‘Great’ stench still vexes neighbors

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

This great wall needs more mending.

Last month, Great Wall Supermarket on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 67th Street agreed to remedy community concerns about trash, traffic and noise — but two weeks later, the situation still stinks, according to neighbors.

The grocer did address some of the problems, like silencing the beeping forklifts and getting rid of some of the produce bins, but residents say the issues of traffic and stench still lurk.

“Efforts have been made,” said resident Nina Batiato. “But the garbage maintenance, traffic and smell remain a serious problem.”

The trouble began in June, shortly after the Chinese market opened and began selling fish and produce on the sidewalk. The smell of the seafood, combined with the garbage from the grocer, caused a stench that permeated the surrounding blocks. The noise of the air conditioner and traffic problems caused by deliveries also irked residents.

Locals quickly mobilized a petition drive and took their case to Community Board 10, where they hammered out an agreement with the supermarket, which agreed to change its smelly ways, according to Dana Beecher, who is representing Great Wall.

Despite the neighbors’ ongoing complaints, the market insists it is doing what it can, and at the end of the day believes it will come out smelling like roses, according to Beecher.

“We are not going to fault residents,” said Beecher. “There are still a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up, but this is a work in progress.”


©2007 The Brooklyn Paper