Link to a scan of the permit issued by NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission: http://a810-bisweb.nyc.gov/bisweb/BScanJobDocumentServlet?requestid=4&passjobnumber=122354415&passdocnumber=01&allbin=1002913&scancode=ESHS1830485 — James on Seen & Heard: A Second Ghostbusters Emblem

They always close the first two weeks of July, maybe it is for good this time, the indian restaurant on the corner is out of business. — redmerkyn on Has Il Giglio Closed?

Wasn't 438 Greenwich in the landmarks district? How can they proceed like that without approvals? — McGee on Seen & Heard: A Second Ghostbusters Emblem

How many Universes are there? — Jim Smithers on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

DeNiro made Tribeca? in what universe? It was well on its way in the 1980's. DeNiro's was part of the investment group that founded Tribeca Grill - in 1990. The only thing he can be credited for was the founding of the Tribeca Film Festival after 9/11, to help revive the neighborhood. — A. on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

The craft services vehicle cropped out of the photo has New Jersey license plates. — James on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

" It is a very high probability that if BMCC goes, someone will look to combine the BMCC opportunity with that of IP. In the next 5-8 years, " i seriously doubt it., the majority of the apartments are not currently market rate. yes, the section 8 units could go away at anytime but the remaining LAP apartments have permanently below market rents for the occupants and their children that do not depend on any government programs. the owners can kiss my a** — josh on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

Thanks! Fixed it — Erik Torkells on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

Eric, you've attributed the piano story to Tribeca Trust when it's really the Trib — N on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

Baked always smells weird. Like burnt plastic or something. I don't know how people can eat there with that weird smell — Nick on Seen & Heard: Baked Is Now Serving Brunch

Great example of how the constant filming in the area "helps" local businesses — lowphat on In the News: Robert De Niro’s Tribeca

Does anyone know if Global Discount has moved to another location? We always shopped there for the small things. And thanks for the link, too bad about the building. — FD on In the News: SeaGlass Carousel Opening Date

Afraid not, but thanks for guessing! — Erik Torkells on Where in Tribeca…?

Hook & Ladder 8 (where Ghostbusters was shot) at 14 North Moore Street — B.Dorn on Where in Tribeca…?

Why not restore the facade to it's original look and use it as a charming entrance to the new hotel which could rise discreetly above it? Development and imagination -- two words that rarely together . . . — George Bacon on In the News: SeaGlass Carousel Opening Date

Thanks for that link, AKM -- Imagination falters! Development Reigns! Down with the neighborhood! — George Bacon on In the News: SeaGlass Carousel Opening Date

The building will be converted. They bought out several artists tenants. I don't know if the building is completely vacant but that is what they are aiming for. — TG on Has Il Giglio Closed?

I kinda had hoped someone would renovate that Fulton building back into its former glory (see old photos & history here: http://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/2012/05/barely-recognizable-shell-of-whytes.html). I mean, what a perfect spot for a cute little beergarden-type resto? But, alas. — AKM on In the News: SeaGlass Carousel Opening Date

Wow, that's some impressive improv songwriting by Callaway! :) — AKM on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

What is missing from this assessment is the Independence Plaza land and air rights. It is a very high probability that if BMCC goes, someone will look to combine the BMCC opportunity with that of IP. In the next 5-8 years, there will be virtually no rent stabilized apartments left at IP - sooner if the owners can more assertively get things done. I would expect the entire complex to be taken down for a massive foot print in its place. Need to think of the BMCC issue together with IP, regardless of whether the HRPT is involved. — Scott on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

Jean, I really, really want to believe Margaret Chin, but I have a hard time doing so based on her past involvement in development deals. For example, about the NYU expansion: On this subject, Chin says that she and her staff are actively involved in every land deal each step along the way. Referring to the NYU deal, Chin explains that the deal provided “a real opportunity to ensure development was done in the right way.” For Chin, the “right” way involves balancing the interests of all parties. She explains that she wanted to ensure the deals took into consideration economic opportunity and the preservation of both open space and affordable housing, among other factors. (from http://www.decidenyc.com/decision-points-a-conversation-with-council-member-margaret-chin/) How wouldn't this quote apply to developing the BMCC site with Pier 40 air rights, thereby benefitting HRP, assuming Related includes a few more affordable apartments than usual? — Nicole Vianna on Is the BMCC Site Still in Play?

There's nothing in the act that says that the air rights have to go anywhere near the pier they come from. The only stipulations are that they can only be applied to lots within 1 block east of the park (within zoning, but we know that can be changed with the necessary political will) and that money from the Pier 40 air rights have to go to fixing Pier 40 1st, with any leftover released for anything else the HRP Board wants to do. From the amended act, as posted on the HRP site (http://www.hudsonriverpark.org/assets/content/general/HRPA_Amendment_-_Chapter_517_of_the_Laws_of_2013.pdf): To fulfill its purposes under this act, the trust shall have the following powers, functions, duties and authority subject to the limita- tions set forth in this act: ... (j) to transfer by sale any unused development rights as may be avail- able for transfer to properties located up to one block east of the boundaries of the park along the west side of Manhattan, if and to the extent designated and permitted under local zoning ordinances provided however that revenues derived from the transfer of air rights from pier 40 must be used in the first instance for the repair of pier 40 infras- tructure including piles and roof, after which any excess revenues may be used by the trust for other uses permitted by this act. The proceeds of such sales shall be paid to and be the property of the trust. The state and the city of New York, each with respect to any transfer of unused development rights related to its real property in the park, shall expeditiously execute any required documents as may be needed to effectuate such transfer; Of course, selling the Pier 40 air rights to Related, instead of to Fortress (e.g., Mike Novogratz, Chair of the Board of Friends of Hudson River Park) would be out of character for the group that controls HRP, but money talks. If we have to get a wall of glass along West Street between Chambers and N. Moore, I hope the HRP Board gets the most money possible for it instead of doing a secret inside deal as was originally expected when the amendments were passed two years ago. — Nicole Vianna on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

1. The Crain's article below seems to indicate that Piers 25/26 were not considered to have saleable development rights. 2. However, does the sale of Pier 40 air rights set a precedent that the air rights must be sold only for use on a lot directly east of the source pier of the air rights? It seems unlikely that air rights from any pier within the Park could be sold for use on any lot directly east of the Park, whether north or south of the source pier of the air rights. In other words, the law is probably not to be construed so that air rights from a pier at West 58th Street could be transferred to the BMCC site. http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140202/REAL_ESTATE/302029974/hudson-river-park-trust-eyes-air-rights-rescue "The Hudson River Park Trust has identified seven piers whose air rights could help reap the trust nearly a half-billion dollars to fund the repair of crumbling parkland infrastructure along the river. [...] "The trust is looking to unload the air rights of piers from West 17th to West 58th streets to pay for much-needed repairs—namely a $110 million restoration of the crumbling 14-acre Pier 40, near Houston Street" — James on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

Right, but what I vaguely recall—but can't find—was proponents of this arrangement saying that there only a small handful of places along the park where it could apply, and that the only one in our jurisdiction was Pier 40. But Piers 25/26 and BMCC would seem to qualify, unless I'm missing something. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Boat Parade and F-18 Flyover

A little less Tribeca, a little more -ish.... — Erik Torkells on Where in Tribeca…?