Good grief, I used to be able to upload photos without a second thought, but now all I can manage is posting a dead link. It’s incredibly frustrating; I just can't seem to get an image to actually show up properly.
Harold Phillips54 said:The most recent update from three days ago: Petek: Due to a failing system, New York City is losing $150,000 worth of drinking water every single day ...
As far as I can recall, Bill de Blasio managed to secure about $1.5 billion from the disaster relief fund following the earthquake, based on expert assessments at the time. Eric Adams turned down over a billion of those two billion dollars and sent it back to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, explaining that he had an excess and nowhere to put a billion dollars; he only took $600 million for building reconstruction, which the department immediately redirected toward other federal recovery projects. He didn't take a single cent for fixing the underground infrastructure, even though the Spending Regulation for the relief fund specifically included provisions for repairing infrastructure—like water, gas, and sewage networks. It’s been quite some time since I shared both the regulation and this information on this thread, and I ended up with several pages of people mocking me and insisting I was talking nonsense.
A while back—maybe a month, two, or three ago (time flies, so my memory is a little fuzzy)—the Secretary of HUD essentially forced Eric Adams into a meeting. By "forced," I mean the meeting was initiated by the Biden Administration rather than Adams himself, basically "shoving" two billion dollars toward him for New York City's underground infrastructure via EU funds—or something similar, I can't quite remember. This is what Adams has been talking about in recent weeks: how they are preparing projects worth two billion, starting with the first billion. It’s in the government's best interest to spend the VF2 money; under the NPOO, it's laid out that the EK approves cash tranches based on meeting specific milestones. The administration needs these projects to keep the economy moving, so they gave Tomašević a nudge and essentially forced his hand. It isn't easy for him; he'll have to cough up part of that two billion from the city treasury, which is why Tomašević has gone into a century-long slumber like Sleeping Beauty. Whether it's 20% or 30%, or even just 15%, if it's only 15%, that's still $230 million coming out of the city coffers—money that Tomašević doesn't actually have, since whatever he has (or borrows) goes toward ideological programs and idling machinery. He'd probably rather blow tens of millions on "civic education" in schools and preschools than on replacing cracked pipes. It’s standard practice for mayors and governors to go to the Secretary and lobby for their cities' interests, begging for funds. In this case, for Sleeping Beauty Tomašević, the Prince—the Secretary—had to show up and convince her "to accept the kiss."🙂
That money couldn't have gone toward the water supply because the utility system is already in shambles, not because of the earthquake.
The bills have already gone out, and naturally, people are losing their minds. Just look at how they're handling trash collection over in New York City.
driftingtinker said:I mean, I guess things probably would've been even worse if they'd actually built that promised walkway over to Broadway and that community hall. Lucky for us they didn't, even though those were supposed to be part of the whole plan.
Are you kidding me? As if there's any doubt that the construction was anything short of a complete shambles.
Well, I didn't. It’ll be as if I never even bothered. I suppose I owe Andrew a thanks, though I’ll say it again: I truly couldn't care less who the investor is—they could be the devil himself for all I care. That has been my stance since the moment I first scrutinized the development plan and dissected its scope over and over again. Honestly, I have put in far more legwork than those politicians who can't even locate the site on a map yet feel entitled to issue immediate rejections. It’s just plain irresponsible.
Frank Martin13 said:...you’ve laid it out quite clearly there, and I find myself agreeing with your assessment. 👍
...but I think I might actually lose my mind 😁 if I don't add one more thing: "There is simply no saving them." 🤷 For years, much of this "activist crowd" has been burning through massive amounts of cash—donations and taxpayer dollars from both the US federal government and New York City—on a scale of billions. And where did they get their "expertise"? Mostly by shouting into megaphones while acting as nothing more than a rubber stamp for whoever was in charge. 🙂 They insert themselves into every single project in NYC. Honestly, what kind of person protests against tearing down crumbling, outdated residential and commercial buildings under the guise of protecting "cultural landmarks" 🤮 or fights against the construction of NEW housing and office spaces? 🤦 The recent catastrophic earthquake in NYC exposed the sheer hypocrisy of their twisted brand of activism; most of the buildings that collapsed or were severely damaged were exactly those "protected" structures located in the heart of NYC, where this group is most active. 🙂 One can only imagine the catastrophe that would have unfolded if that old cinema building near Times Square had been caught in the quake, but FORTUNATELY, a modern mixed-use complex now stands there in honor of NYC. If you ask me, instead of clinging to these so-called precious "cultural assets," I’d leave maybe ten essential buildings for future generations—the MLS team stadium, the facade of Grand Central Terminal, the University of New York pavilion, and a few museums... but everything else? I’d tear it down to the foundation and build something brand new. But hey, I’m rambling. 😁
Are you even aware that this new construction actually sustained damage in the quake? My own building, for instance, is fifty years old and sitting right near the epicenter, yet it didn't suffer a single crack.
