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Defining and Redefining Ground Zero

August 16, 2010News, Op-Edbattery park city, BMCC, CUNY, fitterman hall, ground zero, mosque, park place, park51, twin towers, west broadway, world trade centerLizbeth

Defining Ground Zero beyond the footprints of the Twin Towers — What is the definition of Ground Zero (Credit: FEMA)

What does Ground Zero mean?

Should the boundaries of 9/11 devastation be solely contained within a single continuous chain link fence in Lower Manhattan?

groundÂ zero

â€”Â n

1. aÂ pointÂ onÂ theÂ surfaceÂ ofÂ landÂ orÂ waterÂ atÂ orÂ directlyÂ aboveÂ or belowÂ theÂ center ofÂ aÂ nuclearÂ explosion

2. aÂ sceneÂ ofÂ greatÂ devastation

Before Ground Zero earned its capital letters and became the defacto term for the area of the NYC terrorist attacks on 9/11, it simply meant “a scene of great devastation.”

Throughout their existence, the Twin Towers were one of the most revered architectural skyscrapers of their time. Millions flocked to the 110-story observation deck to take pictures, buy t-shirts and mementos. Post 9/11, tourists still flocked to the area: a grotesquely different view that could no longer be called the Twin Towers. “Ground Zero” was a different word for a much-changed, different place.

There has been a lot of discussion about what should be considered “Ground Zero.” Putting definitive boundaries is a slippery slope. Here is a list of buildings that were affected by the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The World Trade Center and its buildings:
1 World Trade Center
2 World Trade Center
3 World Trade Center – Marriott (Former Vista Hotel)
4 World Trade Center
5 World Trade Center
6 World Trade Center
7 World Trade Center

Borough of Manhattan Community College Fitterman Hall after 9/11

Other buildings/structures destroyed or damaged on 9/11:
90 West Street
St. Nicholas Orthodox Greek Church
1 Liberty Plaza Building
Millenium Hotel
Old Post Office Building
BMCC/CUNY Fitterman Hall
Verizon Building
Bankers Trust Building
World Financial Center Bridge
World Financial Center Winter Garden
American Express Building
Merill Lynch Building
Gateway Plaza Complex

The building which endured damage furthest North of the Twin Towers footprints is the Borough of Manhattan Community College’s Fitterman Hall. The building at 30 West Broadway was destroyed by the collapse of 7 World Trade Center on 9/11.Â Today, the boundaries of the now demolished building, is not considered “Ground Zero.” Although, from the site of the proposed Park51 center, you can look West at the site where the building used to be. Is it that we implicitly feel the destruction of the CUNY building isn’t part of the boundaries of devastation?

Here is a Google Map look on the corner of West Broadway and Park Place. From a simple turn on the corner you can see the former Fitterman Hall and the former Burlington Coat Factory.

Corner of West Broadway at Park Place — Google Maps capture the corner of West Broadway and Park Place (Credit: Google)

To limit the term “Ground Zero” to the footprints of the Twin Towers automatically diminishes any destruction suffered on 9/11 beyond the chain linked fence that exists today.

To set boundaries means that insensitivities can be easily hurled from both sides of the Park51 debate. Like a game of tag, using the term Ground Zero is tantamount to having a “base” or “being safe.” Is it though?

The term “Ground Zero” should not be leveraged on either side to discuss who is right and who is wrong.

Residents of Battery Park City who were displaced and had to flee the neighborhood because of air and water concerns are also victims of the events that occurred at Ground Zero — although hardly recognized as such. Â Many residents did not have homes to return to that day, could not return until their buildings were deemed safe.Â Devastation of businesses, houses of worship and homes were widespread in areas not colloquially considered “Ground Zero.” Does that make their experience post 9/11 any less important or less part of that scene?

To limit “Ground Zero” — which generically means “a scene of great devastation” — to just the footprints of the Twin Towers is a great disheartenment and disservice to the survivors of the attacks: the residents, businesses, schools and those who have endured to rebuild this community. Just ask anyone who lived in Battery Park City at that time. If the Cordoba Initiative wants to be part of the rebuilding, acknowledging instead of denying they are a community center at “Ground Zero” would be a first step in a good direction. Wouldn’t it be an honor to be part of rebuilding Ground Zero? After 9 years of almost inaction at the site, anyone who wants to improve on our community should be welcomed.

Perhaps the next step is to teach America and beyond that “Islam,””Muslims” and “mosque” are not dirty words.

Man Paddleboards from Florida to Battery Park City!

