MEMORIAL TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS
The Journal covered the January meeting of the Battery Park City Authority, learning that the governor wants to create yet another memorial there, this time for essential workers. The initial plan might be to plant 17 trees near the water at Rockefeller, with each tree representing a different essential worker group. This adds to the two memorials placed within the past couple months.

CHINAH TAKEOUT IN FIDI
Eater reports that homestyle Chinese fast-casual spot Chinah, which debuted in Jersey City, has opened at 100 Maiden Lane at Pearl for takeout only (delivery TK). “The downtown opening is bit of a homecoming for the team, as co-owner Hegel Hei was formerly a manager at restaurateur Amelie Kang’s now-closed FiDi spot Tomorrow.”

RETAIL RENTS FALLING IN SOHO
The Real Deal reports that some retailers are slowing coming back to Soho, taking advantage of falling rents. “Asking rents along Manhattan’s main retail corridors have dropped dramatically as a result of the pandemic, with some neighborhoods hit harder than others. In Soho, asking rents along Prince Street fell in the fourth quarter of 2020 by nearly half, from $719 to $423 per square foot year over year.”