became annexed by the Kremlin<<

Yeah, I see comrades right outside my door!

Please. No more. We know what you mean.

Anonymous said...

"https://town-village.com/2017/03/03/ta-says-more-boots-on-the-ground-needed-better-interior-lighting/"
-----
Blackstone will implement common sense security measures that STR and forum participants have been posting and complaining about for years.

This article fed to T&V is a component of the ongoing propaganda P.R. campaign staged by Blackstone, their captured NYC Councilman Garodnick and his puppet TA wherein they continuously heap complements and praise on each other telling us how lucky we are to have such smart (funny how they always call each other "smart" the same way Trump always calls himself "smart") honest, hardworking representatives collaborating together with Rick as a "team" always making life wonderful for us. Meanwhile, Blackstone with essential long term support from Garodnick and his puppet TA is successfully realizing Speyer's failed business plan raking in multiple billion dollar windfalls permanently pushing our historic middle class community out of STPCV.

P.R lobbyists will feed media outlets, including STR, proclaiming STPCV resident safety is always Blackstone's #1 priority. They will publicly heap thanks and praise on their captured NYC Councilman Garodnick and his puppet TA, crediting them for bringing important safety issues to their attention and providing concrete security recommendations Blackstone promises to follow up on.

It's not about Blackstone, Garodnick and his puppet TA lying to us. It's not about us knowing they are lying to us. It's about their maintaining message discipline in furtherance of a false public narrative that snuffs out the truth.

Anonymous said...

Screw the Ruskies; I’m worried about SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion).

Right Bond-san? BTW, I....love....you.

Anonymous said...

Do you really want to "arm" these guys? Last year a tenant complain they whipped out their batons on a dog that was aggressive, compass rock made them unarm the buttons. I think all they have now is police mace...

I wouldn't trust any of these guys with anything more than mace honestly. My experience with a few of them has been positive. The onest they have in their command center have been kind and understanding, but some of the guys on the outside have attitude problems. Some even have been more hostile when approached, not professional at all.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Right Bond-san? BTW, I....love....you.<<

I share the love, everywhere I go.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>It's not about Blackstone, Garodnick and his puppet TA lying to us. It's not about us knowing they are lying to us. It's about their maintaining message discipline in furtherance of a false public narrative that snuffs out the truth.<<

I think at this point it is about seeing if Blackstone and Rick will implement these changes and how effectively. Don't worry. We, or I, will be there.

Anonymous said...

It is an endless cycle of fake PR from Blackstone and we are powerless to change anything. Our QOL here has gone down the drain as has our security. Sure this site is a good one to vent our feelings on, but nothing will change here. Let's not kid ourselves.

Anonymous said...

LOLLL omfh the one bedrooms are approaching $3900 now. LMFAO

Anonymous said...


Old Rick and Blackstone are trying to market this place to student and upscale families. 2020 with the end of j-51 tax abatement will begin liftoff.

Option 1: Eventually the students may have served their purpose and may be more trouble than they're worth. Which means the place will have to appeal to upscale families. Or the place

Now if you have a family and the money, which would you choose...a place that has nice landscaping, amenities, playgrounds and a very flawed automated security system or a nice building with nice amenities and 24 hr doorman service that guarantees when you get out of your cab, you won't be in any danger.

Option 2: The students become the big money makers and the whole place moves more and more toward a giant dorm. If you're NYU, do you want to recommend your students live at a place where they're subject to attack...or do you want to put up more protected dorms of your own?

In either case, unless Blackstone and Rick decide to give up on Stuy Town, my money is on them putting in as much security as possible...as a business investment. And BTW, it looks like MCI time to me. Guess who's going to pay for all of it.

Anonymous said...

I am noticing a real nasty tone from some residents who have been here 15+ years. You are not nice to neighbors, friends and even relatives. The elderly or handicapped may need a bit of help. If you have a car, offer to help get groceries or needs. If you have time, say hello , how are you. Nasty stuytown residents we do not need here. Selfish and unkind.

Anonymous said...



"It is an endless cycle of fake PR from Blackstone and we are powerless to change anything."

That is true. We know how they operate with their PR machines and frankly there is no need for a real tenant association to have a PR firm and certainly not that same PR firm as the landlord. That washes all their credibility away and puts into question how they are spending our dues. This article lays out the PR con game used by the lobbyists and politicians to dupe the public:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-rise-and-fall-of-a-k-street-renegade-1487001918

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>I am noticing a real nasty tone from some residents who have been here 15+ years. You are not nice to neighbors, friends and even relatives. The elderly or handicapped may need a bit of help. If you have a car, offer to help get groceries or needs. If you have time, say hello , how are you. Nasty stuytown residents we do not need here. Selfish and unkind.<<

I don't notice this from old time residents. Actually my building and neighbors are fairly "nasty free." I do admit that at times if an unleashed dog jumps at me (not on my floor), I do get pissed off depending on where my head's at.

Anonymous said...

March 6, 2017 at 7:14 AM Agree in our building too but the impolite to outright mean are the ones who are constantly complaining about not getting the condo deal. They are blaming the 15+ year rent stabilized tenants. We have heard a lot of complaining about the 15+ year tenants and seen a lot of anger towards the 15+ year tenants from them.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I've just returned from surveying the TA Facebook page and will note that some are still willing to battle this blog. Ideally we should be on the same page, but we are not.(Hey, John, how is that weekly tenant rally outside the leasing office going? Or those yellow placards that tell everyone how united this community is? I may be mistaken but you were the president of the TA at that point?) Fact is, that the TA has slipped considerably since the "good old days" and now they've been slightly awakened due to the incident that happened last month. And, as commentaries here have pointed out, the TA is trying to capture all the glory, just as they did when they sent a message to me to take down a post so that Garodnick and the TA could be first.... Some things do not change. LOL. That's okay. You guys are Aces.

