Tag Archives: Tribeca

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.

Candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary

New York City Primaries: The Who, What, When and Where

Candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary
Some of the candidates on the ballot for tomorrows primary

Tomorrow is primary day citiwide, where several candidate seats are up for grabs.

For our district, candidates will find out who makes the ticket for the Governor, Senate and Attorney General seats in November’s general elections.

The candidates for these positions are:

Democratic Primary Ticket
Attorney General – Citywide
Richard L Brodsky
Sean Coffey
Eric R Dinallo
Kathleen M Rice
Eric T Schneiderman
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Kirsten E Gillibrand
Gail Goode

Repulican Primary Ticket
Governor – Citywide
Rick A Lazio
Carl P Paladino
Lieutenant Governor – Citywide
Gregory J Edwards
Thomas V Ognibene
United States Senator – 6 Year Full Term – Citywide
Gary Berntsen
Jay Townsend
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Bruce Blakeman
Joseph J DioGuardi
David Malpass

Independent Primary Ticket
Governor- Citywide
Rick A Lazio
Ralph C Lorigo
Attorney General – Citywide
Richard L Brodsky
Sean Coffey
Eric R Dinallo
Kathleen M Rice
Eric T Schneiderman
United States Senator – 2 Year Unexpired Term – Citywide
Kirsten E Gillibrand
Gail Goode

Another new addition at the polls are the voting machines themselves.

Don’t expect to pull the levers of your voting’s past as new electronic voting machines are being rolled out for tomorrow’s primary.

Introducing new voting booths have been notoriously rocky nationwide, but New York is the last state in the nation to implement the new machines as part of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) responding to Florida’s presidential voting debacle.

Polls open at 6am to find out your exact polling location (as our neighborhood as several) Visit the official NYC Board of Elections site.

Lower Manhattan gears up for Fashion's Night Out

Businesses Looking Forward to Fashion’s Night Out

Lower Manhattan gears up for Fashion's Night Out
Lower Manhattan gears up for Fashion's Night Out (Credit: A Uno Tribeca)

Lower Manhattan cannot be farther from the stilettos that will kick off Fashion Week catwalks, but that won’t stop business owners in our area from celebrating Fashion’s Night Out tomorrow night, especially not Jennifer Gandia of  Greenwich Jewelers.

“Jewelry IS fashion and we’re excited about participating!” says Gandia, “The number of stores participating this year is amazing — way more than last year. There is an event for everyone.”

Participation in an event such as Fashion’s Night Out is important to local businesses. As the global recession has taken its toll on every industry, Lower Manhattan businesses have endured a distinctly tougher economic climate.

The loss of pedestrian traffic from the original World Trade Center site compounded by infrastructural changes and the construction restrictions around the area have forced many businesses to close.

“We feel very disconnected from the rest of the West Side,” says Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers on Trinity Place, which is only a few blocks south of the World Trade Center site, “We are ready for the [World Trade Center] site to be completed.”

As most businesses in our area still rely on the Monday through Friday patronage of nearly 300,000 daily workers that commute to our area, Gandia notes that there is a responsibility of business owners to connect with the growing residential population.

“There are many reasons small businesses in this neighborhood have closed. It’s important for the residents to patronize their local shops but its a two way street, the businesses in the area must serve the locals,” says Jennifer Gandia of Greenwich Jewelers, “That means being open when the people who live here are home. We had to change our hours and open on weekends to serve the residents of the neighborhood. In turn they come to use when they need something and know we are here.”

As businesses such as Gandia’s see this as just a bump in the road to recovery, leaders in our area acknowledge that these challenges to small businesses may last for another 5 years.

So much so, that  State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblyman Sheldon Silver along with the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation had announced The Small Firm Assistance Program earlier this week. The program seeks to offer aid to small businesses in Lower Manhattan affected by these infrastructural challenges all the way through sunset of December 31, 2015.

Handicaps aside, that doesn’t mean there aren’t signs of hope. According to a recent Downtown Alliance report, economic recovery is on an upswing as nearly 300 new businesses have relocated to Lower Manhattan since 2008.

According to Gandia, “We choose not to focus on the past and instead to remain present minded and plan for our future and the next 30-plus years of serving the downtown community.”

To find out more on how you can support Fashion’s Night Out events in our area, check out the complete listing of shops and their events here.

To see how you can take part in Greenwich Jeweler’s silent auction, view the pieces on auction and find out more details here.

