Port Authority disses Red Hook big time, by George Fiala

For at least the past six weeks, the Port Authority has rented space alongside Degraw Street between Van Brunt and Columbia to a Bronx garbage company. At night, they switch on a bright light and their drivers head out to do their collections. During the day, the trucks sit idle, many of them still containing remnants of their collections, and stinking up the place. Olivia Lynch, who works across the street at the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative reports a large number of residents complaining to her and asking what can be done. Steve Tarpin, of Key Lime Pie fame is a nearby resident and has complained to Assemblyman Ortiz about it.

In a second slap to the community,Pier 9, which is where the container terminal unloads ships, is supposedly the scene of a two day Rave Festival.  Nobody in the neighborhood seems to have been informed about this October event, which will bring thousands of cars and concert goers to Degraw Street.

As reported in dnaInfo.com today, something called the Escape Music Festival is selling tickets for a two day festival on October 11th and 12th. Bands to appear include Placebo, Yeasayer and The Chemical Method. According to Gabe, a Columbia Street resident, these are groups that play at raves, which were dance parties popular in the 1990’s fueled by chemical music and drugs. The Escape festival has a Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/escapemusicfest?ref=br_tf  with over 3000 likes, which has been in existence for over a month. They are already selling two day tickets for $80.

Nobody the Star-Revue spoke with had any knowledge of this event, which dnaInfo says will bring up to 16,000 people to the neighborhood. The article states that the promoters “hope” to speak with Community Board Six in August.

Gabe, speaking to us at the B61 bar was amazed that the container terminal could be used for a music festival. He also wasn’t happy about the prospect of 16,000 people invading the neighborhood.

As far as the stinky garbage trucks, it’s hard to believe that in a neighborhood with a history of fighting waste transfer stations, the Port Authority would be so insensitive as to rent space to garbage trucks right next to the street. The Star-Revue is currently at work on a more in depth story, and will keep you posted.

UPDATE: The 76th Precinct confirmed that they have been in talks with the Port Authority and the Terminal Operator about a music festival in October, but were not aware that all approvals were granted, and they thought that there was more work to be done. We contacted the ILA, Local 1814, who were not aware of this proposed use of their space.  We received a press release from the promoter, which states:

NEW YORK, NY (July 28, 2014) – Escape Music Festival, a highly anticipated
live electronic and indie rock music festival, is proud to announce its first
interactive concert experience October 11 – 12 at Pier 9 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The
festival plans to showcase 30 performances and attract a crowd of more than
16,000 people over the course of two days. Featured artists include Placebo and
Yeasayer, along with Ra Ra Riot, Bakermat, ASTR, Tesla Boy, Basecamp and
Follow Me, as well as DJ sets by The Crystal Method, Neon Indian and STRFKR.

GARBAGE UPDATE: On Saturday morning, August 2nd, lots of soapy water made their appearance at the garbage truck parking area as the trucks were washed clean for the first time.

CONCERT UPDATE: Brian McCormick, whose Brooklyn Greenway Initiative office is right across from Pier 9, was completely unaware of the concert plans. Carolina Salguero, who operates the Mary Whelan ship in the pier, and has been unable to get public access to her ship because of Homeland Security rules, stated that she was aware of these plans. She claims that the community was going to be notified, but that the promoters sent out their press release prematurely.

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