A shanty shack grows on South End Ave
Update: February 15, 2012
A local throw-away is claiming that the majority of residents love the fruit shack vendor on South End Avenue and Albany Street. Their article provides no supporting data whatsoever. Their assertion conflicts with BP.TV’s survey and anecdotal incoming email. According to our survey, 70% of the residents of BPC want the fruit shack evicted completely. In the comments section at the bottom of this story, numerous people have written strongly worded letters opposing this vendor.
This is not the first time that the Broadsheet has posted an article with an agenda of contradicting an original BatteryPark.TV story. The Broadsheet also supports Gayle Horwitz and the BPCA, seems to support an artificial turf being placed on the West Thames field, etc.
However, commentary by residents at meetings and surveys indicate that the people oppose the views of the Broadsheet. In general, the interests of the advertising-driven business model of the Broadsheet seem to create conflicts with the interests of the residents of Battery Park City. This is just one reason that BP.TV has been so well received since we launched in 2009. One person posting a comment wrote, “I find out more, and get more results, from BP.TV than anywhere else. You are looking out for the community.”
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Update: February 3, 2012
BatteryPark.TV delivers results once again. The despised shanty shack that had sprung up is now transformed back into a small fruit stand. It is still illegal and stealing business from the tax-paying Hudson Produce and Gristedes, and the red gas canisters are still there, but at least the eyesore is partially gone.
The First Precinct was the cause for the results. In contrast, the property manager of the nearby ex-Gate House porch, LeFrak, did not adequately act on the matter. This is the same property manager that allows the unsanitary dog urine to accumulate on the sidewalk in front of the Chase bank on South End Ave and fails to properly spray down the sidewalk.
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Update: February 2, 2012
A viewer informed us that the First Precinct stopped by the shanty shack and gave them a warning that the fruit stand can be no larger than eight feet. They will return later. Stay tuned.
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Update: January 31, 2012
One day after our report on the 27th, the boxes disappeared. The First Precinct replied to BatteryPark.TV that they were investigating and we spoke with the building owner of the old Gate House, upon which the illegal storage is taking place.
Now, four days later, the shanty shack has returned and the boxes are once again sprawled over the old Gate House porch. Neither the Gateway Plaza building property manager nor any official from the BPCA has responded to out requests for comment.
January 27, 201
Uptown BPC has the Shake Shack. Downtown BPC’ers have the Shanty Shack. BatteryPark.TV has received several emails complaining about the growing unsightly sloppy tent at the intersection of South End Avenue and Albany. A fruit vendor is expanding onto the empty porch of the closed down Gate House. He is now storing numerous boxes of fruit on the ground, and
has an ugly makeshift tarpaulin over his stand. The merchants even have a 24-hour source of electricity from a gasoline generator with fuel canisters sitting on the sidewalk. The Gateway Plaza real estate group is the nearest property owner, and is allowing the storage of the boxes on their porch.
Also, across the street is a permanent, never moving, “Mobile” pastry and coffee cart. It is a favorite spot for tour buses and trucks that park illegally for hours on Albany using the food cart as their excuse for stopping. Brookfield Properties is the nearest property owner.
The nearby Hudson Produce, a legal establishment that loses money to both sidewalk vendors, was enthusiastic when BatteryPark.TV informed them that many in the community want the fruit shack to leave.
Where is the City Department of Health when they are needed? Do they only harass restaurants and collect fees? We asked Gayle Horwitz, CEO of the BPCA, whether they or some other agency is in charge of regulating this site, and she did not reply. We are awaiting replies from the property owners, City Hall, and the First Precinct.
What do you think? Should these unauthorized food vendors be shut down and evicted or do you value their services? Please post comments in the section below. They will be helpful to the community board and others.
Take our survey here.
Update: January 28, 2012
The First precinct community affairs replied to our story and they told us that they would investigate. We noticed that already the vendor has removed the numerous boxes, and the Gate House porch is empty. However, the ugly tarpaulin remains, as does the fuel canisters. The BPCA has still not replied to our questions.
(Click images to enlarge to full screen)
The permanent "mobile" pastry and coffee cart on Albany Street and South End Avenue
- Battery Park City Authority, - City Council, - Community Board 1, - First precinct, - Mayor's Office, Gripes, Groceries, Real estate, Shops and markets | admin | 
January 15, 2012 11:18 am
By Barbara, January 27, 2012 @ 2:39 pm
I thought Southwest and Black Hounds would open soon and that their porch area would turn into a clean entry way to the new restaurants. A representation of business in South Battery Park City’s busiest corner.
