Actually, that's not why I chose my apt--but for 5 years, it was very convenient. I like to take out my trash nightly before bed, and it was nice to scamper down the hallway (you know, like a little bunny rabbit) and toss my garbage in that room.
And then a year or so ago, Steiner realized they could save on staffing if we took our trash outside ourselves. They told us "It's nothing, really. Just take the elevator to the basement, walk 100 feet thru the underground parking garage to the dumpster directly outside." So we did, nothing to it.
Then a few months ago they announced they were replacing the blacktop parking lot behind the building with a concrete one, so the back door, basement & underground garage would be off limits for 6 weeks. Of course, we're now in our 18th week.
But it does look like they're in the final stages, which is perfect now that the cooler air is here. See, our so-called central cooling unit sat directly behind the Tiffany--and since May 15, it's been operational a total of 6 days. With some of the hottest temps on record this summer, it has rarely been below 85F in my apartment. I don't think I can do this again.
Anyway, I thought I'd show my route to the dumpster and our fancy new concrete lot behind the building. It will only fit about 15 cars back there, and with 100 units in the building--ah well!
Walk out the front of the building, head down this path...
Go around the corner and down this alley... at night a young transgender man hangs out back here. I said hi to him once and he giggled, it was pretty creepy.
Oh and here's the new concrete parking lot behind the Tiffany--I wonder who will be footing the bill for all this concrete?
Back to taking out the trash--head down these steps to Cherry Alley... (and if you head 65 miles south to my sister's house, she has a Cherry Alley behind her house as well)
You've arrived at your destination--see that green dumpster in the center? Make sure you don't hurt yourself back there. And that big silver box between the two white vehicles is our joke of an HVAC unit. That's all!
Good grief! That is asking a lot of the tenants. What a trail. Also the pavement looks pretty uneven in spots.
ReplyDeleteWhat an uncomfortable summer without air conditioning!! I think you all need a rebate on your rent. That really is insufferable. I am so angry on your behalf.
Hoping you are feeling better every day.
Thank you Miss Merry, I'm tempted to send my blog and your response to my landlord! Anyway, I know this was a bore to read but thank you ❣️
DeleteI agree, a rent rebate is in order. This is just plain wrong. From the garbage takeout to the air conditioning, there is a lot wrong. The sidewalks are not in good shape, and those stairs, outside the building are just plain dangerous. Isn't there snow in the winter? How do you handle that? I'm assuming no one in the building is handicapped as this is not acceptable for anyone who cannot easily maneuver on two strong, stable legs.
DeleteSo agreed about the rent rebate being in order--and we do have elderly here, but hopefully this all will be completed before snow sets in and we can go thru the basement. But it's dangerous then too, I slipped a couple times last winter.
DeleteThe logistics of life always interest me. So are you still doing that every night? Seems a bit hazardous in the dark?
ReplyDeleteCeci
Ceci I know this was a bore but thanks for asking--yes, still doing it at night and I'm just waiting to get mugged by someone in one of those alleys...
DeleteThey are taking many risks by asking tenants to take their garbage that far in hazardous conditions. What about in the snow/ice? The dark of winter? And the no A/C in the summer heat? That's absolutely ridiculous. I agree with Miss Merry about the rent rebate--not that they'll offer it. You still like your apartment though, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks Margaret, well they're supposed to be almost done back there, hopefully long before winter sets in! Then it's back to using the elevator to the garage... but I can't take another summer without ac! I do like living here though, this is my home 🙂
DeleteThat’s a bit of a journey with your feet in their current condition.
ReplyDeleteI take my rubbish down once a week usually when I’m going out shopping – it saves a needless trip (all of it undercover in case it’s raining – well it is for we two apartments in the front, the folks at the back have to brave the elements).
We separate ours into three bins – recyclables, compostable and general.
I don’t have an elevator – walk down two flights of stairs (or four, depending on how you count them), out the front door, turn right and 10 metres ahead are the bins (of various types mentioned above).
We have six parking spots, but then, there are only six apartments.
Thanks Peter, it is a bit of a walk right now for the feet, but at the same time I do need the exercise. I actually miss sorting our garbage, we don't do that anymore in Pittsburgh. I'm not sure why.
DeleteAll this on top of your health issues? Unbelievable! You are a far better person than me, I'd be throwing my garbage out the window!😁
ReplyDeleteLOL! Bobi you just made me laugh out loud! 😄
DeleteI'm with Bobi, I would throw the bag out the window and wait for someone to take care of it. That is just too much trouble for garbage takeout in a multistory building. We lived on the 17th floor of an apartment building in San Francisco for 15 months. There was a garbage shute at the end of the hallway, maybe 15 steps at the most. I cannot imagine people hauling trash around the building, in the elevator, or on the stairs.
DeleteHaha thanks dkzody, you're so right! Anyway this should be temporary, that new parking lot should be done soon. But we still have to take our trash down to the basement, thru the underground garage to the dumpster outside. At least I get some exercise in.
DeleteUh...nothin' to it, alright. I bet there are plenty of people with mobility issues who are not taking out their garbage as frequently as they used to. What they save in man power, they will be spending on exterminators.
ReplyDeleteDebby... you are 100% correct!!!
DeleteGood heavens! I wonder if a lawsuit because someone has hurt themselves back there might bring the bin a little closer. That's quite the hike.
ReplyDeleteDo you not have a rentalsman board/tribune that will hold landlords to account when cooling (and heating) units aren't functioning? Being with air conditioning in the summer months, especially the temps you experience, would be a big no-no here.
Thanks Maebeme---wow, a rentalsman or board, cannot imagine. Things aren't quite so fair here. Our landlord's policy is "if you don't like it, you're free to go." For the most part they are good landlords, respond to maintenance issues right away, etc. But I'm ready for this new parking lot thing to be over.
DeleteDoug, that is quite a hike! I agree with Miss Merry. Everyone should receive some sort of rent rebate. But as you stated to Maebeme it is basically like it or lump it. Cannot imagine living without air conditioning with the summer we have had. Goodness, I hope everything is put to rights soon.♥️
ReplyDeleteRobin
Thank you Robin, you're such a kind friend. I know this blog was particularly boring but I was just anxious to blog using the new computer. But I sure have enjoyed all the opinions I've gotten here, including yours of course. You summed things up very well. 🤎👍
DeleteDug, it's Thursday night and I just read this. That does seem like a long trek to put out garbage... and personally I would think the possibility of someone getting mugged is very real... especially in the dark. And if a person is disabled or has difficulty walking, it just seems unreasonable. Maybe a young tenant could take out others' garbage for a nominal fee??
ReplyDeleteThank you Rian, it really is a unsafe hike at night. That's what I was doing up until just a couple days ago, after meeting someone that spooked me in the alley I've been going during the daytime. But it looks like those workmen back there are finishing up, hoping they'll be done by November 1st. Then we can go back to taking our garbage straight to the basement and out the underground parking door. I'm wondering for the few elderly people here, if someone is taking the garbage down for them. I sure hope so.
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