So there was Borough President Eric Adams yesterday walking the streets of Prospect Heights, learning about the resurgence of rats.
NY 1's Jeanine Ramirez followed along, reporting:
Well, it's good that Adams is paying attention, but his main power is the bully pulpit, to focus an interagency response and to nudge (but not force) private parties, including but not limited to real estate developers and construction companies. Another issue mentioned at public meetings is garbage from bars and restaurants. And, yes, some homeowners do better than others at keeping garbage secure.
So, without a comprehensive approach, a more concerted effort by the construction industry won't solve things.
Rats have been a persistent problem since arena construction began in 2010. One partial solution was for (then) developer Forest City Ratner to supply rat-proof garbage bins in immediate blocks--which obviously can't be extended forever.
The developer also took new measure to bait sites and to provide garbage cans for worker-disposed wasted. However, the attention by by developer--now Greenland Forest City Partners--has been variable, with a dormant construction site like B15 (664 Pacific, just east of Sixth Avenue between Dean and Pacific streets) left un-baited last summer and thus vulnerable to an increase in rats.
I’m in #ProspectHeights taking a #rattour with local residents, seeing firsthand the challenge our community faces with infestation. We’re overdue for a coordinated @NYCGov response to combat #rats in this neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/cMiu2HuT10— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) December 18, 2017
On NY 1I hate #rats. I’m sure you do too. If there’s a problem in your neighborhood, contact my Constituent Assistance Center. The next #rattour might be in your community. All of us need to collaborate and coordinate to clean up our streets. pic.twitter.com/vbUmQiqKg3— Eric Adams (@BPEricAdams) December 18, 2017
NY 1's Jeanine Ramirez followed along, reporting:
They said the problem has expanded beyond Prospect Heights to Park Slope and Fort Greene. They blame the surge in construction across the area, especially the Atlantic Yards project.What next?
...Residents say a temporary solution is asking neighbors not to put their garbage out the night before, but rather the morning of sanitation pickup.
But they really want a permanent solution, and they're hoping the borough president can pressure developers doing work in the neighborhood.
"We need the construction companies and the developers to bait their locations so that the rats don't come into our community, into our parks, in front of our children," [Elaine] Weinstein said.
Well, it's good that Adams is paying attention, but his main power is the bully pulpit, to focus an interagency response and to nudge (but not force) private parties, including but not limited to real estate developers and construction companies. Another issue mentioned at public meetings is garbage from bars and restaurants. And, yes, some homeowners do better than others at keeping garbage secure.
So, without a comprehensive approach, a more concerted effort by the construction industry won't solve things.
Rats have been a persistent problem since arena construction began in 2010. One partial solution was for (then) developer Forest City Ratner to supply rat-proof garbage bins in immediate blocks--which obviously can't be extended forever.
The developer also took new measure to bait sites and to provide garbage cans for worker-disposed wasted. However, the attention by by developer--now Greenland Forest City Partners--has been variable, with a dormant construction site like B15 (664 Pacific, just east of Sixth Avenue between Dean and Pacific streets) left un-baited last summer and thus vulnerable to an increase in rats.
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