Tag Archives: lower manhattan

Former World Trade Center Site

9/11 10th Anniversary Commemorative Events: Saturday, September 10

Former World Trade Center Site
Former World Trade Center Site

SATURDAY 9/10/11
 


8:46 a.m.: Hand in Hand/Remembering 9/11 event along Manhattan’s West Side waterfront (Greenwich Street and Battery Place, Manhattan)

1 p.m.: National Lighthouse Museum hosts multimedia exhibit commemorating the 9/11 tenth anniversary (Staten Island)

1 p.m.: Peace of Heart choir sings at 9/11 anniversary event (278 Spring Street, Manhattan)

2 p.m.: FDNY holds 9/11 memorial service at for firefighters and their families (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan)

3:30 p.m.: Trinity Church holds reunion BBQ for 9/11 first responders, recovery workers and volunteers (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)

6 p.m.: St. Paul’s Chapel remains open for all-night vigil, prayer, meditation and labyrinth (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)

7:30 p.m.: Lincoln Center holds concert for 9/11 (Lincoln Center, Manhattan)

Click here to view the full list for the week’s events around our area.

The End of Manhattan by Jay Fine

‘The End of Manhattan’ & ’10’ Exhibits Open on September 8th

The End of Manhattan by Jay Fine
'The End of Manhattan,' exhibits the work of Jay Fine

Jay Fine, BatteryParkCity.com’s favorite and often featured photographer, is showcasing his Fine photography in an exhibit entitled, “The End of Manhattan.”

With Lower Manhattan as his muse, Jay Fine will be exhibiting his work which includes his iconic shot of the Statue of Liberty struck by lightning, an image that had received critical praise in media outlets internationally.

Along with Antonio Petracca’s “10”, Fine’s “The End of Manhattan” opens at the Kim Foster Gallery on September 8th from 6pm-8pm. Both exhibits will be displayed through October 15th.

Antonio Petracca’s new exhibition “10” is a journey that started with 9/11. Petracca a Battery Park City resident, who was displaced and living in a hotel, felt compelled to begin a new series of paintings that responded to the tragedy of 9/11. The mission of Petracca’s exhibit is to depict the destruction, the sense of great loss and, more importantly, the can-do spirit of rebuilding and renewal that most New Yorkers felt at the time.

On the flip side, Jay Fine’s exhibit “The End of Manhattan” might have a dire name, but is more meditative view on the photographer’s life in Battery Park City than a 9/11 commemoration.  Included in the show is 60×40 inch version of the aforementioned Statue of Liberty and Lightning photo, which was more recently featured in the August 2011 National Geographic Magazine.

According to Fine, “The exhibits compliment each other and should generate, we hope, a lot of interest, not just from the people who liver here but from folks around the world.  Some of the greatest responses to my work are from France, Italy and South East Asia based on the feedback from my Facebook page and Flickr site.”

The exhibit itself is pegged to be a Downtown family affair,  with the framing of the prints done by Battery Park City residents and owners of the World Trade Art Gallery, Jane and Doug Smith. The large scale prints were made by Joseph Ng, whose wife works in the Financial District.

The Kim Foster Gallery is located at 529 W 20th Street, New York.
For more information please check the gallery’s website: www.kimfostergallery.com/

9/10/10 Downtown 7:47 PM Thursday
9/10/10 Downtown 7:47 PM Thursday (Credit: Jay Fine)
Tunnel to Towers by Jay Fine
Tunnel to Towers by Jay Fine
Former World Trade Center Site

9/11 10th Anniversary Commemorative Events

Former World Trade Center Site
Former World Trade Center Site

MONDAY 9/5/11

12:05 p.m.: Trinity Church offers a homily, congregational singing and organ music along with prayers for healing (Trinity Church, Lower Manhattan)


12:30 p.m.: St. Paul’s Chapel offers daily prayers for peace which date back to the relief ministry following 9/11 (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)

TUESDAY 9/6/11
 


8 a.m.: Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivers address on rebirth of Lower Manhattan since 9/11 [LIVE ON NY1]

10 a.m.: Trinity Wall Street holds public art event, including the tying of the first “Ribbons of Remembrance” onto St. Paul’s fence. (St. Paul’s Chapel. Lower Manhattan)

1 p.m: Interactive art installation and live performances celebrating 9/11 volunteerism and featuring short film on 9/11 community (Irondale Center, Ft. Greene, Brooklyn)

