Courtesy Robert Holden’s Office

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

A long-standing dispute over a large RV parked in a residential neighborhood on Starr Street finally reached a conclusion last week when the vehicle, nicknamed the “spaceship bus” by local residents, was towed away after months of complaints from the community. The operation, however, did not proceed without incident. The removal, has sparked a wave of controversy, with both local lawmakers and the RV’s owner offering differing perspectives on the situation.

 

The RV, which had been parked on the residential street since January, drew growing frustration from nearby residents. The vehicle was described as a “monstrosity” by some, with its colorful, spaceship-like design drawing the ire of those living nearby. What started as a seemingly temporary parking spot for the vehicle, once part of the Brooklyn Club Silo’s outdoor seating arrangement, escalated into a neighborhood controversy. Owner of the vehicle, Robin Russel-French, argues he never intended to leave the RV there permanently and that an illness made it nearly impossible for him to address the situation sooner.

 

After multiple complaints from residents the RV was removed by private tow company VMA Towing.

 

Council Member Holden applauded the swift action taken, calling the removal a necessary step to address the growing issue of commercial vehicles and RVs cluttering the streets of the neighborhood. “The issue of RVs and commercial vehicles parked throughout our district and beyond has grown bigger than ever. When constituents rightfully complain, my office takes swift action.” Holden thanked local agencies and staff members for taking action.

 

Crashes Into Overpass

Courtesy Tarik Simsek, (Seniorsix on Instagram) 

But the towing operation did not go as smoothly as some had hoped. The RV’s size—standing nearly 20 feet tall—was flagged as a concern by multiple parties involved in the operation. Allegedly, city departments were warned about the risk of damaging overpasses and other infrastructure due to the RV’s height, but the towing proceeded anyway. During the process, the RV collided with a low-hanging bridge at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Fresh Pond Road resulting in severe damage to the roof of the vehicle and to the structure of the overpass. 

During a virtual COMET (Communities of Maspeth & Elmhurst Together) Zoom meeting last month, Captain Chowdhury of the 104th precinct, responding to complaints about the RV’s presence, issued a warning regarding the risks of towing the large vehicle, a warning that fell on deaf ears. “Our heavy duty towing team told us that they can’t really tow that because it is too tall for them, and they’d hit overpasses and stuff like that. We’ve reached out to sanitation, we’re working with them because they need more information, if this thing has plates then sanitation will be able to tow it, but we’re trying and calling our legal department to see what is the recourse with this,” Chowdrey said during the meeting. 

 

Russel-French, has since accused city officials of negligence, claiming that the towing operation was not only poorly executed but was also politically motivated. Russel-French, who suffers from a debilitating condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), insists that he was unable to address the situation due to his medical condition. Diagnosed with CRPS over a year ago, Russel-French explained that the disease has left him bedridden and in constant, excruciating pain, making it nearly impossible for him to take care of the bus as planned.

 

Russel-French, sees things differently than the local officials and residents. In an exclusive interview, he explained that his RV had been parked on Starr Street out of necessity, not neglect. “I had to move it there under duress,” he said, noting that he was unable to drive it due to its size and the ongoing financial and physical challenges presented by his illness. 

 

“I never wanted the bus to stay on Starr Street,” Russel-French said in the interview. “But I’m bedridden and without income. I couldn’t do anything. It was just too painful.” Russel-French described his condition as one of the most painful chronic pain conditions known to medicine, further emphasizing the challenges he faces in managing his affairs.

 

According to Russel-French, the RV had been registered and legally parked when it was moved to Starr Street, though he acknowledged the vehicle was unoccupied for much of the time.

 

The 1967 Leyland Atlantean bus, which had been used as a cultural space for private events and performances, was not in use during the winter months as Russel-French struggled to manage his condition. He claims that he had every intention of moving the RV but was unable to do so due to a lack of funds and mobility. “It took everything for me to get it there,” he said, explaining how the move to Starr Street was temporary while he figured out his next steps.

 

Russel-French also suggested that there were ulterior political motives behind the push to remove the RV, alleging that local officials had orchestrated the vehicle’s destruction. French alleges that the wheels of the RV were deliberately popped, suggesting that it was a coordinated effort to make the vehicle appear unfit for the street and force it to be towed, thereby escalating the situation and making it eligible for impoundment under the city’s public safety guidelines.

 

He claimed the city was complicit in damaging the vehicle when it was towed under a low bridge, causing significant structural damage to the bus. “They purposely drove it under a low bridge so that it would destroy the top level,” he said, hinting at a deliberate attempt to make the vehicle unfit for use.

 

Robin Russel-French operated the RV as a private venue for exclusive parties and events, catering to a select group of guests. He hosted renowned DJs, including Fred Again, who has performed on the bus, making it a unique cultural space within New York’s nightlife scene. The events were not open to the public, with entry restricted to a vetted, invite-only crowd. While guests could make voluntary donations, the gatherings were designed to foster a sense of community rather than profit, blending music, art, and social gatherings in an unconventional setting.

 

The RV, Russel-French argues, was not just an ordinary vehicle. He describes it as a historical relic — a 1967 Leyland Atlantean that once served as part of London’s public transportation system. The vehicle, he says, was registered as a historical vehicle, which granted it certain protections. The fact that the vehicle was destroyed in the towing process has led Russel-French to consult with lawyers, planning to sue the city for what he views as mishandling and unnecessary destruction of his property.

 

Other RV Busses on the Street

 

While he acknowledges that residents had complaints about the bus being parked on the street, Russel-French maintains that he was not the only one causing an issue in the area. “There are two makeshift buses and an RV that have been parked on that block for years,” he said, referring to other vehicles in the vicinity that were also subject to complaints but not removed as swiftly as his own.

 

“I think the way this whole situation unfolded is unfortunate, the goal was never to outright destroy someone’s property, but rather, address the quality-of-life concerns of nearby residents. I would have never posted online about this issue if I knew this was going to happen,” Candidate for City Council, Paul Pogozelski said. “Unfortunately, the whole situation turned into a race to see who could take credit for removing the camper, and that’s when it looks like common sense went out the window.”

 

For many in the neighborhood, the RV’s presence was a constant source of frustration. Neighbors reported that it was an eyesore, detracting from the neighborhood’s aesthetics and causing concerns over potential safety hazards. Some residents also complained that the area became a magnet for garbage and litter, further exacerbating the problems created by the vehicle’s extended stay.

 

While Russel-French’s supporters view him as a victim of political maneuvering and medical hardship, for others, the removal of the RV marked a welcome end to what they saw as a persistent nuisance. The city’s swift action is seen by many as a demonstration of effective leadership, albeit at the expense of one individual’s livelihood.

 

As Russel-French prepares to challenge the city’s actions in court, the case highlights the ongoing tension between personal property rights, public safety, and the need for neighborhood upkeep. 

Courtesy Robin Russel-French