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This past Sunday, in a Crow Hill sponsored event, members of the community came out to clear an empty lot that has been an eyesore for quite some time. Apparently the lot cleaning was not sanctioned in any way by the owner of the lot, but members of Crow Hill took it on themselves to clear it of the refuse. Power to the People! It is this type of progressive guerilla activity that infuses a sense of propriety over our community, and yes, helps to bridge the racial divide. From what I have heard, the objective is to make the lot into a community garden -- a place where the neighborhood populus can go in and unwind, where kids can play under adult supervision.
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Thanks for this post...power to the people can be empowerment to all.If I don't quite understand you...well, that's all right...if you don't want to understand me...it really doesn't matter.... If we all try to understand each other, well now, just think of what might happen!
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It looks great!! Even if it doesn't turn into anything else (although I sure hope it does!) having a clean lot is a million times better than a lot full of trash. I had planned to go but they moved the time of the clean-up due to the trash pick-up.
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It seems the bench I was going to build for the mini park won't be needed b/c its going to become a coffee shop. so, let me know.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Mini Park? Where was that to be? I am sure your bench would be well received. I do know a great deal of care went into cleaning the lot this Sunday. I walked by it, and, it looks absolutely fabulous. Someone had the presence of mind to put a sign on the fence adverstising the Crow Hill meeting to be held tomorrow at Launch Pad, on Franklin. I feel a great sense of enthusiasm. It feels good to be in the midst of something bigger than my self. I encourage others to join the cause. It's one thing for us to have abstract conversations, but it is another to put your hands in gloves and DO something with them. We're still in spring, just imagine the pleasure to be had in that lot, with grass growing, plants growing, and who knows, maybe even a tree or two.
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the mini park that isn't going to happen: http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57253For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Whynot_31, I heard about this park, though I haven't seen it. Apparently as soon as they were done fixing up the spot, the owner announced that they had to take everything out because there were now plans to pour concrete. I heard the young lady who founded the whole thing was quite upset about it, and now there are plans to take a great deal of the materials used for that park to the empty lot on Franklin. My sources tell me however, that there is no direct control of the empty lot either, but that the owner of the property apparently resides in California, and the property is currently vacant because of a number of things, primarily the great cost in excavating. Apparently there was a building there that was knocked down, and instead of doing a full excavation, the basement area was filled with junk and then covered with dirt. If anyone wants to buld on top of it, they would have to do a major excavation, and apparently no investor thinks it's worth it. so the land sits, un-capitalized. This works for the benefit of a community space of course, because the owner can't do anything with it, unless he will endure the great cost of essentially creating a huge cavity from which to start building; at least that's my sense of the whole thing. Saying this all to say, I am sure were you to donate your bench(es) that would be of great benefit.
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the more time I spend building benches, the less time I spend blogging. ...it's a win-win for all.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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There's a great book you might appreciate: Shop Class as Soulcraft. I can't recall the author's name right now. It's the 'Zen for the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' of our day.
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There are plans for a new building on this lot that were approved June 16 2006. That's a lot of expense for the owner Vithal Dande of Fremont to go through and not follow up on in the future. The plan indicates a 4 story building with cellar/basement. It is likely that with the increasing property values thanks to gentrification he will find it profitable to either build or sell in the future. Either way he has to protect his property from encroachment. Sorry.
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Dude, could you email the crow hill community association and tell them this?
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whynot_31 » the more time I spend building benches, the less time I spend blogging. ...it's a win-win for all.
You have a blog? -
Carnivore » [quote="whynot_31"]the more time I spend building benches, the less time I spend blogging. ...it's a win-win for all.
You have a blog?[/quote] I'LL PEEK IN LATER!
Wednesday Glitter Graphics(\__/)
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Overheard the Crow Hill people talking aobut that empty lot; the thought is that whether the owner is aware of the cleanup or not, what it looks like now is better than what it used to look like, and what investment is made into the property 'community wise' is done with the awareness that this dream might soon end. That being said, we ought not discourage our own investment into making the lot look better than it does based on the fact that our labors will be dashed aside, in the name of progress. For if we do this, then we are just as culpable in the negligence and urban blight that we all painfully bear witness to. One of the reasons the neighborhood looks unkempt is because property owners are often absent and indifferent to their building's upkeep, so long as the rent comes in. And that's why the lot looked as it did. This is OUR neighborhood, and the more we invest in it, the closer the bond between it and us. I heard a brother say the other day that cleaning up in front of his building gave him a sense of 'propriety'; this point should be well taken here.
