As previously reported, preliminary work is underway along 14th Street for building new entrances at Avenue A and an underground power station at Avenue B for the L train.
And to make way for all this, some trees need to come down. On Friday, workers removed several trees (I counted three barrels on top of stumps) on the cobblestone median along 14th Street/the Stuy Town service road between Avenue A and First Avenue.
Several EVG readers shared emails about this taking place.
Wrote one: "I am appalled and sickened to see [the trees] being cut down and fed through a chipper. Did anyone know that this was going to occur? I am sick at heart and will never see full grown trees on this block for the rest of my life. Incredible."
And more will be coming down between Avenue A and Avenue B... X marks the doomed trees...
These six trees have Xs on them...
... and the trees that will remain ...
Updated 8/15
Several readers noted that the six trees came down yesterday...
Wow those were big trees. That's so fucked!
ReplyDeleteBummer to lose trees, but that new entrance has to go somewhere.
ReplyDeleteIt's heart-crushing. Every spring for how many years, those trees have spoken to me of promise and renewal and hope. And you can't replace that with any fast-growing species that comes from whatever landscaper is in cahoots with these idiotic monsters. And I guess I'll have to find another street to walk on now.
ReplyDeleteI would reserve "appalled" and "sickened" for other circumstances but that's just me. Anyway, there has long seemed to be a significant need as well as demand for an Avenue A entrance/exit...for a relatively large project there were bound to be some consequences...can't have everything the way you want it, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteYet more destruction in the name of "progress". Something the city has truly become an expert at.
ReplyDeleteSo these trees need to come down so all the rich people who are moving into the new buildings don't have to walk to First Avenue to get on the L? This is bullshit.
ReplyDeleteAt least the new subway entrance will make it possible for the elderly and others that find the stairs too challenging to use the subway here. Of course it is unfortunate the tree must go but at least they are not being sacrificed so a developer can build more unaffordable housing. Don't worry new trees will replace these
ReplyDeleteDig we must for an improved NYC transit system. I feel sure that new trees will be planted as part of the plan.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the money coming for all this? I thought the MTA was cash strapped? It took over a decade to build the second ave subway. This latest venture will take five years at least. Knowing how slow they operate, I would not hold my breath. And yes, it sucks the trees are being removed. Sad :(
ReplyDeleteIt was necessary for these trees to come down it seems. But if you look at the EV there are missing trees on aves and side streets for years/years that have never been replanted. WHAT GIVES?! Call Rosie to complain!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBut wait—trees (at least 3) also came down on the south side of 14th between 1st and A. I mentioned this in the post about the shoe repair shop closing. What do THOSE trees have to do with this godforsaken subway entrance?
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. So many trees are getting chopped off for constructions and they barely get replanted!!! Part of the charm of this neighborhood is the trees. Now East Village is turning into smelly Midtown. Garbage smell and shitty new buildings.
ReplyDeletei suggest those concerned about the "temporary" loss of trees at this spot head into Sty Town with it's near Amazon rain forest quantity of trees. BTW I suppose those complaining will never use these new L train entrances, right?
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing more destructive than the building of a new one subway. The MTA tore down dozens of trees when they expanded the Second Avenue subway and the community protested that too. That whole section of the Upper East Side was filled with dust and noise and was practically unlivable for almost 10 years. Even the new elevators installed on the 6 train stop on 23rd St took years and was a nightmare for cars and pedestrians. Get ready for major noise, narrowed sidewalks and streets to accommodate the equipment, disruptions and delays. And get ready to see more rats as their old homes are disturbed and they come out to find new ones.
ReplyDeleteSo Anon@2:42 with your Cassandra-like post what do you suggest? No improvements, no ease of access for seniors or handicapped people? Don't touch anything because ultimately the trees are more important than the quality of life for those of us who take mass transit? Of course there is going to be disruption. Of course members of the EV community must keep the pressure on public officials to ensure that as progress is made the community be kept informed and that what results is better than what existed before hand. A shout out to Anon@2:17--Bravo for pointing out the quality of green in Stuy town.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSomehow, we'll survive. But the trees might oulast us.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-34134366
At 10:32 AM, Anonymous wrote:
ReplyDeleteAt least the new subway entrance will make it possible for the elderly and others that find the stairs too challenging to use the subway here.
More than that, it's an ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) requirement; there will also be a lift, to be mostly used by moms with strollers and people with groceries. (Not saying those two groups aren't truly needy as well, but the lift is particularly for people with disabilities.)
Somehow, we'll survive. But the trees might oulast [sic] us.
Actually, they will: humans will be extinct in less than a century:
Human race 'will be extinct within 100 years', claims leading scientist
So live it up!