Thursday, August 23, 2007

Big plan for Metro corner

Even after plans to build a small shopping center in Forest Hills were shot down by city officials, the developer still aims to open the complex in six months.

Developer pushes shop plan, despite rejections

David Koptiev of Gabriel Development Corp. vowed to resubmit plans for the two-story center - with six name-brand stores on the ground floor and offices above - on what is now a vacant lot at 71st and Metropolitan Aves.

"It's only going to improve the area," Koptiev said, predicting the Buildings Department would approve his revised plan in coming days.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another Russ-kie (mob-skie???) project (Koptiev) ???

Anonymous said...

So typical...we here that something is stopped, then it sneaks back a few months later.

So much for promises from the city.

Anonymous said...

So the moronic prejudiced comments continue on this blog.
This development will consist of two-level buildings with retail on the first level and apartments on the second, just like all the buildings on this stretch of Metro. It is replacing an auto shop. What is the big deal, this seems like a good upgrade.

Anonymous said...

The Ruskies don't care about Metropolitan Avenue. They all seem to congregate around 108th Street/Bukharian Broadway.

Anonymous said...

I'm admittedly POST judiced not PRE judiced.

My conclusions are reached after the fact.
I do not idle myself with before the fact assumptions.

Good to see that the knee-jerk geek squad
is doing its "fine" job of blog watching.

Anonymous said...

You mean "geek squad of one".....don't you.....
"anon #4" ?

And...."#3" is up so early.
Maybe they're out of a job, or have too much time
on their hands?

Anonymous said...

Oops....
I meant "anon#5" on my first reference....my bad!

Anonymous said...

Wasn't it a Bukharian
who destroyed the landmark worthy Trylon Theater?

Kasiev or something?

Anonymous said...

With the ascent of the Department of Buildings and Melinda Katz, the wealthy Bukharan community is indeed changing the character of the neighborhood to suit their own preferences.

Anonymous said...

The Bukharians did not destroy the Trylon. Try going inside it, marble floors, chandeliers, Hadcrafted furniture- and the exterior still looks as it always did.

Koptiev's development is of the same height as its neighbors.

As for the Bukharian mansions of 112th Street- these people have families. While many Americans carelessly ship their grandparents off to a "retirement castle," many Bukharians share their homes with their elders and respect them greatly.

As for the mob accusations- the Bukharians are not Russian, they come from Uzbekistan, and have their own unique traditions.

Anonymous said...

There are mob ties with the Diamond District. You obviously haven't read about the Midtown assassination. And how dare you defend the monstrous McMansions.

Anonymous said...

Diamond District? What proof do you have? The NY Post?

Some areas, such as Richmond Hill and Sunnyside have history that is worth preserving, other areas should have the right to build as they see fit.

As for the Nektalov assassination- there was not enough proof linking him to Colombian mobsters. I'm sure every group has its mobsters- Irish, Italians, Albanians. This fact should not be used to characterize an entire people.

Anonymous said...

I find it offensive that they are often referred to as Russians. They are Uzbek jews. They readily identify with Israel more so than Russia. I am from Eastern Europe, but we were taught Russian in school as well. Completely different cultures.

But, I can understand why people generally have a negative view. A lot of Bukharians that I interact with have a real ornerous and repulsive attitudes. They are very enclosed, and view outsiders as inferior. The younger generation that were born and raised here have adapted better.

I really dislike the insensitive "ruskies" comments. But I can understand why people have such a negative view. They are responsible for their image, but they honestly don't care what others think.

Anonymous said...

"should have the right to build as they see fit."

This confirms my point that they completely disregard others.

You are correct that a few bad apples should not implicate an entire people. But in this case, their enclosed culture and arrogant behavior doesn't help.

Anonymous said...

Kasiev & co. did indeed destroy the Trylon's history....
aided and abetted by that carnal concubine
of the NYC real estate/building industry Melinda Katz!

Go and renew your optical prescription poster #10!

Anonymous said...

Some seem to be behaving like mobsters,
cossacks or KBG......
infiltrating, swooping down and purging
the former higher quality of life
in some neighborhoods
and replacing them with backward insular attitudes.

Anonymous said...

They might have been involved in the loss of Long Island Savings Bank building on Queens Plaza and the loss of the great Aderante murals inside.

The banking interiors at Queens Plaza must also be added as to the loss catagory for Queens.

Anonymous said...

My grandmother said Forest Hills used to be a really upscale neighborhood. Even Queens Boulevard. Alexander's, etc. The only remnant of that now is the Gardens.

Anonymous said...

Have any of you ever walked inside the new Trylon synagogue? I did, it's nice inside. Like the original Trylon & Perisphere, the Trylon Theater also was not intended to be permanent.

Anonymous #10 has a point.

Anonymous said...

Please tell us mazeartist, how well they've preserved the mosaics out front. Maybe you can send in some photos.

Anonymous said...

Oh sure. Nothing nice in Forest Hills is meant to be permanent. It's meant to be built up into a giant eyesore with red and white Cyrillic lettering. Or tacky, gaudy multicolor lowclass neon lights. Great.

Anonymous said...

Americans traditionally don't ship off
their grandparents to "retirement castles"
as one ignorant throw back has proclaimed.

Larger Victorian homes were designed to house at least 2 generations of an extended family!

That was until many were torn down
by rich foreign born invading usurpers to build
their tribal low class multi family crap!

Anonymous said...

Many Uzbekis seem to be
just as arrogant and low class as many of the Ruskies!

Having money in both cases doesn't denote class!

Anonymous said...

Sheepherders and goat keepers
moving up on the social ladder......
is that what you're saying ?

It sure does look like it though!

Anonymous said...

Such a shame to see what was once a beautiful & historic area destroyed the way it has been. The Cord-Meyer section looks like a 1970's furniture factory exploded on it. I have never seen uglier, or more tasteless "architecture".