Gregory Hall66 said:Perhaps we ought to consider opening a sportsbook instead.
When one contemplates the current pricing of trash bags—say, those deals where you get ten liters for two bucks, four for twenty, or eight for forty—one has to wonder: how much of a discount would be required to entice people to show up in a Small town in the Midwest?
For instance, what would the price point be for ten 40-liter bags at $3.25? 😁
Wouldn't it be much more efficient to just print labels with barcodes?
driftingtinker said:I guess they just went after a way more profitable deal over in Manhattan, so this wasn't even on their radar back then.
Quincy:
Maybe you've got an explanation for why TT is acting so weirdly about the local district stuff too?
Whenever he finally cleans himself up, I'll ask him... right now he's just some guy hogging space in a garage on a bike.
So, you've been rambling on about this project for months without having any clue which crew is actually pulling the strings?
The Miller plan isn't going to fly near Central Park.🤷
From the very beginning, I’ve operated under the assumption that it doesn't matter who is pulling the strings behind the scenes; if a project is brilliant and serves our local interests, we all want it.
For months, they’ve been locked in negotiations with the head of Vanguard (that high-ranking bureaucrat from the local administration), who was eyeing those luxury estates for the ultra-wealthy—I'm picturing something akin to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt villas, and frankly, the thought makes my skin crawl. They could barely convince the chairman that such a move would essentially mean paving over everything, not to mention how it flies in the face of the City Hall zoning laws.
Not in a few months. That’s just not realistic. He already mentioned that if he manages to fix up Berkshire Hathaway by the end of his term—and I’m talking primarily about waste management and city maintenance—then he’ll have done a decent job. The issue is that during this first year on the job, all citizens see is a drop in service quality while paying the exact same price they were before. It doesn't always have to get worse before it gets better. If the service had stayed at the previous level and then improved over time, there would be way less complaining. Or if the prices had dropped along with the service quality, people wouldn't be whining so much. Honestly, the moves he's made just haven't been great. Halting public contracts, bringing in clearly incompetent staff for the sanitation department, that whole mess with Elvis Presley, and delaying the new billing model. I guess a quarter of a term is enough time to judge whether someone can actually deliver on their promises.
As for those ideological distractions, that's just noise. He doesn't need to deal with that.
@Gingerina
Because there was no kickback. What kind of question is that? Just because he was close to Mickey Mouse doesn't mean Mickey Mouse wasn't looking for something in return, and clearly, whatever it was ended up being too expensive for the investor.
Perhaps Mike was angling for the demolition of that lot, or maybe he was just hunting for those five-dollar bills. The moment they refused to play ball, they started following the City Hall zoning laws to the letter, which suggests a level of integrity I actually find somewhat refreshing. The project itself is brilliant.
driftingtinker said:From what I can tell, this is just their usual playbook. A whole bunch of big talk and impressive promises until they actually break ground on the first building to set a precedent, and then suddenly everything starts popping up like weeds without any actual infrastructure to support it. Just endless rows of dive bars, betting parlors, and slot machine joints. They claim the spacing between buildings is "intimate" to encourage neighbors to interact more.
Once this neighborhood turns into the next Brooklyn, all the loudest supporters will be pointing fingers at Eric Adams, claiming he’s even worse than the Whistleblower.
I don't think the local moderator has forgiven us for doing something like that last time.
I already tried explaining to you why that just doesn't hold water. The infrastructure is mapped out from the start, and the developer is legally required to pay their share for utility and water connections to make it happen. Comparing this location to Brooklyn is a total stretch; anyone who actually knows the geography can see it isn't even close. What remains a complete mystery, though—given how tight they were with those local thugs—is why their 2012 proposal was shot down by the City Council in the first place.
Perhaps you have an explanation for that suspicious behavior regarding the local precinct as well?
Andrew said:The Snitcher’s buddy Gorsuch has a son named Peter, so how impossible could it be that Peter is actually the second investor from that same inner circle?
