I looked it up, and the stipulation couldn't be clearer: "The commissary will be open to the public as a white table cloth reservation only restaurant." The question is whether anyone will/can do anything about it. (Related: The lobby at 101 Barclay remains off-limits, even though it's supposed to be open to the public.) — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

a total "bait and switch" is exactly what occurred. has anyone read the stipulation?! — debra on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

The stripes at 39 Walker Street are short term, not to exceed 1 year, per the LPC permit PMW-19-10353 issued 4/12/2017. (4/12/2021 is merely the expiration date of the permit to do the work.) "The approved work consists of exterior alterations at the Walker Street façade, including temporarily applying black adhesive vinyl on the front side of five (5) cast iron columns, as part of a temporary installation of artwork, as shown in existing condition photographs, a photomontage, a written statement, and a letter from the artist and owner, dated April 2017, prepared by Bortolami Gallery, and submitted as components of the application. [...] "the duration of the temporary installation will be for a single period not to exceed one (1) calendar year or less; that the installation will cause no damage to protected architectural features of the propery; that an acceptable plan and time schedule for the dismantling of the property has been submitted to the Commission as a component of the application, along with specifications for any repair work that might be required after dismantling of the property; and that a written instrument signed by the artist and the building owner has been submitted that evidences the owner's authority to remove the artwork when the temporary installation permit expires and that waives any protection under applicable federal or state law afforded to the artist or artwork that would prevent such removal at the expiration of the temporary permit, including but not limited to, the visual artists rights act of 1990, 17 u.s.c. 101 et seq. and article 14 of the new york state law on arts and cultural affairs." — James on In the News: Basement Fire Leads to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Is that block not part of the landmark district? Yikes. — Terry Lautin on Seen & Heard: Park Place Plaza Retail

I don't think "wined and dined" comes remotely close to describing the interactions between Spring and CB1 during the initial negotiations over stipulations for the liquor license or any time afterward. (It was all pretty contentious, and I wish that CB1 would visit more of the locations it discusses!) CB1 has continued to press Spring about the ways the facility has being used in intervening years, and remember, it has only an advisory role to the State Liquor Authority. While the restaurant is a potential sore point, I'd hardly say that Spring has been a disaster for the community. With local businesses failing left and right, anything that brings in people could be considered useful. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

I agree that spring studios has been a massive bait and switch. It would be great if CB1 would look into this and act accordingly for the future. I recall CB1 people being wined and dined to vote yes including getting tours of the space ahead of time. Now look what happened..... — Jj on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

That has to be most hideous building design ever. What a way to ruin an awesome building. It reminds me of a scene from Alien when the alien rips through the victim's chest cavity. — Archie on Seen & Heard: Park Place Plaza Retail

According to Bloomberg: "The company lost 359 U.S. locations in 2016, the first time that Subway had a net reduction. The store count dropped 1.3 percent to 26,744 from 27,103 in 2015, but Subway remains the nation’s most ubiquitous eatery. (McDonald’s Corp. is No. 1 by sales.) "The closely held company is coping with a sales slowdown in the U.S., made worse by the emergence of newer fast-casual rivals and the industry’s heavy reliance on discounts and promotions. Subway also has lost some of its luster as a healthier-food option." www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-20/subway-shuts-hundreds-of-u-s-stores-in-historic-retrenchment Subway apparently cannot charge enough for its sandwiches (or do enough breakfast and dinner business) to support Manhattan rents. As far back as December 2014, Commercial Observer tweeted from the NYC ICSC conference, "@SUBWAY is getting priced out of Manhattan and will need to relocate 10 stores within next year, says Bill Rose of Subway. @ICSC #NYConf" — James on Another Subway Sandwich Shop Appears to Be Closing

Me either. I found some very solid deals on everyday wines when compared to other brick/mortar liquor stores. That being said, even with these discounts you can usually find similar prices online. — chavanel on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

Tacky homes? What do you call tasteful, a crappy apt wedged between buildings?! Look at these beauties.. http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/6/7/tom-sellecks-house-and-other-bay-ridge-architectural-eye-candy — KB on Field Trip: Bay Ridge

Parent of toddler here who totally agrees with you that they "don’t belong at a serious restaurant’s communal table." Sorry you had to put up with that. — Noah on Seen & Heard: Park Place Plaza Retail

That was not my experience. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

by the way..... downtown Liquors has NO discounts. The consumers are fooled, the owners are greedy. They increased their prices on everything and every bottle. I wanted to purchase a bottle that was normally listed at $59.'ish. A few weeks ago it was marked at $99. They offer 30%, Not 50% off but in fact. I discounts at all — IP on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

I know of no reason they wouldn't be allowed. You can thank the Worth Street reconstruction project for that—the buses that used to take Worth now take Duane. And yes, commuter buses are extremely loud. I wish the city DOT would insist on environmental regulation for any bus it allows to pick up/drop off in the city. Some of them sound like jet engines when they accelerate from a stop. — Erik Torkells on Nosy Neighbor: Why Is the MTA Parking Buses on Church?

