Second Avenue Subway Work to Blame for UES Rat Problem?

Residents of the Upper East Side are starting to feel a little crowded thanks to the infestation of rats, which many believe is being caused by the construction of the Second Avenue Subway. Residents complained to the MTA but the project’s contractor, S3 Tunnel Constructors, determined that an abandoned building on Second Avenue, not the construction, was to blame.

According to the Wall Street Journal the contractor told the MTA that the blasting “may be exacerbating a pre-existing condition” and suggested that the abandoned building be cleaned, baited, and sealed.

Excavation of an underground cavern between 91st and 95th Streets in preparation for a tunnel-boring machine seems to be a major concern at the moment, though the MTA claims that the current work zone has no rodent problems and their spokesman, Jeremy Soffin pointed out that a rodent-control program that includes bait and traps within the construction zone is in place.

It is hard to say what exact cause of the rodent infestation is, but LeRoy Washington, who has lived in the Upper East Side since 1970 notes that while there have always been some rats in the area, “But it’s never been like this.”

The Second Avenue Subway project consists of a two-track line running from 125th Street to the Financial District along Second Avenue and is meant as a relief for the overcrowded Lexington Avenue line. The first phase of construction began in 2007 and is expected to finish in 2016, though there is speculation that it may last until 2018.

This isn’t the first time the Second Avenue subway construction has been noted for creating a residential problem. In December of 2009, residents were having respiratory problems and were claiming that the dust from the construction site was to blame.

Bjm_jb commented on the story at abclocal.com saying, “What do you expect when the city is run by a rat? Welcome to Bloombergland!” Secondavenuesagas.com commenter Valerie pointed out that the abandoned building the MTA is blaming for the rodent problem “is only abandoned because it was condemned due to unstable foundation, coincidentally, at the same time the MTA was blasting right in front of it.”

Whatever the cause, 93rd Street Resident Tara Reddi seems to feel somewhat helpless in the situation, stating, “We are, until 2018, in a living hell.”

Gawk and Point

On April 18 not one of over two dozen people stopped to help a dying person laying on the ground fatally stabbed in the Jamaica section of Queens. Many walked briskly by, a few took time to gaze at the collapsed body, others pointed, one person snapped a photo, and another shook the man's body to find a pool of blood and left.

Firefighters found the body, while responding to another call, but no thanks to the pedestrians. No one bothered to call 911.

A surveillance camera captured the blatant indifference to the body of Hugo Tale-Yax, 31, and the heroic actions moments before his death.

Tale-Yax was rescuing a woman from an attacker, which resulted in several stabs to the good samaritan's torso. Tale-Yax tried to run after his murderer, but feel face down on the sidewalk.

Tale-Yax's family and friends, and others across the city are astonished by the inaction.
"Any animal that is hurt on the street, the city or anybody walking by goes to rescue it. But in this case, he saved this woman's life, and where was the conscience of the people around him?" Rolando Tale-Yax, the victim's younger brother, told USA Today.

However, some are not surprised and even went so far as to remark on the general heartlessness of the city. On USA Today's online coverage, a commentator remarked, "all those New Yorkers that walked right past the guy and not a one tried to take his wallet?"

One notion that arises as to why people would ignore the Guatemala native is that he was homeless. Edwin Tacam, Tale-Yax's cousin, objected to that argument, stating, "He wasn't that kind of person who looked really homeless. I don't know why people ignored him."

While Tacam might be accurate on his cousin's appearance, it raises the question of the treatment of the homeless. Do actions of good samaritanism not extend to the homeless?

There are 39,000 homeless New Yorkers, an all time high for the city. The number of people in shelters have increased by seven percent. Coalition for the Homeless advocates and organizes against the mass homelessness in the city. They see the homeless as the "most vulnerable citizens" and try to debunk myths that stop others from caring and helping those in need. The coalition reports that they are able to help around 3,500 individuals rebuild their lives.

Nonetheless, they are going to have a harder time this year. Governor Paterson's budget proposal will cut $104 million for homeless services. With the historic amount of homeless New Yorkers the coalition is trying to find a best way to fight against such cuts, which includes having compassionate citizens writing a letter urging Paterson to avoid the cuts. Click here to participate.

Legislation plan to make over Local Law 19.

While Earth Day has come and gone, law-makers in New York City are not letting go so quickly. On April 12, 2010, New York City’s Council speaker Christine Quinn, announced an expanded version of Local Law 19. Originally passed in 1989, Local Law 19 mandated the collection of recyclables from every residential building in the city. Within ten years of its initial enactment, the City of New York increased its residential recycling rate from less than one percent to more that twenty percent.