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Mamacita » [quote="Carnivore"][quote="whynot_31"]the more time I spend building benches, the less time I spend blogging. ...it's a win-win for all.
You have a blog?[/quote] I'LL PEEK IN LATER!Wednesday Glitter Graphics[/quote]
leave those BBW folks alone....For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
I got the goods from someone regarding the empty lot. Two Crowhill folk spent Monday and Tuesday tilling half the lot and uprooting the new weed growth. As they were doing that they discovered a guy on Sterling Place who was in the process of taking out some 6-foot hedges in the front of his home. He gladly donated them to their efforts, as his plan was to chop them up and call 311 for disposal. Those hedges are now planted on one side at mid point of the lot, blocking a fence. At the base of the hedges they planted daffodill bulbs donated by another green-thumber on Sterling Place. Opposite the hedges they planted a small maple tree also donated by the same guy who brought the hedges. The broad plan is to get grass seed and plant that on half the lot. Also a few benchs will likely go underneath the mulberry tree near the front. There is apparently a need to fill some holes at the fence perimeter. MHA has personally seen fat rats scurrying in and out of them. As they were working, two men in their mid-fifties approached and asked what was to become of it. They told them of Crow Hill's best intentions. One of the men said that he used to be the owner of the lot, but he sold it to a Pakistani/Indian guy about 10-15 years ago, and that this guy had plans to build a 15 - 20 unit building, but then the guy just disappeared. What got me is that this lot has been empty for sometime and there is obvious proof that the intention to make it a community space once existed, because there is a mural on one of the walls. If this space was used consistently for at least ten years (I think) then provided that the owner was aware of such use at its inception there is a likelihood that it could be legitimately be considered public space right now. Who knows, maybe the owner is under the impression that the land has been in use consistently, and is resigned to do nothing but leave it to community use. It looks quite nice in there. and one can imagine what value to the space grass would bring. I wonder what's the cost of those swaths of carpet grass sold at Home depot? It would be nice if this place could look decent by the fall. Who knows, maybe it could be a prospective auxiliary park, or, for the dog lovers in the community, a possible dog run, or both? Maybe those whose interests would be met if it were a dog run could contribute some funds for its upkeep? A slight challenge is access to water. An ingenious neighbor had a grand idea. Rainwater. After the hedges were planted they wondered where they would get water from. There is a guy who lives behind the lot who goes by the name of 'Big Tud', or 'Mr. Panama'. Mr. Panama is Panamanian. There is a large Panamanian contingency in Crow Hill, if you haven't noticed (Hangout at Kelso's restaurant on Franklin and see for yourself). He smokes big cigars and has a huge green thumb. He has gardens behind two buildings that are in plain view from the back of the lot on Franklin Avenue. He has a plastic garbage container he keeps about a foot away from the building. As rain falls and pools on the top of the building it falls into the purposely placed plastic garbage can. He gave the Crow Hill folks access and they passed water over the fence to the hedges. It would be really cool if this lot could look presentable for the Kids Day event to be held on July 24th. the street between Sterling Place and Park Place will be empty and maybe the space could be used for the benefit of that event.
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What is the address of the empty lot? I can find out who currently owns it, if that information would be of help to the effort to build community garden.
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That's already been done photogirl.
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It is my understanding that the empty lot will be open tomorrow. The CrowHill folk did some work earlier in the week, and this weekend they are opening the lot for those interested in claiming a portion of land to plant what they want. Also, I think there will be an attempt to put down grass seed.It's the hope that the place can look semi decent for the Kid's Day event to be held on Franklin Avenue on July the 24th. The Owner of the great T-shirt spot - About Time -- located on Franklin Avenue -- is sponsoring this event, with the help of donations received by passersby. If the lot could be made kid friendly by then, it would really be a great thing. If folks can come by the lot tomorrow and help out, their labors will definitely have effect. Please, NO KIDS. And if you want to help out, please bring gloves. There should be gloves there, but just in case. The gate opens at 11am. About half of the lot is covered with mugwort, which is easy to pull out at the root. This was done a few weeks ago, but it has grown back with a vengeance. The aim is to pull them out and replace them with either grass seed, or wood chips. After the grass takes root, we will go in and weed out the mugwort as it grows. Also, there is a lot of crap in the dirt: cement pieces, brick, glass, gatbage, etc. Be prepared to get down and dirty and manually remove some of this stuff.