But, every day I walk past the fruit stand they seem to be expand into a permanent fixture in the neighborhood. They have turn the old Gatehouse enclosure into a storage and production area with trash and spoiling fruit and the space on the curb is ever expanding.
I believe in free enterprise, but other business that have structures also pay rent and taxes.
The new restaurants in the Goldman buildings in North Battery Park City are modern and lively. I must say, the South Battery Park City’s West side of South End Ave hasn’t changed much in 25 years and it doesn’t look very clean lately with old news boxes every 12 feet.
- resident
By Fran, January 27, 2012 @ 2:40 pm
Aha! I am not the only one that feels that this disgusting stand must go….the guy is nice and can stay but for gods sake a eyesore it is ….and i just read there will be many more vendors come the opening of the WTC…buses.vendors,food all over…tourists….where am I….I hope the resident that sent the letter in wants to start a petition…when i went to bring this up at the meeting it was meant by these words by a very full of himself board member……oh that is real important…..!!!!!!!!!! well i guess he is the only one who can say things that are important….and he can go on and on and on……i suggest it gets moved from the slum area that they started and be moved anywhere but where it is…is there a license or food license that should be displayed? I want this to be in the broadsheet also…maybe then someone besides myself and another resident will respond…thanks
By Rosalie, January 27, 2012 @ 2:44 pm
Agree
And the fruit is not fresh
By Judith, January 28, 2012 @ 9:39 am
Wasn’t aware of the fruit box storage. What’s not to hate about the boxes:
– Fire hazard
– Vermin
– Unsightly.
That tarp is gross. I don’t understand why BPCA allows it.
By Judith, January 28, 2012 @ 9:50 am
At last November’s Battery Park City Authority Town Hall meeting, President Gayle Horwitz gave the audience her email address to express concerns. Here it is:
gayle.horwitz@batteryparkcity.org
By fran, January 28, 2012 @ 7:32 pm
thanks all you intelligent responders….i will write to gayle and see if she can get busy and make this go away….and thanks dr steve for letting others know about this site….hopefully gone soon….as they all should be…high rents for stores that go out of business…and this stand has a propane tank …who is the stupid one in this picture….fran
By Adam, January 28, 2012 @ 7:38 pm
Gayle horwitz makes numerous false statements at every meeting.
The bpca needs to be removed.
2010 inspector general report ripped the authority a new “one.”
For years and years—issues would arise and it always falls on deaf ears.
My little dog and I were beat to the ground for submitting years of complaints about the parks officers and bpca–I will continue—and appreciate and respect the tremendous effort BPTV/the DOC makes opening the residents eyes on issues in BPC .
Remember , those stands have never moved ? Nice and sanitary for your items.
The vendors van-car sits with extra fruit and supplies —it’s so gross its sad to watch !! BPTV is on it–watch the change.
Next —toss the lazy ass crossing guards away on south end. The fellas on west Thames /hwy are great. But south end&albany…why pay for the contract. Ever see these officers doing their job or just off to the corner on their cell ?
“People should not be afraid of the authority/govt.
The authority/govt should be afraid of the people!!
By Fran, February 3, 2012 @ 5:23 pm
none of which would have happened without you…i appreciate it …it still looks disgraceful and bpc should be ashamed but they won’t be…thanks again ….Fran
By Judith, February 5, 2012 @ 5:55 pm
“Uptown BPC has the Shake Shack. Downtown BPC’ers have the Shanty Shack.” Thank you very much for working to get rid of the Shanty Shack.
By L, February 15, 2012 @ 6:23 pm
I agree the broadsheet often prints false surveys. The fruitstand is an eyesore albeit the chap is nice. But the little 24 hr stand is very useful and on many occasions has been the only source (I think power outage etc… from way back). he is very discreet and correct.
As for false turf… here we go again… for years the little rector park was beautiful – a pleasure to pass by and smell the scent of fresh grass. the playing fields are now false turf and did not seem to be a problem. it is unfortunate that
By L, February 15, 2012 @ 6:27 pm
sorry… for the unfinished comment earlier about the turf. I just want it to be known not everyone was for the artificial turf at the playing fields and definately not for it either at rector. Strange that PBC is supposedly a model for sustainability…