Fashion's Night Out 2010

Fashion’s Night Out: Stores Open in Our Area!

Fashion's Night Out 2010
Fashion's Night Out is here!

Still grieving the loss of the DSW? Well, a Fashion’s Night Out might be just what you’re looking for. As retailers around our area offer up a dose of late night retail therapy.

Fashion’s Night Out is a joint venture between Conde Nast’s Vogue Magazine, The Council of Fashion Designers of America and NYC and Company in an effort to celebrate the fashion industry.

Stores everywhere across the world will be open between 7-11PM on September 10th and will be offering cocktails, special items and even red carpet worthy events.

On September 7th, the consortium will be holding the largest public fashion show in history at Lincoln Center. Tickets will be available while supplies last through the Lincoln Center box office at LincolnCenter.org.

For a complete list of retailers in our area participating in the worldwide event, check out the list below:

1. A Uno
123 West Broadway NYC NY 10013
212-227-6233
FNO Collection Available In-Store
Event details pending, however we will be serving wine, snacks and we will feature informal modeling. As the date approaches we will let you know.

2. Banana Republic
3 World Financial Center 200 Vesey Street New York NY 10285
212-962-1461
Join us for a celebration of style. Shop the newest arrivals and receive shopping incentives full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last. One night only – only at select Banana Republic NYC stores.

3. Clarins
Century 21 – 22 Cortlandt Street New NY 10007
212-227-9092
Clarins invites you to a special Beauty Party to celebrate French glamour as only Clarins can! Each attendee will receive a complimentary complete makeover while enjoying refreshments and sweets at the Clarins Counter. Put your beauty in our hands at Fashion’s Night Out!

4. CRUMBS Bake Shop
87 Beaver St New York NY 10005
212 480 7500
CRUMBS Bake Shop will feature a special edition “Fashion’s Night Out” cupcake. The cupcake will debut on September 10th in all NYC stores and will be available through Fashion Week. A portion of sales from the cupcake will benefit the NYC AIDS Fund.

5. Edun
86 Franklin st 5th Floor New York NY 10013 
646-644-2964
FNO Collection Available In-Store
EDUN is partnering with Scoop in their Meatpacking District “swing” store, creating an EDUN Pop Up Shop for the night. Jaleel from TV on the Radio will be DJing, with a special performance by the BLK JKS from South Africa. Enjoy a scoop of ice cream from an ice cream truck on site. Special guest DJs will be riding their bikes and participants will be encouraged to ride their bikes as well. Limited edition accessories from Kenya exclusive for Scoop will be on sale as well as the EDUN Fall Collection. Gift with purchase. 7 to 11 pm.

6. Gary Graham
176 Franklin Street New York NY 10013 
(212) 274-8940
Music, Cocktails, Exclusive Merchandise

7. Greenwich Jewelers
64 Trinity Place New York NY 10006
 212-964-7592
From 6-9pm meet stylist, blogger & jeweloholic Beth Bernstein of B-Jeweled. She’ll be sharing tips on the hottest trends in jewelry and how to incorporate them into your personal style. Also, bid on exclusive silent auction items from designers including Anne Sportun, Jamie Joseph, Melissa Joy Manning and Shaesby, all proceeds to benefit breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen For the Cure. Special guests will include jewelry designers EXCLUSIVE: Score a studded leather Gorjana bracelet, ours exclusively, with any purchase of $250 or more. Food & refreshments will be served.

8. Herchcovitch;Alexandre
52 Walker Street 5th Fl NEW YORK NY 10013
 646-747-3029
FNO Collection Available In-Store
“Events details pending”

9. Issey Miyake
119 Hudson Street New York NY 10013 
212-226-0100
FNO Collection Available In-Store
In honor of our Coffee-themed Men’s collection, we are turning tribeca ISSEY MIYAKE into Café ISSEY MIYAKE. Enjoy free coffee & latte art by the expert baristas of La Colombe with Mille Crepes by Lady M and special cocktails. Hear music by DJ Keiichiro, shop the new collections, and watch the latest fashion show. Guests will be able to purchase an exclusive Issey Miyake Cafe Shirt. Receive a limited edition ISSEY MIYAKE coffee cup & 1lb of La Colombe coffee with any collection purchase. All guests will receive a free gift & can enter a raffle to win a collectable Pleats Please Bilbao Bag.

