Ever wonder why people can become somewhat desperately angry when a new building rises in their midst? The tall building at 162 Sixteenth Street in the South Slope, called the VUE, has been one of the most contentious new buildings to go up in all of Brooklyn. Even posts about the building tend to develop into long back-and-forths between neighborhood residents and commenters that are clearly tied to the either the developer or those selling units.
We say all that as background for the following email we got from Concerned Citizens of the South Slope about the very, very bright lights in the parking lot behind the new condo which are now lighting up their lives and probably making it possible to read in one’s bedroom without turning anything on. Residents are frustrated because they say that no city agency seems interested in the problem and that the Department of Buildings, with whose actions or lack thereof they have taken issue on many occasions, is basically saying that a building that turns night into day isn’t their problem. Here’s the email we got:
Attached please find a photo taken from the back yard of one of the houses that adjoin the parking lot for 162 Sixteenth Street. Aka as the VUE, designed…The first question that is usually asked is – What is that? Could it be UFO’s are landing in Brooklyn? No! It’s just the lights that glare into in the back of about 30 houses that adjoin the parking lot of 162 Sixteenth Street.
The next question is always – That can’t be allowed… Why don’t you just report it so the City will make them remove (or replace) them? Guess what? It has been reported. The DEP says it’s not their responsibility and the DOB says that it “has no rules or regulation govern the type of light fixtures that should be used.”…It’s important to note that the DOB took a picture of the light fixture in the middle of the day. Not at night.
The adjoining neighbors have asked every elected and appointed official for help. To date nothing has or, it seems, will be done to stop this quality of life, abuse.
Is it true that in the most taxed City in the USA, there is no city (or state) agency responsible for this kind of abuse? If not then – Does anyone know who’s responsibility it is to address these issues?
A superb question. Perhaps the Borough President’s Office or the local City Council Member could supply everyone on 16th Street with blackout curtains? Possibly special ones with the Borough Seal and/or the City Council Seal?
55 responses so far ↓
1 slick // Jan 8, 2008 at 11:36 pm
A lawsuit is the answer. You dont need a high end lawyer for this.
I would also try to negatively affect sales by posting signs, etc..
2 greg hoy nyc // Jan 9, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Hey Anon 11:18 PM, unless I’m mistaken, every person and family in this city at some point from somewhere else (unless of course you’re in the blood line of a Native American tribe).
3 amarilla // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:21 am
Re: EASY SOLUTION GO BACK HOME…
That’s true, unless you are Lenape, you are a transplant.
4 ccgh // Jan 10, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I always love the “move back to Kansas if you don’t like _____” comments from some of the more trollish posters in the blogosphere.
Do these folks ever wonder that we “don’t move” due to the fact we like Brooklyn…and like it how it is…well, perhaps was?
5 Anonymous // Apr 1, 2008 at 3:35 pm
11:18- sounds like you’re a really smart person. I’m glad you think you have the solution for Brooklyn’s problems. You should run for Mayor.
Those lights are really annoying and I’ve heard the developer is a jerk- but once the building is occupied- I think the residents should contact the residents of the building. No one wants to be a bad neighbor- and I’m sure there’s a way to light up a parking lot with lower lights, less intense lights, that’s still safe for the parking lot and respectful of the neighbors.
As for the building that was built illegally- what were the necessary corrections- and if they were all made- would it- at the end of the day- change the building? A C of O would not be issued if the violations were material and/or dangerous- otherwise there are other liability issues. Fact is- the building is up and units are selling and its not coming down.