August 13, 2010News, Uncategorized, What's Happeningbattery park, battery park city, north cove harbor, ocean awareness, paddleboard, tom jonesJeremy

Tom-Jones-arrives-in-New-York-after-traveling-over-1,500-miles-over-90-days-from-Key-West-on-a-paddleboard-to-raise-awareness-for-a-plastic-free-ocean — Tom Jones paddles into Battery Park City (Credit: New York Daily News)

Tom Jones wanted to do something to raise ocean awareness.
(No, not sing “She’s a Lady,” that’s a whole other Tom Jones)

Tom Jones of Huntington, California wanted to take a 1,500 mile trip along the Atlantic Ocean from Key West, Florida to Battery Park City, New York to raise ocean pollution awareness.

“Going out in the ocean and doing this campaign was a way for me to see how bad the situation was out there, Every day I was in the ocean I would see plastic bottles, food wrappers, all type of trash. It’s incredible given the volume of the ocean,” said Jones to the New York Daily News.

During his journey, Jones encountered sharks, horse flies and an unfortunate circumstance with an alligator after hitting the animal’s leg with his paddleboard.

A crew drove along the coast with Jones, and another colleague floated along with him to pass him food and water.

Jones traveled in 15 miles stretches a day and finally landed in Battery Park City after 90 days of paddleboard travel.

According to his approach to the narrow waterways of New York City, “Coming into New York City,Â where the waterways are tighter, the plastic is so dense,” he said. “There’s plastic forks, 5-gallon plastic buckets, bags, cups, all of that.”

Welcome to New York buddy!

Park51 Mosque To Seek LMDC Funding

August 12, 2010News, What's Happening@batterypark, @park51, battery park city, batteryparkcity.com, cordoba initiative, funding, ground zero, lower manhattan development corporation, park51 mosque, Tribeca, twitterLizbeth

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?

Five Guys On Fulton Street Open!

August 12, 2010Food, Restaurant Reviews112 fulton street, battery park city, burgers, five guys, fulton street, restaurants, reviewsAndy

Five Guys burger and fries — A Five Guys burger is like artwork to me.

Ever since we first reported the construction of a Five Guys in FiDi, I’ve been waiting with bated breath for its opening. Since last week, the latest expansion of this Virginia-based chain is now open to the public at the corner of Fulton and Nassau. Burgers lovers: Rejoice.

Yes, there is stiff competition for burgers in the area (and soon Shake Shack), but here are Five Reasons to give Five Guys a try:

5. Free peanuts
You probably won’t have to wait long, but here’s something to pass the time with, regardless

4. Lots of free toppings
I normally choose mayo, grilled onions and jalapenos, but feel free to go with grilled mushrooms, relish, hot sauce, or one of many more options to choose from.

3. It’s fast-food, thus cheap
You might pay more than the average McDonald’s combo meal, but you’re still all-in for less than $10.

2. Delicious fries
Regular or cajun-spiced. Either way, you’re in for a treat.

1. Juicy, great tasting meat
I don’t know the secret, but I like it nonetheless. Any place that defaults to two patties is my kinda place.

So give Five Guys (112 Fulton Street) a try. They don’t deliver to our neighborhood, but do offer call-in/pickup service. Just go take the short walk over to Fulton Street… the extra calories you’ll burn by walking will be more than made up for by eating.

Check out some of the pictures of the new location!

Community Centers Galore in Battery Park City

August 12, 2010News, Op-Ed92ytribeca, asphalt green battery park, battery park city, community centers, downtown community center, park51, stuyvesant high school community center, TribecaLizbeth

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 Cityâ€™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 cityâ€™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 communityâ€™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 communityâ€™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,Â downtown center located atÂ 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 spectrumâ€”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

Itâ€™s not just about the mind and the heart. Â Park51 believes in fully engaging all of us. Â Itâ€™s not just that weâ€™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.

Governor Paterson Offers Relocation of Ground Zero Mosque

August 10, 2010News, Politicsbattery park city, cordoba initative, governor paterson, ground zero mosque, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, marist poll, park51, Politics, sharif el-gamalRachel

The Associated Press is reporting that the Governor has offered state help to help the developers of the Park51 mosque if they are willing to relocate the project away from the surrounding Ground Zero area.

According to the report, Governor Paterson was quoted in a press conference today saying, “I think it’s rather clear that building a center there meets all the requirements, but it does seem to ignite an immense amount of anxiety among the citizen of New York and people everywhere, and I think not without cause.”

“I am very sensitive to the desire of those who are adamant against it to see something else worked out. We are really suffering in many respects — impassioned feelings were bound to emerge from a mosque just a couple of blocks from where nearly 3,000 people died at the hands of Muslim extremists.”

There was no comment yet from the developers of the project as well as from Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

According to the rest of the report, a recent Marist College poll released today found that 53 percent of New York City voters polled oppose the construction of the Ground Zero site, with only 34 percent favoring the developers plan.

