Fauxcade frustration
To The Editor:
Re “No, say it ain’t faux! M.T.A. plant hits the fan” (news article, Oct. 1) and “Desnudas, Fauxcade…O.M.G.! (Scoopy’s Notebook, Oct. 8):
Thank you for your coverage of the finished, but unfinished-looking, cement facade of the M.T.A. fan plant at Mulry Square. M.T.A. New York City Transit’s Kevin Ortiz is correct that we had some recent meetings (two) concerning the tiny patch they’ve allotted to “public space” in front of the building, but his statement masks their resistance to key C.B. 2 improvement suggestions.
Contrary to Mr. Ortiz’s claim, M.T.A. NYC Transit didn’t “offer” to plant a tree in that small space. We’re very grateful to our neighbor George Vellonakis of the Parks Department, who has created several well-known and admired New York City parks and also is dedicated to bettering our community, for providing us an alternative, preferable design for the space pro bono. It was George who recommended planting a tree to screen the building a bit, and provide shade in a very sunny area, while “not requiring much maintenance other than watering during the first two years in order to establish a healthy root zone.”
While M.T.A. NYC Transit accepted some parts of the proposed alternative design, they refused to plant a tree, citing interference with the structure below. When George showed it would require little depth of soil, then they agreed to do this — but only if we could assure a maintenance partner. When we assured them there would be a maintenance partner, they upped the ante to requiring a certified arborist, impossible to do without funding! And we don’t have that kind of funding for something that’s not even needed for a tree’s first few years. So, unless we can figure out another approach, the tree in the tiny triangular space is out.
The agency also didn’t “offer” to plant trees in the Greenstreets (sidewalk) area. They agreed when we reminded them that they had committed to doing this in their original reconstruction plan.
As for not planting Boston ivy along the walls (which would provide needed coverage) because, as Mr. Ortiz stated, it wouldn’t be on their property, M.T.A. NYC Transit easily could have reached out to the one adjacent private property owner and to the Department of Transportation, the other owner — both of which would have no reason to object — before turning this down cold.
We are still hopeful that these needed improvements can be worked out.
Shirley Secunda
Secunda is chairperson, Community Board 2 Traffic and Transportation Committee
Not sold on Mrs. Green’s
To The Editor:
Re “Mrs. Green’s, thanks for the schwag, but who are you?”(Notebook, by Michele Herman, Aug. 27):
I buy most of my food at Greenmarket or at Integral Yoga and plan to continue. Integral Yoga gives a senior discount and I never have to worry about reading the labels.
I live close to Mrs. Green’s and checked it out. Every time I went inside there was nothing — or almost nothing — on the hot food bar, my main interest.
I also don’t like shopping at stores that have gone out of their way to ban a union. That’s why there were pickets outside with fliers about “Mrs. Greed’s.” That is a turnoff to me.
And, the last time I checked, the store needed to do a much better job with handling its garbage on Bethune St.
Kate Walter
Politics in this town
To The Editor:
Re “D.I.D. did not help our slate in the 65th A.D.” (talking point, by Georgette Fleischer, Sept. 24):
The city, once so vibrant and open, is politically gridlocked, like its street traffic. The young educated voters are so busy trying to earn a living that they appear not to be participating as much as they might under different conditions.
Thanks to Georgette Fleischer for speaking up. She got sucked in, then spit out, and now will she be dumped on the road because she spoke out?
Minerva Durham
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