As previously mentioned, several readers-residents have complained about the lengthy structure on the Sixth Street side. The bar-restaurant August Laura closed in the corner space here in early December, and up to 10 people were said to move into the structure the night workers cleared out the restaurant. Another reader said that it has become "a 24-hour shooting gallery."
In late December, reps for the Department of Homeless Services posted notices for a cleanup on the Sixth Street structure. According to a resident who lives nearby, that action saw the removal of some mattresses and several abandoned household items.
In October, then-Mayor de Blasio ordered the Department of Transportation to remove unused dining sheds erected as part of the Open Restaurants program. City workers have reportedly taken down dozens to date.
We're told that residents have contacted 311, the DOT and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera's office about these structures.
While the retail space is for lease, 94-96 Avenue A is also set for auction on Jan. 31 with an opening bid of $4.8 million. Penn South Capital paid $9.6 million for the property in March 2019. The building's new owners added a one-floor extension here in 2020.
Carlina Rivera will do nothing for the neighborhood unless her real estate overlords tell her too.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like having small amounts of heroin and other drugs are legal now and so is injecting in abandoned sheds on the street. To the 24 hour shooting gallery commenter...you need to find another comment to demonize the homeless with now.
ReplyDeleteI have an idea, let's bring our hammers and just knock the whole thing down and leave it for the DOT to pick up the mess. Since the 9th precinct wont do anything we won;t get in trouble YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteHas anyone advertised this space on airbnb, like those vans a few months back?
ReplyDeletePlease remove the abandoned sheds people use for shelter in the winter and replace with private car storage on public property.
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't the businesses financially responsible for removing their sidewalk sheds? Why are NYC taxpayers shouldering this burden? DOT should be a last resort for removing sheds instead of the city giving a wink and a nod to business owners to abandon their sheds with no responsibility? If business owners are given the privilege of erecting these sheds to expand income permanently, they should be required to be responsible for removing them, either directly or as a financial penalty. If someone is bankrupt, OK, but many business owners are actually a group of investors who just move on to another investment, leaving the city to spend tax dollars removing the sheds with tax money that is needed for homeless outreach and housing, drug programs, and financial support during the pandemic for out-of-work bar and restaurant workers.
ReplyDeletegot zero problem with these eyesores turning into winter housing for homeless people but really want all the sheds gone and truly affordable housing to be built so that people without places to live can have a shot at a life without fear and insecurity, Rivera has done some good work but not enough in this regard the optics on her are that she's in the pocket of the real estate bros and corporate bar industry
ReplyDelete@noble neolani Councilmember Rivera is scheduled to be a guest on WNYC's "51 City Council Members in 52 Weeks" segment tomorrow (1/11/22 10A - Noon). Call in at two-one -two, four-three-three, nine-six-nine-two to remind her that the residents in her district are her constituents, and should not be gaslit when they report the many problems with these structures to her office.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the owner of the business couldn't have removed these structures. You knew you were closing. Why would you leave these structures standing?
ReplyDeleteIf I was living on the streets, I'd totally take shelter in one of these structures. Especially in the cold snowy winter, it's an option. Hard to believe THIS is the thing people call 311 about. Shame on them.
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