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No-Shovel Public Shame List — Brooklynian

No-Shovel Public Shame List

rogers_sterling
rogers_sterling
edited January 2015 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Hi folks: as a pedestrian and frequent sidewalk-walker, I would like to call out those landowners who fail to do their part by keeping the public walkways clear and safe. It would be great if everyone could add buildings that they see. There will be ample fodder for this list when the storm hits. Photos are welcome. Sometimes calling 311 doesn't do the trick, so why not use alternate tools?

Here is my first one: 954 Bergen Street, aka The Bergen House. This is a new construction building that is just hitting the market. We walked by yesterday with our cart to do laundry, and it was hard to pull the cart over the slushy snow that had not been touched. It remained that way throughout the day, although I have not seen it today.

Thanks everyone!
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Comments

  • newguy88
    newguy88
    Did you try calling 311?
  • steveo
    steveo
    You can report to 311 here:

  • rogers_sterling
    rogers_sterling
    edited January 2015
    I did file a report online. I have a long history of calling 311 with very limited success for this issue. Last year the corner lot on Franklin and Bergen, on the southeast corner, remained unshoveled all year long. Yesterday it appeared shoveled, so it took a full year for that process to work. I'll continue to report using the 311 system.
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    You can also report non-shovelers to the community board.
  • superhero
    superhero
    The worst spot for me has always been on Park Place right under the shuttle tracks (across the street from the stairs). I would assume it is the MTA's responsibility to shovel/salt this space but it has never once happened. I don't even mind the snow and sleet, it's when it turns into a sheet of ice that I have a problem.
  • MOD
    MOD
    edited January 2015
    I guess what people are hinting at above is that if you have a problem with a neighbor not shoveling do try and go through the neighborly steps you usually would: First talk the the owner, then if it' not addressed, contact community board, call 311.

    Of course, if this is a corporation/developer/business/city property that does not respond, then call 311 and by all means name and shame if they don't shovel.
  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    Also, complaining to the Community Board is a good route to take if you suspect that shoveling is not happening because a homeowner is elderly or disabled. If you share your concern with the CB, they may be helpful in getting the person services that can connect them with low-cost or free shoveling (especially if it is in the community interest that the sidewalk be safe). 
  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    I'm a homeowner that is currently physically unable to shovel (and I'm a weirdo who usually likes to do it) and am worried about this. Most of my neighbors are elderly and I feel like I should be helping them. I wish we had people coming down the block shoveling for money but that rarely happens and when it does, it seems to be about 24 hours too late.  I'd even happily pay to have a few elderly neighbor's walks done if I could only get someone here. 

    I emailed the block list asking for anyone who has a person (including their kids, who god forbid should have to do physical labor) to shovel and so far all I have is a long list of people asking me to send any shovelers their way.

    If anyone has numbers for people willing to shovel in Park Slope (I'm near 9th St), please pass it on! 
  • rogers_sterling
    rogers_sterling
    I'd love to hear if there are groups doing this in Crown Heights tomorrow. I'd be happy to do it as long as my back holds up!

    This is aimed more at businesses, especially those companies who come to Crown Heights and stand to make a significant profit while potentially pricing out existing members of the community. There is more to being a good neighbor than just having a nice looking building.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited January 2015
    This nonprofit organization hires teenagers to do snow shoveling:

    http://www.pr-g.org/what_we_do/foot_soldiers/about_foot_soldiers.html

    http://www.pr-g.org/what_we_do/foot_soldiers/services/snow_removal_package.html

    To assure good service, it encourages homeowners to sign up in advance of storms. However, they may be able to help out folks who:
    -physically can't
    -have $
    -live nearby.
    -have several houses on a block that need shoveled

    good luck
  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    Holy crap, that service is expensive. The door to door guys usually charge $15-20 where they are charging $60.  Also, I don't even think it services my area : /
  • booklaw
    booklaw
    edited January 2015
    Esperanza 12:38PM  
    Yeah, it's pathetic. I see a lot of this in Park Slope. Huge apartment buildings, people coming and going, but none willing to "stoop" to the task of shoveling. Perhaps in passive aggressive or not "their" job. Regardless, someone should do it.
  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    My brownstone block has a lot of very elderly people who get out there and try and it's terrifying. I've done it for some in the past, but I can't shovel right now and am having a heck of a time finding someone to pay to do it.  All the people I've found don't come to Park Slope.    

    There are several kids on the block that I think are plenty old enough to do this yet they don't even have to shovel their own walks. When I was their age I would do anything to make some cash, plus our parents expected us to pitch in with this kind of chore.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    Day laborers can often be found outside of Home Depots, and the self moving places on 4th Avenue.

    The last time I used them, the going rate was $150 a day.

    So, they might be a good option if you have a few neighbors who are interested in creating an 8 hour day. ....you will need to supply the guys with shovels, because they are too broke to own their own.
  • naturegirlbk
    naturegirlbk
    @anotherperson--I sent you a private message a couple of hours ago with the name and phone # of someone I know of that you may be able to hire to shovel for you and your neighbors. Have you tried calling him to see if he is available to help?
  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    I see it now.  Thanks. I'm worried it's going to be too far for him to travel if it really snows as much as they say, but I'll give him a call.  Most people I've tried really have a tight area they service, which I understand. I'm surprised how hard it is to find someone.


