Construction
Hanover House: 17 Hanover Place in Downtown Brooklyn's Construction Update
2024-12-08
Hanover House stands at an impressive 463 feet in Downtown Brooklyn at 17 Hanover Place. Designed by Fogarty Finger and developed by Lonicera Partners, this 34-story structure spans 295,000 square feet and offers 314 rental apartments in one- to two-bedroom layouts. Among them, 95 are reserved for affordable housing, along with 9,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Rabina is the co-developer, and the property was previously at 23 Hanover Place, located at the corner of Livingston Street and Hanover Place.

Construction Progress and Features

Since our last update nearly a year ago, the construction hoist was dismantled from the rear northern elevation. At that time, the tower's exterior was mostly finished with red metal paneling and floor-to-ceiling windows. Currently, crews are still laying the glazed red brick façade of the double-height first story. This features a set of tall arched windows around the main entrance and retail frontage on the southern and western elevations. The sidewalk shed remains standing but is likely to be dismantled in the coming months as the podium work concludes.The renderings above and below showcase Hanover House's southeastern corner and slim western elevation, giving a preview of the finished look of the broad ground-floor arches and landscaped podium terrace.Residential amenities at Hanover House are extensive. There is a fitness center, lounges, a media room, a party room, a business center, and a dog park. The upper floors house a penthouse lounge and dining room with an adjacent terrace featuring a grilling station and outdoor dining.The property is conveniently located near several subway lines. To the north, there is the B, Q, and R trains at the DeKalb Avenue station. To the east, the 2, 3, 4, and 5 trains are at the Nevins Street station. And to the west, the A, C, and G trains are at the Hoyt-Schermerhorn station.The project is being built with the assistance of $134 million in construction financing from Santander and City National Bank, arranged by Cushman & Wakefield. Hanover House has an anticipated completion date of winter 2024 noted on site.Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail. Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates. Like YIMBY on Facebook. Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBY news.
Police Raid on Construction Camp in Ayutthaya: Workers Fleeing Rooftops
2024-12-08
Police in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province took a significant action on a Sunday dawn. They conducted a raid at a construction workers' camp in Nong Nam Som subdistrict, Uthai district. This came after reports of illegal foreign laborers being present.

Compassionate Measures Amidst Legal Proceedings

During the operation on December 8, which was a joint effort by Ayutthaya police and Uthai district administrative officials, a chaotic scene unfolded. Panicked workers tried to escape, with some even climbing onto rooftops. Authorities were able to detain 100 Myanmar nationals. Among them, 26 were men and 11 were women who were found without passports. These suspects were charged with illegally entering and residing in the Kingdom without permission and were transferred to Uthai Police Station for further legal actions. In a heartwarming gesture, police officers ordered grilled chicken with sticky rice to provide sustenance to the detained workers while their cases were being processed.

Details of Illegal Workers

Speaking to reporters, a 32-year-old Myanmar worker named Lucky shared that the workers had entered Thailand illegally through natural border passages in Mae Hong Son province. Each worker had paid between 15,000 to 20,000 baht for the journey. He explained that general laborers earned 500 baht daily, while skilled workers received 600 baht per day. Lucky attributed the ongoing conflict in Myanmar as the main reason for seeking work in neighboring countries. "The fighting in Myanmar has compelled us to look for opportunities abroad to make a living," Lucky told reporters.

Impact of Illegal Immigration

This raid clearly shows Thailand's continuous struggle with illegal immigration. Especially as neighboring Myanmar continues to face internal conflicts, it is driving more people to seek work opportunities across the border. It poses a significant challenge for the country in terms of maintaining law and order and managing the influx of illegal immigrants. The situation also highlights the need for better border control and cooperation between countries to address this issue effectively.
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Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo: Doubling Fun in Birdwatching!
2024-12-08
The Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo Camera stands as a remarkable innovation, blurring the lines between technology and our connection with nature. In this detailed exploration, we delve into its features, performance, and overall value.

Experience Nature Up Close with the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo

Enhanced Camera Technology

The Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo takes bird watching to a new level. It features a primary camera with two units - a wide-angle camera showing the entire perch and a closer view motorized camera to pan and track birds. This dual-camera setup allows for a comprehensive view of avian visitors. Additionally, a second camera on the side offers a wide-angle side view, perfect for larger birds or those seeking different angles. The image quality of the main camera is impressive, while the secondary camera, though with a slight chromatic aberration, still serves its purpose well.

For instance, when a blue jay perches on the feeder, the wide-angle camera captures the entire scene, while the closer view camera zooms in for a detailed look. The side camera comes in handy when observing a flock of sparrows from a different perspective.

Price and Availability

Priced at $419.99 / £379.99 / AU$665, the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo is the most advanced in its category. However, it is often on offer, making it more accessible. There are also more budget-friendly options like the Birdfy Feeder 2 at $259.99 / £204.99 and the Birdfy Feeder 2 Pro for $279.99 / £249.99 or with a lifetime AI subscription for $299.99 / £279.99. These different options cater to various budgets and needs.

Imagine a bird enthusiast on a tight budget who can choose the Birdfy Feeder 2 without sacrificing the basic functionality. On the other hand, a serious bird watcher might opt for the Feeder 2 Pro with its enhanced features.

Design and Setup

Setting up the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo is a breeze, taking less than 10 minutes. The cameras can be easily mounted using thumb screws, and the feeder can be attached to a quick-release plate for various mounting options - on a wall, fence, or around a tree trunk. The only drawback is that the new secondary side camera can only be positioned on one side due to the mounting arm's angle.

During my setup, I found the flexibility in mounting to be a great advantage. I was able to place the feeder in different locations around my garden to get the best views of the birds.

The camera connection via the app is simple and maintains a stable connection even when the feeder is around 20ft / 6m from the house and 5ft / 2m from the nearest Wi-Fi router. The internal batteries can be charged via a USB-C port, and with a solid battery life, they typically last a couple of weeks before needing a charge. The included solar panel further extends the battery life by providing continuous power.

Performance in Various Conditions

The Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo is IP65-rated for weatherproofing, and I have personally tested it in pouring rain without any issues. The previous generation of the camera has also endured hot and freezing conditions for over a year and still functions perfectly.

During a heavy rainstorm, I was amazed to see the cameras continue to operate smoothly, capturing every moment of the bird activity. This durability ensures that the investment lasts for a long time.

The cameras are designed for observation and sharing on social media rather than creating large prints. The resolution may not be huge, but it is more than sufficient for these purposes. The large-capacity batteries and the solar panel work together to keep the cameras powered up, ensuring continuous monitoring.

Squirrel Resistance and Other Considerations

Like most bird feeder cameras, the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo is not entirely squirrel-proof. Squirrels managed to break some of the plastic in the feeder to get to the seeds. However, the damage did not affect its functionality. The lights and alarm did not deter the squirrels effectively, but using the app to play audio through the built-in microphone was a somewhat successful but not permanent solution.

It's important to note that while squirrels may pose a challenge, the overall experience of observing the birds more than makes up for it. The sight of various birds visiting the feeder is a delight.

In conclusion, the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo is a remarkable device that offers a unique way to connect with nature. Its enhanced camera technology, flexible design, and reliable performance make it a worthy investment for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
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