The attached photo was taken a little after 8PM this evening and show the a test of the 9/11 lights.
The lights sit on the roof of the Battery Garage off West Street.
Fine Battery Park City Photo – Friday Night Lights
Tag Archives: battery park city
OpEd: To Stay or To Go? The 9/11 Conundrum.
Every year, the thought of September 11th, leaves me a little stunned.
Stunned in the sense that I’m a little too reluctant to leave my apartment to deal with the deluge of news trucks parked in our neighborhood, the restrictions and the reading of the names. A little unwilling to be around a television from 8:45 AM for exactly 102 minutes. Every year, I expect the Red Cross to be around the corner handing out small facial tissue packages to wipe away public tears.
The Red Cross is long gone, but the ritual has remained.
Although I am for the reading of the all of the victim’s name catharsis for 9/11 families — it still stings a bit much for me to endure all the names. The air in our area can be a gloriously crisp autumn day, but the air is always heavy.
The visual cues of the news trucks, the bagpipes, and the sounds from the loudspeakers transport me to yesterday. It can be a bit overwhelming sometimes.
Which leads me to wonder…
The environment and landscape in which we have bred this kind of grieving is quickly changing. In a few years, we will no longer have the construction site or the former Deutsche Bank building as a reminder of the injustice and terror will be long gone. What will happen to the rituals? Should they continue as they have for the past 9 years? Or will they evolve?
I was surprised after reading some status’ on our Facebook page, that some of you share these same sentiments. Unsure if it’s right to escape the neighborhood or stay.
It’s definitely food for thought and would love to know yours as we approach the anniversary of 9/11.
Grim Map Shows Suggested Boundaries of Ground Zero
As we head into tomorrow’s 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the New York Post has published a morbid map which argues the boundaries of Ground Zero can be determined by where human remains were discovered.
The article was written in response to the proximity of the Park51 Islamic Community Center and whether or not the area is far enough from the site of the terror attacks in New York City.
According to the article, “The map was obtained by The Post from sources after the Fire Department did not respond to requests to review it. It shows that remains were found just 348 feet to the south of the mosque site at 45 Park Place, on top of the massive post-office building that stretches along Barclay Street, from Church Street to West Broadway.”
1,123 victims of the World Trade Center attacks have yet to be identified by remains. 21,812 remains have been found and catalogued at the Fresh Kills Landfill, yet a little more than half have been identified.
But the map is only a partial glimpse of the scope of the search for remains. The vast majority of the 21,812 remains were culled from debris sorted at the Fresh Kills Landfill. Of those remains, only 12,771 have been identified so far.
For more information on the statistics, read the original article here.
Fine Battery Park City Photos – September 9, 2010
Battery Park City Block Party: Pet Parade!
If cupcakes alone were not enough to convince you to join the block party, perhaps a pet parade might have you lapping it up?
According to the BPC Dogs Group in our area, residents are invited to join the annual BPC Block Party PET PARADE!!
From their email:
Once again, BPC Dogs will co-host theannual BPC Pet Parade with Bobby of Le Pet Spa.
There will also be many other pet-related activities at the Block Party, including information tables for the CERT Animal Search and Rescue team, a sign-up sheet to become members of the BPC Dog Association, and information about a proposal for official off-leash hours in Historic Battery Park.
The fun starts with the Pet Parade in front of the main Block Party stage on the Esplanade Plaza (aka the volleyball court).
Please line up with your pet at 12:10 pm, for a parade starting at 12:20 pm. ALL pet owners (of dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, rats, lizards, etc.) should be near the stage by 12:10 pm at the latest.
The pet parade is a fun way to introduce yourself and your pet to the community. Â And if your pet does a special trick, show us. Our Pets are special members of our community so let’s meet them. (Note that, although the Block Party flyer describes the parade as a “Dog Parade”, all pets are welcome.)
Businesses Looking Forward to Fashion’s Night Out
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.
Battery Park City Puts (Oven) Gloves On For Cupcake Battle!
It will only take one sweet hour to judge this year’s Battery Park City Block Party Cupcake Contest!
