Happy end-o-summer folks. We have a lot to be thankful for, living in this great Flatbush neighborhood. It's a crazy time to be alive, is it not? As I always like to say, WE'RE the grown-ups now. It's our time to pass along a message to the next generation - hopefully one of peace, love and understanding. Right? As longtime PLG-er Bob Thomason likes to say, "isn't it the reason we're here on this earth?" Hey, and he should know. He's the one who named the neighborhood back in 1968, and talks about renting his apartments at below market rates because he wants his tenants to have time to be a part of the community. Oh, and he wants someone to create a musical based on the origins of man. In a lead-up to that, I'd once again like to pitch the Flatbush Trees project. We're almost to $2,000 of our $9,999 goal!!!! All the money goes to materials, equipment, rentals and insurances. Not a drop goes to a particular person - we're running on volunteers, neighborhood kids and local coffee and honey.
CLICK HERE TO GIVE!!!
If you haven't already, please consider a gift, however big or small. The video will tell you more about the project to resurrect those dilapidated sheet metal trees at the intersection of Empire/Flatbush/Ocean.
I don't ask for much in return for whatever entertainment you may derive from this dorky blog. Can I count on you to help, even a wee bit? I thought so!!
Roll film...
Oh, and if you don't mind, could you send a link of this to everyone you know, and who ever lived around here? It would be great if there were a worldwide aspect to this campaign. Because folks, Flatbush is a neighborhood with an extraordinary history, full of extraordinary people, and its coolest days are behind it, ahead of it, and all around it. I know that's more than 100%, but hey, so's Flatbush. It's alive, it's you, it's me. It's NYC to a capital NYC. It's America as it could be. Except for the street trash...but we're working on that!
sincerely,
tim "theQ" thomas
15 comments:
I think the plan for the trees is great and I would love to donate! Thank you to everyone involved for making it happen. My only question is how is the $10,000 allocated? I think it would be nice for people to know how much things cost for the project so that the $10,000 goal seems more realistic in the grand scheme of projects like this. Also, what is happening to the "parking" lot behind the trees? It would be so nice to reclaim that space as community space, and not just a car-port.
Valid questions, Hannah. It's actually probably going to cost more than $10,000, but I couldn't handle asking for more. Psychologically it would have been tough to break that barrier.
Most of the money is for materials...paint and the professional sign vinyl alone will cost $6,000 - $8,000. The insurance is $1500. The scaffold for the two weeks of installation will run at least $1,000, and we still haven't found out whether anyone will let us store it.
There are other contingencies, like for cost of space to hold classes after school for kids to make the "flowers." These signs are big, and as David noted it will take as many as 1,000 - 1,500 all told.
David is being paid nothing. I'm being paid nothing. To date we have not budgeted hiring anyone for anything, so you can rest assured that your donation does not go into someone's hands. I'll see to that, and provide a thorough accounting.
As to your question about the larger plaza, I've written about this quite a bit. If you type "flatbush trees" into the search box you will find a host of info, though the bottom line is that efforts to date by me and Mike Cetera and CB9 have found MTA unwilling to let go of their supposed longterm lease on the space. I don't know how long you've lived here, but up until about three years ago MTA employees were parking their cars UNDER the trees. Pearl Miles at CB9 put an end to that with a tough worded letter.
You'll also find some proposed changes to the plaza that we hope to force MTA to consider as a better alternative to a parking lot. A parking lot for subway personnel. Who apparently are unable to use public transportation to get to work. Oy vey.
I like the tree design how it is! I wish that they could just be restored to their late 70's/early 80's library card font glory.
Thanks for the breakdown! I will definitely be donating and love how community-oriented the project and design are (local artist, local kids, local funds). Have you asked the Botanical Garden, Prospect Park Alliance or local businesses around there for a donation? A change like this that refreshes that area visually benefits everyone and I would think that they would kick in some cash. Let me know if you want help, and I'd be happy to ask those folks directly. Thanks again!
Hannah: No, thank you! Yes I'll be going to every possible source, and have already been turned down by our Councilman, even though my name was NOT on the application. Remember thought the BBG and PPA are non-profits themselves struggling to raise dough, so are unlikely to step in. Eric Adams will get a call for sure...
Michelle: Agreed. That was my first instinct as well. However, it became clear that that path was littered with traps. Primarily, to restore them would have meant getting the City's Design Commission to acknowledge that they are there at all! They were never officially approved, meaning they don't actually exist in their eyes. So the first step would have been to make the DC acknowledge them as an intrinsic design element to Flatbush, then convince them to keep them there rather than tear them down. Tearing them down would have incurred the wrath of a sizable number of people, so I chose the middle-ground. The sign vinyl can be removed and the trees restored, if that becomes the community's wish somewhere down the road. By the way, I'm hoping PLG Arts will take over the subsequent art projects, because frankly when this thing is done I'm retiring from the sea forever, rather than risk being pulled under by Moby Dick a la Ahab.
PLG Arts is definitely on board with this project. What are the "further art projects" you mention? If they are something within our purview (doesn't that sound impressive?) and within our abilities (somewhat limited9600) and our mission (the sky's the limit with cultivating creativity in the community), we will do whatever we can to help out.
The link is:
https://ioby.org/project/spring-comes-flatbush-trees
...since the link isn't in the post, or the youtube video description, and people may not know to look at the end of the film.
thx Kim! Or shall I say Kimp?
I'm also a fan of their seventies vibe.
$10,000 seems awfully high when it looks like all that they really need is to have the concrete bases blast-cleaned, and the small treetop on the right repaired. I am not sure why vinyl is being considered for any part of this, these should stay as true to the original as possible. I feel we should try a deep cleaning and light repairs to the dents first as opposed to a what could end up being an expensive, unnecessary and ultimately controversial endeavor.
Mary Jane. You're awfully late to the party. The project was approved by Community Board and DOT last year. $10,000 is actually low, but I couldn't bear asking for the extra couple grand.
If you want to take on a project like cleaning them, then please, submit your plan - two years ago. I trust you planned on doing the work yourself? Because trust me, it woulda cost a boatload in fees to do what you're describing. I already priced it long ago. And the City wasn't gonna let us do it anyway.
Oh, and "light repairs" to the dents? And "we should try...?
You're bumming me out MJ, unless you actually want to get down to the task of refabricating the sheet metal, repainting, renting the scissor lift, paying for the insurance, and doing the work. In which case, drop me a note and we'll put you to work.
Post a Comment