Queens Crap: Excavation continues at the Steinway Mansion

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Excavation continues at the Steinway Mansion

Video from George the Atheist

53 comments:

Jerry Rotondi, former trustee of Queens Historical Society said...: .....and is borough president Melinda Katz, the "avid preservationist" , taking any note of the danger to such an important Queens landmark?

Is she too busy with her "Katz Concerts" self promotion? No doubt that if a developer came before her to have their plans approved, she would be all ears! This is what happens when Queens' voters allow their power to be diminished by electing developers' ...pardon me...pimps and whores to run their borough!

It all began in ernest with Donald Manes selling out your neighborhoods and historic sites. The reign of the developer friendly tyrants was then passed on to his apt accomplice, Claire Shulman.....down the line to the present.

Ms. Katz feigns concern , but acts to promote poorly planned over development. Then she tosses bon bons to an easily fooled public, as booby prizes to placate them.

The "Katz Concert" series? Indeed!
Meanwhile , Steinway, the emperor of piano builders...known around the world thought their history...family home sits there in great danger of being severely compromised by the pile driving that's going on.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: The silence from LPC, community board and shady electeds is in sharp contrast to the noise of pile drivers which are perilously close to
The mansion. Have we no pride left? I'm afraid that Queens truly is a borough of ignorant scum sucking supplicants. Kiss your councilman's ass. Do not incur his wrath. Cowards. Farmers and herders of sheep, it is time to show some anger. No wonder Queens is the butt of TV comic writers. What else can we be proud of except our complaceny and willingness to be laughed at?
Brooklyn has balls! Queens cannot even boast having a vagina!; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: The executive director of GAHS draws a salary. Yet is silent.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: We all stroke our keyboards with hundreds of words flowing each day from here to there. We think we have the power of Facebook to buck crooked councilman, a devious community board and an uncaring landmarks commission (when it comes to Queens).
We had better learn to take real three dimensional action in real time, not computer time. We will be losing more and more each year as time passes. The illusion of power granted by our cyberspace domains is pale without removing the cankers of crooked politics that grows like weeds In Queens. Maybe somebody should set up a website that rates politicians...a sort of Consumer Reports...review of who is who.
That might be a wiser use of time. Queens Crap broke new ground in conveying the truth about what's really going on in Queens.
It is time to fan out and get as creative as QC. As long as Queens' voters remain as ignorant as they are, little can be accomplished.
Educate and agitate! Every politician puts out his BS. Voters have to be taught to read between their lines.

For instance, councilman Paul Vallone is paying for the July 4th fireworks at Fort Totten...a smart move of self promotion. How many developer cliets does his firm represent that would have built condos on the fort if it weren't city parkland?
Phony Valloney! Bayside Historical Society obviously had no choice but to ally themselves with Don Vallone on this fireworks show.
They gotta survive. Frank Padavan is no longer their prime benefactor.
Believe me, everyone understands all of this. Do not re-elect Vallone simply because he paid for a few patriotic firecrackers. Otherwise you are the dumb crackers!; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: So sad! Honestly since no elected officials have shown concerns just shows how corrupt Queens is and that they don't care about what their constituents concerns are.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: At GAHS they believe that silence is golden. Gold being the funding that might be cut off if they break their silence.
Now be a good little boy and the Queens Dept. Of Cultural Affars will give your your week's allowance in advance.
This is just another one of those self involved high tone groups that is convinced that long term education will solve the problem of tearing down history.
Neville Chamberlain , prime minister of Great Britain, once thought that appeasing the Nazi advances would keep England out of the war.
How wrong that was! Silence is never golden when it gives comfort to your enemy.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
georgetheatheist said...: "Making Your Project a Success!"

Ponce De Leon Federal Bank PROUDLY participating in the destruction of the historical legacy of Queens.

Ponce De Leon? An historical figure! Are you kidding me?

Queens. Assume your position. As we exaultingly cry:

Long Live the Warehouses!; Thursday, June 25, 2015
georgetheatheist said...: John Paulson, the new owner of Steinway & Sons, Queens born and bred:

Deus ex machina?

(Direct quotes from the excellent 5 minute video produced by the Steinway Company. I highly recommend, Dear Reader, viewing this succinct statement that Mr. Paulson has made about the Steinway import.

