Archive for the ‘Project Firebox’ Category
Project Firebox 48
– photo by Mitch Waxman
At the farthest corner of noble Astoria lies the hulking remains of the Poletti Power Plant, as well as the somewhat archaic Bowery Bay Sewage Treatment facility. Slung in a manner unceremonious, this Firebox adorns its mount in good standing. Whether serving residences or industrial zones, the Fireboxes of New York City stand constant vigil, no matter how hot or cold it gets.
Project Firebox 47
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Found on Jackson Avenue in hoary Long Island City, this guardian of the realm is desirous of emotional acceptance, as evinced by the sticker adjoining casual passerby to “love me” adorning its paramount. Possessed of the “ice cream cone” crown which is missing from many of its later cousins, this lonely Firebox has likely seen hard duty over the decades, sitting across the street from a lumber yard and the titanic rail yards which distinguish western Queens. Soldier on, lonely firebox, and know that you are indeed loved by a grateful citizenry.
Project Firebox 46
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Transmogrification.
It occurs in Maspeth, where the ennobled Grand Street of Brooklyn alters itself into the loquacious Grand Avenue of Queens.
Terrifying in implication, as streets and avenues normally cross each other in both boroughs (don’t mention roads or lanes in Queens for the sake of your own sanity), and found not too far into the “Avenue” zone, one will encounter this lonely guardian of the public good. In times of trouble, the geospatially dispossessed can depend on this firebox to accurately forecast the location of an emergency, no matter how “grand” it might be.
Also:
June 16th, 2012- Newtown Creek Alliance Dutch Kills walk
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Newtown Creek Alliance has asked that, in my official capacity as group historian, a tour be conducted on the 16th of June- a Saturday. This walk will follow the Dutch Kills tributary, and will include a couple of guest speakers from the Alliance itself, which will provide welcome relief for tour goers from listening to me rattle on about Michael Degnon, Patrick “Battle Ax” Gleason, and a bunch of bridges that no one has ever heard of.
for June 16th tickets, click here for the Newtown Creek Alliance ticketing page
June 23rd, 2012- Atlas Obscura Thirteen Steps around Dutch Kills walk
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Additionally- the “Obscura Day” Thirteen Steps around Dutch Kills tour proved that the efficacy and charms of the Newtown Creek’s least known tributary, with its myriad points of interest, could cause a large group to overlook my various inadequacies and failings. The folks at Atlas Obscura, which is a fantastic website worthy of your attentions (btw), have asked me to repeat the tour on the 23rd of June- also a Saturday.
for June 23rd tickets, click here for the Atlas Obscura ticketing page
June 30th, 2012- Working Harbor Committee Kill Van Kull walk
– photo by Mitch Waxman
My various interests out on the sixth borough, NY Harbor, have brought me into association with the Working Harbor Committee. A member of the group’s Steering Committee- I also serve as the “official” group photographer, am chairman and principal narrator of their annual Newtown Creek Boat Tour, and occasionally speak on the microphone during other tours (mainly the Brooklyn one). This year, the group has branched out into terrestrial explorations to compliment the intense and extant schedule of boat tours, and I’m going to be leading a Kill Van Kull walking tour that should be a lot of fun.
The Kill Van Kull, or tugboat alley as its known to we harbor rats, is a tidal strait that defines the border of Staten Island and New Jersey. A busy and highly industrialized waterfront, Working Harbor’s popular “Hidden Harbor – Newark Bay” boat tours provide water access to the Kill, but what is it like on the landward side?
Starting at the St. George Staten Island Ferry terminal, join WHC Steering Committee member Mitch Waxman for a walk up the Kill Van Kull via Staten Islands Richmond Terrace. You’ll encounter unrivaled views of the maritime traffic on the Kill itself, as well as the hidden past of the maritime communities which line it’s shores. Surprising and historic neighborhoods, an abandoned railway, and tales of prohibition era bootleggers await.
The tour will start at 11, sharp, and you must be on (at least) the 10:30 AM Staten Island Ferry to meet the group at St. George. Again, plan for transportation changes and unexpected weirdness to be revealed to you at MTA.info.
For June 30th tickets, click here for the Working Harbor Committee ticketing page
Not exactly Project Firebox, but…
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Op Sail 2012 coincided with the annual Fleet Week event this year, and the John J. Harvey fireboat was there to greet everyone to its home port. Storied, the Harvey is no fire alarm box of course, but I just really dig this shot. The odd lighting was caused by a hole in the clouds which magically appeared over the Hudson just as the event was kicking into high gear, which lends a cinematic quality to the image.
Cue “flight of the valkyries”.
Project Firebox 45
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Appearing suddenly, in the manner of some disemboweled hollywood revenant, this soldier of the realm stands proudly at the border between residential and industrial sectors in eastern Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The Newtown Pentacle 