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• Ooh, Finkelpearl IS a great name! Queens is the most diverse county in the nation. That’s a number 1! As a minority person it is very easy for me to live in Queens. It’s a relief to live here and not have to think about my minority-ness. How was Oklahoma City?

  Posted by flocat
  on June 26th, 2007 at 11:13 pm

• Oklahoma City was not the most diverse county in the nation, and though I did see a few minorities, I doubt they have the option not to think about their minorityness. But I still had a good time! Lots of upscaleish chain restaurants on an expense account.

  Posted by Steve
  on June 27th, 2007 at 12:26 am

• Queens should have an inferiority complex. Having travelled extensively through this borough, a lot of neighborhoods are a lot like number 2, if you catch my drift. Queens will forever be third place unless some serious cleaning up is done. A prime example is Queen’s signature park, Flushing Meadows/Corona. It’s a disgrace. Potholes, litter, floating trash in the lake, rusting monuments, empty waterless fountains. And every time someone tries to build something new, it more than likely winds up being a Fedders dump or one of those hideous, disgusting McMansions where they pave over the whole lawn or wall it off like a mafia compound. Meanwhile, Brooklyn renovates brownstones and puts up condos from architectural firms with talent.

  Posted by Jon Parker
  on June 28th, 2007 at 3:11 pm

• Wordy McWord, Jon Parker. Couldn’t have said it better!

  Posted by MaryJane
  on June 28th, 2007 at 6:47 pm

• I see, John. Queens should have an inferiority complex because you think everything new that is built in Queens is hideous and ugly. You sound like someone from the Crap blog. What you’re saying is simply not true.

  Have you seen the Windsor? The proposed hotel on Austin Street? The gleaming new towers in Long Island City? None of these is a “Fedders dump” or a McMansion. I agree that there are some buildings being built that match your description. But putting all new buildings in the “crap” category is ridiculous and undermines the argument you are trying to make.

  Posted by FHGuy
  on June 28th, 2007 at 9:48 pm

• Actually, I think the Queens Crap guy is certifiably insane. But every so often, he makes a good point. Namely, local construction tends to suck. The Windsor, proposed hotel, and LIC towers (all of which I like) are (1) very very rare and (2) their construction is fought tooth and nail. I live in FH and the Windsor development was fought by people who didn’t want more traffic, didn’t think it fit the character of the neighborhood, thought it would raise the rents or assessed property values, or plain old don’t like change and yearn for whatever fantasy of “the good old days” they have in their heads looks like. I like the Windsor. I wish there were more like it. But it’s been over a year and what else has come along? Walk towards the GCP up Jewel Ave. That’s a neighborhood that has, or should have character. Tudor and colonial homes, nice lawns, old trees. A FH Gardens you can park in without getting your car booted. Instead I see lot after lot where they’re building just plain awful orange brick abominations that tower over the block. No grass. No trees. Practically solid walls five or six feet high. Chrome fencing. CHROME!!! Ugh. They scream, “look at me! I’m loud and obnoxious! I drive a car with tinted windows, love gold necklaces worn with my dark t-shirt, wear my watch too big and extra loose, and do all of my business in cash!” On the other side of the spectrum are these mid-rise new apartments that seem to be built out of brickface cinderblock. Across QB from M&T Bank, and down the block from the Starbucks is a perfect example. A plain, characterless building that never seems to finish construction. Its only defining trait are tacky dark green stripes running down the side. Awful. That would never be green-lighted in Dumbo. And it is in line with the standard construction. Nice highrises are not. Even nice midrises are not. I like Queens and it has a ton of potential. But until there are some major attitude shifts, there will always be a bronze medal with our names on it.

  But enough about that. I’m really interested in what you think I’m lying about Flushing Meadows. I was there this weekend and walked the ENTIRE park. From the tip at the end of the lake, to the stadium, and back. Trust me. That park NEEDS a concervancy group like Central and Prospect park have. It should be nice. To many tourists, the Unisphere and US Open are their only trips to Queens. Therefore that park represents the borough to the world. To let it rot out from under us is a complete disgrace.

  Posted by Jon Parker
  on June 28th, 2007 at 11:33 pm

• OMG, will you marry me?

  Seriously, I couldn’t agree more. My question is, how is it even legal to build houses that high? Do the builders get variances to do it? Or do they just build it and pay what I assume is a relatively small fine? Or do they get a “pass” and are allowed to build it as high as they want and break the law?