"Steinway represents the epitome of high culture and art." (01:29)

"Secretly I have been an admirer of the company for a long time." (01:52)

"My goal in owning Steinway is . . . to preserve it, to insure its greatness is continued..." (02:38)

"When you hear something that is perfect..." (03:35)

"I am in awe of the brand." (04:13)

"Steinway for over 160 years has built an uncompromising reputation for excellence and it's my goal to safeguard that reputation and to continue the pursuit of perfection in music." 04;30)

5 minute video: "A Conversation with John Paulson"

Deus ex machina?; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Get off your butt said...: Contact John Paulson.

Paulson & Co. Inc.
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

212 956-2221
investor.relations@paulsonco.com; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Owners Loria and Lucchese and architect Caliendo said...: Let the dogs howl and bay, the caravan moves on.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: hahahahahehehehehehehohohohoho

this gets more bozarro by the minute. doncha love Queens?; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Here's the mic said...: Mary Anne Mrozinski, Executive Director of the historic King Manor Museum, and Richard Werber, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the historic King Manor Museum. Are you two proud of having Gerald Caliendo, the architect of this Steinway mansion DISASTER, as your Chairman of your Board of Directors? We all know that Gerald Caliendo is a champion of Queens historical legacy. You can see it right here.

Will Caliendo be invited to sit front and center at your annual immigrant swearing-in ceremony this coming September? Or will you still be hiding under the sofa?; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: Don't worry,
As in most of NYC a bulldozer parked over night will be "played with by some kids" and they will drive it thru the mansion OOPS and the building dept. will declared the building unsafe and structurally bad, while in court the building will deteriorate to a point it has no historic value, and a 50 story CO OP, condo, affordable housing can now be built with great views from the new community of East Manhattan.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Joe Moretti said...: A major Queens disgrace of epic proportions and with the exception of Crapper, NO ONE is reporting on this, no one, not even one of the Queens papers.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work said...: Joe, the Queens "papers" are beholden to the politicians. They put their smiling faces ads in them periodically, i.e. they shovel $$$ to them. They are not to be offended. It's a daisy chain political jerk-off session. The politicians are beholden to the developers and the developer's $$$.

For example, check out the current edition of the politicians' ass-kissing rag, the Queens GAZETTE here - a newspaper whose geographic turf the Steinway Mansion is in. Who's on the front page? Two hairy-domed 100G's per annum paid Constantinides and Gianaris in one edition and a bald-headed 100G's paid per annum Vallone in another. And don't forget to check out the other political putz pusses within the rag: Simotas, DenDekker, Stavisky. Every week politicans galore dominate this rag and others. (Hey Tony Barsamian, publisher of the Gazette, how come you haven't covered this Steinway issue yet? You don't want to piss off the Vallones, that's why.)

Simple, no?

That's why Billionaire John Paulsen, born and bred in Queens, is important. He is above this CESSPOOL of political corruption and can truly be the deus ex machina in this theatricality. Most people are catatonics, kibitzers, and chacharones.

But not you, Joe Moretti, nor you Dear Crap Reader. You will or have already contacted Mr. Paulson. Info in the posting above.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Joe said...: No news organizations dare not upset the Mayors or his politician and special friends
Almost all the permits news-media need to stay in business come through the mayors office.
Some of these are: Parking for up-link equipment, press access, professional photographs, professional video and tripod permits, Satellite truck and telescopic antenna equipment.
---Don't hold you breath on any reporters getting an "assignment go" because they will be put in thumbscrews if they try, no balls !!

It was the same shit with Bloomberg when I was an engineer at NBC when some people wanted to trying repeatedly blow the whistle on that thief Estelle Cooper
...same shit, from different assholes !!

-Joe; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: I still don't get the hate towards GAHS here. My understanding is they receive very little funding from the city and have long attempted to see the mansion turned into a public space - well before demolition began.

I do agree though - they should just reject any pennies from the electeds and vehemently speak out. Someone needs to lead this battle and you can't do that while still playing nice to your enemies.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: My friends, as flawed as crappy is, it once again shows the important of vox populi vox Dei.

the internet will be the death of bossism.

and we can all look back on Steinway, the Voice of the Immortals.; Thursday, June 25, 2015
Anonymous said...: The jury is out on GAHS for me. I support their charter, but am wondering if the speculation that their fate is tied too closely to the politicians of the area is valid. Keep in mind, they were looking for a wealthy benefactor to scoop up the property back when they led the charge. If all the other speculation is true, it doesn't seem like a stretch to think they'd love the free rent that came from being "executor" of the property or some other nonsense.

