Trainspotter Posted April 13, 2009 Share #1 Posted April 13, 2009 As if times weren't hard enough. NoHo business owners are up in arms over a subway construction project that has transformed their sidewalk into a pit of mud and maze of fencing. "It's already bad with the economy, and now we have this," said Jack Wu, owner of Adore Floral, looking at the mess along Lafayette St. between Houston and Bleecker. "It's definitely affected the walk-in traffic. ... The timing couldn't be any worse." Wu, along with other shop owners on the block, said business was struggling before the work crews and heavy machinery took over their strip last month. Soon the sidewalk was gone. Workers installed fencing around a makeshift walkway, allowing pedestrians to enter only at the end of the block. A cement truck blocks the walkway for several minutes every day and, merchants say, the earsplitting noise and swirling dust give people even more reason to stay away. "It's a lot of noise, a lot of dust - all day," said Mia Kwon, manager of Save Khaki, a clothing store. "With the economy the way it is, they couldn't have picked a worse time. And this is just the beginning." Indeed, work on the $133 million project to connect the uptown train platform at the Bleecker St. station with the (, , and lines at Broadway-Lafayette is expected to continue on the east side of Lafayette until December. NYC Transit spokesman James Anyansi said the agency has taken steps to limit impact, including posting signs in the subway making clear the shops remain open. "We regret the inconvenience," Anyansi said, "but this is work that has to be done." The store owners disagree. "I don't think this is urgent at a time of crisis," said Anthony Sabatier, owner of Autonomy Salon. A couple of doors down, Eye Candy, a boutique jewelry shop, is also experiencing woes. Over the past month, several flummoxed customers have called the store from across the street, asking the same question: How do we get in? "It's like a maze out there," said salesman Paul Ingratta, 47. "And all of the machinery is a putoff, especially in this city with cranes falling left and right." Harriet Fields, executive director of the NOHO NY Business Improvement District, said there is a silver lining to the shops' hardships: When the work is completed, it will be a boon to the neighborhood. Until then, Fields conceded, the shop owners can do little but grin and bear it. "[The work] just has to be done, and they're doing it," Fields said. "But unfortunately, these stores are suffering." Yasue Yang, general manager of Pinche Taqueria, a popular Mexican eatery, was decidedly more blunt, saying: "It's killing us." Making it inside the taqueria is particularly difficult because a monstrous yellow backhoe is parked right in front, surrounded by fencing. "It makes us inaccessible," Yang said. "We're losing one-quarter of our normal business." BY Rich Schapiro DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER April 13th 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted April 13, 2009 Share #2 Posted April 13, 2009 Wow, they have to cross a bridge to get to the stores, crazy. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INDman Posted April 13, 2009 Share #3 Posted April 13, 2009 Tell them to get over it, they are getting in the way of progress. This project has been needed since the IND station opened. Plus I have walked down there many times since they started doing work and if you want to ho into one of those stores its very easy. Its also cool to see the brick work of the IRT tunnel too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 13, 2009 Share #4 Posted April 13, 2009 The ends will justify the means. Mark my words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 14, 2009 Share #5 Posted April 14, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 14, 2009 Share #6 Posted April 14, 2009 Well, it is kinda like fair play. The Uptown businesses are not doing well during these subway constructions. So the Downtown keeps it balanced but not for long. If there are businesses and there is a major subway construction taking place in that area, the construction will nevertheless affect businesses, regardless of where you are. Take the launch box and the Fulton Street Transit Centre, for example. There's no balance nor fair play. So I have no idea what you are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 14, 2009 Share #7 Posted April 14, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 14, 2009 Share #8 Posted April 14, 2009 Then what? Thats me, that is my opinions, you cannot change it! What balance? A block of Broadway nearly got flattened out by the Fulton project. So many businesses had to shutter. And the shops at Court Square aren't faring too well with the transfer passageway construction. Look at Downtown Brooklyn. Jay Street construction turned it to a disaster. Businesses suffered GREATLY. There's no balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 14, 2009 Share #9 Posted April 14, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedChikkin Posted April 14, 2009 Share #10 Posted April 14, 2009 Definitely part of the urban renewal plans for the area... which is why they spent the last few years renovating Houston Street, too... they've have construction projects in that area for years. I can only imagine they're going to price out the people living over on the east side soon enough, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 14, 2009 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2009 So, that means it is fair to everyone. The more projects the more fair, ! It's not fair for anyone. Go ask anyone who has a business in those affected areas, tell them that you think it's fair. Go tell them. And shops along Roosevelt Avenue cried foul last year when the 7 got shut down between Main and Woodside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 14, 2009 Share #12 Posted April 14, 2009 Its bad enough that Houston Street from East River Drive to the Bowery is expected to begin renovations in the Fall. It's citywide, look at Fulton Street, it's a mess there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 15, 2009 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 15, 2009 Share #14 Posted April 15, 2009 It is better off to affect more businesses than just one section of businesses. Balance and fairness - you would not know my philosophy. What kind of Platonic philosophy are you coming up with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 15, 2009 Share #15 Posted April 15, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 15, 2009 Share #16 Posted April 15, 2009 You won't get my philosophy so don't ask or this thread will be garbage. You can continue all you want with fairness and justice, Plato. By the way, you think the MTA will give reimbursements for lost money? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 15, 2009 Share #17 Posted April 15, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 15, 2009 Share #18 Posted April 15, 2009 Yes, I can but I ain't doing here no more... What? Re-imbursements for lost money? No way if you lost your MetroCard or Cash/Credit/Debit, (except Monthly MetroCard). No the stores. It's logical that they should get some reimbursement from the MTA if they are losing business due to the construction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2Julio Posted April 15, 2009 Share #19 Posted April 15, 2009 It is better off to affect more businesses than just one section of businesses. Balance and fairness - you would not know my philosophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 16, 2009 Share #20 Posted April 16, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 16, 2009 Share #21 Posted April 16, 2009 Well, yeah. Actually the should give each of them at least 1,000 bucks. But not for now, because of the budget problems. Be sure to watch Star Trek coming May/08th/2009, ! 1000 won't reimburse much, that's like taking a hundred dollars and giving back a penny. If these businesses suffer, a thousand dollars won't cover all of the losses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted April 17, 2009 Share #22 Posted April 17, 2009 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted April 17, 2009 Share #23 Posted April 17, 2009 They need to give them a business impact tax credit to offset the losses. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted April 17, 2009 Share #24 Posted April 17, 2009 Whenever these public works projects get done, someone's going to get shafted. These fellas are just the unlucky ones this time around. I can't wait to see the mayhem once stations are being constructed on second ave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTR Admiralty Posted April 17, 2009 Share #25 Posted April 17, 2009 Whenever these public works projects get done, someone's going to get shafted. These fellas are just the unlucky ones this time around. I can't wait to see the mayhem once stations are being constructed on second ave... Those guys are already moaning about utility location, imagine what it would be like for them when the station entrances and ancillaries get built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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