  Posted by MaryJane
  on June 29th, 2007 at 7:39 am

• Jon is “right on” about Flushing Meadows Park. I take advantage of it maybe once a week and am appalled at its condition. Do you realize that there are virtually NO BENCHES in its southern half (below the LIE) except for that semi-new monstrosity of a pier on the northern edge of the lake! When I go into Manhattan and walk in Central Park or the Battery Park Esplanade (I love that word, “esplanade”) I cannot but come to the conclusion that we in Queens are second-class citizens. One theory boiling over in my head about Flushing Meadows Park is that a majority of its users are Hispanic and perhaps there is a bit of racism involved here in why this Park is not properly maintained. We should be proud of our public facilities here in Queens but I hang my head in shame more so that we Queens residents don’t seem to give a damn.

  Posted by bobbyrab
  on June 29th, 2007 at 9:36 am

• The longer I live in Queens, the more I love it (and not just because I can’t afford to live in Brooklyn). Yes, there are tacky houses, and the park isn’t as pretty as Prospect Park, but at least we have a pitch ‘n putt golf course! What I really love about Queens, though, is the mind-boggling diversity and the awesome food that comes with it. I used to think I didn’t really like Thai food–then I moved here and discovered what the real deal tastes like (at Sripraphai and Zabb Queens). If you walk down Roosevelt Avenue around Jackson Heights, you’ll find what is probably the most authentic Mexican food in the city. Then there’s Chinese, Korean, Bukharian . . . Last week, nymetro.com (NY Magazine) had a list of the twenty best street carts in NYC–the top five were in Queens! So if you delve beneath the grimy surface, this borough does has lots to offer.

  Posted by Sarah
  on June 29th, 2007 at 10:04 am

• Did you enjoy the two-hour subway ride from the Lower East Side to Forest Hills the other night? I don’t know if you got on on the LES like I did, but I believe my wife and I spotted you getting off at 67th (because the train was going local, of course). What you probably didn’t know is that the train went out of service 10 minutes later at 71st, so we had to take a 15-minute slow-motion walk home in the rain.

  Posted by Steve
  on June 29th, 2007 at 10:21 am

• I was absolutely disgusted by the Fedders garbage shacks and stainless gated “McMansions” with paved over front lawns when I was looking at places in Queens. The attitude of those property owners blatantly state they do not have regard for their neighbors or community. They’d much rather do as they wish, because it is a free country. Isn’t it?

  The above descriptive is not complete. Don’t forget the uni-brows, cheap shoes, body odor, and driving the AMG (please, too good for a regular Mercedes) to pick something up at the 99cent store. Tons of cash from “cash businesses”. Not one effin’ ounce of sense.

  Brooklyn was not always “trendy” or even livable in some parts. Preservation has helped areas keep a certain character like Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill. Rezoning has allowed former industrial areas such as DUMBO and parts of Williamsburg to be developed with newer architecture alongside existing neighborhood structures. Most of all, I get more of a communal sense in those areas, even if it is not quite the neighborhood cohesion we may be accustomed to. They seem to take a certain level of interest in what goes on in their neighborhoods. Scarce are the “Screw the neighbors” attitude, “I’ll put up a Fedders shack or a big effin’ McMansion wherever I please”.

  Posted by West
  on June 29th, 2007 at 10:47 am

• Hi Steve–If you’re talking about last Friday night, it probably was us–we got on the train at 2nd Ave and we would have gotten off at 67th if it was going local (my memory’s a bit hazy). Yes, there are times it sucks living in Queens–and those interminable late-night train rides top the list.

  Posted by Sarah
  on June 29th, 2007 at 11:39 am

• I agree with Jon. Maybe someone pointed this out already and I missed it, but can you believe there are people out there opposed to the development of the Iron Triangle (Willet’s Point)?! And what do you think one of the world’s most endangered landmarks (NYS Pavilion) would look like if it were in Prospect Park or Central Park? And while I’m at it, I know it was too offensive for Manhattan so they shipped it off to Queens, but no matter how you feel about it, if the statue at Union Turnpike, Civic Virtue, is going to remain, at least restore it! Again, can you imagine it existing in its current state anywhere in Manhattan? I guess only our airports, tennis stadium, baseball stadium and beaches are worth traveling too, or our roads to the Hamptons. Sorry, I’m finished venting!

  Posted by bp
  on June 29th, 2007 at 12:03 pm

• I agree. So let’s protect what we have in Forest Hills. Don’t worry about the rest of Queens - you think the Hamptons care about Suffolk county? It happens in your backyard. My letter to the LPC. . .

  To:rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov, comments@lpc.nyc.gov
  Bcc:unlockthevault@hotmail.com, jeffgottlieb@hotmail.com

  Dear Mr. Tierney:

  Please use whatever resources you have to keep the beautiful, threatened, townhouses on 72nd Avenue in Forest Hills intact.

