Embarrassingly, the original quiz only had wrong answers for what the MTA stands for. The Times has lost its standing as a paper of, and for, New Yorkers many years ago. — malcolm on In the News: Are you a true New Yorker?

The "boundaries" changed over time, per the Times. March 25, 1961: "And yesterday, the present Fire Commissioner, Cavanagh, echoed the warning: ''Fifty years or fifty decades will not dim the horror or tragedy of fire. The shadow of another Triangle fire continues to hang over that area. In recent years there have been three major fires in the area, which have cost the lives of firemen and workers. I am determined to prosecute every law and regulation of the Fire Department to bring about the greatest degree of fire prevention possible in that area. I have designated it as 'Hell's Hundred Acres,' and I will so call it until I am satisfied that every possible step to minimize the fire threat has been taken.'' " Ada Louise Huxtable, May 24, 1970: "THE subject today is an area called SoHo, a 20‐ block section of lower Manhattan bounded roughly, north and south, by Houston and Canal Streets, and east and west, by Broad way and West Broadway. "SoHo stands for South Houston, and it is in the news right now because artists living and working there illegally have been publicizing their plight — caught between the harassment of city agencies and the mercies of their landlords, in one of the last stands of superb, reasonably priced, increasingly scarce loft space that the city offers. They are there illegally because the area is zoned commercially, not residentially, and most of the buildings are occupied by small industries. The artists, and some galleries, have recently moved in. [...] "It has still another name, Hell's Hundred Acres, be stowed on it by a Fire Department of unsuspected literary flair, after several disastrous conflagrations. These were not caused by the buildings' age or instability, as claimed, for they are extra ordinarily sound, but by violations and bad housekeeping habits of some of the district's waste industries. [...]" June 19, 1986: "EDWARD CAVANAGH JR. DIES; FORMER FIRE COMMISSIONER" "[...]Assistant Fire Commissioner John Mulligan said yesterday, 'Commissioner Cavanagh is remembered by many present and past firefighters as the Commissioner who reorganized and modernized the Fire Department during his eight-year tenure as Fire Commissioner.' "A Phrase-Maker "Mr. Mulligan noted that Mr. Cavanagh, a phrase-maker, had coined the term Hell's Hundred Acres for a portion of lower Manhattan - part of what is now known as SoHo - where century-old loft buildings posed fire hazards and been the site of disastrous blazes. "To combat such dangers, Mr. Cavanagh initiated field inspection and public awareness fire prevention programs, initially in Hell's Hundred Acres and then elsewhere. [...]" — James Bogardus on In the News: Are you a true New Yorker?

Hell's Hundred Acres first in print: The New York Times, November 22, 1960 "VIOLATIONS FOUND BEFORE LOFT FIRE Cavanagh Checks on Failure to Follow Up in Building Where 3 Were Killed WIDE SURVEY TO START 50 Teams of Firemen Will Study 3,000 Structures in Lower Manhatttan" "Fire Commissioner Edward F. Cavanagh Jr. said yesterday that inspections made almost two years ago showed major fire hazards in the lower Manhattan loft building [463-67 Broadway] where three firemen lost their lives in a fire Friday night. [...] "Meanwhile, Commissioner Cavanagh said, he would have fifty inspection teams working on an intensified survey of the area in which the loft fire occurred. The work will start today or tomorrow. "Describing the area as 'Hell's Hundred Acres,' he gave its boundaries as Reade and Eighth Streets, between Broadway and the Hudson River. Of the 3,000 old buildings in the area, Commissioner Cavanagh said, he expects to close a 'couple of hundred.' [...]" https://www.nytimes.com/1960/11/22/archives/violations-found-before-loft-fire-cavanagh-checks-on-failure-to.html — James Bogardus on In the News: Are you a true New Yorker?

I pass by there often and the school yard was open this past weekend but I don’t recall it being open any other time since maybe last fall. I have always wondered why it wasn’t open more often considering that sign you have pictured. Your question of who is responsible for unlocking the gate is a good question. — a neighbor on Nosy Neighbor: Isn’t the yard at PS 89 supposed to be open on weekends?

They changed the laws, but still: "The new law does allow officers to continue to dole out criminal tickets for unlicensed vending — a category that has accounted for 85% of the criminal vending summonses issued through July 15 this year. Officers can also continue to hand out civil tickets, which can cost up to up $1,000." I don't understand the change. Is the only difference that officers can no longer arrest vendors? At any rate, this change can only make matters worse. Then there are the quotes in the article. One vendor says, “It’s like this park where we’re standing by: The businesses are like the large trees, and us vendors are just like the grass underneath. You tell me, would the park look good if you only let the trees grow without the grass?” Bad metaphor. The junk they sell is more like litter than grass (and the vendors also produce a ton of litter every day around Canal Street area). It looks like a trash dump with boxes, food containers, wrappers from the products, strewn everywhere. The park and the streets would definitely look better without the vendors. Another vendor: "“It’s not fair. Do you think it’s fair? We’re not out here committing crimes." Well, actually if you are breaking the law, isn't that "committing a crime". — Marcus on Seen & Heard: A meeting to discuss illegal street vendors on Canal

This is common on Broadway also. Typically with modified engines to be as loud and rude as possible. — Marcus on Seen & Heard: Drag racing ends in crash on Church

Ohh thanks for this... ive been wondering what it was... for YEARS haha — Richard on Nosy Neighbor: What is that green fence doing in City Hall plaza?