7:30 p.m .: National September 11 Memorial and Museum and Soulcycle co-host a tribute ride to commemorate the 9/11 tenth anniversary (103 Warren Street, Manhattan)


WEDNESDAY 9/7/11
 


10:15 a.m.: WTC developer Larry Silverstein hosts WTC rebuilding update including presentations by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver

THURSDAY 9/8/11


8 a.m.: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver delivers address on resilience and growth of Lower Manhattan over last decade

8:30 a.m.: Natural Centers for Disaster Preparedness holds public health conference looks at the next ten years (Columbia University. Manhattan)

9 a.m.: Police Commissioner Ray Kelly holds ceremony to honor NYPD families who were victims of 9/11

7:30 p.m.: Port Authority and United Community Civic Association hold 9/11 memorial candlelight vigil at McManus Memorial Park (81st Street and Grand Central Service Road, Qneens)

7:30 p.m.: The Public Theater Explores “The 9/11 Decade: New York and America After the Towers,” hosted by Alec Baldwin with a discussion to follow

7:30 p.m: Performance of Richard Nelson’s “Sweet and Sad” (425 Lafayette Street, Manhattan)

8 p.m.: 9/11 conference on “A Decade Later: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges” (Kaufmann Concert Hall, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street, Manhattan)


FRIDAY 9/9/11
 


8:30 a.m.: Unified Court Systems Officials hold 9/11 memorial mass

9:30 a.m – Court Officers holds salute for the three court officers who died on 9/11

3:30 p.m.: Manhattan College holds “We Remember” service to commemorate 9/11 attacks, featuring former mayor Rudolph Giuliani (Riverdale, Bronx)

4 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (St. Paul’s, Manhattan)

4 p.m.: Broadway community holds tribute to mark the 9/11 tenth anniversary (Times Square)

5 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (Columbus Circle, Manhattan)

5:30 p.m.: Peace of Heart Choir sings at 9/11 anniversary event (Central Park South and West 59th Street, Manhattan)

6 p.m.: Imam Feisal Rauf hosts Muslim event honoring years of interfaith work to recognize various groups and individuals since 9/11 (Interchurch Center, 475 Riverside Drive, Manhattan)

8 p.m.: Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation holds “A Tribute to Our Heroes” fundraising concert (St. George Theater, Staten Island)

8:30 p.m.: Young People’s Chorus of NY gives free performances to commemorate 9/11 tenth anniversary (Trinity Church, Manhattan)

SATURDAY 9/10/11
 


8:46 a.m.: Hand in Hand/Remembering 9/11 event along Manhattan’s West Side waterfront (Greenwich Street and Battery Place, Manhattan)

1 p.m.: National Lighthouse Museum hosts multimedia exhibit commemorating the 9/11 tenth anniversary (Staten Island)

1 p.m.: Peace of Heart choir sings at 9/11 anniversary event (278 Spring Street, Manhattan)

2 p.m.: FDNY holds 9/11 memorial service at for firefighters and their families (St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Manhattan)

3:30 p.m.: Trinity Church holds reunion BBQ for 9/11 first responders, recovery workers and volunteers (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)

6 p.m.: St. Paul’s Chapel remains open for all-night vigil, prayer, meditation and labyrinth (St. Paul’s Chapel, Lower Manhattan)

7:30 p.m.: Lincoln Center holds concert for 9/11 (Lincoln Center, Manhattan)

Crowds Flock to Ground Zero After News of Bin Laden's Death

Crowds Flock to Ground Zero in Wake of News of Bin Laden’s Death

Crowds Flock to Ground Zero After News of Bin Laden's Death
Crowds Flock to Ground Zero After News of Bin Laden's Death (Credit: Seth Yassky)

Crowds flocked to Ground Zero on Sunday night as news of the death of terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden at the hands of Navy SEALS via a covert, Barrack Obama-sanctioned operation broke and began to spread.  A good chunk of the people that ventured downtown to the former site of the Twin Towers were the surviving family members of those lost in the September 11th attacks of 2001. The news that Bin Laden was taken out brought a lot of still unhealed memories to the surface, but there was an overwhelming sense of vindication at the news and the reality it represented.

NY1 reports that Dianna Massaroli, widow of Cantor Fitzgerald employee Michael Massaroli, couldn’t stay away. “I had to come. Wide awake, beaming, we had to come,” said Massaroli.

