In the News: City Withdraws Landmarks Plan

••• “Facing opposition from local politicians and advocacy groups, New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission has withdrawn its proposal to remove more than 100 buildings and structures from its oversight.” —New York Times

••• “BPCA Delays Vote on Operator for North Cove Marina. Lack of Quorum After Abstention by Board Member Prolongs Uncertainty about Future of Prized Community Amenity; Next Vote Slated for After Expiration of Contract.” Best part: The board member who abstained “withdrew from voting on the issue because, as somebody who lives nearby, she might potentially be affected by the outcome of the decision.” Wouldn’t that be true of everything she votes on? UPDATE: See Jos’s comment. —Broadsheet

••• More on the proposed rooftop addition at 60 Collister, which is actually an addition to an addition: “Community Board 1 is not on board [….] If we journey back to 2006, one will recall that the original plan was for a three-story addition, but it was ultimately reduced to two stories. Clearly [architect Ben] Hansen and the owners never let go of that third story.” —Curbed

••• Northern Tiger, in Hudson Eats, is hoping to open in January. —Eater

••• “Economic Development Corp. President Kyle Kimball dismissed the idea of relocating the [controversial South Street Seaport tower], as opponents suggest. ‘Moving it to the south is a red herring,’ Mr. Kimball said.” —Crain’s

••• The crappy state of N. Moore Street. —Downtown Express

••• “Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, now known as Catherine”—uh, to whom?—arrive in New York City tomorrow. (Flying commercial?!) “On Tuesday, the pair will visit the Sept. 11 memorial and museum, take in performances at a youth organization and celebrate ‘the wealth of British talent in the creative industries based in New York,’ according to their schedule.” —New York Times

 

5 Comments

  1. Re: the Curbed piece on 60 Collister – the comment from reader “LegitNoPlease” is, to me, revealing. Community preservation efforts in this part of the borough almost never, in my experience, take into account multiple perspectives, nor perhaps even the possibility that alterations to existing structures can enhance the environment in ways they can’t anticipate because of their doctrinaire posture.

  2. According to Downtown Express, the person who recused herself from the vote has a boat in the marina, is a member of the current operator’s sailing club and has donated to his foundation. Therefore, it seems like recusing herself was the right thing to do.

    • That makes a lot more sense! Thanks.

      • And she is not involved in any other organization in BPC for which she has voted in the past? As a resident of the neighborhood she must have voted on or been a part of the decision making process on other issues where she had a personal connection. Doesn’t sound right. Why wasn’t Cuomo’s friend disqualified? Why wasn’t Brookfield taken out of the running based on their current association with BPC. Sounds very suspect. Wasn’t the fact that she is a resident supposed to be a plus for the community not knock her out of voting on key issues that directly effect the community.

  3. Wouldn’t she (martha gallo) have known that months ago when BPCA put out the RFP for a new operator? Why such surprise at the 11th hour? The truth is BPCA doesn’t want to look like the Grinch right before Christmas… Kicking out the local resident and fantastic marina manager to hand over all of his hard work to Cuomo’s biggest campaign donor (Farkas). BPCA never had any intention of renewing Fortenbaugh’s lease. The BPCA didn’t even have the decency to let Fortenabugh know his lease was not being renewed and was up for RFP. What a disgrace by the often disgraceful BPCA and a slap in the face to a real pro, mike fortenbaugh.

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