Aside from the TA's few "malcontents," the TA as an entity should be monitoring a whole lot that happens in this community, including their "new" proposal. If that proposal is put into action, fine. But the landlord has to be monitored to make sure that the landlord isn't BSing everyone. Who will do this? It should be the TA, not the "malcontents" or this blog.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Agree in our building too but the impolite to outright mean are the ones who are constantly complaining about not getting the condo deal. They are blaming the 15+ year rent stabilized tenants.<<

I was never a fan of the condo deal, which is a dead issue by now. For me, it was just not practicable, and I could see problems arising. Others, may have a different opinion.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

BTW, there was unpicked dog shit (a few "pieces") outside my building yesterday. I wonder if it is still there now, a day later?

Anonymous said...

This has not been a friendly community in a long time. So very sad - no dog in fight but at least if decent residents owned - me, you, parents, we could make the rules and ding all the jerks out. Many buildings are not allowing cosigners to rent = no students, sorry, they belong in a real dorm.

Anonymous said...

total of five washing machines - 3 are broken. I FUCKING HATE THIS PLACE.

Anonymous said...

"For me, it was just not practicable, and I could see problems arising." Exactly correct March 6, 2017 at 8:26 AM. If anyone thinks this is not already going on they are being naive.

http://www.tenant.net/alerts/articles/tenantrightsreport.html

How to Protect Yourself Against a Ruthless, Greedy Landlord
30 Strategies for Guarding Your Tenant Rights

28 — Realize your neighbors can become your landlord, and plan accordingly. If you live in a building that converts to a coop or condo, your neighbors gain many of the powers of a landlord. That can change the nature of your relationship with them. For example, if you are a non-purchasing tenant in a non-eviction conversion plan, when the coop needs money your neighbors may attempt to evict you. If they succeed, they can sell your apartment to raise cash.

Formerly friendly neighbors can turn against you when their financial interests are at stake. McAdams Law went to trial for a woman in just these circumstances. She was never given the chance to buy in when the building went coop under an eviction plan. This violated several requirements and laws. Still, the coop claimed she was no longer a rent-stabilized tenant, and they could terminate her tenancy at the end of her lease.

The firm defeated the coop in two eviction attempts. Her neighbors then initiated a third action, which was settled by negotiating for her to buy the apartment at a discounted price. So her neighbors caused her to lose her tenancy, and the only way for her to hold onto the apartment was to buy it, requiring a major financial commitment.

If your building has not yet converted to a coop or condo, it may be wise to assume that someday it will, and to start setting aside money now for a down payment. You may then be able to purchase at a below-market rate, and become a property owner who enjoys appreciation and tax advantages. An experienced attorney can advise you on structuring the deal, which may be possible even if you have only a small down payment saved.

Anonymous said...

This applies too as do most of the points in the article. Your tenant association should be publishing these safe guards every day everywhere seeing as your landlords have a well earned famous reputation.

How to Protect Yourself Against a Ruthless, Greedy Landlord
30 Strategies for Guarding Your Tenant Rights



18 — If you have a rent overcharge complaint, don’t go to the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Things may be improving under the current administration, but still if you claim an overcharge at the DHCR, you won’t be able to challenge the rent amount in Court if your landlord sues you. For decades, the DHCR has been the target of major lobbying efforts by landlords, and became the worst forum for tenants. If you’ve already made a complaint to the DHCR, check with a Tenants’ attorney about withdrawing the complaint and bringing your case in Court, where there’s a possibility for a much better outcome.


Do not do as the StuyTown legal clinic advised giving all your information proving your residency - the landlord will only use that to find and create loopholes!



22 — Avoid revealing too much to your landlord, building management and neighbors. If your rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment is not your primary residence, you can lose your rights to rent-regulated status, and your landlord can evict you. If you intend to be living at any other location for an extended period of time, or if you have other real estate interests such as rental property, a vacation or second home, don’t let your landlord know it. You may expose yourself to a lawsuit on the grounds that your rent-regulated apartment is not really your primary residence

Even if the claim against you is baseless, landlords sometimes take the offensive with the hope of gain. From the landlord’s perspective, an attack may prevail in court. Even if he or she doesn’t win, subjecting you to the financial and emotional turmoil of a lawsuit may just be enough to get you to leave.

The law does not require you to reveal your whereabouts to your landlord, unless demanded by Court Order. So don’t let others in your building know your personal business. Especially not your building manager or superintendent, or even neighbors, who may inadvertently tell a building employee. More likely than not it will get back to your landlord and you could end up with a legal problem.

In one case, a woman lost both parents and inherited the mobile home they owned in another state. She went to see the home, and broke her hip while there. Due to the injury, she was unable to return to her apartment in New York City for eight months. When she finally did, her landlord sued for eviction claiming that her New York City apartment was not her primary residence, even though she had lived here all her life.

The matter is still being litigated, but the moral of the story is this: Don’t tell your landlord anything you don’t have to. If you are away from your apartment for an extended period for any reason, arrange to have your mail sent to a mail receiving service here, which can then forward it to you privately. If necessary, have a relative or friend look in on anything that needs checking in your apartment.

If you’re on good terms with your landlord, bear in mind that even friendly relationships can turn hostile when financial interests are on the line. If your landlord wants or needs the profits that would come from you vacating the apartment, he or she’s likely to take a shot at you if an opportunity exists.

http://www.tenant.net/alerts/articles/tenantrightsreport.html

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>So very sad - no dog in fight but at least if decent residents owned - me, you, parents, we could make the rules<<

Not really. What of our "partner," big REBNY who would demand a place at the table? Also, the "haves" would be battling the "have nots" very soon. Just human nature.

