K. pointed out this box installed in front of 11 Jay and asked: “Are buildings allowed to build these enclosed garbage containers?”

The answer, it seems, is yes, as long as they are on private property. In this case, the diamond plate in front of many Tribeca buildings, like loading docks, are within that building’s property line.

I checked in with the press office at the Department of Transportation for this one: “DSNY and DOT work together on these kinds of enclosures when they are on public property,” the folks at DOT said. “As far as private property, for use by an individual property owner, there are some regulations from both agencies. DOT regulates potential sidewalk obstructions; DSNY can regulate these if they are poorly maintained or making a mess. There are design approvals required for ones on public property but not private to my knowledge.”

There you have it. Before they closed, Sushi of Gari also added one to the south side of their building (below).

Locals may have noticed the one at Bogardus Plaza, on its eastern border on West Broadway. That is part of a program called Clean Curbs, which is only available in business improvement districts, usually, but this one was snuck in. BIDs can install sealed, rodent-proof containers on approved city property to store waste awaiting collection.

Other Nosy Neighbor posts:

• “The crane is swinging!”
• These stickers say, “A new tree is coming”…
• What’s happening at 50 Hudson?
• When will Meadow Lane open?
• Is Hobby Lobby taking the entire second floor?
• What happened to our trees?
• What’s going on at Duane Park?
• Why are they moving the bike path?
• Does the tower planned for IPN have an address?
• When will Meadow Lane open?
• What’s going on at 132 West Broadway?
• What is the Grandma Stand?
• Where are the eggs?
• The end of an era (almost) in the subway
• What happened to the gas lamps at City Hall Park?
• Can’t we restore the sidewalk in front of 45 Park Place?
• Is this stop sign for real?
• What’s happening at the New York Mercantile Exchange?
• Why are we allowed to use plastic bags in our compost bins?
• Can we get the graffiti cleaned up on the post office?
• What are pineapples doing on the Westside Highway?
• Why are so many vendors allowed on the Brooklyn Bridge?
•  Is Mr. Exotix allowed to flash all night?
• Just how many lanes are on Greenwich?

• Update: 101 Franklin / 250 Church has sold
• When will the Citi Bike stations be re-installed?
• What’s doing on the Westside Highway?
• Why was the Warren Street path through City Hall Park closed?
• Why are there horses at Duane Park?
• When will the Rockefeller playground open?
• Just how many lanes are on Greenwich?
• What happened to the street lamps on Reade?
• What will replace the footings of the Rector Street Bridge?
• Could this be a piece of the Old Stone Bridge?
• Are dogs allowed in Liberty Park?
• Will the sun come out on the Sun Building clocks?
• What’s this on the side of Pier 40?