Noise complaints and 311 - should I even bother?

erikka

What was, until recently, a vacant lot directly across the street has become a incredibly loud construction site that begins working at 6:00 a.m. (5:30 if I'm extra lucky). This morning there was a line of trucks down the street, idling and waiting to be filled with dirt. Lots of yelling, too. Six days a week. I'm f-ing exhausted.

From what I understand, law dictates that construction isn't supposed to start until 8:00 a.m. Has anyone ever called 311 on a construction site, and what was your resolution? Should I even bother?

apollonia666

I called 311 about a construction site next door to my building where kids from the neighborhood were getting in through a poorly-secured fence. The city had an inspector out there the next business day. I think that at least with building/construction stuff they take 311 calls pretty seriously -- it's worth trying, at the very least!

erikka

apollonia666 wrote: I called 311 about a construction site next door to my building where kids from the neighborhood were getting in through a poorly-secured fence. The city had an inspector out there the next business day. I think that at least with building/construction stuff they take 311 calls pretty seriously -- it's worth trying, at the very least!

My experience with 311 in the past has been fairly negative in that they always transfer to 911, which seems like overkill.

I called and filed a complaint and got a reference number, the guy was very nice. If they do send out an inspector I've got a perfect view of the lot and the a-holes talk so loudly that I'll be able to hear the whole conversation. Thanks, apollonia.

rose

I see you're on 16th Street. There is an email list on Yahoo called Southsouthslope that you could join -- also a website by that name I believe. There are people on that list who have been very active in trying to monitor the ongoing huge construction projects in this area and to get the Dept. of Buildings to actually enforce the laws with regard to working hours and safety and so forth. It never hurts to call 311 -- the more people who call about these things the better.

I think construction can start at 7:00 a.m. 5:30 is definitely too early. The problem is that you can call 311 to complain, but by the time DOB actually shows up, it's later in the day and they find "no violation."

veggiequeen

It is 7am. We have construction going on across the street and they start at 7:01am. At least they follow the 'rules', but 7am is still too early for me.

erikka

Rose wrote: I see you're on 16th Street. There is an email list on Yahoo called Southsouthslope that you could join -- also a website by that name I believe. There are people on that list who have been very active in trying to monitor the ongoing huge construction projects in this area and to get the Dept. of Buildings to actually enforce the laws with regard to working hours and safety and so forth. It never hurts to call 311 -- the more people who call about these things the better.

I think construction can start at 7:00 a.m. 5:30 is definitely too early. The problem is that you can call 311 to complain, but by the time DOB actually shows up, it's later in the day and they find "no violation."

Thanks Rose--I had no idea that existed but I definitely will join. There is a lot of construction going on along the street, but no one else is starting as early as they are, and if they do I never hear a peep. I have a digital camera that records video clips and I was considering taking a video of what they're doing (since it will be time stamped), but I doubt anyone would bother to watch it.

Will definitely post complaint number in building as well--I can't be the only person bothered by the noise. I had a "friend" over this morning and he was in disbelief at how loud the site was.

anonymous

Subject: Construction Noise

Legally Construction can start at 7:00am. If they are starting before that then call 311 or B.E.S.T Squad.

anonymous

Subject: RE: Noise

Im all for the complaining about the construction. But as a long time sloper
and someone who lives on 5th avenue, what about the noise coming from the rude bar patrons. Outside and in the Garden. I still say these owners should have a curfew for outdoor use. Especially when i get up for work at 5 am and im listening to people sing( badly ) and yelling, horns blaring, music blaring. then the neighbors want to know why i am so cranky the next day. Cmon Guys give a working guy a break

lostingreenwoodhts

Yes, call 311 EVERY DAY!

Noise complaints are quality of life, they goto the City, DEP and your local police pct.

Overall, very effective, depending on what agency your request goes to. quality of life and DEP are the best. Sanitation, OK. DOB...don't get me started.

erikka

Postscript: I called and it worked. I mean, I have no idea if they stopped because of my call or if they just wised up and decided to stop being asshats, but they haven't even opened the gates to the site before 7 since then.

lostingreenwoodhts

Great news. "Sometimes" the system works.