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Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizing Corporation

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  Connecticut Fat Rendering and Fertilizing Corporation was created in the 1900s to establish a cooperative where local butchers and meat market men would reduce the cost and dispose of unwanted animal byproducts during the processing of animals for human consumption. Starting with an initial capital of $50,000 and 2000 shares divided among the businessmen of the meat processing industry. This led to the funding and erection of the building which finally began operation in September 1903. Jacob W. Everett was the president of the company. The plant was primarily used for fat rendering creating byproducts such as glue, tallow, poultry feed, and fertilizer. Fat rendering recovers fats and proteins from otherwise discarded animal byproducts.  Tallow is made up of the rendered suet of animal fat cooked down from the animal waste products such as the bones, head, feet, and organs. Poultry feed is made when the blood, feathers, soft meat, dead-on-arrival carcasses, and deboning tissue are ri
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246 Patchen Ave (Former Hackies Snack Bar)

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I am not a fan of houses in particular but lately, while I am out cruising, I am starting to find myself composing different vacant and derelict buildings throughout the city. The juxtaposition of active and colorful buildings next to it contrasted with the dull and muted colors and feel of it as an isolated subject in the city that never sleeps just pops out more. I already knew when I pulled up this boarded apartment building I knew the orange and brown stonework would pop with a little editing in Adobe Lightroom with no problem. Plus, the sky was overcast and cold which I knew would give it that New York City winter vibe immediately.  We’ll see where these vibes lead down the road. For now, stay dangerous.
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Pop Smoke Mural No. 3: Kings of Brooklyn Homage

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As the third anniversary of his untimely death let's appreciate the energy and unique art form Bashar Barakah Jackson aka Pop Smoke gave to the world. A solemn head bow and a moment of silence for the woo God.  I have been hunting for all murals depicting drill rapper icon Pop Smoke all over Brooklyn. I came upon this mural while hunting for something else in the area. From the pictures, I knew I had to go see it in person, and boy did it not disappoint. From the images below you can see someone recently laid flowers and lit some candles to pay the woo homage to Canarsie Brooklyn’s fast-rising chart-topper. In addition, from the intense Internet interest in these beautiful murals of Pop Smoke, I knew I had to share them with my drill scene readers.  Each mural I have visited are uniquely different from the other and invoke different emotions and personal feelings when viewing them. You just have to see them, to appreciate them, not for the social media post but for the passion, lov
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Factory H Boiler House Demolition (International Silver Company)

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All these years I never thought Factory H's former power plant and boiler house   would still be standing. Well, unfortunately, the sweeping and cleaning up of blighted properties around Connecticut towns and cities by Governor Ned Lamont are torpedoing ahead with gusto. Underground fuel storage pit. Vacant medical facility across the brook. I remember quite fondly taking my first baby steps in exploring uncharted Connecticut territory as a New York native. Researching and looking up depressed economic cities and towns, taking a deep dive around bodies of water, rivers, and brooks, and finding locations like no tomorrow. As I saw one after another, I realized the locale of Meriden was chock-full. Those beginning days were filled with anxiety and wondering what stuff I would find in these abandoned buildings across the state.  The boiler house is to the left with a smokestack very prominent in this undated aerial. Factory H is in the foreground. I scoped out the property over Goog
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The Gentrification House

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  I believe I saw this house on social media during the pandemic. It wasn't until I was hunting boarded-up houses around Bushwick Brooklyn I came upon the 'gentrification house' by happenstance. I pulled over immediately and went to work to find the right angle. I knew it was going to be a very pleasing aesthetic composition because of the pointed contrast. When you see it it is very striking in its presence. All over the city, you see the same architectural housing popping up all with the same aesthetic without any difference in uniformity or uniqueness. Even the NYTimes did a piece on this budget constraining developer buildings across several states such as Nashville, Denver, and Seattle. Source: 1. Kodé, Anna, "America, the Bland," January 20, 2023, NYTimes
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Former Bronx Gulf Center to Become MTA Electric Bus Depot

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I remember it was rather cold this day and nearly lost my fingers flying the drone around the complex. Entering the complex was rather easy since the drive-in gate was unlocked and unsecured. From the first look of it, the site was definitely an illegal dumping ground. The still-standing batting range with its intact green netting and overgrown golf hill facades stuffed with weeds. The place definitely had a family atmosphere minus the mini rainforest. The golf tee pavilion was a site to behold standing in the grass looking dead center to the structure. Beneath my feet, I could make out various colorful branded golf balls all over the ground. I eventually took a couple golf balls home as souvenirs knowing full well that next time I won't be as lucky to enter the property again. A former golf driving range shows purpose for Bronx residents to become an all-electric bus depot. The 12-acre complex (550,000 square feet) has compounded and bemused Morris Park residents since its opera
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