Anonymous said...

Good points because if we bought our units then we would be responsible for the hyped-up inflated price tag of the entire property. A price tag that depends on temporary housing churning units and construction development of more buildings for added temp guests and hotels.

Anonymous said...

6:31

I don't disagree that there are some nasty old-timers, but that has always been the case and I haven't really seen much of a change over the years as a lifelong tenant of 40+ years. I'm sure that there are a few more that possibly have some resentment that shows in their actions, but there is something bigger at work here that is causing this, and that is the divided community that has been given to us from big Real Estate, a few noteworthy politicians, and the TA.

I like to think of the best in people, but it just isn't here anymore. Many of the old-timers have lived here their entire lives, and this is the only home they know. All 3 of the entities above have scared these people into thinking that their apartments are in jeopardy and that they need to be afraid of their own shadows, which they are. That was why that condo deal was such a big thing for them - they believed that they would eventually be forced out, and that belief was put in place by our own councilman and TA.

Don't think that this doesn't go both ways though. There are plenty of people living here that hold major grudges against true rent stabilized tenants. The familiar faces are gone, and some of the new faces (definitely not all) just aren't nice. I am still met in the elevator with smiles and hellos from the old-time tenants, but it is still a struggle to get the newer tenants to even say hello.

Overall, I think that we are looking at a rough road ahead for all, and tenants being nice to each other is mostly a thing of the past, and that is unfortunate.

Anonymous said...

nah, we'd all have the same thing. there are buildings all over who are partial owners, partial tenants. you don't wanna buy, you don't buy, you wannna rent, just rent. besides, i would not buy but would be happy if you wanted to and could or should. at least we'd all govern ourselves not some new shady mogul every 2 years.

Anonymous said...

:(( Losing another excellent neighbor - they are moving to a better, cheaper 2 bedroom with a doorman.

Anonymous said...

"I am noticing a real nasty tone from some residents who have been here 15+ years. You are not nice to neighbors, friends and even relatives. The elderly or handicapped may need a bit of help. If you have a car, offer to help get groceries or needs. If you have time, say hello , how are you. Nasty stuytown residents we do not need here. Selfish and unkind."

What is your reason or rationale for making these statements? I have been here for 30+ years and I think the residents who have been here for a long time are very nice people. We help our neighbors, especially the elderly and handicapped, and I see no reason to believe your blanket statement has a shred of truth to it. How do you know how people treat their friends, neighbors and relatives? Do you follow people around and spy on them? Do you have any friends?

Anonymous said...

I hate living here too!

Anonymous said...

Yorkville towers is the name of game. Building: Yorkshire Towers
305 East 86th Street, New York, NY, 10028
gorgeous veiws, excellent transportation, doorman, larger & safer.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

What is the price though?

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I've said this before, unless I win a big take from Lotto and become George Clooney's neighbor in Italy, or I'm going "feet first," I will be staying here.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Perhaps it's me or great luck, but I have no problem with my neighbors. Even the young ones are fine. And I love little kids.

Anonymous said...

Lucky you Str to be blessed with good neighbors. That was over 10 years ago for us all downhill now and probably moving on in august.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Blackstone and Rick really have to pick up their game. A few moments ago: No PS officer seen in the Oval area. Non-picked up dog shit at the fence right in the Oval pathway where dogs are not allowed. Unlimited amount of dogs with no lanyards walking about.

I think I better start composing my post on Blackstone and Rick and PS....

Anonymous said...

Be a good idea if Rick and B focused on safety issues here not composting and oval events.

Anonymous said...

I have a really radical idea that would be very feasible to implement. Create a system that uses PANIC KEYFOBS. I have something like this as part of my auto security system, a button that honks the horn and flashes the lights if someone gives me a problem in a parking lot. It's part of the keyfob that unlocks the door. Similar to the "help I've fallen...." but WiFi based that would have a unique transponder identifier. Then design the system to interface to a WiFi receiver in EACH building lobby, so that if an alarm is sent, PS would know which building (or near which building lobby) to respond to. Make them difficult to deploy accidentally, and make them available to any legitimate lessee. I bet there's a system out there already that could do this, and I bet the "panic keyfobs" would cost under $25 each.

OK, feel free to criticize and/or improve. It's just a thought that came to me.

Anonymous said...

The only game that Blackstone and Rick have is PR. I hate to be a pessimist, but I do not foresee any great improvements in security or QOL here as long as we have an ineffective TA.

Are They Spying On Me?? said...

Off topic but can anyone give me some insight?
The newly installed intercom unit in my apartment beeps intermittently and the blue lights flash until I press the buttons?
What's up with that?
Is this a way for Management to check up on the tenants or what???
I assure you I have no proclivities towards paranoia but this seems strange to me.
ANY THOUGHTS?
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

STR, we all know that Rick and his elves (McLellan and Co.) have no intention whatsoever of enforcing any of the rules. They really don't care how many dogs there are here; how many are registered; ow many are over the weight limit; and, whether or not the owners pick up the shit or don't.

They also don't care how many people living or visiting here get mugged or raped. All they care about (and I really mean ALL they care about) is the bottom line. They will continue to hustle this joint by lying advertising, incentive programs for the unwary (bring in a friend and we will reward you both) and just ignoring the justifiable complaints of the tenancy, both rent stabilized and students.

The simply don't care. They care only about money and nothing else but money. That is their god, their religion, their savior, the one they worship. Don't ever expect things to change for the better around here because they won't. They don't care how miserable the tenants are with their total neglect and nickel-nursing because they want to driver everybody out and have the property razed and then - and only then - will it be worth the money they have their greedy eyes on.