10. La Lumia
27 Park Place Suite 200 New York NY 10007 
212-966-3923
La Lumia’s “Fashion’s Night Out” event will be hosted by owner, Jackie Sencion, from 4pm to 9pm. We will have wine and cheese for our guests. Shoppers will be entered in a raffle for any purchase of $150 or more. The prize is a beautiful LaLu Leathers co-op hand-crafted cognac colored genuine leather handbag valued at $595. This event is open to the public.

11. LOFT
2 Broadway New York NY 10004
 (212) 809-1435
FNO Collection Available In-Store
FNO Collection Available Online
6 – 10 p.m. Get styled on September 10th! Step into our Style Studio at one of our 6 select Manhattan locations and a renowned fashion stylist will help you turn our fabulous new essentials into countless looks for fall. Once you’ve found your new favorite outfit, enjoy a mini photo shoot at our popup photo booth! Plus, you can shop straight from our new fall magazine (see it before anyone else!), nosh on yummy treats and enjoy our live DJ, who will be spinning all night. To learn more, visit LOFTonline.com

12. Nili Lotan
188 Duane Street New York NY 10013 
212-219-8974
pending.

13. OTTE
37 N Moore St New York NY 10013
 212-431-8501
OTTE Will be hosting a one-year anniversary party at their newest location in TriBeCa. Light refreshments will be served as well as a store-wide sale on all merchandise, and all attendees will be eligible to win a $500 gift card! Be sure to visit participating businesses in the area for other exclusive deals and special events.

14. Sabina Les
37 Wall St Suite 25i New York NY 10005
 917-748-8444
Please stop by and meet our designer Sabina Les and see new Fall/Holiday line of our original textile scarves at Bloomingdales on 59th Street, NYC. Designer Sabina Les is looking forward to give you her styling tips on how to wear scarves in many ways. Our scarves make perfect gifts for the upcoming holidays and special events.

15. Stephen Seo
20 Pine Street NYC NY 10005
 646-338-2927
Stephen Seo Collection cat walk on Madison Ave with 8 models for brand awareness. Models will be handing out look books. The Designer will be in his luxury exotic car near by models.

16. Steven Alan
103 Franklin Street New York NY 10013
 212-343-0692
Appearances by Steven Alan and other designers. Discounts on exclusive items available for Fashion’s Night Out only. Additional event details to follow.

Rachel Uchitel visits Ground Zero

Rachel Uchitel Exploits 9/11 & Ground Zero for Fame

Rachel Uchitel visits Ground Zero
Rachel Uchitel visits Ground Zero

Rachel Uchitel’s visit to Ground Zero is too suspicious for me for two reasons:

Was it before or after she found out Tiger Woods had moved to our area that she decided it would be a good idea to exploit Ground Zero for her own fame and fortune?

…and right before the 9th anniversary of 9/11? Why not show support and go with the family of your almost in-laws on the day of?

In an effort to defend her actions, Rachel Uchitel, the now infamous Tiger Woods mistress and former paramour who broke up probably the cutest family I’ve ever seen released a statement:

“Who the f— are people to be talking about me?” Uchitel told the New York Post. “Until they go through what I went through, living with a guy and being engaged to him and having that person dead an hour after waking up next to him. “If people think I’m milking something for the benefit of getting on TV or getting more well-known, I’m already well-known.”

Except that dear Rachel, your 15 minutes were up long ago.

Is this an attempt at public relations triage for us to forget your What is with your timing? Visiting the site right before 9/11? Your almost father-in-law had said during the Tiger Woods debacle that he had not even heard from you since your fiance was buried.

Actions speak louder than words, and your actions sound like nails on a chalkboard.

Exposing yourself to a national audience in your healing process is tantamount to placing shards of glass on an open wound.

Dr. Drew is also to blame.

According to reports, this idea came to them during a pre-taping interview with the Oprah Winfrey show. Thank goodness Harpo Productions had the right mind frame to leave that segment on the cutting room floor.

Just doesn’t feel right. The whole thing. Maybe my sensitivities are up because it is September.

Tiger Woods moves to downtown New York

Welcome To The Neighborhood Tiger Woods!

Tiger Woods moves to downtown New York
Tiger Woods moves to New York City

Dear Tiger Woods,

This weekend, I saw someone moving into this ridiculous apartment on Reade Street. Peeking into the place I wondered who was the lucky person who moved into our neighborhood.