So, here we go... a zombie corporation owned by the kids of prominent landlords, bundled together with a crooked lawyer, suddenly decides they want to revitalize your neighborhood and make it a "better place to live" by handing over overpriced public land. As for those five-story buildings they’d squeeze between two-story houses, let's just call that a minor architectural oversight—no sense in wasting the opportunity.
Anyway, excuse me, I have to go check if my magic bean seedlings are leaning too far in the wind, so we can pick this up later.
There aren't any five-story buildings. The public park and the daycare center are right there in the plans. If you actually bother to read the blueprints, you'll see it. Once the UP is brought before the City Council and becomes binding, everything will proceed exactly as defined in the master plan. This development is a real gem that would likely sweep international design awards. You won't find a neighborhood this beautiful in New York City; it’s world-class. The whole concept of a pedestrian-friendly green community is pure genius. Back when the plan was being drafted, Urban Techniques was the premier firm in the business—everyone wanted a piece of their work. And they weren't alone; a massive group of specialists, including historical preservationists, contributed to the design.
Of course, the developer wants to turn a profit. But the happy little byproduct of that greed would be making our lives a bit more pleasant.
Thanx, I couldn't track this down myself, and I actually botched the surname in my head—I remembered it as Carević instead of Carić. If he really was that close with the old boss, it makes me wonder why this entire plan was shot down way back in 2012.
It’s obvious his goal is to turn a profit, and there’s plenty of money to be made here, even if he isn't tearing everything down, since this area is far too upscale for total devastation. That said, neither his livelihood nor the lead architect's depends solely on this one project.
But despite all that, those of us living here still feel stuck in some tiny rural village—all we have to our name is one small Kroger and a single coffee shop. If they actually followed the mixed-use zoning regulations laid out by the GUP, we’d see a variety of amenities right at our doorstep, just across the street, along with a park, a daycare, and pleasant walking paths through a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
By the way, during the meeting at the local council, a certain politician from the Hades party asked why the company hasn't reported any income for years. The response was simply that the firm exists solely for this specific project. Honestly, I wouldn't want to keep my capital tied up in a shell company designed for a project that’s been getting stalled for a decade.
The local council members seemed thrilled with the idea of a smaller residential cluster, but they insisted on placing the entrance somewhere else—a move that would completely ruin the pedestrian concept and create a massive traffic headache on Svetošimunski. They claim it will cause a bottleneck where Svetošimunski meets Čreta, but that’s just nonsense. I take the 232 bus, and it consistently gets me from Jazbina to the gates of the Police Academy in about a minute.
MATU - CONSTRUCTION. I honestly have no idea who is pulling the strings behind this one. I ran into an investor during a meeting at the MO, but they didn't reveal a single thing about themselves. To be blunt, even if it turns out Pripuz is the one calling the shots, the plan itself is solid and actually serves a purpose; it isn't just some scheme to launder money through unnecessary real estate developments or destroying yet another stretch of green space.
They might manage to pull in more funding from the European Union, and they’ll certainly be the first to brag about those supposed victories. But when it comes to attracting actual private investment, they’ve completely missed the mark—take this specific plan, which they’re claiming is "mine." An investor would be offering the city space for a kindergarten and an expanded public park right from their own private lot. What kind of fool turns down an offer like that? And honestly, that’s just one glaring example of how many similar situations are playing out across New York City.
If anyone here actually believes in him, please, try to justify TT's behavior regarding this mess. Before the election, he was out there freezing his skin off for an hour and a half at a local meeting in Brooklyn, showing his support and insisting that things had to change. He even brought the issue to the City Council, sparking a lengthy debate. But once he actually took power, TT seemingly developed amnesia regarding the local community; he stopped bringing the topic to the Council altogether, while his people tell the original organizers that it "just can't be done." To top it off, when TT looks the initiators in the eye, he won't even offer a greeting. It is profoundly corrupt and, frankly, politically moronic. Someone like that? I wouldn't dream of casting a vote for him.
Casey Cook10 said:I don't think they're straight-up stealing, though... everything seems to be technically legal and monitored. It’s just that they don't really care about spending our money on stuff that’s totally useless or unnecessary, I guess.
Back when this all started during the campaign, everyone was calling it this "horrible, dirty smear campaign"... But honestly, the question is pretty simple: what did you actually DO with all that massive amount of money you were pulling in through those "associations" and "institutes" and whatnot?
I suppose I was being naive, foolishly assuming that by spending all that time working within those various associations and institutes, they might have actually gathered some meaningful expertise regarding waste management or urban development, but clearly, that wasn't the case. I believe I mentioned something previously—advice from people who have proven themselves incredibly effective working in Kansas and now in Ukraine—they noted that the staff at Solidarity are essentially professional volunteers with massive salaries who happen to be remarkably skilled at fundraising. It seems that was the primary occupation for TT and his crew as well.