Anonymous said...


they will invest money in machines for security...as mcis we pay for and they can depreciate. but don't expect more people. they aren't mcis that we'll have to pay for and they can't be depreciated.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Off topic but can anyone give me some insight?
The newly installed intercom unit in my apartment beeps intermittently and the blue lights flash until I press the buttons<<

Hmm, I read about this issue, but forget what the solution was. I would contact PS. No joke, they should know what to do.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>I bet there's a system out there already that could do this, and I bet the "panic keyfobs" would cost under $25 each.<<

Sounds feasible.

Anonymous said...

"panic keyfobs" would cost under $25 each.
-----
Trust Blackstone to find a way to profit from crime.

1. Lazy PS will be more lazy to increase crime.
2. Panic Keyfob amenity will be mandatory $100 purchase.
3. Panic Keyfob amenity service charge is $10/mo.

More Crime = More Profit
30,000 STPCV residents pay $100 for Panic Keyfob amenity
30,000 STPCV residents pay $10/mo Panic Keyfob amenity fee
More Tenant Churn Turnover = More Panic Keyfob sales/fees

Brilliant!
Where's my bonus?

Anonymous said...

If they do not care as is repeated here whenever I read the blog, then the woman who was beaten and raped should be suing them for millions if not more. Plain and simple you can't not care and get away with harm and negligence.

Anonymous said...

Increase the security, the new tenants gonna pay for everything anyway. Par.

Anonymous said...

It is not even a matter of increasing security that much, it is a matter of utilizing all of these officers who are sitting around and standing around in a more efficient manner. Have them walk around the property, especially after dark. Man those booths at the loops. Make them more assertive. I am not certain about the size of the PS force, but I do know that they are not utilized for what we need and I have seen a lot of slacking.

Anonymous said...

What these guards need to realize is that they are the faces of the property. It is not Jonathan Gray at Blackstone, or Rick, or the Leasing Office, it is them. These are the people that the tenants SHOULD be seeing all the time if they were doing things correctly and they were out and about instead of being in the office or in the cars. Tenants should feel comfortable when they see them, knowing that they are safe and the property is safe. Unfortunately, cars can not be the faces of this property.

Anonymous said...

March 7, 2017 at 12:42 PM Agree. It is not the quantity of officers but the quality of the work by the officers and whether they are working to keep tenants safe or protect the bottomline. Their orders come from the pursuers of the bottomline soooo....
Otherwise the bottomline is that there is negligent security so any increase in security would be to bring it to code which should not warrant an MCI.

Anonymous said...

Another friend moving to NJ, biting the dust.

Anonymous said...

"If they do not care as is repeated here whenever I read the blog, then the woman who was beaten and raped should be suing them for millions if not more. Plain and simple you can't not care and get away with harm and negligence."

-----

Rick keeps saying Blackstone cares and our safety is his #1 priority. I believe Rick because he always tells us the truth.

I don't read "the blog" much. Everyone knows it's just a tiny minority of malcontent haters crying about how life isn't wonderful here since de Blasio-Garodnick-TA Board installed Blackstone to replace Speyer.

Recently though, I did read "the blog" threads discussing lax, insufficient, possibly negligent security in connection with the 10-minute assault and noticed P.R. lobbyist trolls posting comments insinuating "the blog" participants, including STR, were blaming the victim. Coincidentally, Rick took pains to publicly remind everyone the victim was innocent.

Notwithstanding Rick's self serving P.R. statement, the innocent victim would be a fool not to retain an attorney to discover whether or not Blackstone was negligent failing to provide adequate security placing the lives and safety of STPCV residents at risk.

Rick said the multi-million dollar video security system did not record the entire 10-minute assault. Is the video security system maintained properly and was it functioning? Did it record 95% of the assault? Was the videotape preserved, taped over, erased, discarded or lost? Was PS monitoring the video security system while the 10-minute assault took place? How many PS officers were on duty while the assault took place? Where were they stationed? What were they doing at that time? Do PS officers routinely patrol on foot inside STPCV buildings? How often? When was the last time a PS officer was physically present "on regular patrol not responding to a call" inside the building where the assault took place? A competent attorney should already be discovering the answers to those questions.

Blackstone will probably try to settle the case before the innocent victim's attorney discovers answers, or will settle later for a higher amount to prevent disclosure of discovered answers. Prior to settling though, Blackstone will conduct an intense investigation into the innocent victim's background looking under every rock searching for anything they can find that might remotely help them blame her for the unfortunate circumstance she regretfully landed herself in that horrible night.

When MetLife operated STPCV, before Speyer, before the multi-million dollar video security system, when life here actually was wonderful, I regularly encountered PS officers physically present on routine foot patrol several times a month at varying locations at varying times day and night inside the PCV building where I reside. Since Speyer, since the multi-million dollar video security system was installed, since Blackstone? Almost never.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Two things:

One that ice cream truck is back at the corner of 1st Ave and 14th. In the last meeting at the 13th Precinct someone complained about that company having an ice cream truck by a school, and the complaint was taken down. I didn't have pen/pencil handy to get the truck's number, but 311 will be alerted--again.

In other news: in Stuy Town I saw two security guards--for a brief while. About 5 minutes worth. Otherwise, no PS officer to be seen in the 10 or so minutes I waited on a bench. But seen: that dog crap near the fence on the pathway where no dogs are allowed. The PS officer was there briefly, but missed the dog crap, of course. Also seen two dogs being walked without lanyards. Not stopped and asked to leave the property, per Rick's rules.