Park51 Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf Goes on State Funded Trip

August 10, 2010News, Politicsbattery park city, cordoba initiative, feisal abdul rauf, ground zero, imam, islamic funding, mosque funding, muslim funding, park51Lizbeth

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is leading the Ground Zero mosque building efforts

Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Imam associated with the development of the Ground Zero Mosque is headed for an international tour of Muslim Countries funded by the State Department, the NYPost is reporting.

The trip is meant to help the Imam gain an understanding of Muslim and Islamic communities in the United States. According to a State Department the itinerary includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar.

Although the State Department vehemently denies that the Imam will be fundraising on his trip, the Imam has previously stated he would seek funding from Muslim countries to fit the $100 Million bill to build the Ground Zero mosque.

P.J. Crowley, a State Department rep has stated there will be no fund-raising during his visit and “[Fundraising] would not be something he could do as part of our program.”

Skeptics are saying that the power to meet with powerful business and political leaders in each country is enough to secure funding opportunities in the future.

9/11 victim families continue to be outraged. “Does the State Department have any idea they are sending a guy to the Middle East who is going to be fund-raising perhaps among the very same people he will be meeting with?

“He’s going to the well, and how can they say they do or don’t know what he’s doing?” says 9/11 family member Debra Burlingame quoted in the NYPost article.

“We know he has a fund-raising association with Saudi Arabia,” Burlingame said, noting that the Saudis have contributed money to underwrite programs by the American Society for Muslim Advancement, a not-for-profit that Abdul Rauf runs with his wife and that is one of the sponsors of the Ground Zero mosque.

How do you feel about the State Department funding this trip on behalf of the Ground Zero mosque?

Bedbugs Registered in Battery Park City

August 9, 2010News, Op-Edbattery park city, bed bugs, bedbug registry, bedbugs, TribecaJeremy

Once the vernacular of a sweet children’s lullabye has in recent times now illicits nightmares when uttered.

Bedbugs.

Recent reports have been put out saying how transient these critters can be and often times transmitted through shared on airplane seats or worse yet, movie theater seats.

Battery Park City has been thankfully quiet in light of the vermin tragedies afflicting our city, including rats and other unsavory critters —
That is until I found the Bedbug Registry.

Granted, our bedbug population is remote compared to our other Manhattan neighborhood counterparts — we are not completely immune.
According to the Bedbug Registry, a site dedicated in recording instances of bedbugs throughout the city, there were four instances in the last couple years:

1. Submitted by “Anonymous” onÂ 06/18/2010
225 Rector Place
“Apartment in upper floors, bed bugs found in bottom corner of box spring in only bedroom. Experienced only 2 nights of evidanced bug bites. Brought in exterminators.”

2. Submitted by “tribecamom” onÂ 04/03/2009
325 North End Avenue
“I found bedbugs in my apartment, the landlord send the exterminator one time, but the treatment didn’t work.Â We still have found bed bugs in the apartment, we wake up with bites, we can’t sleep properly. My 4 years old daughter has big bites too.Â I live here from one year and I pay $ 4650,00 monthly.Â I think to deserve something more…. than bed bugs.”

The following instances were over a year ago, and from registered guests who reported seeing bugs within their homes.

3. Submitted by “Embassy Suites Hotel New York” on 01/13/2008
Woke up with bites Dec. 24th, didn’t think anything of it. Drove home to Maryland, began getting bites at night at home. Spotted two bugs in the bed, exterminator confirmed bedbugs. $650 extermination cost, plus $250 more in new pillows, mattress covers, etc. Still have not returned to bedroom, as entire room is coated in pesticide. Very traumatic experience. Reported incident to hotel, which has offered to reimburse us. They must have found bugs in the room or luggage storage area.

There has been speculation on the web that reporting bedbugs on the registry can be used as a method to break apartment rental leases. Considering that half of all reported bed bug reports in our area comes from people who don’t actually live in our neighborhood — this is a positive thing!

Do you worry about bed bugs?

8 Great Take Out Restaurants Not On Seamless Web

August 5, 2010Food24 hour delivery, baoguette, battery park city, charlys, delivery options, elixir, Food, inatesso, inatesso-pizzabar-casano, le-pain-quotidien, les-halles, little-pie-company, majestic-pizza, picasso-pizzeria, reviews, ruchi, seamlessweb, tajinBattery Park City Staff

Tajin Restaurant 85 Greenwich — Tajin Mexican Restaurant on 85 Greenwich

As we’ve been mulling over the restaurant changes in our neighborhood, it got us here at BatteryParkCity.com thinking and talking about how reliant we are on food delivery, more pointedly SeamlessWeb.com.

Unfortunately, there are some really fantastic restaurants you can’t get to through SeamlessWeb. Just like our past movie list — here are our favorite places you can’t get to on Seamless Web.

