Squirrels Join Smith Street Building Fight
Thursday, June 28, 2007, by Robert
A couple of days ago, we checked in on the trouble on Smith Street over that controversial building that's led to a variety of protests since late May. Well, now, we've got this flyer that's appeared in the plaza in front of the Carroll St. F train station on Smith Street:
This morning dozens of very tiny pamphlets appeared on each of the trees on the F train subway plaza at Smith and 2nd Place...It seems the squirrels are angered that all the trees on the plaza will soon be cut down to make way for Scarano's building, and they will have no place to store their nuts.
Can't wait to see what the local rats do.
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Carroll Gardens #2: Smith Street Building Fallout Continues [Curbed]
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Will Carroll Gardens Fight 'South Beach' Look? [Curbed]
BONUS: The summer of discontent of architect Robert Scarano--designer of the building noted above at 360 Smith Street--seems to be continuing. The New York State Department of Education has sent out a letter saying "Please be advised that we are working closely with the NYC Department of Buildings on a number of investigations focused upon Robert Scarano, RA…" Scarano, you might recall, has already dropped out of the program that lets architects certify their own plans. The "investigation" missive is making the rounds via email courtesy of a local City Council Member.
Robert Scarano Jr. is AWESOME!
(latest Wikipedia scale back)
Looking at DOB website, seems that permit for construction fence was approved on 6/28. Maybe that means homeless squirrels soon. What it means for the subway entrance, who knows.
If I were owner/developer, I'd scrap Scarano soon. He seems to be 'lightning rod' (although I think most of his stuff is very good but he should not be allowed to get away with skirting zoning,etc) and at this point will only slow down the process.
What does Scarano have to do with this development? He's just the architect of record. Would the local anti-everythings be happier if another architect came in and put his/her name to the exact same building?
"Robert Scarano Jr. is AWESOME!
(latest Wikipedia scale back)"
Check again my friend...
Ha!
Seems like Scarano's wiki lackey changes the Scarano entry every week. They've been repeatedly warned and are probably going to be blocked. Other concerns of theirs, aside from Scarano's good name, appear to be Ukrainian complicity in the Holocaust.
#6, looks like Bill DeBlasio has been busy on Wikipedia. I guess his voter base is anti-development. Probably the wealthy yuppies trying to keep others out.
Wow people on wiki sometimes have a hard time with the fact that this information is supposed to be fact based not opinions. I guess one of the downffalls of opening this stuff up to the masses. Gives me something to do at work.
Why is NYS Education Dept getting involved in Scarano investigations?
Did Spitzer decide Bloomberg has no intention of attacking corruption at NYC Buildings Dept and this is the only way he can inject himself into the situation?
Anon 2:46pm
Ahhh, when last I looked, 99% of the "facts" were referenced to the NY Times, NYDN, and local Bklyn papers.
Besides the changing back and forth of the intro "controversial" line, what's based on opinions?
Take some time and read some of the articles, since you seem to have time at work...
Unless of course the wiki has changed again.
The Dept of Ed is getting involved because they license architects. Don't ask me why.
Sorry. I'm #9 and didn't realize there was a link to Gowanus Lounge blogging about Scarano.
Apparently Councilman Bill de Blasio gave up on NYC DOB and is seeking state intervention. But de Blasio's motives are questionable. Publishing his correspondence to Spitzer and NYS DOE is merely pandering to angry constituents.
ActionJackson, the intro is what I was talking about. It actually reads pretty neutral now, just the facts. But it had gone back and forth quite a bit full of opinions. The rest is pretty much based on fact, just funny how some decide to try and spin it, or even better the idiot who tried to delete all of the cited facts.
Anon 6:28pm
Yep, lots of action (no pun intended) on that wiki. Every time someone tries to delete the facts, Scarano shills I assume (I have no problem with the hearsay), they get thrown back up with even more relevant (and incriminating) material added.
Someone is working overtime!
Fun to watch when you have a moment or two to peep.
These trees are full of asian long horned beetles anyway
This building is two things, first, Bill D's raison to be Borough Prez. He hopes to show the DDDB people and their fellow travelers in the local NIMBY cells that he is against density. This allows him cover to favor density elsewhere, other people's neighborhoods and manufacturing areas. It is an all things to all people strategy. The DDDB people called him on it by coming to his first rally and press conference with signs about how he opposes development in his neighborhood but favors it in Leticia James'. (I oppose the downzoning frenzy but loved DDDBs street political tactics, maybe they are learning)
Second, this building is the tip of the spear for the downzoning politics that Bill D has embraced like a starving hooker. He even said something at the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association (meeting at a funeral parlor) to the effect of it didn't matter what was legal or within code it had to be stopped anyway. I think he knows this building is going to be built but he can lead on the downzoning NIMBY townspeople who want to make sure that no one else gets to move into this neighborhood. Then they will all cluck cluck about how terrible density is and use that political fuel to push downzoning. Hopefully Bloomberg will remember that he is trying to squeeze a million more of us into New York, not keep people out by downzoning.
These trees are full of asian long horned beetles anyway
By Anonymous at June 28, 2007 7:22 PM
Coincidentally, so is Scarano
Post 17, maybe that is because he slept with you and your mother. Happy 4th Lucinda.
My ex boyfriend planted these trees about 30 years ago.
Are they going to build a builing in the middle of the lil train plaza, when will the maddness stop!
my momma planted those trees
It's not "madness" you idiot. I hate that sign and want to tear it down but I won't. There are many things much worse than a new building. Keep it in perspective please. Why don't we talk more about public place and the gowanus and the fact we all live near toxic waste. That to me is much more of a concern that this goddamn building you people can't seem to get over. Get over it assholes!
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