Basically, and once again, a FAIL. Just reporting what I saw.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>When MetLife operated STPCV, before Speyer, before the multi-million dollar video security system, when life here actually was wonderful, I regularly encountered PS officers physically present on routine foot patrol several times a month at varying locations at varying times day and night inside the PCV building where I reside. Since Speyer, since the multi-million dollar video security system was installed, since Blackstone? Almost never.<<

I tell the story on occasion of the Security officer (back then) waking me up after, very tired with baby-sitting, I had accidentally dozed on one of the Oval benches.

"You can't do that here," was his statement. This shows you how "hardcore" these guys were back in the day. Now, they can't even stop a dog-owner without a lanyard!

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I've seen this and the info makes me sick:

https://town-village.com/2017/03/07/beth-israels-gilman-hall-sold-and-may-become-dorm/

You can write this PR shit yourself:

“The Gilman Hall site represents an exceptional opportunity to reposition and modernize a significant property in an exciting location currently experiencing substantial public and private investment,” said Avi Shemesh, co-founder and principal of CIM Group. “While the surrounding neighborhood offers desirable amenities and excellent public transportation that complements a variety of potential uses, we believe the site is particularly well suited for a student housing and educational facility use for which several institutions have expressed interest.”

Anonymous said...

From the TA FB page:

"Today I wrote the following to Rick Hayduk. Some days things just get too bad:
--------
Rick,
Today I counted five areas where dogs defecated, not cleaned up, between the flag pole entrance at 22nd St and 370 1st Avenue. Thanks to light rain, these can't be cleaned up so they'll just stay there for a few days. In my view, appalling and disgusting.
Clearly non-residents are entering here with their dogs and not cleaning up. As usual and as mentioned at least 2x before, the guard at this location is always facing the wrong way (north or east) instead of west, and has been and is totally ineffective at stopping outsiders from entering with their dogs.
About a month ago a very large mess was left around 15 feet from the guardhouse, so impossible, maintenance just covered it with dirt and let nature do the clean-up over the next several days. So close to the guardhouse...a clear example of how egregiously poor PS vigilance has been.
It's becoming more and more apparent at the blogs that many people here view rule enforcement as nonexistent.
Please don't respond with an email. As usual, I'll look to see which way the guard at 22nd is facing and whether or not there is any change in the number of dog messes found each day between the flagpole and entrance to 370."

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Forgot to mention that I also saw a bicycle around the Oval. Obviously, not stopped.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, the dog issue PCV security booth text is not from the TA FB page but it is from the Tenants FB page (non TA), again, sorry for my error.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/Stuyvesanttown/

Anonymous said...

On a lighter note:
-----
"If they do not care as is repeated here whenever I read the blog”
-----
Rick cares about dogshit everywhere and I believe him because Rick never lies to us. Look at all his dog regulations, all his signs posted everywhere telling us where dogs can and cannot shit, all his emails, all his face to face meetings, etc. ... Rick picks up his dog's shit to show us he cares about rules and is setting an example for us to follow. It's the malcontent haters posting on "the blog" who are lying when they say Rick doesn't give a shit about dogshit because they see dogshit everywhere. It's other people, mostly the lying, hating malcontents posting on the blog, that don't pick up their dog's shit just so they can complain about Rick not giving a shit about dogshit everywhere. Everyone knows the lying, hating blog malcontents sneak around at night planting dogshit everywhere just so they can complain about Rick not giving a shit about dogshit everywhere. Rick should put "the blog" malcontents on notice. His P.R. trolls will hound them. PS will hunt them down and I.D. them. Rick will enforce rules against them.

P.R. - Rick is excellent. Garodnick-TA Board deploys the same P.R. lobbyist trolls.
QOL Enforcement - Rick is a joke. Abetted by Garodnick-TA Board, he plays us for fools.

Anonymous said...

"I've seen this and the info makes me sick:

https://town-village.com/2017/03/07/beth-israels-gilman-hall-sold-and-may-become-dorm/"

From the 3 comments as per the T&V story:

“Another dorm, conveniently located next to that 80 acres dorm dump called “Sty Town”. Who would have thought? And whoever said that this Mount Sinai Beth Israel re-organization of downsizing and selling off its Gramercy properties was to provide better/efficient medical service and not a real estate deal, well, I got a bridge to sell you.”

“This is probably the least surprising news I have heard in quite some time. This will be for the students that don’t get the option for Stuy Dorm in the school housing lottery.”

“They will all use Pig Sty Town as their campus.”

Anonymous said...

After reading the threads since the attack I do not see any comments implying the victim was to blame. If the PR lobbyist trolls are saying otherwise that is a lawsuit in the making.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Please don't respond with an email.<<

I understand. However, I'd love to hear the BS again.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

I should report this here, as we are monitoring whatever changes Blackstone initiates due to the incident. I had to run out to Gristedes to get something. I did see a PS officer near the exit of the 20th street loop. He was not there when I returned about 15 minutes later, and he did not stop and escort out a dog-walker without a lanyard that walked into Stuy Town. So my guess is that PS has been told to show themselves, at least during this time and earlier, but that's it. The other rules are not what is wanted, even though they are set up by Rick.

Anonymous said...

Just saw a dozen Suits walking the property talking about lighting, pointing, and talking about changing lights

Anonymous said...

I find this blog to be factual and not at all malcontent. There is a lot of calling it like it is and some people don't like to hear the truth.

Anonymous said...