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Apparently whynot_31 dropped off the benches. I saw them as I walked by the empty lot, which is really coming together.
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Looks great in the garden! Welcome back MHA
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MHA » Apparently whynot_31 dropped off the benches. I saw them as I walked by the empty lot, which is really coming together.
nope, the credit goes to Stacey. She has a mini van.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Well, I am appreciative of them. There presence has improved the quality of the neighborhood tremendously. I imagine a day where the gate will be open more than closed, and your benches will be used. It's quite amazing to see how this blighted lot has become -- is becoming something else. Your input, Stacey's input, and whomever donated the money for the recycled timber, all of you, if no one else thanks you, I definitely do. On July 24th there will be a fair on Franklin between Sterling and Park, and I have no doubt that the lot will be open to the public, and it will provide respite and shade. If you're not busy, stop by.
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will do. Tsarina is reportedly hoarding treated lumber, and we might get together and build something in the future. We've been PM-ing ...like a compost bin or something.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Compost bins and treated lumber are an iffy combination...theres a lot of stuff in treated lumber that you don't want leaching into your finished compost. There are some pretty easy ways to make bins from wooden pallets, which are easy to find for free. However, if the lot already has a rat issue, you should put some rat proofing thought into the construction...otherwise you're looking at an all-you-can eat buffet for rats. I can show you our bin designs at PH Community Farm if you or Tsarina are interested...they were mostly built from renovation waste/dumpster diving.
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hmmm. Our other idea was to build raised plots, because the soil of the lot is reportedly lousy. ...my limited experience with compost is that people bring waaaay too much stuff. And the poor little bacteria can't eat it all. I vote against compost, but I'm not doing the work to maintain the thing. Tsarina and I seemed to have plans of being violent with hammers, making a mess and then giving said object to the lot. ....it is still in the idea stage. If I was to build a gazebo it would be really ugly, but really sturdy. ...one can never use too many fasteners. Note, the first step will be to look at her collection of wood and then let the imagination go.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Regarding the rats on the lot, there are nearby garbage containers that the rats peruse. They cans need covers, and there is a need to fill the nearby rat holes with cement. All in time I gather.
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loud power tools must also be used with alarming regularity. My wood isnt treated. It is wood from construction, (removing lowered ceiling to heighten expectations) and stuff removed from garbage that seems still useful. Will take pixs and continue on private consults with whynot
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Compost is a lot of work, indeed...but it would also encourage regular visits to the lot, and produce a valuable soil amendment that you could use on-site, or distribute to street tree pits, sidewalk planters, etc. If you could get a few dedicated people to keep an eye on things and organize compost workdays (turning, sifting, etc), I think it would be a great addition to the neighborhood. I'm happy to help, if you need it. Re: rats...yes, MHA...they'll never be fully controlled until easy sources of feeding (open trash cans, etc.) are eliminated . Then you can start trapping or poisoning them. I wouldn't bother filling their tunnels with cement (unless the tunnels are a direct entry point to a building)...you can just break them up with a shovel...makes life a little harder for the rats, but its not enough to stop them. Apparently there are special smoke bombs you can drop into the tunnels that kill the rats, but I've never gotten involved with that.
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yES THE COMPOST WOULD BE especially good to amend the soil which is alarming full of metals. Architect friend has a great set up maybe whynot and I can copy.
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ever since Arches mentioned the smoke bombs, all I can think of is that victorious gopher in Caddy Shack. "I'm all right, don't nobody worry about me" http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&q=caddyshack+gopher&gbv=2&aq=2&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=caddy&gs_rfai=For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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tsarina » yES THE COMPOST WOULD BE especially good to amend the soil which is alarming full of metals. Architect friend has a great set up maybe whynot and I can copy.