Ricky Rubenfeld returned to the site to honor her cousin who perished in the attacks; his remains were not found until a full two weeks later. “We’re here not only to commemorate his death but to celebrate this amazing victory,” she said. “It’s a sense of relief and a sense of justice that [this] brought for our family. For all of the pain and the suffering that my cousin and his wife and his daughters and my father and the rest of the family endured.”

Katie McAvoy’s firefighter father John lost his life trying to save the lives of others on that fateful day. McAvoy was just  a teen when she lost her dad, but she has a very adult view and perspective regarding the matter.  “Justice has been served,” she said. “I think he would hopefully feel satisfied.”

Where were you when you heard the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed?

New Downtown Skyline by Day (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

Lower Manhattan Becoming Media Hot Spot

New Downtown Skyline by Day (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)
New Downtown Skyline by Day (Courtesy: Silverstein Properties)

A recent New York Times report has shined a spotlight on the fact that Lower Manhattan is now considered a media hub. While Park Row was the media center in the 19th century, the digital age has allowed downtown to become a hot spot for the ever-evolving and changing media. Lower Manhattan is no longer reserved for financial types.

The Alliance for Downtown New York counts 60 media outlets occupying space below Chambers Street. Among other companies planning to migrate south from Midtown to the Financial District and the World Trade Center hood are Conde Nast, The Daily News, US News & World Report, Newsweek, The Daily Beast and that bastion of gossip The National Enquirer, which is the print pre-cursor of TMZ and Perez Hilton. Men’s Fitness is already enjoying downtown space. The Alliance for Downtown New York also indicates that nearly 5,500 media types will eventually be working downtown, excluding Conde Nast employees.

Another reason that downtown offices are appealing to journalists and bloggers? Their proximity to Brooklyn, which are affordable locations for those with media salaries.

What do you think of Lower Manhattan’s new reputation as a media hot spot?

East River Waterfront, Pier 15

Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Approves $137M in Grants

East River Waterfront, Pier 15
East River Waterfront, Pier 15 rendering (Photo: LMDC)

Lower Manhattan is about to up the artistic ante and prettify with parks and pedestrian amenities now that The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation has approved $137 million in grants for the region, according to DNA Info. A performing arts center, a pedestrian bridge and an East River park are all being constructed as a result of the funding. The federal money, which is part of the 9/11 recovery effort, was originally set aside for utility companies like Con Edison, but the LMDC are spreading the wealth to other downtown interests.

$100 million has been set aside for the performing arts center, which has been languishing in development for a while  and will be erected at the World Trade Center site. $20 million has been allocated for the foot bridge, which rises over West Street and West Thames Street. $17 million will be used to finish pieces of the East River Waterfront, which includes a path in front of the Battery Maritime Building.  The allocations won’t be enough to finish any of the jobs, but the approvals might convince other sources to contribute so the projects can be completed.

The LMDC also created a $4 million program to encourage business to start-up downtown.

Are you excited about these planned improvements downtown?

Delury Square

Green Space Opens in Lower Manhattan

Delury Square
Delury Square opens up on Fulton Street

At the corner of Fulton and Gold Streets is a brand new green space. The park, named DeLury Square and covering almost 9,000 square feet, was “built with nearly $2.3 million from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.” More green spaces are in the works to go along with all the other construction in the area.

Says Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin, “it’s great to have this area of tranquility and calm and a place where people can really relax and enjoy.”

Construction and development go on in lower Manhattan as the area continues to recover from the September 11th attacks. As reported by NY1, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe says green space projects such as DeLury Square “helps to complete the recovery. The complete recovery of Lower Manhattan.”

Do you see these green space projects as part of the recovery in your area, or do you think the funds might be better spent on other needs?

Lower Manhattan's Best Coffee Shops

National Coffee Day: Battery Park City’s Best Cups of Joe

Lower Manhattan's Best Coffee Shops
Battery Park City's Best Coffee Spots

Did you know today was National Coffee Day? Which is mind boggling to me because I quite frankly can’t live without the stuff, so everyday is national coffee day in my house.

Whether it comes from your house, from a cart or on the go, we’ve got a million different places in Lower Manhattan to enjoy a freshly brewed cup, but we’ve rounded up some of our favorites.

Several places around the city are giving away cups of Joe in celebration, including our neighborhood. Manon’s Cafe is holding special coffee events for the rest of the week at all three of their locations. To find our more, check out the event page.

Although it has long since shuttered,  an honorable mention to Oren’s Daily Roast which used to grace us in the North Cove area. Here are some other fantastic places to celebrate National Coffee Day.