No PS officers to be seen patrolling at 9 P.M. this evening. I have yet to see one after dark when they are really needed. Two oversize dogs spotted and life in the PigSty goes on.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

For suits to be here and talking about lighting means that they are worried that some major dough will have to given over.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
After reading the threads since the attack I do not see any comments implying the victim was to blame. If the PR lobbyist trolls are saying otherwise that is a lawsuit in the making.
March 7, 2017 at 6:04 PM
-----
Only because I believe STR wanted to hear the BS again:

Anonymous said...
"I think there is a bit more to story of the potential rape that we do not know at this point, but it doesn't give anyone the right to assault and make a rape attempt."
There is a lot more to the story, STR. It was beyond "potential" rape. It was attempted rape and attempted murder. You have a judgmental tone and I hope you are not implying that maybe "she asked for it."
February 22, 2017 at 1:30 PM

Blogger Stuy Town Reporter said...
>>You have a judgmental tone and I hope you are not implying that maybe "she asked for it."<<
Sorry, wrong blog. Go to the TA. They should listen to you.
February 22, 2017 at 3:14 PM
-----
For years, P.R. lobbyist trolls have been attempting to smear STR and forum participants for telling the truth about ongoing scandals going down at STPCV, particularly when truth exposes and damages false narratives spun by P.R. lobbyists.

Troll comments carrying repeating themes are blatant and easy to spot. Sometimes they are called out. Sometimes they are ignored. If you can't locate them you are willfully blind.

Your "lawsuit in the making" reference makes no sense. I can only say anonymous posts threatening ridiculous anonymous lawsuit/slander actions against anonymous comment posters are a frequent tactic deployed here by P.R. lobbyist trolls.

Anonymous said...

Question
Will the Blackstone Suits decide someone has to hang?

Prediction
Blackstone Suits will publicly thank and praise TA for safety recommendations STR has been recommending for years.

Anonymous said...

Trust me. They'll put in everything physical that they can depreciate and charge out as MCIs. What they won't do is hire more personnel. Won't spend the money.

But they have to do something to promote this place as state of the art safe. Otherwise schools can't recommend to their students and families will choose buildings with 24 hr doormen.

Anonymous said...

"Rick,
Today I counted five areas where dogs defecated, not cleaned up, between the flag pole entrance at 22nd St and 370 1st Avenue. Thanks to light rain, these can't be cleaned up so they'll just stay there for a few days. In my view, appalling and disgusting."

R. Hayduk lives in a building very very close to the PCV security booth as well as bldg. 370. He sees for himself the dog messes every day. He walks his dogs in front of 370 and flagpole area. There used to be a fairly decent lawn in front of 370, until it was turned into a "dog friendly" area complete with sign. Now it is nothing but a mud patch, when it rains the area looks diseased. Always dog pee against the front door of 370. At night, walking up the path to my building in dim light, you can't tell what you're stepping on: leaves? shadows? pee/poo? Dogs both on and off the leash in laundry room. Dogs off leash in elevators as well. On Monday saw a man exercising his dog off the leash in a fenced-in grassy area right next to PCV road - in the afternoon and all pretty as you please. No security officers anywhere, not that it would make any difference.

Anonymous said...

Better lighting is not the answer. You have to keep these undesirables from getting into the property. Of course that is difficult, because some of them already live here.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>R. Hayduk lives in a building very very close to the PCV security booth as well as bldg. 370. He sees for himself the dog messes every day.<<

Seems like he doesn't give a damn, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

better lighting is not wrong at all. are you out of your mind or working for Blackstone? WE NEED BRIGHTER AND MORE LIGHTING ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY WHO ARE REALLY AT RISK TO AN ATTACK OR A FALL.

Anonymous said...

seems there are plenty of security to show up and check for carpets, kids running in the hallways complaints but none after 8 pm outside. What a joke - they are paid (um, we pay) to show up for a noise complaint but not to patrol after dark. um, yeah, i really need 2 security officers to show up to confirm that the music has been blasting since 11 pm the other night, cuz I would lie about that to management right, i got nothing better to do than wake up my kids , hang around at 1 am to open the fucking door for security. right , ?

Anonymous said...

The T&V article on the Gilman Hall dorms is laughable. The comments hit the nail on the head as this is the least surprising news ever. The quotes like "“The Gilman Hall site represents an exceptional opportunity to reposition and modernize a significant property in an exciting location currently experiencing substantial public and private investment,” said Avi Shemesh, co-founder and principal of CIM Group." shows how corrupt City Hall is giving away public money to wealthy private RE in a foregone conclusion the building will be torn down along with the added parcels for a tower dorm that fits in with the foregone conclusion of demolishing PCVST shortly thereafter. All the NYC real estate development citywide and especially the lower east side Kushner properties and now Gilman sites are set to reap windfalls dependent on demolishing PCVST for hotel & condo towers in the deal arranged by City Hall who threw this entire community of 30,000 under the bus. Good luck campaigning here next election.

Anonymous said...

7:10, I did not say that better lighting is "wrong". I said that it is not the answer to the security problem. Of course, it is essential to have better lighting, but it will not solve the security problem. The victim was attacked in her building. We have to stop the culprits from coming in and that is why we need night patrols. Please read my posts more carefully next time.

Anonymous said...

Seems like he doesn't give a damn, doesn't it?

March 8, 2017 at 7:03 AM
YUP. His job and the local politicians job is to make our quality of life better and better or at the very very least make our quality of life at a level of lawful livability. Their job is to make our quality of life better.

Instead the politicians are making the developers lives better by increasing the land value, making their own lives better by escalating their personal careers and not even in the consideration set is increasing the quality of life for their constituency. Replacing the middle middle-class tenants with upper middle / lower upper income-class is not gentrification; it is eradication and replacement which basically means they are still failing at doing their jobs and covering up their failures by installing people who make more money than middle class earners.

Incumbents are low level achieves at best with some being just a bunch of empty suited hacks who either don't know how to solve societal problems or just don't care. Just read about the school reforms or the homeless proposals and it shows that the incumbents are fueling instead of solving problems and that is effecting our kids and our quality of life.