  Most of these structures in the area have been torn down and replaced with characterless boxes for medical offices and such. These townhouses are the last remaining ones in the Forest Hills business district and it is really what separates us from the rest of the city.

  They are for sale and being marketed as being perfect for developers and has “air-rights” highlighted in the listing. Unless protected, there is no doubt there will be torn down.

  Forest Hills business district is unique to Queens, a draw for the entire borough. Help us maintain its historic integrity.

  Thanks in advance.

  Posted by Foresthills72
  on June 29th, 2007 at 2:46 pm

• By the way, I only adopted that ‘in it for yourself’ attitude after posting on Queenscrap that the townhouses were in trouble, and got blasted with “You’re a twit” and “They’re ugly anyway” responses.

  Posted by Foresthills72
  on June 29th, 2007 at 2:53 pm

• I saw those Queens Crap comments. Somewhat perplexing. “They’re a dime a dozen in New York City” is kind of missing the point.

  Posted by Steve
  on June 29th, 2007 at 2:56 pm

• The guy behind Queens Crap is great. It’s some of those commenters. They kinda bring you down.

  Posted by foresthills72
  on June 29th, 2007 at 11:12 pm

• “The guy behind Queens Crap is great.”

  Yeah, right. The guy who runs the Crap blog is great at giving Queens a bad name by making everyone outside of Queens think that everything in Queens is just crap. He’s also great at being reflexively against all new development in Queens and making everyone outside of Queens think that all people in Queens want to keep Queens the way it was 50 years ago. And the commenters there are even worse than the blog owner. I’m so glad that Steve started Queens Central so that other Queens voices have a forum.

  Posted by FHGuy
  on June 30th, 2007 at 2:18 pm

• Ah…FH Guy and Jon Parker arguing against each other, I love it.

  “The guy who runs the Crap blog is great at giving Queens a bad name by making everyone outside of Queens think that everything in Queens is just crap.”

  The “guy” who runs the crap blog is more than one person and we frequently get submissions from like-minded individuals who are upset about the way our borough is neglected by this city. If you don’t like the reality that Queens has had its tasteful, well-designed architecture replaced with uninspired crap and that people are sick and tired of it, then don’t visit Queens Crap! Continue to live in your fantasy world that everything built in Queens is fantastic and that bigger is always better - and enjoy the next blackout.

  Posted by Queens Crapper
  on July 1st, 2007 at 7:02 am

• Fhguy, I think you make your position on the matter quite clear.
  You speak AGAINST the conservation of the 72nd Ave townhouses, and SUPPORT the proliferation of Baharestani-type structures.
  You speak AGAINST others who view “McMansions” and Fedders shacks as a detriment to the neighborhood.
  You SUPPORT the idea of razing 1 -2 family homes to make way for multiple unit housing.
  On the same note, you believe suburban type neighborhoods are a setback to the “growth” of the city.
  You believe the answer to growth is to build unabated. To question or speak out against it in any way, is to be labeled “anti-development”.
  You believe the concerns and complaints against irresponsible building and construction are largely unfounded. Regardless, we should yield to the interests of the developers and selfish neighbors.

  Is this correct?

  Posted by West
  on July 2nd, 2007 at 9:18 am

• I’m not sure why West is asking me “Is this correct?” when he’s already made up his mind. Anyone who has read my comments knows that my viewpoint bears absolutely no relationship to West’s statements above. I don’t need to explain my opinion–all anyone has to do is read my comments and they speak for themselves.

  As for the owner of the “against-all-new-development” blog, I find it interesting that someone who is so sure that he is right has to post comments on other blogs to defend and justify his own blog. Insecure, much?

  Posted by FHGuy
  on July 2nd, 2007 at 8:55 pm

• “As for the owner of the “against-all-new-development” blog, I find it interesting that someone who is so sure that he is right has to post comments on other blogs to defend and justify his own blog. Insecure, much?”

  Nope, not at all. Just setting the record straight.

  “I don’t need to explain my opinion–all anyone has to do is read my comments and they speak for themselves.”

  Now this is the first thing I agree with FH Guy on!

  Posted by Queens Crapper
  on July 3rd, 2007 at 1:57 am

• “all anyone has to do is read my comments and they speak for themselves.”

  Thanks for clarifying.

  Posted by West
  on July 3rd, 2007 at 7:46 am

• What is a Fedder shack?

  Posted by stojef
  on July 12th, 2007 at 10:34 pm

• It’s a small, cheaply constructed red- or brown-brick apartment building distinguished by Fedders-brand air conditioners sticking out the outside. Frank Bahar can tell you more.

  Posted by Steve
  on July 13th, 2007 at 1:01 am

• 2lwzq3246ysaplkm

  Posted by Adrienne Maddox
  on November 13th, 2008 at 12:10 am

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