Saturday, June 24, 2023

Residents eager to track down the source of this 'loud mechanical sound' in the East Village

A longtime resident shares this... 
Early last week we noticed a loud mechanical sound coming somewhere from the rear of the strip of buildings on Avenue A between 10th and 11th, 10th Street between A and 1st and 11th Street between A and 1st. 

Unlike most commercial AC units that cycle on and off, this sound is incessant, and it sounds like a cross between an AC unit and a refrigerator. Occasionally there is a mechanical grinding noise as well. The noise doesn't stop, is loud, and is making it impossible for us to have our windows open and is making it difficult to sleep. 

Unfortunately, we do not have a solid idea where the noise is coming from so, we can’t contact the business or landlord responsible. If we knew where the noise was coming from, we have some ideas on how to address it.
If you are experiencing the same issue or know where the noise is coming from, please reach out to us at LongtimeLesRes@gmail.com. We can work together to hopefully get this resolved.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG so annoying! Hope someone can find out where this mystery noise is coming from

Anonymous said...

Have you talked to the Joyce Theatre people? They recently leased the old Boys Club on Tenth and A.

Anonymous said...

I’m on 10th, south side near A in an apt facing the 9th/10th courtyard. I noticed this sound beginning in early May and thought it was some new HVAC installation, though it doesn’t cycle, just permanently hums. I thought it must be between 9th and 10th. I only experience it when I’m in my place and haven’t noticed it elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the advice. It's a bit low for the Boys Club but maybe.

Anonymous said...

We have this same problem with the water cooling tower on the roof of 189 Avenue C between 11th and 12th st. It started up in April and runs 24/7. It is unbearably loud to residents in the neighboring buildings. There was a complaint filed with DEP via 311 that seems to be in progress, I’m hoping they are able to help.

Might be a good idea to file a DEP 311 complaint - they will come and investigate and given their expertise will likely be able to pinpoint the source. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

Why is it possible that in our neighborhood an easy to fix problem such as noise does not get quickly resolved by city agencies? Whether it's from coming from a defunct AC or from rogue roof parties? Why do citizens have to go to such length? City agencies which are finded by our tax dollars, could just use decibel meters to locate the source and resolve it. Why is our neighborhood in this and other cases without proper response?

Anonymous said...

On 3rd St and have the same problem - some weird humming, AC-like noise coming from somewhere in the neighborhood, late night and early morning. It's not so loud for us as described by others here, but definitely there.

Anonymous said...

Im sure if enough people participate, they all can help pin point the source of the noise. Like triangulation.

2017gotham said...

Although a block up from where the noise is described as coming from, but there is a crew, behind closed roll up doors, gutting the MRI clinic on A near 12th….

Anonymous said...

Is there a restaurant thereabouts? Does it run 24/7? Or during what could potentially office hours? A faulty exhaust fan belt on a restaurant roof drove me insane for months. The EPA came to my apt and were able to recognize what the sound was and pinpoint the source. It was a loud, high-pitched mechanical “ssscreeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” Getting the restaurant (the Ainsworth) to do anything about it was a whole other thing. My sympathies. I Hope you you guys figure it out.

Michael Sean Edwards said...

I lived on both 10th and 11th St. for a long time, near Avenue B and also on 10th St. next to the boys club. It really sounds like a restaurant exhaust fan that’s going crazy.

Anonymous said...

Thanks. We are narrowing in on the culprit, but not sure yet. I dealt with one on the roof of our building. It was like having a helicopter. The difference is that didn't run when the restaurant wasn't open. So quiet except for 3 to midnight. This is non stop.

Anonymous said...

So bizarre. Good luck. Please post when u figure it out. Curious now.

Anonymous said...

We found it! It’s coming from the rooftop of 118 Avenue D

Anonymous said...

HVAC system?