Last week a reader wrote to me telling of a big controversy in LIC about which I was unaware: the push to implement alternate-side of the street parking so the streets can be cleaned regularly. He positioned it as those who are for it want cleanliness and the eradication of any health and vermin problems as well as for aesthetic purposes. Those who oppose it want to continue to be able to park their cars long term on the streets without the hassles of having to move it regularly. I am indifferent as to where the pendulum swings on this issue, as I park my Bentley in a climate controlled garage, but for those who do have an opinion on it you are welcome to express it here in the comments section. Also, I have provided a link to a petition being circulated in favor of street cleaning.
Yet the controversies in LIC do not end there. One of the biggest lightning rods of the last year in our town has once again reared its head. I am talking about the strip club at the bottom of the Queensborough Bridge on 21st Street and its renewed request for a liquor license. Ok, maybe it’s more sordid than controversial, and I cannot tell if the furor over this is real or just something that politicians love to grandstand over, but once again …I am indifferent. But do not let my insouciance keep you from spewing vitriol for/against this topic, because maybe it is the bane of your existence and deserved to be issue number one in last weeks presidential debate. Let it out dear readers, let it all out, in the comments section.
Next up we get a resolution to some controversy of the last two weeks, as M Wells has decided not to serve horse meat at their just-opened restaurant at MoMA PS1. While I, once again, was indifferent on this topic, I will note that the first signs that there was controversy brewing came in …the comments section of our September 25th story on it.
Finally, we get to controversies on the horizon. In a Daily News story last week about the library, they mention the completion date as being …2015! I do not know if it is a moving target or questionable editing, but we have now seen 2013, 2014, and 2015 posited as the finishing date on this project. Oh well, I guess we cannot expect the same high standards or level of rigor as one gets here at LICtalk. Also, as inquired about, ranted about, and responded to in the comments section recently, comes an article on the new project being built adjacent to the Powerhouse. It contains a drawing of what it will look like upon completion, though I am sure that any north-facing, west-facing, or prospective condo owners are already aware of what is coming, per your comments.
Thank you very much for those of you who comment, or keep me apprised separately, of all the controversies, happenings, and other shenanigans going on in our town, and please keep them coming!
Street Cleaning Petition – also gives a whole litany of arguments for street cleaning
Controversial LIC Strip Club Once Again Tries To Get Liquor License – proving once again: you gotta fight for your right to party!
Outcry Scuttles Plan to Put Horse on The Menu at M Wells – on or off the menu, it proves once again that the proprietors of M Wells are masters in generating publicity
Hunters Point Dream Library – is it 2013, 2014, or 2015? Vegas odds favor the latter
$51 Million Loan From CIBC Funds Lightstone Multi-Family – check out pic
CL says
October 9, 2012 at 6:36 pmGee, between the controversies mentioned today, the school situation, and the 7 train weekend shutdowns, I’m thinking of leaving LIC. Not really, who am I kidding?
Long Time LIC Resident says
October 9, 2012 at 8:56 pmI cannot believe there is a push to change the parking situation. I am one of those people who park on the streets,and yes, sometimes it is for weeks at a time. I am a single individual, working 5 days a week in Manhattan(like a lot of other street parkers) and I can neither take the time off from work to move my car during the week, nor afford a garage. While I may be in the minority, we are still a pretty large one and should not be discriminated against because we have neither the time nor the means.
Anonymous says
October 10, 2012 at 9:33 amGet rid of your old clunker! You want a) free parking and b) dirty streets for all of LIC just so that you can keep your car in the same spot for weeks. All people in the LIC should suffer just so that you can get away with leaving a car you can not afford in one spot. You must be one of the people -or probably THE one person- who has left nasty phone messages as the councilman’s office fighting for your one parking spot. Why don’t you face the fact that you can not afford your car? Why does the whole community have to suffer in order for ONE person to keep her old clunker for weeks on the street?
Mikey from Queens says
October 9, 2012 at 10:54 pmIn lieu of horse meat M Wells Dinette will be serving filet of kitten
anony mouse says
October 10, 2012 at 11:02 amI do not own a car, but I know that there are alot more people who LIVE in LIC who park their car on the streets and than just one woman. Singling someone out is not the point of this controversy and hurts your point of view more than helps it, as people think you are the crazy one.
Clean Streets for LIC! says
October 10, 2012 at 12:53 pmIf you can’t afford to garage your car or pay for parking, you can’t afford your car. This is New York City, where there are ample modes of public transportation. Owning a car in NYC is a privilege and a luxury. I’ve been without a car for the past six years and live in LIC, and have managed just fine. When I occasionally need a vehicle, I rent a Zipcar. Anyone who would rather live in filth than move their car is just being plain selfish. The disgusting streets degrade the quality of life for all of us.
I implore everyone who wants cleaner streets and a better neighborhood to please SIGN THE PETITION!
Z says
October 10, 2012 at 3:05 pmNot all the cars are clunkers, a lot of them are Mercedes and BMW’s.
Anon says
October 11, 2012 at 1:10 pmAnyone know if the new building is rental or condo? LIC is in serious need of some new condo inventory. Everything going up is rental!