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Urban Design Observations: What is This Thing For?
In front of store on Spring Street in lower Manhattan, we see this object.
Enter a caption (optional)A hole has been bored into the side of it to admit a chain. The chain is attached to the bracket holding the on/off lock for the roll-down gate.
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Enter a caption (optional)The top of this object has been tightly covered in gaffer's tape, to prevent passersby from filling it with trash. Even so, someone has tossed a discarded tissue on top of it.
Enter a caption (optional)They had a dirty tissue, couldn't be bothered to wait until reaching the trash can at the corner, saw this thing, and dropped their tissue on top of it. Also, if you zoom in you can see someone has stuffed their cigarette butt into the hole that admits the chain. This is why I don't like people.
Enter a caption (optional)So: Any guesses as to this object's function?
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Comments
its a planter. no idea why its taped up at the moment but a 30 second google maps search shows it with a tree and other plants placed in it when the store is open..
Planter / can't find key / please stop putting trash in my empty planter.
Planter. Planter chained to the wall so people don't steal planter. Plant dies. Nobody has key to planter lock. People throw garbage into planter. Owner covers planter with tape so planter isn't used as garbage can.
That barrel is probably full of dirt and it's a security feature. Roll-up door can't go up unless you take the barrel of dirt with it. That's my best guess.
It isn't attached to the roller shutter so my guess is there's something under it that has to do with the cellar doors.
1) keeps chain from smacking around in the wind making a godawful noise
2) lock chain to itself when door is open — prevents people screwing with the roll-up door
It could have been a block of concrete with a hoop of rebar... but a planter is prettier.
It's a counter weight
Look here
There is a Hida key under it for the roll up door.
Perhaps the cellar door leans against it?
+1
Could just be somewhere to sit if it is used for a night club and there is a bouncer outside. Also if it is really heavy it could be an addition security feature to make it harder to roll up the door.