Monday, July 28, 2008

Odd Advocate Headline About Trump Parc

A reader posted disgust at yesterday's Advocate/Time article "Trump Parc leads transformation of Stamford." The headline also caught my eye: the building is not even finished yet, and the only remarkable thing it's done for most of us is enrage us by sending debris crashing into the street below, at least 3 times, from oh, 20, 30 stories up. My commenter wrote, "If you haven't already read it, you're not going to believe the SPIN BS that the Stamford Advocate wrote today on Trump Parc." He/she called it unbelievable and outrageous and wondered if the Advocate got paid off to write it. While the article did not strike me as that nefarious, I do have a couple of reactions.

First, I was puzzled by the title. Um... what grand transformation is it leading? More accurately, it has the potential to lead a transformation. Announcing that it is currently doing so seems imprecise and will understandably give some people the impression that the Advocate is being overly positive about the new building.

Interestingly, the Greenwich Time titled the same article "Trump tower changes Stamford's skyline." That's obviously a more accurate title. I wonder if the Advocate gave the Stamford edition a more provocative title just to irk us.

Second, I was somewhat puzzled by the timing of the article. It didn't mention that while some are excited about the building's potential to transform downtown, others are still irritated about the carelessness the contractor has shown so far. If this had been written a few months after the entire site had been shut down for what sounded to me like gross negligence, rather than a few days, I might not be struck by the omission.

I'm not left angry; I'm just very puzzled. I think the main problem is actually the Stamford edition's headline. If you read the article, it presents a pretty balanced view of the project even though it does not mention the three stunning accidents in the streets outside. (I'd be stunned if metal tore straight through my car roof or shattered a glass window of the building I were in.)

From article: But not everyone looks on Trump Parc as a tall beacon of hope for downtown. Renee Kahn, director of the Stamford-based Historic Neighborhood Preservation Program Inc., sees it instead as a harbinger of things to come... "Will this become the prototype where whatever local character we have left will be gone?" she said... Kahn said she is skeptical about whether the city's infrastructure can support a high-density population surge. Kahn's concerns include water supply, traffic issues and whether the city has enough sewage treatment facilities.

I only wish there were a few more people quoted about their concern-- there were four excited people quoted, including a senior managing director of sales and marketing for Trump Parc, and only one concerned person-- and a more balanced headline.

I completely understand my commenter's anger, though. If I did not know that the reporter is a nice person, I might be angrier, but since I do know her (met her at the Malloy Trump conference and have talked to her a little about Stamford blogs), I let some time pass after reading the article before deciding how I felt about it.

Feeling: puzzled.

Trump Parc safety update: Finally, last Friday, after the third debris incident, the mayor took the proper steps to require the site to install safety measures. If you drive by Trump Parc, you'll see they have boards and nets blocking off any open spaces to prevent further accidents. According to News 12 this morning, floors 7-22, the ones that are already mostly glass-enclosed, have gotten the approval to proceed with work. Inspection of the upper floors will continue today. The links in this paragraph lead to my old posts, not old Advocate articles, so have no fear, you'll have access to the info.

I'll post some pics of the netting later today, but right now my camera is locked in my husband's car.

13 comments:

Jeff said...

I saw that headline (and the Greenwich Time) one too...I wonder if the Trump organization has any pull with the paper? VERY odd timing.

JT said...

It’s less nefarious than you think. The Advocate is doing a series it seems on all the projects slated or in construction that are transforming Stamford. Today is the headline is on the trolley. See, BlogStamford is like getting your newspapers 3 months early.

What history is Stamford trying to preserve? There are a handful of historic building still around after more sweeping urban development in the 60’s-70’s. None of those buildings are endangered by recent development, only empty lots and crumbling, ugly buildings.

Anonymous said...

Deleting posts? Some readers come back to see what others think about their posts. If they aren't offensive they should remain posted!

Anonymous said...

reeks of small town politics...if this a small city then officials and the media should behave as such.

In fact, I'm selling my Trump condo as soon as my lock-up is over. I realize I despise Trump and the ego flash he stands for. Terrible mistake because I'm certain I'll lose money in any such sale

Anonymous said...

"In fact, I'm selling my Trump condo as soon as my lock-up is over. I realize I despise Trump and the ego flash he stands for. Terrible mistake because I'm certain I'll lose money in any such sale"

Vince McMahon, is that you? ;)

Stamford Talk said...

Chachmaster, I meant that the Advocate archives their articles after two weeks, so you have to pay money to read them.

I don't think many bloggers take down old posts. Although after a couple years of this, can you imagine trying to re-label and or re-organize 600 posts? I bet it would be tempting to delete some of the less important ones. I'll worry about that in a year.

I had to google who Vince McMahon is- does he own a Trump condo? Now I know he's the WWE guy.

Anonymous said...

ST,I have on good accord knowledge that Vince McMahon, the WWE guy, bought the Penthouse at Trump Tower. In fact it was "seconded" on I think Mr. Stamford's site a month or so back.

I was o/c just joking with the poster that was thinking of "flipping" its Trump condo ;)

Anonymous said...

I am losing more and more respect for the Advocate every day. We are in a budget crises in this city, but where is the Advocate's reporting on this?

I am resigned that Mayor Dannel Malloy will continue to do what he does best, nothing. Instead of cutting the city payroll, delaying promotions, and pay increases, he raises our taxes . . . on houses that have lost value.

But where is the Advocate's reporting? Where is the Advocate in examining the fiscal mess we are in. Next year, knowing Dannel Malloy, our taxes will go sky high. He should cut the payroll by at least 10%.

Anonymous said...

Some people are really exagerating on the tax issue. Stamford has one of the lowest mill rates for CT cities and is on par with some small towns like
Westport. Thats unheard of for a city our size.

Anonymous said...

The Advocate's "reporting" and Mayor Malloy's stance are separate and apart inasmuch as this conversation is heading....

Attack either one or the other, not both simultaneously....that is so anti-Stamford like :(

Manager Mom said...

That's funny... I read the article, and it bothered me, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why. I bet Trump is a big advertiser in Gannett...

irenesbooks said...

Manager Mom, the Gannett deal with the Advocate fell through, the paper is owned by Media News Group, hardly of interest to Trump.

I too don't like what I see with the paper.

As to Trump Parc, don't get me going . . .

AnnieO said...

Trump may be trumped. Is it true that the Ritz Carlton plans to build in Stamford? I sure hope so.