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In the News: World Trade Center Security Zone
••• The New York Times details the depressing plans for the World Trade Center security zone—limited car traffic, bollards, security checkpoints (“sally ports”), etc. (As if the terrorists arrived by car last time…?) The argument is that cars don’t make a neighborhood, pedestrians and bikes do. That explains why Police Plaza is so enticing. And Southbridge Towers. And the part of Duane that’s blocked to car traffic. And so on. (Graphic courtesy New York Times)
••• Various TV stations/networks have jumped on the Arne Svenson story. From ABC‘s report: Gallerist Julie “Saul said neither she nor Svenson expected the reaction the photographs have received from the neighbors.” CBS (via Gawker), while mulling the privacy implications, identifies the building.
••• “As soon as Friday, May 17, the power is expected to finally return to piers 84 and 45, said a spokesman for the Hudson River Park Trust. And by May 24th, both the esplanade and the bike path along the Hudson River will be fully powered and lighted, the spokesman added, allowing people to use the park after dark.” —Crain’s
••• The New York Times‘s bar reviewer—now that’s a gig—loved B Flat.
••• “A 24-year-old London-born, US-based collector plans to open a 4,000 sq. ft gallery in Tribeca this autumn, specialising in contemporary art from the Middle East.” Taymour Grahne is doing it the old-fashioned way: His parents are funding it. Anyone know where it’s going? UPDATE: When will I learn? Just got this gracious note from Grahne: “I’ve been a big fan of Tribeca Citizen for a while now, being a resident of Tribeca myself. The gallery space I am opening is on 157 Hudson St in a beautiful 4,000 square foot space. I decided to choose Tribeca because I love being in the midst of great restaurants, beautiful streets, and great architecture. It is also great to have so many collectors in the neighborhood. I hope to start a trend in bringing more galleries down to Tribeca as I think it offers some great potential for galleries.” —The Art Newspaper
••• The buildings housing the Harrison and the late Flor de Sol (355 and 361 Greenwich) are for sale. —Commercial Observer
••• Lenny’s is opening another FiDi location. —Downtown Lunch
••• “A father and daughter suffered minor injuries when a Water Taxi hit a pier in Battery Park.” —DNAinfo
6 Comments
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The endless line of security checks and overwhelming police presence at the World Trade Center Memorial was the first clue. Wasn’t that also supposed to be a park the community could enjoy?
These new security plans aren’t a surprise and they aren’t depressing – they are outrageous. What a terrible way to remember the event and those who lost their lives – by turning the entire area into a police state.
Even though the construction of the site has been endless, noisy and messy, I have a feeling we’ll miss it once it fully opens and is fully militarized.
We’ve all been scammed – the neighborhood, the families of victims and the future tenants of these buildings. If a fortress is the only way the area can be safe, it would have been useful to know that before all of the building started and the plans were being sold to us.
Though I agree with the notion that visible police presence and security check points do not make for a cozy atmosphere, there’s no doubt in my mind that NYPD has a very legitimate reason to impose such security sanctions around the WTC site. Nor do I think that just because we rebuild the WTC tower and the general area surrounding it, it is no longer a target for future attacks. On somewhat separate note, my suspicion is that without visible police presence and security scrutiny many of the high profile tenants such as Conde Nast, would have been more reluctant to move in.
All this for ground security but what about the airspace. Everyone who lives in the neighborhood can see airliners flying along the Hudson a few blocks/seconds from the new WTC building everyday. So much for restricted airspace.
Of course we need security. We live in a dangerous world.
Residents and downtown workers and small business owners are constantly aware of this. What we hate, loathe and despise is being treated with contempt. We don’t want to be lied to. The World Trade Center, and indeed everything in New York City, considers the real estate industry needs and tourism. Their financial situation is what pays for the city to exist. The fact that those sources will kill all of the reasons for living, working, playing, visiting the greatest city in the world hasn’t made a dent. We simply build and plan for yesterday. Whenever, I read about the WTC, I automatically start humming that great Lerner and Loewe song, :I’m So Glad that I’m not Young Anymore” … and then I feel so sorry for young people who won’t know the joys of living without fear or beauty or even uselessness..
And every time a street is blocked off, the traffic agents seem to get a perverse sense of pleasure in denying residents access to their own homes.
Don’t worry folks, you’ll get used to it in about 5-10 yrs. Want to see what’s in store for you? just take a walk (wait you can’t walk through that area) down Park Row between Worth St and the Brooklyn Bridge to see what the NYPD has done to residents in this area. Be prepared to show your ID, have your guests, taxis, deliveries vetted before they are allowed through. Hey what is sacrificing a little bit of freedom for SECURITY!. At least you guys are hearing it first. in our case these eyesores were installed at night on a holiday weekend. After 4 years of legal battle nothing changed