The Stuyvesant Town Report

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Robbie Speyer on Making Cities More Affordable

Yeah, he's a genius at that. Made ST/PCV more affordable when he was in charge here, right?

His solution appears to be to get rid of many landmarked buildings! New York, you've been warned!

The REBNY is playing young people for suckers...and winning

One of the aims of the REBNY is to get young people into smaller apartments to maximize the profitability of limited space. Make micro-apartments "cool" and you solve your problem because now young renters will accept a shitty living situation and be happy about it!

Case in point. Check this "apartment" out:

http://elitedaily.com/humor/most-pathetic-nyc-apartment-listing-photo/906247/

Then check out the first comment (from someone who lives in Santa Monica!):

>>It's for a young, single person on a budget. It's really not that bad at all. It's clean and keep you safe. Think: minimalist. It's a "micro apartment", which are really in right now.<<

The Mission of the REBNY

This is an important read:

http://www.globest.com/news/12_1026/newyork/development/On-REBNYs-2015-Agenda-Ongoing-Advocacy-354353.html

Just the beginning should alert you:

>>It’s the stated mission of the Real Estate Board of New York “to protect, improve and advance the business of real estate” in the city, and tackling a variety of municipal, state and federal issues has been among the ways it has carried that mission out.<<

Note. The mission of the REBNY is to "protect, improve and advance the business of real estate..." (Emphasis mine.)

And, if you don't know by now, our former disgraced landlord (who introduced dog shit into the complex) is chairman of the REBNY. Here's Robbie Speyer and one his politico friends:

Oh, and the REBNY and Robbie Speyer are pissed off at the landmarking that's around the city, which handicap the BUSINESS of real estate in Manhattan.

Was the New Management Office (Still Not Completed) Really Necessary?

Everyone knew this would be coming.... A flood barrier, protecting lower Manhattan, including Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village.

http://www.thelodownny.com/leslog/2015/01/task-force-begins-planning-for-335-million-east-river-flood-barrier.html

Monday, January 12, 2015

Market-Rate Tenants ("The New Stabilizers"), You Are Being Played for Suckers

I don't understand why the TA is still hovering around the idea of conversion and actively hoping and working for it. Do you seriously think that CWCapital, in a sale, is going to handicap a potential buyer with conversion nonsense? Don't you think that the best scenario for a seller is to afford the buyer the prospect of doing what the buyer may wish to do with the property?

And take a look at the property, now that the foliage is gone from the trees: THESE ARE THE PROJECTS. Fairly ugly looking, institutional buildings. Despite the gimmicks of an ice rink or an "indoor" basketball court, these projects only make sense if the property is affordable and structured for the working class. Otherwise, only the land is of supreme value, which means that sooner or later, these buildings, with all their old structural problems, are going to be torn down, replaced by modern high towers.

Right now the "New Stabilizers" are paying market-rate prices for a complex that is inhabited more and more by students (herded several into an apartment), where the laundry facilities are mediocre, there's dog shit everywhere, the walkways are cracked, delivery packages are being stolen, and where THERE ARE NO DOORMEN! You are paying for luxury living, but are not living in luxury.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Approved by the DOB the other day

Maybe it is time to move from NYC.

I've Had Enough! Have You, Too?

Very busy, but in reading what's been happening here--a stabbing leaving someone paralyzed, future MCIs, dog shit all over the place, lack of heat in certain apartments, washing/drying machines broken down--I've had enough! No more Mr. Nice Guy!

To be continued....

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Sublet Your Stuy Town Apartment to College Students

Back in the game. Hope you all had a nice New Year's Eve and Day.

So...while I was on Facebook, I was shocked to see an ad on the right side for subletting one's Stuyvesant Town apartment for free to college students!

Here's the full pitch on NYC COLLEGE RENTALS: http://www.nycollegerentals.com/sublet/

The money quotes: "College students love Stuyvesant Town because of it's [sic] location, safety, atmosphere, amenities and beautiful apartments. There are 53,700+ NYU students alone, and most of them have parent guarantors. All of the renters we recommend to you go through a thorough financial vetting process. Our real estate service is recommended directly by NYU and other top schools to all of their students."

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

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

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

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

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

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

Life in Stuy Town

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

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

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

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

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

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

BICYCLES, MOPEDS, SCOOTERS, ETC.

What is legal?

Something for everyone to read:

Motorized vehicles:

The direct link:

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

And...

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

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

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

Banned & Oversize Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

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

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

Neighborhood Recommendations

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

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

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

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

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

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