I am skeptical because they asked me for free professional advice and I gave it to them, only to see very clearly that haven't put any wheels in motion. I don't suffer being made a fool of so I will probably handle it myself. Per regular, we shall see.
-somethingstructural; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: There is no hate RE GAHS...just the plain truth. They do nothing....say less...and we have not heard a peep out of them. They get just enough funding from the city to keep their mouth shut. This is a group that is easily bought for chump change. Prove your critics wrong. Take action. Nothing less will prove you honestly doing all that you could. Spearhead a rally or close your doors. Disperse your precious artifacts and dissolve your corporation if you cannot be of real use.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: The problem at GAHS has been the directorship. They never take action. They constantly fear that if they spit in the wind of a politician's face it will come back in their faces.
I can recall an exhibit they mounted years ago that kissed the asses of the Vallone family. Perhaps they thought that flattering Vallone senior would get them grant money. Pete passed them over. So what did GAHS gain? They were exposed for the weaklings that they are and have walked around with egg on their face since then. When they had free rent with Quinn, they could play at being a "powerhouse".
Now that wily Stiamedes charges them rent, their main concern is not being evicted if they wind up in arrears.
Thus they are a captive "fighting" fierce. That is why GAHS will never launch a rally RE Steinway. You might well say that it wouldn't matter anyway at this late date. My answer is it is the honorable right thing to do, regardless. Otherwise you are nothing more than a phony bellowing outfit. All bark and no courage. And that is what is behind the so called "hate" accusation against GAHS!
I think they have just been exposed for what they are. That is not hate. That is just evidence of their ineffectiveness.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: I'm a GAHS member and think they should have been in the forefront of this fight instead of claiming to be working in the background.
It is always easy to claim that in place of taking overt action. Have they contacted Paulson? The next meeting I attend there, I will ask this same question. Have you contacted Paulson?; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: I support the GAHS charter too. Unfortunately they are not fulfilling it regarding this issue.
I admit it is not fully their fault. All historical societies are bound by their funding source's muzzle which forbids the wrong kind of outspoken criticism. Sucking up to funding doth make cowards of them all.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: A. GAHS does not pay rent to Stamatiades.

B. GAHS has held several public discussions, a petition, a concert series, and a rally at the mansion. Without political support, you are wasting your time.

C. GAHS has reached out to every possible person for help. We can start with Crowley, Gianaris, Vallone, Costa and lay the blame at their doorstep. If the people whose salary you are paying and whose job it is to serve your interests, is ignoring you, everything is dead in the water until they do so. They even refused to meet with Steinway. That is a good way to offend someone and kill their interest.

It was most telling that other elected officials were forthcoming while the Astoria ones were not. This is where your anger should be directed. Four people.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: Oh, but the great preservationist Marge Markey was going to save it! What happened to that?; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: Unwritten law: your elected calls the shots in their district. I daresay everyone, even seasoned pols like her, were pretty shocked on how this turned out.; Friday, June 26, 2015
I don't get it said...: "C. GAHS has reached out to every possible person for help. We can start with Crowley, Gianaris, Vallone, Costa and lay the blame at their doorstep. If the people whose salary you are paying and whose job it is to serve your interests, is ignoring you, everything is dead in the water until they do so. They even refused to meet with Steinway. That is a good way to offend someone and kill their interest."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Explain please why the inertia and silence on the part of this Gang of Four? An arts district crowned by the Steinway Mansion would have been a feather in their caps. Just plain stupidity or they are under the thumbs of the developers? If the latter, it makes no sense, since developers could be developing the arts district.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: developers could be developing the arts district.

well there is 'those' developers and 'our' developers.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: Explain please why the inertia and silence on the part of this Gang of Four?