La Colombe @ 319 Church Street (212) 343-1515
This Philadelphia based company set up shop in NYC and has quickly risen to be one of the top coffee shops in the city. If you like to grab and go, this place might not be for you as the art of the cup is in how you make it.

Bean and Bean @ 71 Broadway, New York (212) 422-8083
One of the great advantages of being a coffee lover in NYC is access to Porto Rico beans. However, if you can’t make it to any of the Porto Rico locations, you can quickly grab a cup from Bean and Bean on Broadway. The coffee shop serves Porto Rico beans as well as offering freshly roasted beans for anyone who wants to brew a cup from the comforts of their own coffee machine.

Kaffe 1668 @ 275 Greenwich St (212) 693-3750
A purveyor of some of the best beans available in the country, Kaffe is a great place to sit, chat and meet new friends. If you’re also interested, you can buy a wooden sheep. (Has anyone reading this actually purchased one of those?)

Dean and Deluca @ 100 Broadway (212) 577-2153
If drinking coffee is only as good as the donut it’s sitting next to, then Dean and Deluca is your place. Before you start clamoring, “But … what about Dunking Donuts?!” I’ll quickly explain. Dean and Deluca offers freshly made and seasonal Doughnut Plant donuts. Never had one? It’s worth the trip to Borders to check it out. They sell out everyday so your best bet is to grab the joe and the dough in the morning.

Financier @ Several Downtown Manhattan Locations
They used to brew Illy beans, but have since started serving up their special house blends. Honestly, they taste just like their former Illy brews, but we will trust they are special. Every cup comes accompanied by a bite sized morsel of their signature financier, a madeline type cake.

Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Starbucks, (Yada yada!)
You know where they are, and I know you know where they are — but the coffee is worth mentioning. 🙂

Hooray coffee! 🙂 If we’ve left out any of your favorite spots, let us know in the comments!

Motorcyclists in Battery Park City

Motorcycles Disappear Across the Area

Motorcyclists in Battery Park City
Motorcycles stolen across our area (Credit: Flickr/Roinks)

September marked the end of the summer heat but the start of hot motorcycles.

According to local police blotters, nearly a handful of motorcycles were reported stolen in our area within a two week span. The locations of the thefts include:

336 Albany Street
Sept. 2, 2010 @ 2 PM
A $12,000 motorcycle was reported stolen

68 Franklin Street
Sept. 3, 2010 @ 8:30 AM
A $14,000 motorcycle was reported stolen.

80 North Moore Street
Sept. 10, 2010 @ 12:30 PM
A motorcycle was reported stolen.

10 Liberty Street
Sept. 14, 2010 @ 5 PM
A motorcycle was reported stolen.

Coincidentally and most likely unrelated to the local thefts, a national motorcycle ring was arrested with some motorcycles coming from the New York area. Motorcycle thefts are nothing new to the area as New York City ranks fifth in cities reporting the most motorcycle thefts.

The frequency of which the motorcycle thefts occurred in September is cause for some alarm for motorcycle owners in our area. For our motorcycle endowed neighbors, here are some tips on keeping your motorcycle secure:

1. Keep your motorcycle in a inconspicuous area or concealed location.
2. Install a hidden kill switch, which must be activated to start your bike.
3. Along with your bikes built in lock, use alternate methods of securing your bike such as a secondary lock system.
4. Common sense also dictates, never leave your motorcycle running while unattended.

Century 21 Department Store in Lower Manhattan

Century 21 To Add Another Manhattan Location

Century 21 Department Store in Lower Manhattan
Century 21 Department Store in Lower Manhattan

Counting only a single Manhattan location for over 20 years, Lower Manhattan’s crown shopping jewel Century 21, is set to expand to a second location on Manhattan island and it’s not in our area.

After Barnes and Noble has announced vacating their Lincoln Center location, Century 21 is moving into the 21,000 square foot space at 1972 Broadway.

Adding a second location of the tourist friendly department store might be able to ease foot traffic in our area. This translates into more shoes and clothes for Lower Manhattan residents!

Century 21 has 5 other locations in New Jersey, Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

According to a report in Crains New York Business, “We have been searching for a tenant who has the ability to drive a large volume of shoppers to the area,” said Mario Palumbo, a partner at Millennium Partners, which owns the space, in a statement. “We believe that having Century 21 as an anchor in Lincoln Square will help drive a level of pedestrian traffic that our other retail tenants will benefit from.”