The view from the back yard.
Been watching buildings rise so long I forgot what a neighborhood was supposed to look like. For some reason — probably the abundance of buildings conveniently leveled years before — my corner of Bushwick is experiencing a construction boom. My little sliver view of Manhattan is gone (but then, so is the view of the ugly Verizon office and the projects in the distance). My back yard will soon be towered over by neighbors after having been private for so long. The cement trucks have been rumbling down my street for months. All this turning of earth has sent a biblical plague of rats and mice into the house, with which we are now in the throes of battle. Now that it’s warm and sunny, the roof tar smell is especially strong.
I take consolation in the fact that this is all happening at once and once it’s done, it’s done. Then the rats can be East New York’s problem.
Ingo Hart April 21st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
We haven’t had any rats but definitely mice in the last few weeks. At least I hope we haven’t had any rats.
suydamn April 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
The digging of foundations and even renovation of formerly abandoned buildings sends the rats scurrying all over. It happened when I lived in the UWS, several restaurants had to close for a few days.
Rob April 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 am
We must be neighbors, because I have the same view if I look down my street (Starr St.)
I also happen to be working on that building, so it makes for an easy commute on days I end up there.
BornOnWyckoffAve April 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Oh my God, a person who works in a construction trade–who performs manual labor–is reading this blog?
(This is just a private joke between me and my good friend Jeremy).
Rob April 24th, 2008 at 12:32 am
i never said anything about performing manual labor, but i am in the “construction/engineering trade”.
no offense taken, btw