ask them.; Friday, June 26, 2015
Anonymous said...: GAHS should rename itself: The Great Hesitation and Stalling Society.
All of its movements should have come earlier to save Steinway. Not at the 11th hour. So who exactly do they pay rent to?
Or do they get their digs for free. We don't think so.
Where is the evidence of their early save Steinway efforts?
That single ton of BS , likely originating from Mr. B.S. , keeps on pouring forth on Queens Crap , about all the great things that they have done. Once again, where is the evidence? If GAHS spent as much time doing real things instead of wasting it trying to feebly defend themselves by anonymously posting here, maybe things would have worked out better for Steinway.
They are all talk and no walk, like many of the other borough hysterical societies.
Wah, wah, wah...so goes their last minute hand wringing! Retire to your arcane world and scraps of history preserved in your vaults.
Kevin Walsh is the only good thing that came to GAHS. They seem to heavily rely on his following as a draw to their...yawn....events.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: "Public discussion, petitions, and concerts" to help,Steinway" ?
How resourceful of GAHS. How creative...using the same tired old techniques that have failed with other preservation "battles" mounted by many other such impotent historical societies.
Time would have been much more lucratively spent trying to find a sympathetic buyer when it's late owner, Michael Halberian, was trying to sell it about a decade and a half ago. You all knew that the politicians were never on your side.
Yeah...Facebook, online or in person petitions are the way to go instead of sweating at a real solution.
How come Paulson was able to be convinced to give Central Park one hundred million dollars?
Then he bought the Steinway factory. Surely GAHS dropped the ball early and lost its ability to score a goal for the mansion.
Shut up, and give up now. It is too damn late! But, please, do not continue to bore us readers about your "valiant" efforts of the past or present.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: If there is any anger, it SHOULD properly be directed towards GAHS for falling down on their mandate, to defend and protect history!
These four mentioned pols are doing what everyone else expected them to do regarding Steinway...NOTHING! So why did GAHS insist on beating these four dead horses? Maybe it is because they were too lazy or inept at going for outside funding sources....far away from these corrupt politicians. Maybe they are too small time to be listened to in the outside of Queens' money circles. Certainly the bristling character of one of their past members or directors might have well contributed to the any cold reception of them.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: You will never get away with making excuses for not doing the best job you could have. Shame on you, GAHS!
Of corse, the crooked bastard politicians that allowed this tragedy, shall bare the lion's share of the blame.
Now let's point the big finger at the Queens Historical Society. If they believe themselves to be the umbrella group of Queens, their silence is criminal! Never let a historian do battle. Hire an able mercenary if necessary. These kind of impotent history nerds are capable of f-----g up,a wet dream!; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: So you named them the Gang of Four. How picturesque.
I now add a fifth as an accomplice...GAHS,
Name calling a politician at this point is just another form of inaction...but one, I suppose, that makes
the name caller look like he is taking some action. Phony is as phony does.
How about reaching out to some rich Chinese company that would enjoy the cache of owning the Steinway mansion?
Who is the best Chinese piano manufacturer? China has a lot of money to spend.
You could have reached Yamaha, Steinway's competitor decades ago. But now the Japanese economy is in the doldrums. Whereas China's is doing fine. Their real estate acquisitions are numbering. They bought the Waldorf.
Gotta get creative, my friends. Follow the money. The Japanese bought Rockefeller Center then paid to restore it, then sold it.
In the meantime it got preserved with Japanese money. If your local small time crooked pols don't care, and America does not care, then go overseas for capital! Oops, does that sound unpatriotic? Too bad! Maybe Americans don't appreciate their own history where foreigners have more respect for it. Fugghettabout it! It is much easier to travel the same old wagon trails and get stuck in a rut.
That is what historical societies are great at.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: Someone has anger issues.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Snake Plissskin said...: Yea, empty barrels make the most noise.; Saturday, June 27, 2015
Anonymous said...: "Empty barrels"?
I think that astute GAHS critic hit them with both barrels of double ought magnum right in the belly. The truth really hurts...especially
ineffective historical society wimps. Most of you guys never think of preventive medicine. You could have been working wih the owner, the late Mike Halberian, in securing a sensitive buyer for Steinway. Instead GAHS went for a last minute desperate cure for a terminal disease.
That will not work. Blaming politicians for not convincing NYC to buy Steinway was fruitless. You knew Vallone, etc. didn't give a shit about the mansion. So, I repeat, why insist on beating a dead horse. Fold your tent and leave. You are not qualified to be a US Marine.
I would add that your last minute of assigning blame is a lot of noise to make GAHS appear that they are effective, which they are not!
Who is the empty barrel now? Take your medicine like a man. Your society is as impotent as a 100 year old man.; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: Wanna come back for another round, Snake? LOL!
Maybe you know who GAHS pays rent to.
I don't know...it seems to me that a historical society should be in better headquarters. Being located on the fourth floor of a funeral parlor
sort of bespeaks a dead organization. A few times I visited, the elevator stopped in the basement to pick up a casket before I reached GAHS's floor.
How encouraging!; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: No....somebody has reality issues. Namely, you.
Wake up,GAHS. You are just as poor at amateur psychology as you are in preserving the fabric of history in Astoria...save for fragments in your archives. Meanwhile the streets are threadbare of history.; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: The real problem is that practically every historical society that has a bricks and mortar operation to support, has the frequent need to take bowl and beg to pay rent. Twelve may fight for one of only eight positions on the political teats for funding.
Yes, money is the mother's milk for QHS, GAHS, etc. and there isn't enough to go around. So it is the survival of the fittest of who gets milk and who gets none at all. That is reality. Most history groups are ill equipped in fighting skills, yet they keep on hitting the same old funding sources that have dried up. Find fertile ground or die in the dust.
Read your Darwin and learn a little!; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: Methinks that GAHS defender has suppressed anger issues that somebody who has their number has called them out so expertly.
I'll equipped, wimpy, rabbits praying for the wolves to spare them. These are sheep bred to be shorn.; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: Religious group mulls Steinway site for Talmundic Torah Center removing the property from tax roles - creating new residential community. Are brokers withholding the possibility of Native-American burials from buyers and downplaying pollution from three power plants / sewage treatment facility? Ultimate use of 'warehouses' as potential dorms for the center an open question. Community kept in the dark.; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: GAHS: please inform us of the content of the letter you wrote to Paulson, your absolute last hope. Or did you ever contact him?; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: WTF is "Talmundic"?; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: GAHS: please inform us of the content of the letter you wrote to Paulson, your absolute last hope. Or did you ever contact him?