Considering we count Tyra Banks, Leonardo DiCaprio and John Stewart as our neighbors — I am now completely convinced and imagining you are our new friendly neighbor that the NY Post speaks so highly of.

If so, that’s great! Welcome!

I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about the challenging course of Park51, but we’re pretty sure New York became your “hole in one” once you heard about our even more infamous “Ground Zero Strip Clubs!”

There is the Pussycat Lounge on Greenwich or the New York Dolls on Murray Street!

Oh! I’m also sure that since New Yorkers don’t need cars — you won’t have to worry about crashing them in this part of the woods city! There’s always a cab around here somewhere.

Otherwise, we at BatteryParkCity.com offer you a warm welcome (if you are actually our neighbor) and would love to bump into you at the Whole Foods sometime.

Sincerely,
Your speculative Battery Park City and Tribeca neighbors

Map of estimated elemental carbon concentrations, summer 2009

Battery Park City/Tribeca Highest Smog Concentration

Map of estimated elemental carbon concentrations, summer 2009
Map of estimated elemental carbon concentrations (Credit: NYCDOH)

There’s something in the air in Battery Park City!

A report released by the New York City Department of Health yesterday confirms that even in our quiet neighborhood, our community district reports the “highest particulate concentration” or high levels of smog in the city.

Particulate matter consists of pollen, dust and other materials in the area — mostly found in high trafficked areas, or areas flanked by major highways or thoroughfares, including in our areas, the West Side Highway and the entrance to the Holland Tunnel.

Particulate Matter in New York City
Particulate Matter in New York City (Credit: NYCDOH)

The study which was conducted during the summer mont hs of 2009 also found that most of the major summertime pollutants are concentrated in densely populated areas, where traffic is more congested and where more fuel is used for cooking and water heating.

The particulants are small enough to “penetrate into the lungs, causing inflammation of the airways, exacerbating lung and heart disease.”

The study also stipulates that cities with high PM2.5 pollution had shorter life expectancies.

“The NYCCAS report reinforces the need to make our buildings more efficient and reduce vehicle emissions. The latest report also demonstrates that traffic congestion in the city’s central business districts has an impact on air quality throughout the city and must be viewed as a citywide issue.”

To view and access the entire report visit New York City’s Department of Health website.

Are you worried about the  air quality report in our area?

Park 51 is the new name for the Cordoba House Mosque

Park51 Mosque To Seek LMDC Funding

Park 51 is the new name for the Cordoba House Mosque
Park 51 is the new name for the Cordoba House Mosque

We had a few questions for Park51 today, so we reached out as any modern person does. Through Twitter.

UPDATE: Park51 had just tweeted to BatteryParkCity.com that they are seeking funding from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation.
To read the entire transcript go to our
Twitter Feed (http://www.twitter.com/batterypark)

A partial transcript from the conversation reads below:

What do you think about our chat?

Battery Park City has a lot of Community Centers

Community Centers Galore in Battery Park City

Battery Park City has a lot of Community Centers
Battery Park City has access to tons of community centers

As the commotion of the Park51 Mosque/Community Center broils on. I can’t help but count how many many community centers we have in our area.

Our area has an abundance of Community Centers. I guess my question is — is there enough community to go around for all these centers?! We are one lucky community!

Here is the roll call and summaries from their official sites:

1. Stuyvesant High School Community Center

The Community Center at Stuyvesant High School is the result of a unique partnership created by the City of New York, Stuyvesant High School and the Battery Park City Authority. The Community Center offers recreation, classes and events for people of all ages and interests.
The Community Center is open to the public evenings and weekends when school is not in session. Because the Center is shared by students, faculty and community members, certain safety regulations must be followed. Join us in making the Center a vital downtown resource.

Battery Park City Parks Conservancy (BPCPC) manages the Community Center at Stuyvesant High School. BPCPC’s recreational, sports and arts programming in the parks, gardens and playing fields of Battery Park City has provided positive experiences for people of all ages and diverse interests. BPCPC is similarly committed to making the Community Center at Stuyvesant High School a vital place for good health, life-long learning and pleasure.

The Community Center offers expanded membership categories as well as additional fitness and recreational activities (led by sports, fitness and dance specialists) and seminars on subjects related to happy and healthy living. You can participate either through membership or on a class by class basis.