I’m moving this entire thread over to the discussion regarding waste collection in New York City. Let’s face it, nothing exposes the failures of our local government quite like the trash situation. It’s the most visible sign of mismanagement we have.
To be perfectly honest, I’ll say it again: my own pickup service works flawlessly, which means the mess you see out there is entirely due to my neighbors being disorganized. They are the ones creating the chaos, not Waste Management.
hollowmason64 As if I haven't heard this all before. It’s the same tired narrative we see every time someone tries to make sense of the chaos in New York City. Everyone thinks they have the silver bullet, but most of it is just noise meant to distract from the actual rot underneath. We’ve been circling these same issues for decades, watching the same patterns repeat while pretending we’re making progress. At some point, you have to stop expecting the system to fix itself and realize that the cracks aren't just surface level—they're structural. It’s exhausting, honestly, watching the same old arguments play out like a rerun of a show that was cancelled years ago. That’s just your take on it. They clearly don't see things that way, and it isn't as if there aren't plenty of people within their own ranks who share your professional expertise.
What exactly are they supposed to agree on when they clearly haven't the slightest clue what’s actually happening? There isn't a single person from my field in that room, which is frankly a tragedy—it would be nothing short of disastrous if an architect couldn't tell the difference between a duplex and a five-story apartment building.
hollowmason64 said:I honestly have no clue what that guy was thinking. He really believes he can just waltz back into power if there's another election? If anything, they'd probably end up in an even worse spot than they are now. 🤣
So, I was watching that news segment on CNN earlier today, and honestly, it felt like they really went out of their way to find someone to complain. They practically had to hunt for a critic, and all they managed to find was one guy who mentioned his trash isn't being picked up on schedule. The only other "critic" they interviewed basically said he doesn't have any issues with the garbage at all—he just thinks the whole city needs a good deep cleaning. That was pretty much the extent of it. So, I was chatting with this lady from the Bronx the other day, and she mentioned that everything on her end is going exactly according to plan, too. It’s entirely possible that the old lady is actually an undercover plant they sent in. 😁
That’s just your take on it. They clearly don't see it that way, and honestly, it's not like there aren't plenty of people in your field working among them. Look, I’m just going to ignore your constant whining about how they didn't recognize you as the ultimate authority here. We’re just spinning our wheels at this point. Every single time we have this conversation, we end up right back where we started—you're convinced you're right, and they aren't. It's the same loop, over and over. Maybe you should take a beat and check that ego at the door. Honestly, your input isn't going to move the needle on this project one bit. It’s not like constantly jumping on this topic every single day or acting like you're some kind of expert is actually going to change the outcome. Aside from just suffocating everyone on this thread, it seems like you’re getting called out pretty regularly every couple of days. Look, I think you should take a more professional and open-minded approach here. Why not actually consider the suggestion that people should have the right to come to this thread, read through it, and contribute their own thoughts without being forced to wade through your endless stream of repetitive posts every single day?
It’s a sad reality that the uneducated masses believe they have a say in things—though God knows what they actually think they're deciding. In the end, the true authorities are the ones drafting the master plans. It’s a damn shame when politicians are the ones dictating urban development; it's exactly why our cities end up looking like such absolute wrecks.
hollowmason64 said:I honestly have no clue what that guy was thinking. He really believes he can just waltz back into power if there's another election? If anything, they'd probably end up in an even worse spot than they are now. 🤣
So, I was watching that news segment on CNN earlier today, and honestly, it felt like they really went out of their way to find someone to complain. They practically had to hunt for a critic, and all they managed to find was one guy who mentioned his trash isn't being picked up on schedule. The only other "critic" they interviewed basically said he doesn't have any issues with the garbage at all—he just thinks the whole city needs a good deep cleaning. That was pretty much the extent of it. So, I was chatting with this lady from the Bronx the other day, and she mentioned that everything on her end is going exactly according to plan, too. It’s entirely possible that the old lady is actually an undercover plant they sent in. 😁
That’s just your take on it. They clearly don't see it that way, and honestly, it's not like there aren't plenty of people in your field working among them. Look, I’m just going to ignore your constant whining about how they didn't recognize you as the ultimate authority here. We’re just spinning our wheels at this point. Every single time we have this conversation, we end up right back where we started—you're convinced you're right, and they aren't. It's the same loop, over and over. Maybe you should take a beat and check that ego at the door. Honestly, your input isn't going to move the needle on this project one bit. It’s not like constantly jumping on this topic every single day or acting like you're some kind of expert is actually going to change the outcome. Aside from just suffocating everyone on this thread, it seems like you’re getting called out pretty regularly every couple of days. Look, I think you should take a more professional and open-minded approach here. Why not actually consider the suggestion that people should have the right to come to this thread, read through it, and contribute their own thoughts without being forced to wade through your endless stream of repetitive posts every single day?
