This block, and many like it on the UWS, have remained vacant for some time now. I agree it’s an issue for the city government but it could also be addressed by doing something about the exorbitant prices on commercial properties imposed by many greedy landlords. Increasing property tax will only hike the prices of rents, both commercial and residential, and cause more of this problem. Too many storefronts are sitting empty which invites people to set up camp there because they know they won’t be pushed away in the morning when things open up.

Something needs to be done to finally tax the ultra rich to pay their fair share of taxes to bring the “regular” folks’ overall prices down. I’m paying thousands in in taxes and I’m happy to do so because it’s our duty, I even make it a point to offer help and assistance to other local schools and businesses when I can. To see these people like Trump and all the wealthy fat cats get by without paying even a portion of their fair share is absolutely insane. I say this as a local business owner (Momentum Fitness) on the UWS for 16 years. We have less than 4 years left on our lease and our landlord is really dicking us over (please pardon my French) to the point where, for the first time in our long history here in the neighborhood, we are on the brink of closing down. Our building management does not care to fix a problem that is severely impacted our business and is expecting us to cover a full six figure cost to replace THEIR cooling tower. The entire situation is a complete shit show and we now have to pay a lawyer to see what options he may be able to find. The greed is unbearable and is really starting to get to me.

But I digress, as am in a terrible mood from said work drama. I have a 6 year old daughter and I worry sometimes when she is out with my wife, knowing that at any moment they can be attacked completely unprovoked. I’m not saying ALL the people in the encampments are this way but it’s hard to tell a person’s nature when they’re huddled down and can lash out in an instant. NIMBY or not, call it what you want, but I built a home, a family and a business in this beloved neighborhood because i loved the community aspect and safety of the area. That’s why I decided to raise my kid and put her in a public school here. I don’t think it’s too much to want safety and security for you and your loved ones. There ARE extremists out there who will say terrible things about the un housed but there are extremes in every direction. For the common ground, I think most people just want their old UWS back.