The inflatable union rat is out this morning at 515 E. Fifth St., where notorious landlord/developer Ben Shaoul has been fighting for a zoning variance that would make legal the illegal addition that his crew added back in 2006.
There's another hearing on the matter on July 15. (We'll have more about this later.) Meanwhile, we're not sure why the rat is here today, though, with Ben Shaoul involved, anything is possible.
Updated 10:30 a.m.
A tipster says that the rat in front of the building is actually part of a protest over non-union workers at 140 West St., where Shaoul is converting the top floors of the Verizon Building into condos. The rat will apparently be making the rounds of Shaoul-owned properties today.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] 5 years later, another BSA hearing on illegal rooftop addition at 515 E. Fifth St.
Protest at 515 E. Fifth St. this morning, site of Ben Shaoul's illegal addition
The disappearing illegal penthouse of 514-516 E. 6th St.
Never-ending battle wages on over additional floors at 515 E. Fifth St.
Ben will entertain it in the hopes of selling it a building
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this is true, but I heard a rumor that the rats in Tompkins Square Park are lobbying for this big guy to go over there to protect them from the hawks.
ReplyDeleteA realtor's spin could be something like this. "Luxury apartment in converted historic tenement with illegal additions and an artsy inflated sculpture garden at the entrance".
ReplyDeleteDat rat ain't got nothing to the ones on St. Marks...
ReplyDeleteI'm confused about what the purpose of this inflatable rat is. Is it just used to express dislike or disapproval of things in the city?
ReplyDelete