BatteryParkCity.com reader Fern Parness, will be running the competition and calling for all BPC bakers to submit their best cupcake foot forward and compete in one of the three categories:
1. Best chocolate cupcake with vanilla frosting.
2. Best vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting.
3. Best wildcard flavor
For those who are interested in competing, drop off the frosted batches between 12pm-2pm at the Bake-Off Table on Esplanade Plaza (Volleyball Court)
Inatesso Cafe will judge the winning cupcakes in each category. Prizes will be given to the winners courtesy of both Inatesso Cafe and Battery Park City pharmacy.
Battery Park City’s Annual Block Party will be this Sunday, September 12th in Esplanade Plaza.
For more information contact Fern Parness directly at [email protected]
Battery Park City in 1982: Better Than Whole Wheat!
BatteryParkCity.com receives many contributions/tips on our site for ideas and current events — and we love it!
Recently we got a true gem of nostalgia. Our Twitter pal TruthSeerum, sent us this picture of Agnes Denes harvesting fields of wheat in 1982.
As we’re preparing for the commemoration of the World Trade Center terror attacks, we’ve made a call out for great memories of our neighborhood before 9/11 and our hopes for the neighborhood in the future. We thought we’d give you the first taste of contributions we’ve received.
If you have a great memory like this, or a personal story about 9/11 please feel free to send it to us at [email protected].
Now back to the history of his photo:
According to Agnes Dene’s website:
Wheatfield — A Confrontation
2 Acres of wheat planted & harvested, Battery Park landfill, downtown Manhattan summer 1982 (with Statue of Liberty across the Hudson)
After months of preparations, in May 1982, a 2-acre wheat field was planted on a landfill in lower Manhattan, two blocks from Wall Street and the World Trade Center, facing the Statue of Liberty. Two hundred truckloads of dirt were brought in and 285 furrows were dug by hand cleared of rocks and garbage. The seeds were down by hand and the furrows covered with soil. The field was maintained for four months, cleared of wheat smut, weeded, fertilized and sprayed against mildew fungus, and an irrigation system set up. The crop was harvested on August 16 and yielded over 1000 pounds of healthy, golden wheat.
Planting and harvesting a field of wheat on land worth $4.5 billion created a powerful paradox. Wheatfield was a symbol, a universal concept, it represented food, energy, commerce, world trade, economics. It referred to mismanagement, waste, world hunger and ecological concerns. It called attention to our misplaced priorities. The harvested grain traveled to twenty-eight cities around the world in an exhibition called “The International Art Show for the End of World Hungerâ€, organized by the Minnesota Museum of Art (1987-90). The seeds were eventually carried away by people who planted them in many parts of the globe.
Pretty cool huh?
Fashion’s Night Out: Stores Open in Our Area!
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.
Downtown Alliance Unveils New Art Installations
In an effort to beautify the multitude of cold construction sites in and around Lower Manhattan, the Downtown Alliance has announced three new art pieces as part of their Re:Construction initiative.
Re:Construction is a local construction site beautification project spearheaded by the Downtown Alliance.
“Now Lower Manhattans workers, residents and six million annual visitors can enjoy Richard Pasquarelli as part of our program to recast construction sites as canvases for innovative public art and architecture,” says Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance.
Re:Construction is a public art program which is funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The program has produced 16 pieces since 2007, seven of which are currently up for viewing.
“These additional installments by Richard Pasquarelli are worthy additions to the success of the Re:Construction program” said Lower Manhattan Development Corporation President David Emil. “We’re proud to fund these exhibitions and look forward to our continued partnership with the Downtown Alliance to ease the negative impacts of Downtown’s rebuilding projects.”
The three pieces unveiled this week, will be placed at three construction sites south of Chambers Street. The first piece “Restore the View” can be seen at the site of CUNY’s Fitterman Hall, a building which was destroyed on 9/11 at Barclay Street.
The two other works are: “Secret Gardens” will be installed at the Chambers Street road construction project which spans from West Street to West Broadway, and “Hours of the Day” which is set to be installed at Washington and Albany Streets.
Once construction is completed at these areas, the pieces will come down.
Richard Pasquarelli is a 41-year-old Bronxville born artist whose paintings have been seen nationwide, including at the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
“As a painter, my work has a psychological intimacy,” says Pasquarelli, “My work tends to have an element of mystery and ambiguity that leaves it open to many interpretations and I hope that passersby will each have their own individual response to these works.”