De Blasio’s questionable school consultants cost taxpayers millions

“Hiring cronies is hardly a reform strategy,”


http://nypost.com/2017/03/07/de-blasios-questionable-school-consultants-cost-taxpayers-millions/

Anonymous said...

der on the culprits coming into our buildings, we dont have doormen. Your post negated the fact of brighter proper and additional lighting. Own it and move on. You should read more carefully or get a clue.

Anonymous said...

no mention of the rape in any papers? no mention on yelp. interesting - we have been in NC on business until last week and searching through papers, wow.

Anonymous said...

Rape and no mention on yelp. interesting - we have been in NC on business until last week and searching through papers, wow.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Instead the politicians are making the developers lives better by increasing the land value, making their own lives better by escalating their personal careers and not even in the consideration set is increasing the quality of life for their constituency. Replacing the middle middle-class tenants with upper middle / lower upper income-class is not gentrification; it is eradication and replacement which basically means they are still failing at doing their jobs and covering up their failures by installing people who make more money than middle class earners.<<

The story of this place.

Anonymous said...

' better lighting is not the answer' It sure is. Who typed that?

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>no mention of the rape in any papers?<<

It was an attempted rape. It did get to the region news here.

Anonymous said...

Seen at 11:45 A.M.: PS officer smoking and standing around in front of 2 Oval, quite close to the building(headquarters). This is a common sight.

Anonymous said...

10:19, my post did not negate the need for better lighting. I know that we do not have doormen. Your post assumes that better lighting will be a cure-all for security. Think before you write. As should 11:18. How many times do I have to repeat that better lighting is a positive thing but we need other interventions as well to get through to you. Stop misinterpreting my posts.

Anonymous said...

Could it be that that the posters who feel that better lighting is the " only" intervention needed to improve security are Rick followers? That is the only thing that he advocated except for self-defense classes. Read the letter from the TA and you will see that there are additional interventions needed and stop twisting around what posters are saying. You are probably the same Rick lovers on the TA site who snipe and do not read carefully.

Anonymous said...

I am still yet to see any increase in nighttime security presence. I had given Rick and security the benefit of the doubt for a brief second, but come on already, where are the guards? From Rick's letter this is the easiest fix, get them off their asses and out of the vans and onto the pavement.

At this rate they should basically just get rid of the entire security department and give policing the property to the 13th precinct. It certainly wouldn't be a downgrade, and it would save them money on salaries. It's not like they are providing security for the tenants anyway.

Anonymous said...

March 8, 2017 at 1:04 PM What you say, unfortunately is the truth. They sit in those vans for hours. Reposting for emphasis:
...this is the easiest fix, get them off their asses and out of the vans and onto the pavement.

At this rate they should basically just get rid of the entire security department and give policing the property to the 13th precinct. It certainly wouldn't be a downgrade, and it would save them money on salaries. It's not like they are providing security for the tenants anyway.

Anonymous said...

Kinda think it is YOU 11 56 am who should read carefully. Glasses?

Anonymous said...

NO ONE SAID LIGHTING ALONE WILL HELP. WOW. IS THIS GUY SERIOUS. READ READ READ, YOU NEGATED THE LIGHTING, JUST STOP. YOU SOUND LIKE YOU'RE PUNCHING YOURSELF IN THE HEAD.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know how much smaller the security force is now than it was before Tishman Speyer? There always seemed to be a lot more security personnel walking around the property before the Speyerization of the property. Remember, TS cut down on all services at night. They were used to operating office buildings which are basically empty overnight.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Okay. Please stop it with the lights. No more lights posts, pro or con. Unless we hear something official. Thanks.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Of course there is nothing editorial or investigatory this week from T&V about the attempted rape and murder that occurred here, but you will find a lot of Trump squawking. Good going, T&V.

Anonymous said...

I have noticed that in the past year, Town and Village reports less and less local news and more national news and commentary. Even the editorials criticizing the policies of management are generally gone. Under Blackstone's influence.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

And what is the first thing I smell when outside? Mulch! Good going, Rick and company!

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Do I have to mention it again and again? Yes, I do.

No PS officer seen in the Oval area. But seen: bicyclists around the Oval and those dog owners who are supposed to be walked off the property because they do not have lanyards.

Good going, again!

Anonymous said...

I for one am thrilled that we have unlimited funds for mulch and tulips! We do not need security, better screening or safety. We need more mulch.

Anonymous said...

"At this rate they should basically just get rid of the entire security department and give policing the property to the 13th precinct."
-----
That can't happen on this campus. Transient students and post grads packed into chopped up dorms might be arrested for smoking pot, petty crimes and drunken behavior. The "anything goes" and "rules are made to be broken" college environment Blackstone is promoting would become a difficult sale to parents paying high rent for a "secure" location their children are free to experiment and run wild in without risk of a permanent criminal record.

Anonymous said...

T & V investigate or dig into a story. Surely, you must be kidding.

Anonymous said...

I don't sense any urgency with Rick and security on this matter. Where are the guards at night?? It continues to be the easiest thing to fix yet I continue to see them sitting in their vans texting away on 20th and 23rd streets. I have slowly started documenting their presence, or lack thereof, which I will gladly present to various news sources if pat themselves on the shoulder for a job well done.

I'm also fairly frustrated with people that think there is no collusion between management and the TA on this. Aside from the fact that they USE THE SAME PR FIRM, neither reacted until it became clear that tenants were pissed off with both entities and their lack of response and action. All parties sit down together at their mutual PR firm and come up with a way to make both parties look good, which seemingly worked. Obviously Rick had to act first and give his statement, and the TA followed suit with their statement that included additional security measures above and beyond what Rick initially wrote.