2. Asphalt Green Battery Park

Asphalt Green Battery Park City is a state-of-the-art community center located in Battery Park City’s Liberty Luxe and Liberty Green residential towers. Scheduled to open in fall 2011, this brand new 52,000 square-foot facility will be operated by Asphalt Green, recognized as the city’s premier sports and fitness center with a wide variety of sports, swimming, and fitness programs for every age and ability. Loaded with modern amenities, the center will serve all age groups and provide cultural, educational, and recreational activities, as well as free programs for underserved members of the Downtown community.

Facility Features 25-yard lap pool and a warm-water teaching/exercise pool, Fitness center with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, Gymnasium equipped for basketball, indoor soccer, and other sports, 6 multi-purpose studios and classrooms, Culinary center and test kitchen for classes and other activities, 156-seat theater for lectures, film screenings, and other performances, Coffee/juice bar accessible by the public.

3. Downtown Community Center
The Downtown Community Center is a new branch of Manhattan Youth, an organization founded over twenty years ago to provide childcare, academic, recreational and cultural activities to Lower Manhattan community members. Until now, we have provided services to thousands of children and adults every year in space rented and borrowed from schools and parks. Now, for the first time, our neighborhood has a dedicated community center of its own.

The Downtown Community Center is envisioned to be a place where our community’s parents can confidently bring their children, knowing that we are all part of an extended family that cares as much as they do; a place where our community’s seniors can meet to share stories, see friends, and take classes with their children and grandchildren; where adults can come to learn and be inspired; a place where we can all come together as a community.

4. 92YTribeca

92YTribeca, downtown center located at 200 Hudson Street, helps 92Y carry on its mission to serve the community and the world in a remarkable way by providing exceptional programs across the spectrum—in the arts and culture, Jewish life and education, health and fitness and personal growth and travel. As part of the 92nd Street Y, our mission downtown is to bring together and inspire a diverse community of people from New York City and beyond.

5. Park51

It’s not just about the mind and the heart.  Park51 believes in fully engaging all of us.  It’s not just that we’ll offer amazing athletic facilities, fun fitness classes for all abilities and interests, sports and swimming and other health opportunities — Park51 will go further to partner with local institutions to provide medical education and wellness programs.

NYU Downtown Hospital for Battery Park City residents

New Medical Facilities For Lower Manhattan

NYU Downtown Hospital for Battery Park City residents
NYU Downtown Hospital expands services

It’s one thing to come to terms with the closings of restaurants and stores, but hospital and healthcare center closings are a whole other issue.

After losing St. Vincents hospital in April and an option for urgent care — several new options have come into light to serve both emergency and non-emergency medical needs in our area.

Downtown Hospital has announced plans to open a “Wellness and Prevention Center” in the fall, which will help to provide preventative healthcare for the downtown community.

The new facility will be located at 83 Gold Street on the first floor of Downtown Hospital. Some of the services provided include echocardiography, mammography machines and 15 examination rooms. The staff of 8-10 will include hospital doctors, nurses and other medical professionals and can serve 2,500 patients a year. All insurance plans will be accepted, and for those without insurance — payment options will be offered.

The construction for this new facility is slated to be completed by the end of this month for services to commence in the fall. Funding for the wellness center was provided by the hospital, State and  Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, with total funding equalling $11.4 million dollars.

Part of the State funding has gone into the construction and expansion of labor and delivery services, including a newborns intensive care unit — a service lost to Lower Manhattan after the closing of St. Vincents hospital in April.

The LMDC has also allotted $2.5 million towards expanding M.R.I services for Lower Manhattan patients as well. The radiology center will also be located on the first floor of the hospital.

Another emergency medical services option has also popped up, albeit a private one. Pinnacle Emergency Medical on 200 Chambers Street has a 24-Hour on call ER physician services as well as walk in medical care during their open office hours. That facility will also open in the fall on September 27.

As for the former site of St. Vincents Hospital, a new medical facility was slated to move into the location — but has hit a snag in opening the facility this summer.

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, ”

An urgent-care center that was anticipated to open this month at the former St. Vincent’s Hospital in Lower Manhattan has been delayed and its operators are searching for other sites because of leasing disagreements at the bankrupt medical facility.

Officials with North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and St. Vincent’s said they had expected to sign a lease by now that would have allowed North Shore to ready the hospital’s emergency room this month. But three months after St. Vincent’s closed, the sides have been unable to agree on terms. Neither would elaborate.”

All in all, good news for the health of Lower Manhattan residents and our community.