Gibson Train Station Development

All the comments so far are for the most part warranted, and I can understand all the issues. There's a split-level here that's been in my family for almost forty years, and I've lived here about a year after moving out from Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Financial issues, to be honest.
Although I've been back and forth to this area my whole life, living here for just over a year, perhaps my view is skewed, but I see nothing wrong with the Gibson station, although the abandoned strip of businesses is definitely an eye-sore, as well as that dude's auto shop that has wrecked cars and engine parts strewn across his lot. I honestly don't mind too much about the state of the station, and if you've talked to any of the LIRR workers that almost constantly maintain it, they're doing their best with what they have available. Why don't you get your hands dirty and try cleaning it?
Didn't think so. So shut it, unless you wanna donate the money it would take to replace all the scratched up overhangs and beautify the station house. Even then, kids are gonna be kids. At least we have (mostly) clean trains.
The neighborhood is pretty good to me, I just hate being so removed from friends in Brooklyn. I hope this area stays safe and only improves.
Plus, I think you should give a little patience to the blatantly skewed view that some of the long-time residents have around here. They lived here in a different era altogether, and you gotta respect that just as much as they have to respect your view.
Our house is mixed eastern-european and puerto rican, and as long as you're nice to everyone, you'll get along with EVERYONE.

Proud Gibson Resident wrote:

Its people like you that run when you see the first sign of diversity moving into a neighborhood that make property values plummet. You sir are the real cause of the "drop" in real estate values, not the “neighborhood.” If you are going to bash the neighborhood at least be up front about the real reasons that you feel the neighborhood is taking a downward turn. People of differing backgrounds and cultures scare you. The neighborhood is fine. The houses are well-kept, people are always walking around with their children and people are extremely friendly. Please explain your reason for scaring people from buying in this neighborhood. If anyone is failing this neighborhood it is the local, out of touch, ineffective government that can’t figure out how to attract business, pave the roads and clean up the streets. For the most part you have young professional people replacing the old timers like yourself who freak out when you see an Indian, Hispanic, or Black person moving into the neighborhood. Newsflash: These people probably make a lot more money than you and have a higher education. So, why don’t you sell your house for 50,000 less, force property values down even further and let somebody else move in who is not afraid of a little diversity.

Why do you who defend VS jump to the conclusion of racism. I was very happy with all my neighbors new and old, black, white, Indian, muslim etc in VS. But eventually I began to see things occurring that I did not like seeing in my hometown, very disturbing things. My problem was not with the race involved in the situations, but that it was happening under my nose.

Former Gibson resident wrote:

Just curious, drove through the old hood the other day and noticed a slew of young gentlement in White dress shirts and black dress slacks and young ladies in ankle length dresses, white dress shirts and kercheifs. Are they mennonites, plymouth brethren, exclusive brethren or some other denomonation.
Missing the old neighborhood, it was and still is great.

They are Plymouth Brethren. the majority who reside in VS are business owners and happen to be good neighbors

gibson resider wrote:

i actually live in Gibson and it is a great place to live... great schools and has it's own character... it is wonderful....
except for the train station....
as i am relatively new (4 yrs) i don't understand why the stores are empty.... i also don't understand why there are meters on the street with the stores.....
it is a nice town.

I grew up in Gibson Many Years Ago as far as i Know my Mom just
passed away in 2006 Gibson was always a nice place to live the
people all knew one another and their were no problems i worked
in the city and the RailRoad and buses were very close. everyone
new everyone the stores their was a shoemaker two candy stores
which everyone knew the pharmacy which you could ask anything you
didnt even have to go to the doctors hardware store which every one new the owner two delis and beauty salon this was the Gibson
i knew it still seems to be an ok place to reside.

Proud Gibson Resident wrote:

Its people like you that run when you see the first sign of diversity moving into a neighborhood that make property values plummet. You sir are the real cause of the "drop" in real estate values, not the “neighborhood.” If you are going to bash the neighborhood at least be up front about the real reasons that you feel the neighborhood is taking a downward turn. People of differing backgrounds and cultures scare you. The neighborhood is fine. The houses are well-kept, people are always walking around with their children and people are extremely friendly. Please explain your reason for scaring people from buying in this neighborhood. If anyone is failing this neighborhood it is the local, out of touch, ineffective government that can’t figure out how to attract business, pave the roads and clean up the streets. For the most part you have young professional people replacing the old timers like yourself who freak out when you see an Indian, Hispanic, or Black person moving into the neighborhood. Newsflash: These people probably make a lot more money than you and have a higher education. So, why don’t you sell your house for 50,000 less, force property values down even further and let somebody else move in who is not afraid of a little diversity.

I agree - I live in this neighborhood w/ my two small children and husband - just moved here about 3 years ago and I love it - I think it's great for kids (we frequent Barrett park in Gibson) and the school ratings are good - and it's so close to the city. I grew up in an area w/ no diversity and I think that is not good - I really like this area because of all the diversity and think it's really good for my family.

fed up wrote:

<quoted text>
They are Plymouth Brethren. the majority who reside in VS are business owners and happen to be good neighbors

I always wondered who they were - I live on the next block over

WOW.. you all have me speechless on so many levels.. my husband and I are two weeks from buying a home a few blocks from Gibson station.
being that i'm from Albany and he's from the Bronx we did our research and found that this would be the place we would like to settle in.Good school districts,close to everything,and not to mention a great investment. Everyone has there own thoughts, but thinking negative about anything will just make you part of the problem.

just a note to mention every year at Christmas
Songs sung at the station a big tree and a Santa
Not to forget the bee line bus which i took to
school in Jamaica and you could ask the Shoemaker
anything he knew just about everyone also Harry
the Hardware store i think the guy who operated
the crossing gate lived upstairs above the station

No neighborhood stays the same. I believe that many of the minorities who have moved here just want a better life for their family just like anyone else who moved here 30 years ago.

InGodITrust wrote:

No neighborhood stays the same. I believe that many of the minorities who have moved here just want a better life for their family just like anyone else who moved here 30 years ago.

well of course, but what else are they bringing with them minority or not. There are clearly more occurrences of crime in VS than just 10 years ago. Do a google search if you are in disbelief.