Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Courtyard Improvement: Capital One Listens To Carroll Gardens Community

oo
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May 2012.  From this...
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this in August 2012.
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Before and...
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after.
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The deep courtyards in Carroll Gardens are what makes this Brooklyn neighborhood pretty unique. Most of them are lovingly planted and taken care of by their owners. Some of them, however, have been totally neglected like the rather unsightly 'blacktop' yard attached to Capital One at 420 Court Street at the corner of Second Place. Several months ago, Jordan, one of my readers pointed this out to me.  In an email, he wrote:
"It is such a shame that they just do the cheapest, ugliest thing possible with that garden space rather than beautify it. To me it shows a disregard and disrespect for the neighborhood. I kind of doubt that your average Capital One branch in the suburbs doesn't have even the most basic landscaping outside of it. I did call them a few months ago and spoke to a manager and while the conversation didn't go anywhere (it's up to corporate, no one's ever even suggested that, etc.)Getting them to do something with the garden would be a major win for everyone."
I couldn't have agreed more, so I took a few photos of the paved-over courtyard and in May, I posted them on PMFA.
And shortly afterwards, Capital One did something about it.  Apparently, Corporate heard about the complaints. A few weeks ago, the blacktop was taken out, fresh earth and plants put in, and now that corner looks beautiful.

Well done, Capital One. And my sincerest thanks goes out to Jordan, who took the initiative to bring it to their attention.  The newly planted courtyard in now worthy of the neighborhood and something we can all be proud of.





5 comments:

Eryana said...

Looks great! Capital One and 16 Handles have set great precedents for community relations by responding to feedback on their exterior spaces.

Anonymous said...

Why don't we ask why there aren't apartments on top of the store? They certainly have the zoning for it, and lack of affordable housing options in the community are the real detriment.

Agnes said...

VERY nice! Really cheers up the spot and makes the bank look friendlier, too.

Waterproofing Queens said...

They did a pretty awesome job, I would've been scared of going in there and getting shot or something if I ever saw the place. Theres a bank around here under Trustco. that gets robbed every 3 months and re-opens.

-Adam Ahmed

Sean said...

It's nice that they did it. It's just really funny that the path goes right into a WALL. Very symbolic! :D