Cannot speak for them, but I bet they wrote that the Queens delegation wants to discuss with him a great tourist opportunity - a place for entertainment and learning, and that he should hear something soon from Melinda Katz, borough president who has solid credentials in the arts for the borough, as well as Jimmy Van Bramer, assistant chair of city council, and head of cultural committee.

I would wager it was something along those lines. Anything further, you should ask those people how discussions are coming along. I would say, from all appearances, very well, don't you?; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: WTF is "Talmundic"?

Ask Costa and Mike Gianaris. They said they hold the same values as the developers and that they are hoping the building will be open to the community - a justification for pulling the rug out from under the Friends.

Anything further, you should really address concerns to these gentlemen.; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: It's spelled "talmudic". Did you write Paulson a letter, Bob? Cut out all the middlemen?; Sunday, June 28, 2015
Anonymous said...: If you look at GAHS's programs being offered in their brochure , it seems they are relying on Forgotten New York tours of Central Park, Madison Square, Park Slope, Grand Army Plaza, etc. Maybe my geography is poor but that's outside of Queens...no? But let's attend their photo scan party...where you are invited to allow GAHS to scan your photos. They will be making use of your images at a later date...for historical purposes or for including in publications which they sell to make money to pay rent, etc. They get the photo credits. Shouldn't you, at least? What a racket! Oh yes, it is all for the purpose of preserving history. That in itself is commendable. Unfortunately the Steinway site will not get preserved with these kind of efforts.; Monday, June 29, 2015
Anonymous said...: It does look like GAHS has coopted Kevin Walsh, of Forgotten New York fame.
Let's face it, without that kind of draw what do they have to offer? Their bait must have been unfettered access to their photo archives for Kevin. I hope that the newly arrived LIC hipsters will support GAHS. But Manhattan being only a stone's throw away, with far greater attractions for them to visit, I doubt it.; Monday, June 29, 2015
Anonymous said...: Bob relays on middlemen. He does not believe in soiling his gentlemanly hands.; Monday, June 29, 2015
Anonymous said...: Friends? Do you mean Friends of Steinway? LOL! Befriend us all on Facebook. That is your speed.
What an ineffective group. There are too many "friends" around . The minute you name your group "friends of"
you are admitting that you have no real power from the get go. People with power and money do not have to name their orgs "friends of".
That Chinese emperor's clay army that was buried with him , had more power than Friends of Steinway, or any other "friend" group.; Monday, June 29, 2015
Anonymous said...: At least the "Bob" you keep mentioning , finally has the brains to give up posting.
Now, if anybody wants or thinks that the Steinway site can still be protected, step up to bat with some real out of the park homer ideas.
Thanks to all who really did some heavy lifting on the loading dock, while GAHS took an extended coffee break.; Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Anonymous said...: (yawn) maybe he went to bed.; Wednesday, July 01, 2015