It’s a slow news week in Long Island City, so we here at LICtalk are going to employ an old journalism trick to drum up fresh content: the rehash! Today’s version, focusing on all the problems at Arris Lofts shortly before and after the 2008 economic meltdown, are an interesting contrast to the current real estate frenzy in LIC. During the period that the turmoil was most intense, late 2007 through mid 2010, the real estate website Curbed referred to Arris Lofts as a possible rival to One Madison Park for the amount of trouble and lawsuits it has generated. Curbed would go on to say “Once the can of worms that is Long Island City condo conversion Arris Lofts is opened, there’s no predicting what will happen.” and noted that “the building was the subject of a number of epic Curbed threads.” Here then, is an abridged chronology of Curbed’s stories during this period. Check them all out at the link provided, not to mention the comments.
September 2007 – Hookers Patrolling the Area
January 2008 – Tenant Revolt Brewing Over Building Management
April 2008 – Vast Emptiness and Plenty of Condos
April 2009 – Motivated Sellers, followed by the inevitable…
May 2009 – Brokerage Switch
August 2010 – Buyers Trying to Back Out of Purchases
Coming back to the reality of today, the WSJ has a story out about how NYC’s population is going to grow even more rapidly than expected over the next few decades, and questions where are we going to house the one million person increase. You know what their answer is don’t you? LIC! …and a few other spots in Queens. Then comes news from Jimmy Van Bramer’s office that work has begun on Shady Park:
“I am pleased that work is currently underway to fully restore Andrews Grove Park in Long Island City,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Immediately after Hurricane Sandy hit, my office took action, working closely with local residents and the Parks Department to help expedite this process and get our beloved park, known to so many local children and residents as Shady Park, back open. Once the project is finished all amenities, including the swing set, safety surfaces, fencing as well as both play areas will be accessible to community residents this summer.”
Then, in a melding of my two absolute favorite topics, comes the news that Lloyd Blankfein delivered the 2013 commencement speech to LaGuardia Community College last week.
Finally, we get to an important upcoming meeting for the community:
The Zoning of I.S. 291 with CEC members Valarie LaMour and Jeffrey Guyton – Tuesday, June 18, 2013 8:00 PM
Wow, out of thin air I managed to manufacture enough fluff to waste an hour of my time, not to mention yours. I’m really getting good at this news business.
Curbed’s Arris Loft Articles – read all about how they were practically giving condos away five …err three years ago
City’s Boom Spurs A Need For Housing – with a nice pic of Gantry Park
IS 191 Zoning Meeting – click here for all the details. This decision will determine who gets entry to the schools, LIC or others.
Lloyd Blankfein’s Horatio Alger Story For New Graduates – Lloyd speaking the gospel in LIC
Q says
June 12, 2013 at 7:33 amI didn’t buy at Arris Lofts, but I’m sure glad I took the plunge and bought a condo during that period. We’re never going back to those prices again. Ever!
Paul says
June 12, 2013 at 10:01 amWoulda, coulda, shoulda!
Yo says
June 12, 2013 at 1:07 pmShoulda, woulda, but couldn’t!
LICmom says
June 12, 2013 at 9:39 amFinally something is happening in Shady Park, it’s about time!
anonymous says
June 12, 2013 at 11:07 amI like the way they use an open ended timetable for Shady Park. “Summer” could mean September.
Anonymous says
June 12, 2013 at 2:10 pmbut I still can;t buy a pair of pants around here. Ugh