  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    I'm also trying to find a TaskRabbit, but again, finding someone local might be tricky.

    Thanks for the pm's naturegirl!
  • naturegirlbk
    naturegirlbk
    @anotherperson-- I just sent you another private message with a Park Slope dad's phone #...I haven't spoken to him, and have no idea if its workable, but he has two big strong athletic and very sweet teenage sons who would very likely be thrilled to earn money shoveling/being helpful to their Park Slope neighbors.
  • Esperanza
    Esperanza
    Shucks, I'd do it for free if an elderly person needed it.
  • ehgee
    ehgee

    There are several kids on the block that I think are plenty old enough to do this yet they don't even have to shovel their own walks. When I was their age I would do anything to make some cash, plus our parents expected us to pitch in with this kind of chore.
    That's because their parents are likely millionaires or more, with what brownstone prices are today.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    The Dept of Sanitation is aggressively seeking snow laborers as well.


    First flyer is in English.   Scroll down for the language of your choice.
  • anotherperson
    anotherperson
    Well, here's an update. After a request to the block email last night for someone to shovel was only met with others looking for someone, too, I started searching today. I ended up with a Task Rabbit one neighborhood over willing to do it if a minimum number of houses were in. I had enough so we hired him for tonight and tomorrow night.

    Now, some older kid from the block just sent an email to everyone saying he'll do it for cheaper (though he won't quote a rate).  I appreciate that he's stepping up, but I'm pretty annoyed he never stepped forward before and he's certainly hasn't had to go door to door. Hopefully everyone who said they'd book my guy for tomorrow sticks with him and doesn't screw the guy willing to walk all the way over and shovel for hours out of money.
  • Dawndew
    Dawndew
    I feel that Nostrand Avenue should always be shoveled by the businesses as we all, old and young, have to shop there.  It is shameful what goes on there.
  • rogers_sterling
    rogers_sterling
    As of yesterday, 954 Bergen was not shoveled. I will be doing a new round of 311 reports today on some of new residential developments on and around Franklin. I noticed that the huge development on the southwest corner of Franklin and Dean, as well as the Nassau Brewery, were not shoveled adequately in the past few days, but I figured I would give them until today to file a report. It's really unwise choice for a huge development to not due their due diligence in this area--big pockets mean hungry personal injury lawyers were someone to trip and fall on the ice.
  • mugofmead111
    mugofmead111
    edited January 2015
    As of yesterday, 954 Bergen was not shoveled. I will be doing a new round of 311 reports today on some of new residential developments on and around Franklin. I noticed that the huge development on the southwest corner of Franklin and Dean, as well as the Nassau Brewery, were not shoveled adequately in the past few days, but I figured I would give them until today to file a report. It's really unwise choice for a huge development to not due their due diligence in this area--big pockets mean hungry personal injury lawyers were someone to trip and fall on the ice.
    I know the feeling. Last winter the property at 90 Sullivan Place and the property that is now Checkers frequently would not shoveled. However, I did notice that by the time I came home on Wednesday that 90 Sullivan was shoveled.

    Another tricky area I noticed last winter is the island at the intersection of Flatbush/Washington/Lincoln Road by the gas station. It was never shoveled despite being in the middle of a pedestrian walkway. I didn't even know how to report it to 311.

    I also keep an eye on the Flatbush Avenue side of the Prospect Park station. Historically I would notice that the MTA would only shovel a few feet around in area immediately surrounding the entrance. However, since the MTA owns the entire lot, they should shovel to the corner of Flatbush and Ocean Avenues. 311 won't touch this kind of complaint, and the city will instruct you to take it up with the MTA directly. I had to email them about this issue last winter and I also emailed them earlier this month when we had that small amount of snow. I was glad to see that they did shovel during Monday's storm. 


  • crownheightster
    crownheightster
    The Carmel Christian School at Rogers and Sterling does not shovel. It has not shoveled since the snowstorm and now the entire corner lot is an icy death trap. I'm calling them out.
  • newguy88
    newguy88
    I wasn't going to add to this but what the heck. Roger That Community Garden routinely fails to shovel or salt their section of the sidewalk. This kinda rubs me the long way since they're begging us their neighbors to help them. What about helping us by shoveling their sidewalk?
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    edited February 2015
    Roger That does not own the land they occupy, nor do they have permission to be on it.

    As a result, any ticket given would go toward the realty company that now owns the site. To the extent that a relationship exists between Roger That and the realty company, it is unfriendly in nature. So, while befriending the neighbors might seem wise, I am not sure the operators of Roger That believe that the neighbors can or will come to their rescue to the degree that they should put in the work to shovel.
  • homeowner
    homeowner
    Hey Two Saints, step your shoveling and salting game up. I know you're still in construction, but that corner is now as icy slick as Wollman Rink!
  • MOD
    MOD
    Somewhat related, hope you are all practicing your best penguin walk today:
    image

    image

    Read funny article here:
    http://gothamist.com/2015/02/03/toe_pick_bro.php
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