Friday, February 11, 2011

When Blockbuster goes bust

"How do I get someone to write a story about a new store at 253-06 Hillside Avenue in Queens. This store recently opened on our block. The store is a 24 hour grocery store. The owners of the store took over a closed Blockbuster video and tried to construct a large grocery store in the size of a mom and pop deli. They illegally constructed this store without any city permits or licenses. Now the store is operating and the quality of life on the block has been destroyed. While illegally increasing the size of the building, they have also decreased the size of their parking lot. They have created a very dangerous condition for both vehicles and pedestrians. Cars and trucks can enter the lot but the only way out is to back into traffic on Hillside Ave or drive on the sidewalk and use the crosswalk cutout to exit. My neighbors and myself have made many complaints to the city. Most of these complaints have been returned resolved with the explanation no violation warranted at time of inspection. If the city had actually inspected this store when complaints were made during construction, we would not have the problem we have today. I haven’t listed all the issues with this store but would love to explain them all, to anyone who can either help or listen.

I have been a New Yorker for many years and have lived on this block over 20. I am not anti-change, I see what’s happening on this block and it’s frustrating and wrong.

If you have any advise or can help it would be appreciated, thank you."

- John

Records show that they just applied to change the C of O yesterday!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I grew up on 249th off Hillside in the 70's/early 80's. The neighborhood is unrecognizable now. Sad.

Anonymous said...

All too often DoB responds to complaints with "violating condition not observed" or "address not found" or the like - even when faced with photos, multiple complaints by multiple complainants - yet they are capable of giving entire neighborhoods violations for Sears sheds in the back yard? I can't wait til our Mayor-for-Life and his appointees leave.

Anonymous said...

Take it step by step ... the awning permit was given a 10-day notice to revoke -
http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/JobsQueryByNumberServlet?requestid=2&passjobnumber=420239227&passdocnumber=01

And there are no permits for signs - both applications were disapproved.

The application for a change of certificate of occupancy was made in December but the Virtual File shows that they did not include the zoning categories.

R2 with a C1-2 overlay actually follows R3-2 zoning rules. Go figure!

How did they reduce the size of the parking lot??

Anonymous said...

I don't think it is an eyesore. We need places like this to sell beer, cigarettes, and cigar paper.

Because if this place isn't here then they will go somewhere else and dislocate these vital jobs elsewhere

Anonymous said...

I don't think it is an eyesore. We need places like this to sell beer, cigarettes, and cigar paper.

Because if this place isn't here then they will go somewhere else and dislocate these vital jobs elsewhere

Anonymous said...

where else can you get a gyro at 3am from a street vendor in this neck of the woods.