Full of actual scrap metal or full of heavy metals? High lead soil content is a big problem with gardening on abandonded lots (if you plant edible crops, at least). You can mail a soil sample off to Cornell for lead testing for about $15. -
this is why I am thinking raised planting bed. ....we build a frame. People buy or create topsoil. No need to worry about the prior mercury - dioxin factory that may have been on the site between 1910 and 1925..For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.
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Yeah, much of our community garden is in raised beds. Just a basic frame built of 2x10 (or is it 2x12?) doug fir. Cedar would be far superior, but also far more expensive. Takes a lot of soil and compost to fill a frame though.
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Whynot - I still have lots of wood from our reno that you can have. I think its 2 sheets of plywood, quite a few pieces of 2x4, some of those treated 4x4, etc.
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stacey » Whynot - I still have lots of wood from our reno that you can have. I think its 2 sheets of plywood, quite a few pieces of 2x4, some of those treated 4x4, etc.
I think I will refer you to Tsarina. ...she hoards the stuff.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
There probably should be some effort made to test the dirt for toxins. The top layer often sparkles with a glasphalt-like luster. Does anyone know where one can procure free woodchips? Will the NY Parks Department provide if a call is made?
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Subject: How do I get to help in the Garden
How and When can I head down to do some gardening?Say WHAAA? -
Subject: Re: How do I get to help in the Garden
mommaday » How and When can I head down to do some gardening?
stacey@crowhillcommunity.org seems to be the person with the key and the info you desire.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Walked by the lot last night. There were candles lit inside! There was a guy cooking on a small barbecue, and folks milling about. It was REALLY nice to see. The space was being used for a small intimate soiree of sorts. Whynot_31, folks sat on your benches; cheers.
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Yeah, stopped by for the first time yesterday as well (which is criminal, as I live around the corner). Place has lots of potential! Met and spoke to Stacey and parked myself and my daughter on on one of those famous benches. Promised Stacey my wife and I would be back to put some hours in.If you're happy, you're not paying attention.
spurn Productions, Inc. -
I stopped by on Sunday and met Sean, who was working out in the garden. Looks really great. Keep it up!!!
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MHA » There probably should be some effort made to test the dirt for toxins. The top layer often sparkles with a glasphalt-like luster. Does anyone know where one can procure free woodchips? Will the NY Parks Department provide if a call is made?
NYC Parks might provide woodchips...our garden got a delivery a few weeks ago, but it was for a project with street trees...so maybe thats where they draw the line. You can also try contacting a tree care company...they generally have lots of chips and I believe they have to pay to dispose of them...so it may be in their interest to give them to you. We did this one year...the only caveat is that they deliver by the truckload, so we got about 30+ cubic yards worth. Its a lot of work to deal with that. If you have a car/pickup you can go down to Greenwood Cemetery and load up on free chips - just call ahead to make sure they have availability. -
Really? Wow Arches, that's great news!
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Found out that our free chips last year came from Dragonetti Bros. http://www.dragonettibrothers.com/ Assuming they can't back the truck into the lot, they will have to dump them on the sidewalk or street...so you'll need to have a lot of people/wheelbarrows on hand to haul chips on to the lot. Its at least a full size dumpster worth of chips. Unless, of course, you can convince them to deliver a smaller amount...not sure about that. I assume that below a certain quantity it isn't worth their effort. Also, keep in mind these are chips from tree grinders, not that fancy cedar/cypress mulch you get in bags at home depot. But it gets the job done and hey, its free.
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arches » Assuming they can't back the truck into the lot, they will have to dump them on the sidewalk or street...so you'll need to have a lot of people/wheelbarrows on hand to haul chips on to the lot.
Sounds like yet another time in life where your dumb friends (i.e. those willing to shovel in exchange for pizza), will be better than your smart ones.For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Either that or a time in life when all that searching Craigslist for a motorized conveyor belt could finally pay off.
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I'm gonna get one with empanadas on it, forget the wood chips.
For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor. -
Well, thanks for the input. There is talk of grass seed too, so time will tell.
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So there is an apparent quandry at the lot. No water. The folks involved don't have easy access to water, and apparently what hope there was of gaining access to a nearby fire hydrant, well, went up in smoke. The Fire Department of New York isn't going to allow that to occur. Without a dependable water source plans to buy grass or grass seed are on hold. Any ideas? Anyone have pull with the fire department?
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