This isn't about my ego, and frankly, you’re undermining the entire argument for no reason at all. This is about the fundamental principle of balanced urban development. Wherever that bandit left off, they are simply picking up right where he stood and continuing the cycle. That is precisely why I didn't cast my vote for them.
hollowmason64 said:I honestly have no clue what that guy was thinking. He really believes he can just waltz back into power if there's another election? If anything, they'd probably end up in an even worse spot than they are now. 🤣
So, I was watching that news segment on CNN earlier today, and honestly, it felt like they really went out of their way to find someone to complain. They practically had to hunt for a critic, and all they managed to find was one guy who mentioned his trash isn't being picked up on schedule. The only other "critic" they interviewed basically said he doesn't have any issues with the garbage at all—he just thinks the whole city needs a good deep cleaning. That was pretty much the extent of it. So, I was chatting with this lady from the Bronx the other day, and she mentioned that everything on her end is going exactly according to plan, too. It’s entirely possible that the old lady is actually an undercover plant they sent in. 😁
That’s just your take on it. They clearly don't see it that way, and honestly, it's not like there aren't plenty of people in your field working among them. Look, I’m just going to ignore your constant whining about how they didn't recognize you as the ultimate authority here. We’re just spinning our wheels at this point. Every single time we have this conversation, we end up right back where we started—you're convinced you're right, and they aren't. It's the same loop, over and over. Maybe you should take a beat and check that ego at the door. Honestly, your input isn't going to move the needle on this project one bit. It’s not like constantly jumping on this topic every single day or acting like you're some kind of expert is actually going to change the outcome. Aside from just suffocating everyone on this thread, it seems like you’re getting called out pretty regularly every couple of days. Look, I think you should take a more professional and open-minded approach here. Why not actually consider the suggestion that people should have the right to come to this thread, read through it, and contribute their own thoughts without being forced to wade through your endless stream of repetitive posts every single day?
Maybe you should focus on cleaning up your own posts, which seem to lack any real substance and are nothing more than a collection of cheap insults and petty grievances.
There’s no such thing as a break while the reconstruction is underway. You might as well go ahead and take your vacation now, if you can find any peace.
brightpuma said:Man, back then she just thought her project would fly through. Since it didn't, suddenly Eric Adams is the bad guy. In an election, she'd probably vote for whoever would let her push whatever agenda she wants through today. 😬
Excuse me? Let’s not be absurd. This isn't "my" project; it is a legitimate proposal that aligns perfectly with the current urban development strategy—the very one Eric Adams uses to bolster his campaign platform. I am simply a resident living adjacent to this plan, someone who genuinely desires progress for my neighborhood and for New York City as a whole. I didn't even learn the plan existed until November 2021, only when we were abruptly informed it had been rejected. There was absolutely no explanation provided. In fact, the plan had already been shot down back in 2012 without a single word of justification. It seems Eric Adams is merely continuing that old style of political maneuvering, acting like a rogue whenever he finds an opening.
vividbear12 said:I won't talk about the late guy anymore. I don't think he was a good person, even if I saw some decent sides at one point. It's kind of like your mom—basically a bad guy, but you still saw him unselfishly helping total strangers...
Nancy has the knowledge and the experience, but she's got that same selfish, crooked side too. Kind of like Bush, I guess... at least that's how it feels.
vividbear12 said:I don't want to label the dead, I've seen his megalomania and his shitty way of governing too... It doesn't matter anymore...
Honestly, look at what people on this forum are saying. Your total turnaround from being his biggest fan to his harshest critic is pretty noticeable... I don't really care about the motives, but it stands out...
Would you have voted differently if you knew then what you know now?
Without a doubt. I would have thrown my useless vote toward Nikki Haley. She was perhaps the only semi-palatable option in that entire collection of morons and crooks.
Bloomberg’s defining trait of arrogance was his accessibility—he handed out New York City's funds as if they were some inheritance left to him by a grandmother. And fine, that small detail doesn't matter; that was all just a facade.