Battery Park City.com’s Favorite Restaurants You Can’t Order from on Seamless Web
(In no particular order! — and feeling kind of British-ish calling “Take Out” “Takeaway”)

1. Inatteso (Thanks Tom!)
Our area is deluged with hundreds of Italian restaurant options. Inatesso seems to be Battery Park City’s best kept secret — although the restaurant is packed nightly, they also have a strong delivery service. Consistent and delicious. One small drawback is that some of us wish they gave us a little more of their delectable bread.

2. Elixir
Sometimes after a Friday night bender, all you want is a healthy hangover helping smoothie. Unfortunately, Elixir (located in the World Financial Center) is not open on the weekends — nor do they offer delivery service. In comparison with other smoothie offering places, sometimes it’s worth waiting for Monday to roll around.

3. Les Halles
The spotlight at Les Halles is often on their Chef-At-Large Anthony Bourdain, but should really be on their Steak Frites. Although they don’t have a delivery service, if you’re craving a quick steak or a hearty bistro brunch, Les Halles offers takeaway.

4. Majestic Pizza
The best pizza is sometimes the most unassuming. When we have our staff pizza meetings, we often agree on pies from this long standing pizza institution. We don’t know if its the well seasoned ovens but we love their traditional New York style slices.

5. Le Pain Quotidien
Yum. Tartines and a semblance of healthy rustic eating. Le Pain Quotidien’s new location in Battery Park City offers quick lunch options with a new to-go case. Including fresh and pre-made sandwiches and take away soups.

6. Tajin
From Tartines to Tajin. Located right off Seamless Web-friendly diner George’s at 85 Greenwich Street. Tajin is one of our favorite Mexican joints in the area. They offer an extensive selection of burritos for delivery, but their sit down menu options are equally impressive, especially their fresh daily specials and enchiladas.

7. Baoguette
Vietnamese sandwiches have taken New York City by storm and we’re big fans of the classic “Baoguette.” Drawing on classic Vietnamese flavors on crusty French breads — it’s nice to see that we have our very own in the neighborhood when our cravings call.

8. Picasso Pizza
If it hasn’t been officially designated, it should be called the first pizzeria in Battery Park City. Where Majestic doesn’t always have the delivery manpower to reach our neighborhood on weekends, Picasso is always there for us. Honorable mention for the fact they have instituted their own delivery system on their website.

9. Ruchi
Our Indian food options are most always in Tribeca. However, Ruchi (which is located amidst the construction and hustle of Ground Zero) offers solid Indian delivery options to our neighborhood. For those who want to venture to the restaurant, they offer a similar 50% off lunch for customers who choose to dine in.

10. Charly’s
Sometimes when 9pm rolls around, delivery options become a barren wasteland in our area. For those with both an empty fridge and empty stomach, Charly’s offers 24 hour delivery to our neighborhood. Sure it’s not lobster and crabcakes — but seriously, sometimes life calls for an emergency burger and fries. Charly’s is the place to get it.

11. Little Pie Company
The pies here are phenomenal and they offer delivery to Battery Park City as long as you meet the minimum delivery requirement and place your order before 4pm.

Did we miss any of your favorite restaurants? Let us know!

Liliâ€™s Noodle Shop and Pizzabola Closed For Business

August 4, 2010News, What's Happening102 north end avenue, applebee's, battery park city, battery park food, danny meyer, goldman sachs, jonah phillips, lilis noodle shop, lily's noodle shop, pizzabola, restaurants, What's HappeningLizbeth

Lili's Noodle Shop Closed — Lili's Noodle Shop is Closed.

Brown paper has been taped up on the windows of both Lili’s Noodle Shop and Pizzabola for the last few days with the cryptic message:

“We will be closed from 8/1/10. Thank You. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

However, this is not your average story of another business at 102 North End Avenue biting the dust due to the Goldman shakeup.

Lili’s and Pizzabola owner Jonah Phillips spoke with BatteryParkCity.com this morning and let us know that Lili’s will not be permanently closing down but relocating and expanding their menu offering. Phillips will be breathing new life into the former Applebee’s space, introducing Lili’s successor as a new Asian-themed restaurant which will also have a sandwich/deli area.

Pizzabola’s fate is currently uncertain although the owner is looking into new locations for the Italian restaurant in the area. Regardless of the new location, Pizzabola will no longer be serving the gluten-free foods it had been known for.

Phillips, who also owns Izzy & Nats, said that finding a new spot for Pizzabola has been difficult: “There isn’t a lot of space left [to open a restaurant] in the area.”

The 102 North End restaurant version of musical chairs comes in light of Danny Meyer’s announcement last week of his openings of a Shake Shack, Blue Smoke and another “upscale” restaurant in the same building.

While most businesses in the building have gone to the wayside (Chevy’s, Applebees and DSW), it’s nice to know that at least one familiar face will remain amongst the newcomers.

Will you miss Pizzabola?

Battery Park City News

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