I was so happy to see the sidewalk bridge come down at 109 West Broadway — where Bluestone Lane is now — and bonus: the building looks gorgeous. The owners tell me they repointed of all the stones and painted everything including the windows and fire escape. They didn’t touch the mural, but somehow that looks brighter too.

And I’ve heard that the Hope Building — 131 Duane — will be ready as soon as May after a couple years of work. That seems optimistic, but the façade looks incredible. See the before and afters below. (Looks like they have to find an “I” and the lower half of the “G”.)  There is an additional story on the roof (see the renderings here) and the entire insides have been gutted. Hard to believe but it’s been six years since City Hall closed.