You will all recall that the governor’s plans for a hardscape monument for essential workers on the Rockefeller Park lawn were successfully thwarted by Battery Park City neighbors late last month. Then the state tried to suggest two other locations — the plaza on the south side of the North Cove Marina and the little plot of grass just next to the Irish Hunger Memorial — and those were met with equal disdain from not just locals but also the Irish.

So now the Battery Park City Authority has formed an advisory committee to develop recommendations for the design and location of the monument, and after the first advisory committee, which was made up of union reps, this one will have more community folks. My guess is it will also meet in private as did the first committee, but this is progress. Of course, I still think the monument belongs elsewhere in the city, where the folks it claims to honor can enjoy it more, but the state is stuck on BPC. And it should be designed by an artist and not a committee.

(I also love the idea for Roosevelt Island’s small pox hospital ruin.)

The BPC Essential Workers Monument Advisory Committee is comprised of 17 people, with four representing essential workers, 10 representing local and residential organizations, including the brand new Battery Park City Neighborhood Association, and three state officials, Here’s the list:
– George Tsunis, Chairman, Battery Park City Authority
– Stu Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
– Kavita Beren, Battery Park City Neighborhood Association and resident
– Kyle Bragg, President, 32BJ SEIU
– Justine Cuccia, Manhattan Community Board 1 Battery Park City Committee Chair and resident
– RoAnn Destito, Commissioner, Office of General Services
– Jahmila Edwards, Associate Director, DC 37
– Robin Forst, 1st Vice President, Gateway Plaza Tenants Association
– Martha Gallo, Vice Chair, Battery Park City Authority
– Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council and President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
– Kelly McGowan, Battery Park City Neighborhood Association and resident
– Catherine McVay Hughes, BPCA Board Member and longtime lower Manhattan resident; former Manhattan Community Board 1 Chairperson
– Tammy Meltzer, Manhattan Community Board 1 Chairperson and resident
– Glenn Plaskin, best-selling author and longtime Battery Park City tenant advocate
– Gregory Sheindlin, Battery Park City Neighborhood Association and resident
– Tristan Snell, Founder & Managing Partner, MainStreet.law; founder and member, Battery Park City Neighborhood Association
– Rafael Torres, MD FACEP, Chief Quality Officer, White Plains Hospital; Battery Park City Neighborhood Association member