Now both parties have contributed to the discussion and all we are left with are two entities that proposed security fixes that were ALL RECOMMENDED ON THIS BLOG (other than the self-defense classes, those are just stupid). I still don't know how these people sleep at night.

Anonymous said...

13 Precinct presence will also make it difficult to operate illegal hotels Blackstone tolerates and profits from.

No more transients in legal/illegal dormitories.
No more transients in illegal hotels.

This place could actually be a community again.

Anonymous said...

"I'm also fairly frustrated with people that think there is no collusion between management and the TA on this. Aside from the fact that they USE THE SAME PR FIRM"

Maybe you’re correct. Maybe you are not. Why don’t you help us out by naming the PR firm shared by both organizations?

Anonymous said...

I too look for PS officers after dark when I come home from work. I finally saw one tonight at 8 P.M., but I think that he had left headquarters to go out on 14th St to get something to eat or drink. That is the only time that I see them. I also see them texting in their vans.

Anonymous said...

Huge amount of men employed for the mulching. Astounding!!!!

Anonymous said...

has blackstone ever discussed rules of subletting or air bnb? nooooooo

they like air bnb. no one has ever been refused. ever.

Anonymous said...

Blackstone makes a point of saying that they are not engaging in air bnb. They tell residents to report suspected bnbs on their floors. Yet there is absolutely no action by them to stem it. They look the other way and as long as they get the rent money, they do not care.

Anonymous said...

7:47 The mutual PR firm is Berlin Rosen.

Anonymous said...

The two 14th floor rooftop terrace penthouses at 2 Peter Cooper Road were run as hotels mostly for couples (more like pied a terres for corporate affairs) since they were built called the The Knickerbocker and The Gramercy. Some times the "guests" had luggage and sometimes they did not.

Anonymous said...

Then let's all rent for Airbnb!!! we'll make tons of cash. If you can't beat em, join em.

Anonymous said...

"Maybe you’re correct. Maybe you are not. Why don’t you help us out by naming the PR firm shared by both organizations?"

http://berlinrosen.com/

Same firm that DeBlasio has. DeBlasio used to call them "Agents of the City."

Anonymous said...

I would never rent my apartment for Airbnb, not because I couldn't, but because it's my home of almost 40 years and I love it. I would never let strangers into my home. The people who rent out their apartments obviously don't have any love for their homes or their community. I wish they would root them out and get rid of them. This used to be a lovely community. Not now. I will never give up my apartment though. It is my home and I will fight tooth and nail, if necessary, to keep it.

Anonymous said...

That is a lie about 2 PCR.

Anonymous said...

4:29, it is not a lie.

Anonymous said...

Nope, lie.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Well, does someone here actually live in that building???

Anonymous said...

Yep, I do. Not an Airbnb. Not Rick's secret lair for nefarious playground planning.

My guess is the original poster is now polishing up his creative writing and photoshopping skills to provide some "proof".

Anonymous said...

"Yep, I do. Not an Airbnb. Not Rick's secret lair for nefarious playground planning. "

I live in Sty town, not PCV, but I agree with 11.41 AM. These duplex apartments are too high profile for illegal rent activities. Others, yes, not these two.


https://town-village.com/2016/02/26/roof-access-coming-to-pcv-but-just-for-two-apartments/

Anonymous said...

Hapy to do the air bnb this summer Just this weekend alone saw at least 5 luggage carrying dopes looking for their weekend or longer rentals. They are obvious.

Anonymous said...

will you post the name of stuytown peter cooper in the air bnb ad then?

Anonymous said...

I would post and Airbnb ad with location as our landlord does not forbid us to do so nor does he follow up on those who do.

Anonymous said...

That's a lot of silence about penthouse rentals. hmmmm.

Anonymous said...

hmmmm silence rental means what? Maybe a complete sentence helps.

Anonymous said...

Is the Mayor doing the bidding of developers and not, as he wants everyone to believe, working class New Yorkers? Well, a pretty telling sign might be found in that now-defunct Campaign for One New York which the Manhattan DA and US Attorney’s Offices were investigating. The biggest donors to the Mayor’s nonprofit were (surprise, surprise) real estate developers. Some of de Blasio’s Campaign for One New York sugar daddies included Alexander Levin (a real estate investor), Leon Goldenberg, (developer), Two Trees Management (developers), Brookfield Financial Property (developers) and Douglaston Development (developers).

Another piggy bank for Team de Blasio, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, has gotten big bucks from other big name developers: Bill Rudin (mega-developer), Larry Silverstein (mega-developer of World Trade Center fame), James Capalino (real estate lobbyist), L&M Development (developers) and Tishman Speyer Properties (developers).

So yeah, the Mayor has escaped criminal prosecution for now. However, New Yorkers probably don’t want to hitch their wagon to another career politician elbow-deep in real estate money, do they? With a commitment to mass criminalization and luxury development, it might actually be hard for the Mayor, despite clearing recent legal hurdles, to fool New Yorkers into believing that he’s some sort of champion of everyday, working class New Yorkers.

He’s not. We should all #DumpDeBlasio this year, once and for all.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/in-2017-dump-bill-de-blasio_us_58cf2e18e4b07112b6472f39

Anonymous said...

http://streeteasy.com/building/226-east-70-street-new_york/rental/2000050

Rentals abound as the one above. Better hood, better location, close to all + train and if this were in Stuypcv it would be $4500.

Anonymous said...

What about the Rape? What about the over charges? What about it Rick? Got some new plants and flowers coming in real soon? That's important!

Anonymous said...

You getting another Mci! You getting it.