Ding-dong, the bench is gone.
That was the word on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B yesterday after the much-debated CityBench was removed from outside a residential building mid-block.
Lorna Lentini, who lives directly in front of where the CityBench had been installed, was surprised when it first appeared last June — and just as puzzled to see it quietly removed this week.
She and her neighbors had previously questioned the placement, noting it wasn't near a bus stop or park. Unlike other CityBench installations in the area — such as the leaning bar by the M9 stop on Avenue C and Sixth Street or the backless benches on 10th Street near Avenue C — this one had full back support and was positioned close to a residential entrance, facing directly toward her front door.
"I heard nothing, nor did my upstairs neighbor," she said, noting that it appeared workers simply unbolted it.
As previously reported, Community Board 3 and several elected officials had supported its removal following complaints from nearby residents.
According to CB3 District Manager Susan Stetzer, the bench is slated to be relocated down the block to the Ryan Nena Community Health Center on Third Street between Avenue C and Avenue D.
Lentini, who helped organize a petition that drew nearly 200 signatures, said she was relieved to see it go.
"I'm grateful to the neighbors, friends and supporters who signed the petition to move this bench to a more appropriate public space," she said. "I am just over the moon that I am not facing another summer season with that chronic audience!"
Previously on EV Grieve:
12 comments:
NIMBY it up, EVers
Wrong @9:41. Pay attention please. It is called good urban planning. Put benches where they would get the most use and occupants would not disturb residents, or be directly in front of the front door of a large apartment building which would impede deliveries, moving etc. So benches at bus stops, parks and in front of community service centers such as Ryan Nena makes more sense then directly in front of, much less facing, a residential building front door.
That bench was like putting your toaster oven in the bathroom. Questioning its odd location isn't NIMBYism.
This was a weird location. Hopefully, it won't happen again.
Anyone have any idea what it cost the city to move the bench? Public bathroom renovations cost at least an astonishing $1MM so curious as to what this costs?
This is going on in multiple places in the Bronx. Benches just randomly put on the sidewalk
This is going on in multiple places in the Bronx. Benches put in random spots and nobody understands whym
Bench-baffled block no more!!
damn I liked this bench. often saw elderly people using it to rest.
I lived here at 176 E 3rd as a roommate to Seth T and CAT POWER for many years and am PRO BENCH [now I don't have a familiar spot to sleep on a bench at if i can ever get my waist down paralysis back to NYC EV before I die ].
Take me off the bench Coach EVG and put me back in the game.
It wasn't directly in front of the door of a large apartment building though. It was directly in front of the door of a single apartment unit which oddly has a door directly onto 3rd Street. Not saying it made sense but simply clarifying
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