Are buses allowed to use Duane Street as a Tribeca cross street during rush hour? They are so loud and polluting. — Victoria Harmon on Nosy Neighbor: Why Is the MTA Parking Buses on Church?

An acid etch can be polished out. It can be cheaper than replacing the glass, but it is not cheap. The procedure takes a few hours as they have to go slowly enough to not overheat and break the glass. — Glenn on Seen & Heard: Witches’ Knickers

Yes indeed get involved. There were many people around? They should have acted together and stopped the thug immediately. I've also been in situations where there were many people and I was the only one who intervened. Others didn't even want to help the victim after the assaulter was gone. They just hid their faces and didn't make eye contact as if nothing happened. Do the right thing. Do what you would want others to do if you were the one being assaulted. — Marcus on Seen & Heard: Au Pair Attacked on the Street

Thank you for posting this. Indeed, there was very close collaboration between Nazis and numerous Arab leaders to exterminate Jews. This is well documented, but does not recieve much attention anymore. While the article does not mention this, it is also well documented that Nazis that were provided refuge in Egypt following the Holocaust/WW II became the architects of Egypt's chemcial weapons program. Thankfully, the Israelis were able to set this program back significantly during the Six Day War. — Charlie on Seen & Heard: Au Pair Attacked on the Street

Actually, there is a historical connection between the Nazis and 9/11, although it doesn't go through Anne Frank in particular: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-mariotti/what-we-got-wrong-about-n_b_10864118.html — N on Seen & Heard: Au Pair Attacked on the Street

About a year ago around 8pm at church & reade I saw a woman screaming at a man to give her phone back and leave her alone. Everyone hurried by not wanting to get involved and I walked by because I had to pick up my kids and didn't want to be late but I realized I had to help so I stopped and walked back a few steps to them. I asked if the woman needed help and she said yes, call the police so I pulled out my phone so the man gave her back the phone and let her walk away. I watched to make sure he didn't follow, which he did not. People need to get involved. Natural tendency is to ignore and walk by. I felt it but you have to fight it. — Jammysod on Seen & Heard: Au Pair Attacked on the Street

I understand that you were reporting the facts without drawing conclusions as to their intent. Nevertheless I think you happened on a story here of more significance than mere bad manners or inhospitableness. — James on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

The federally approved typefaces a/k/a the "Standard Alphabets For Traffic Control Devices" are here: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/SHSe/Alphabets.pdf The interim federal government approval of the use of Clearview for new or replacement signs was rescinded in 2016 by the FHWA. See mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/res-interim_approvals.htm#term2003 Or www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-01-25/html/2016-01383.htm [Federal Register Volume 81, Number 15 (Monday, January 25, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 4083-4084] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2016-01383] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration National Standards for Traffic Control Devices; the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways; Notice of Termination of Interim Approval IA-5 AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) is incorporated in our regulations, approved by FHWA, and recognized as the national standard for traffic control devices used on all streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public travel. This notice terminates the Interim Approval for Use of Clearview Font for Positive Contrast Legends on Guide Signs (IA-5), issued September 2, 2004, as authorized by Section 1A.10 of the MUTCD, and discontinues the provisional use of an alternative lettering style in traffic control device applications. The result of this termination rescinds the use of letter styles other than the FHWA Standard Alphabets on traffic control devices, except as provided otherwise in the MUTCD. Existing signs that use the provisional letter style and comply with the Interim Approval are unaffected by this action and may remain as long as they are in serviceable condition. This action does not create a mandate for the removal or installation of any sign. This action does not amend any provision of the MUTCD. — James on Seen & Heard: Louis C.K. Film Shoot

I wasn't disagreeing with you about the terms between CB1 and Spring Place—just clarifying what happened. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

@McGee: Are you a member or were you able to get in without being one? — KP on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place

Even if there is no nefarious intent to fool anyone with OpenTable, how does restricting the restaurant to members of and 'applicants' touring a private club satisfy the terms of the CB1 resolution, namely that it be "open to the public as a white table cloth reservation only restaurant"? It obviously does not satisfy this term of the resolution, because a private club can only mean an organization that can legally bar entry to that portion of the public who are not members. — James on Seen & Heard: Rebuffed at Spring Place