Empty Tree Pits in Front of Starbucks

wbm

The developer of the new rental building at the corner of Franklin and Eastern Parkway built two tree pits on Franklin (in front of Starbucks and Capital One) as required by the city. However they haven't planted the trees yet. This irks me every time I walk by and see two patches of dirt with no trees. When is the developer going to plant the trees that he is required to provide? Does anyone have a connection with the developer to "remind them" that they have some gardening to do? 

transworld

The developer actually don't have to plant trees there as long as they pay $1,600 per tree to the park department for them to plant it somewhere else in the city.

crownheightster

I imagine that they are waiting for NYC to plant the trees for them...

wbm

No, for new developments with an approved Builder's Paving Plan (such as this project), the developer is responsible for repaving the sidewalk and providing any required trees. It is separate from the "Million Trees" initiative in NYC where the parks dept comes along and plants new trees. This is the developer's responsibility. 

wbm

The developer actually don't have to plant trees there as long as they pay $1,600 per tree to the park department for them to plant it somewhere else in the city.

This is true, but it must be approved by the dept at buildings when the developer files the builder's paving plan (BPP) for the permit. Since their approved BPP includes tree pits, the developer is required to provide the trees in those tree pits. 

transworld

This is true, but it must be approved by the dept at buildings when the developer files the builder's paving plan (BPP) for the permit. Since their approved BPP includes tree pits, the developer is required to provide the trees in those tree pits. 

Correct, but this is not enforced.

crownheightster

I guess we could complaint to the Community Board.

maggie

you can also request NYC Parks to plant trees at that address, and also ask your city council person to make sure developers are planting them as required. I've actually seen condos where they made pits, got whatever signoffs they needed regarding the trees, and filled the pits in again without ever planting a tree (or planting one instead of the three required, etc.). pretty sneaky.

transworld

Since they paid the park fund tree, they could actually request free trees for this location, that is correct. Such request should be made by the owner only.

maggie

anyone can request a tree be planted at any address. sometimes they will not plant unless the owner agrees to it, but I've had success getting trees planted in front of commercial locations that I do not own.

stacey

Maybe it had something to do with the terrible cold we had for such a long time this winter.  I know that certain conditions should be met to plant for optimal life.  

goldemi1

I agree we need big effing leafy trees on Franklin (and all around the neighborhood), but maybe we can organize the equivalent of "seed-bombing" in the interim for any bare dirt areas.  Meaning, scrape the dirt, throw in a mix of hardy flower seeds or groundcover, and cover over.  In time there'll be some greenery at least.