“We’re incredibly excited to be introducing a package of bills that will dramatically expand and overhaul the way we recycle here in New York City. Our legislation will divert over 8,000 tons of plastic every year away from landfills and incinerators. That’s equal to the amount of trash produced by nearly 10,000 people each year,” says Quinn.

The upgrade to the program would include expanded plastic recycling. The new legislation would require the Department of Sanitation to recycle all rigid plastic containers. The City expects this to divert more than 8,000 tons of plastic each year from landfills and incinerators. This would take place after the opening of a new recycling facility in Brooklyn, which is scheduled to open in 2012. In addition, of the 300 recycling bins already located in public spaces around the city, an extra 300 will be place over the next three years and a total of 700 bins within the next ten years.

The legislation would also mandate at least one department-sponsored household hazardous waste collection event in each borough every year. The legislation would also create a citywide textile collection program and a paint-recycling program. This would mean that retailers would take back unwanted household paint, which makes up about 50 percent of household hazardous waste.

In addition, the legislation would aim to change existing programs as well. It would require every school to designate a recycling coordinator and provide recycling receptacles in each classroom, also, they would extend the collection period from March 1st to November 30th.

“As chair of the Sanitation Committee, I wholeheartedly support these improvements to Local Law 19, the city’s comprehensive residential recycling law,” says James. “Revisions to the law that especially appeal to me include the expanded public space recycling initiative that would more than double the 300 bins in place, and require DOS to site a total of 700 public space recycling bins. I also support improved recycling at city and non-DOE Schools. This plan involves each school designating a recycling coordinator to place and manage receptacles around schools, specifically in classrooms and at entrances and exits of lunchrooms. The residential recycling law adds logical upgrades to the City’s current recycling efforts.”



Information taken from-
http://www.recyclingtoday.com/new-york-city-expanding-recycling-laws.aspx
Photo’s taken from
- http://www.inhabitat.com/

Middle-aged citizens band together to make roof Green - Kindergarteners grab crayons and markers in confusion

P.S. 41 a small grammar school in a quiet corner of Greenwich Village is taking center stage in a green idea that has floated around for over a decade. In six to eight weeks construction of the Greenroof Enviromental Literacy Labratory (GELL), atop P.S. 41's roof will begin. When complete it will serve as an rooftop garden classroom that will teach the schools K-5 students Biology chemistry, nutrition and aesthetics.

According to the school Principal Kelley Shannon the current backyard Garden is a valuable resource which teaches students lessons that are difficult to teach in a classroom. "But the Backyard is only so big" said Shannon. The schools problem will be solved through the GELL's 14,000 sq. foot urban garden. While the outlining fence and foundation of the garden is expected to be complete by the end of the year, students shouldn't look forward to frolicking in their new garden until a year from now in Spring 2011.

"We decided to do this as a first of it's kind prospect" said Chris Hayes Co-project Leader and Director of Communications and Development for the GELL project in a phone interview. "The idea is to get one done, so we can prove it can be done to the School Construction authority. This is a first for them." The School Construction Authority is a city organization that oversees major capital construction projects within the New York City public school system.

Hayes is a graduate of P.S. 41 and currently has children who attend as well. P.S. 41 is a coveted school in the city with actors, NYU Professors, artists, and lawyers clamoring to have their children attend. Due to this the school is constantly under threat of over crowding according to the administration. With PTA fundraiser auctions that often raise over $100,000 in a single night not only is it popular among the elite but subsequently well funded, adding to its desirability.

"The benefits will extend to the entire neighborhood" said Hayes in regard to the GELL "It cools off the city." The rooftop garden will work like a heat-sink dissipating the heat generated by the concrete, brick and steel structures below. It will also scrub the air of harmful pollutants like heavy metals, and excessive carbon monoxide. The city already has campaigns of white and black roofing in order to utilize the colors properties to reflect or absorb sunlight. Many cities however have looked to green roofs as a 21st century way or cutting down the pollutants generated by the ever growing metropolises while cutting down on urban heat island effects. "One roof isn't going to make a difference but its a start" said Hayes.

"Bloomturd" is at it again!

At least thats what they call him in the comments of this post (gotta love Gothamist commenters). Bloomberg wants to turn Union Square into a pedetrian plaza, similar to that of Times Square.

also THIS is super interesting!!! its photos taken of peoples responses (them crying!) from staring at Marina Abamovic for too long!