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City Moves Third Ave. Bus Stop, But Apparently Fails to Tell Riders

By Noah Hurowitz | February 15, 2017 5:05pm
 Construction at 133 Third Ave. has been frozen since 2012, when a contractor sent cement pouring through the wall of the NYU dorm next door.
Construction at 133 Third Ave. has been frozen since 2012, when a contractor sent cement pouring through the wall of the NYU dorm next door.
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DNAinfo/Noah Hurowitz

GRAMERCY — A Third Avenue bus stop has officially been moved away from a stalled construction site after months of complaints from neighbors.

But, with the bus shelter still in its original place and no signage telling passengers of the move, it appears to be a chaotic change for both passengers and MTA drivers.

The Department of Transportation on Monday moved the bus stop at 133 Third Ave. to the southeast corner of East 14th Street due to its proximity to the work site.

Neighbors had complained that broken concrete and fencing that took up part of the sidewalk made catching the bus dangerous.

On Tuesday night, the bus stop signs for the M101, M102, and M103 buses as well as schedules were gone.

But the shelter stayed in its original spot and no signs notifying people of the relocation were put up. Straphangers were seen waiting for the bus where they had previously.

In addition, an M102 bus driver was seen blowing past the new bus stop — which had a car parked in front of it — and opted instead to pick up passengers at the old stop.

The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It’s the latest puzzling development in the saga of the much complained about stretch of sidewalk.

Plans for a 16-story building at the site stalled in 2012 after an accident. Since then, the construction shed that takes up most of the sidewalk has become an eyesore that attracts litter and public urinators, according to neighbors.

According to DOT officials, a work order was signed in May authorizing the temporary relocation of the bus shelter, but the city has been unable to get in touch with the developer of 133 Third Ave who would be charged for the work.

The contractor at the site, Michail Brempos, told DNAinfo in January that he was awaiting new work permits in order to pay for the relocation of the shelter, but DOT officials said they hadn't heard from him.

Brempos and the developer, John Pappas, did get new work permits last month in the first step toward getting a stop-work order lifted.

Neither the contractor or the owner of 133 Third Ave. responded to requests for comment, and a spokesman for JCDecaux, which operates the bus shelter, said he was not immediately able to provide comment.