Darn, just saw this on an episode of Law and Order with Dennis Farina and Michael Imperioli! — Rebekah on Reade Street Pub has closed

Regarding the drag racing on Church St, we’ve been hearing sounds late at night of racing vehicles on Church St — often sounds like motorcycles but could also be cars. They go by so fast I haven’t been able to get a photo. This has increased dramatically this year. — SW on Seen & Heard: Drag racing ends in crash on Church

Can we please tell the grownups to keep their eyes on their little ones and stop them? Alternatively, would I be able to tell those little ones to stop without being yelled at by their grownups? — Resident on Nosy Neighbor: Why are the bricks missing around the gazebo all the time?

Hopefully they will be replaced with better local cafés. I never go to Starbucks, since most (all?) locations insist on serving coffee in disposable plastic/paper cups. — Marcus on Starbucks on West Street has closed permanently

Truly one of the hardest places to work in NYC. I am met with crowds of men either peeing, yelling, boxing or grabbing my arms in efforts to sell these items. It is wild that this is happening. It needs to be figured out asap. The other day I had to walk to the subway (which has become an obstacle course of bags laid out) and was bumped into and fell on the steps. I beg this ends!! — ML on Seen & Heard: A meeting to discuss illegal street vendors on Canal

The Starbucks at 405 Broadway near Leonard Street closed too - only noticed it today, as I was walking by. — Nel on Starbucks on West Street has closed permanently

You can read the comment policy here. Most of those comments were coming from the same person using different names. — Tribeca Citizen on StopDontShop targets Walker’s

That's exactly right. The analysis shows them at break even for value. — Tribeca Citizen on The Warren Street Hotel wants to add another floor to its roof

Yes, but how much would the added floor cost to build? A figure of 4 million or less would put them at a break-even point. Their argument doesn't make sense from a financial standpoint. Unless they plan on selling it (which may be their goal, since it always appears empty), otherwise, why would they invest more money into a sinking ship? (pun intended) — V on The Warren Street Hotel wants to add another floor to its roof

I wonder what the occupancy rate is. When I walk by, which isn't that often, there appears to be little activity in the lobby. — Makes You Go Hmmmm.... on The Warren Street Hotel wants to add another floor to its roof

CitiBike stands are far from beautiful, but they are no uglier than a row of parked cars and trucks. — Marcus on Seeking public input on a redesign for Canal Street

Yes, Scott. I could, and should write a book not only about Bridge Cafe, but of my years in restaurants of New York, but I need a ghost writer. A story I would put into words is the time I refused to serve Senator Jessie Helms. But indeed that is “another story”. QUATORZE still goes strong into to our 41st year. The cast of characters we have served over all my time in NYC has been astonishing. And worthy to write about. Find me a Ghost Writer ! Mark — Mark Di Giulio on A fake bar for Netflix at the Seaport

Funny how comments criticizing this anonymous “former diplomat’s” bigoted stance have all been removed. I guess Tribeca Citizen is not quite independent. — Appalled on StopDontShop targets Walker’s

Trump's saving the counterfeit ICE raid for when Mamdani gets elected. Great theater. — James Bogardus on Seen & Heard: A meeting to discuss illegal street vendors on Canal

It's a start. But just widening sidewalks without any enforcement regarding their proper use will just mean: more illicit counterfeit junk sellers. The area will be even more chaotic (if we can imagine that). Re-design or not, we need: - enforcement of the vendor laws - enforcement of anti-counterfeiting laws - enforcing against the littering, public urination, etc. - enforcement of the traffic laws - enforcement of the noise laws (against honking, loud modified engines of motorcycles and cars, loud music from cars, etc.) This has become a lawless zone. Police sometimes park around the area or wander around, but do nothing. I've spoken to the police many times, and they just say effectively "We don't enough staff" or "There is no political will from on high to enforce" and "You have to vote differently if you want this to change". — Marcus on Seeking public input on a redesign for Canal Street

The hotel and their lawyer are being entirely disingenuous. No one told them to select a hotel site--one that depended on excavating three (3) subcellars--less than 200 feet away from the year 1776 (pre-landfill) shoreline of the Hudson River. This was a terrible idea and a poor gamble on what was obviously unsuitable underground conditions for this project. Moving ahead and expecting to excavate three subcellars adjacent to several inhabited 19th century structures was not only foolhardy but downright idiotic. To then say your project's entire economic viability relied on this totally (with complete foresight) knowable fact, and that you either were ignorant of the data and the reality and the warnings, is inexcusably arrogant and said in bad faith. These lies should not be rewarded. — James Bogardus on The Warren Street Hotel wants to add another floor to its roof

I know both the motive and the story behind it, but I don't feel it's my place to reveal what it is. What I will say for sure, though, is that it's 1000000% not the homeless lady. Stop spreading fake news and blaming the homeless and, somehow, ....also the dogs; you, and "Lot Less", really have no idea about this one. — V on Nosy Neighbor: Why are there playing cards scattered on the street?

I WISH Hobby Lobby were "just a place to shop", 'cause I love my hobbies. But it's really important to scratch beneath the surface and see what you're money is supporting. I don't blindly support institutions that IMO are against my beliefs, as should everyone. To put on blinders and live in a bubble because it makes you feel uncomfortable doing otherwise is naive, if not irresponsible. We all have a responsibility to look beyond convenience and ask what values our money is fueling. — V on In the News: The opposition to Hobby Lobby