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February 10, 2001 |
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 To the Editor: On Sunday (February 4) in Eastwood Building 560 Main Street (at the rear of 580), the children of the tenant who lives in 560#478, were playing in the hallway. They we re causing quite a nuisance to the point that I had to call Public Safety. I called Public Safety three times and let the phone ring for two minutes each time. The call was not answered. The times were 4:06 p.m., 4:17 p.m., 6:21 p.m. I would like to know why. Why weren't we informed? What if there was an emergency with our seniors and disabled? Byron Gaspard
Brian E. Baker My purpose in writing this letter is to inform management of Manhattan Park about the state of affairs at 10 River Road. My wife and I chose to make this place our home more than five years ago, and I am sure you can easily verify we have been ideal tenants. We are quiet, considerate of our neighbors' right to a peaceful environment, and always prompt with our rent payment. In addition, the friendly way the building's concierge tries to make our life here more pleasant is always rewarded with a nice tip around the holiday seasons. Unfortunately, we are not as happy with a choice made by you, the managers, that ignores our quality of life here. Specifically, the decision to turn this building into a college dormitory is not only bad business, it also demonstrates that we are foolish to trust you to preserve the future living environment here. I am certain the influx of Marymount Manhattan students has already chased away other tenants like us who would have otherwise been long-term customers of Manhattan Park. Last night, the students across the hall, in apartment 3P, decided it was time to throw a party. We watched our neighbor knock on their door and ask them to keep the noise down, only to have the door slammed in his face. Our complaints to the concierge led to several attempts to solve the problem. But the situation only deteriorated. Before the night was over, the party produced a measure of shouting, singing, and what even sounded like fighting in the hallways, that could rival Times Square on New Year's Eve. Eventually, the concierge found someone to abruptly end the festivities. After the party ended, we could not help but notice the sound of glass bottles being carried down the hallway. As we expected, the garbage closet on our floor was filled with empty beer bottles the next morning. We wonder who is liable for the blatantly illegal consumption of alcohol by minors, not to mention the possibility of other illegal drug use. Our lease is set to expire, and the only reason we plan on extending it is because we understand management has recognized its mistake, and does not plan on renewing the agreement with Marymount Manhattan College. However, we still must put up with this environment until May. This brings me to my final complaint. Even during normal evenings, when our walls are not shaking to the beat of party music, we are reminded of the inconsiderate juveniles across the hall by the slamming of doors as they constantly come and go. In fact, doors throughout this building seem to be always slamming. It is easy to understand why. The doors have a flaw in their assembly. The hinges are all spring loaded and, when they were installed, the springs were wound to maximum tension. As the doors are so heavy, simply opening them and letting go shakes the walls when they slam closed. We have easily remedied the problem with our door by installing a $40 door closer purchased at Home Depot. The door closer provides tension, much like the spring-loaded hinges, until just before the door fully closes. Then the closer acts as a cushion to gently close the door. To make the situation even worse for us, our neighbor's door in 3P is warped, so if it is rapidly opened or closed it creates a horrendous grinding noise as it hangs on the door jamb. With this new group of students, the incessant grinding and slamming every evening has become unbearable. This, too, could be easily fixed by simply sanding down the multiple coatings of paint on the edge of the door and applying one coat, or completely replacing the door. The brochure we received when we moved in calls this a luxury building. What a joke. I hope you recognize this opportunity to begin to restore our trust in you by attending to the door across the hall immediately, and finding a way to ensure the partying does not continue until May. Marvin Bolt cc: The WIRE
To the Editor: The WIRE's Southpoint idea (January 27 issue) of a United Nations National Park and Museum (the latter perhaps sitting in the footprint of the Renwick ruin) is monumentally (sorry about that) grand. But hold on. Haven't we summarily relegated poor Eleanor and Franklin to memory's junk pile on this, their namesake Island? Surely Franklin is an all-time New York favorite son; surely Eleanor and the U.N. have a huge historical tie-in. So why not have a dual park at Southpoint – the Roosevelt-U.N. National Park – with separate and opposite engraved granite memorials commemorating each, as well as a large, beautiful, Roman-like fountain between, having center water going straight up with side-waters spraying outward and inward simultaneously? How about a floating concert band shell on a barge in the East channel with nearby permanent snack bar and toilet facilities, plus all-weather permanent swivel seats bolted in place on Southpoint, so that they can serve as well for the annual fireworks event? What a great way to spend a summer evening! Tourists, anyone? Barbara Potts
Commissioner Joseph B. Lynch Community Renewal I am a car owner. I am concerned with [RIOC President] Robert Ryan's plans to increase the parking rates for residents at Motorgate Garage. I spoke to him about my concerns and I am very unhappy with both his attitude and remarks. When I first moved to Roosevelt Island almost 24 years ago, I chose to keep my car. There is no parking on Main Street and I understood that I must park in the garage. The rates at that time were reasonable. Since that time I have become more dependent upon my car for many reasons. It is not a luxury but a necessity. Mr. Ryan raised the rates within a very short time of his appointment to RIOC. I am no fool and I realize that Motorgate Garage is a cash cow. The garage is not losing money nor has it ever. Mr. Ryan is again raising the rates, at a time when management is also going for a large increase in our rents. When will residents of this Island stop being victimized? Mr. Ryan's attitude is one of not caring about the residents. He told me I could get rid of my car if I couldn't pay the increase. He told me how he got rid of his car. I am sure there are numerous stores within walking distance of his Manhattan apartment 24 hours a day. We do not have that luxury. He can take a bus or train whenever he needs to. Our train is in the bowels of the earth and many of us do not feel safe on it. No one ever knows if the elevators or escalators will be running. The Steinway bus does not run 24 hours a day and when it does it is at 45-minute intervals. The Tram, our safest and most reliable form of transportation, does not run 24 hours a day, either. How dare Mr. Ryan suggest I get rid of my car? I do not have the conveniences that he has in his neighborhood. I live on an island. Every other borough in New York City provides street parking. If Mr. Ryan wants to raise the rates again, then let him provide street parking for those who need our cars. I complained about Jerry Blue and the damage he did to this neighborhood. Robert Ryan is no better. I am praying that my concerns will not fall on deaf ears. Please order Mr. Ryan to leave the parking rates as they are. We really do not get very much for our money now but we have no option but to use Motorgate Garage. Joan T. Christianson cc: The WIRE, Robert Ryan, RIOC Board of Directors
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