Canal street looks like skidrow! Those street sellers have ruin the small stores around Canal, even if they sold counterfeit items their store fronts was always better than the trash you see on the street now. — Sandra on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

And you sound a bit like a troll. The writer stated his opinion. You are entitled to your own. He thinks Maud is a good choice. I think Chris Marte isn't a great choice among other things because he believes all of our crime spike is due to Covid economic instability. But Rape and other Sex Crimes have zero economic basis, and according to COMPSTAT have been rising. He also believes we should not build the new borough jail project and we should also close Rikers. You can do one or the other, but it is an absolute disaster to do both. The existing borough jails are already closed. It is a delusional fantasy to think we will not have crime or criminals needing to be separated from society, they need to go someplace. I do wish Maud was more clear on her mask issue regarding children. I am inclined to disagree with her on what I think (but do not know) she believes. She is not anti-mask for adults. — Richard Parker on Maud Maron will run as an independent for City Council

I am tired of Canal being a pit of tacky counterfeit goods, but it clearly draws tourists and perhaps NYers, who actively seek out these items. I wish the city would crack down on them and get rid of them. Perhaps if they could bust the buyers for knowingly purchasing counterfeit items, it would end the appeal. — Broadway Mamma on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

In addition to the products taking up a lot of space on the street, I recently saw some men cooking meat on the sidewalk on some sort of makeshift pile of charcoal. While I commend the scrappiness, I do worry about open flames on the sidewalk as a hazard and not something we should worry about when walking by with young children and strollers! — E on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

Why the prohibition against photos once you’re inside? Isn’t a public space? — Ben on Two ways to get inside 31 Chambers – virtually

Addendum: Where does the trillions (yes, trillions) of dollars of counterfeit/pirated goods income go? Apparently it's funding organized crime organizations. In some cases, there's supposedly evidence that it funds terrorism as well. If so, then anyone buys these products is supporting organized crime, and potentially even terrorism. "The profits often support terrorist groups, drug cartels, people smugglers and street gangs. The FBI has found evidence that a portion of the financing of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing came from a store selling counterfeit T-shirts. The same has been found surrounding many other organized crime activities...the sales of counterfeit goods funded the Charlie Hebdo attack of 2016 in Paris, which left 12 people dead and nearly a dozen more injured. Sales of pirated CDs have been linked to funding the 2004 Madrid train bombing, and investigations firm Carratu connects money from counterfeit goods to Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, the Japanese Yakuza, the ETA, and the Russian Mob. The crackdown on counterfeit goods has not only become a matter of human rights but one of national and international security in various countries. The FBI has called product counterfeiting "the crime of the 21st century."" "Consumers may choose to actively dismiss these unclear origins of product when a trendy style is available for little money. The previous French terrorist attack in 2015 at Charlie Hebdo Newspaper has been traced back to being funded by counterfeit product. According to Tommy Hilfiger's Alastair Grey, terrorists bought the guns used with funds gained from selling illegal luxury sneakers. This is more normal than consumers may think...The cause and effect of this discounting of crime is giving sellers money to partake in terrorism, human trafficking and child labour." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeit_consumer_goods — Marcus on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

People have a right to try to make a living, and it sounds like the vending license system needs reform. Regardless, vendors have to comply with other laws, including paying of taxes like every other business, and intellectual property laws. There are also ethical considerations, even if laws are unenforced. Counterfeiting/piracy is not a victimless crime. It's exploitative and destroys legitimate jobs, as well as eroding tax income, which then surely leads to higher taxes and fees on legitimate businesses and workers. There's the human rights question of the the labor conditions under which those counterfeits are produced. "...2018 counterfeiting was the largest criminal enterprise in the world. Sales of counterfeit and pirated goods totals $1.7 trillion per year, which is more than drugs and human trafficking. It is expected to grow to $2.8 trillion and cost 5.4 million jobs by 2022." "Counterfeit products are often produced in violation of basic human rights and child labor laws and human rights laws, as they are often created in illegal sweatshops. Clothing manufacturers often rely on sweatshops using children in what some consider "slave labor" conditions." It's not just the vendors; anyone who buys the items is just as guilty and part of the problem. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeit_consumer_goods — Marcus on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

It used to be our polling location. Then they consolidated a few locations and now we vote across the street at the Tweed Courthouse. — S on Two ways to get inside 31 Chambers – virtually

Agreed. I'd say those are *additional* problems though to be dealt with, not problems to be dealt with *instead* of these problems. Note that Amazon Prime members get Whole Foods deliveries for free (if more than a certain amount - $35?). Now there will be a $9.95 surcharge added to every such grocery order. Supposedly grocery delivery orders tripled during the pandemic. Even before this $9.95 surcharge, Whole Foods / Amazon should have to pay their way for commercial space to do their packaging and sorting. Now there's an additional fee which will take in additional millions or billions; there's no excuse. — Marcus on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

When I lived in 10007, this was the voting location. Don't know if that's still the case. — Anonymous on Two ways to get inside 31 Chambers – virtually

First world country falls to Fourth world one. Time to start scouting some place new. Long timey New Yorker losing any remaining pride in "what was". Living between the high life of Met Fashion and downtown low life has ended for me. No appeal to either. — sludgehound on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

So the city has had, oh, 200 years to figure out how to manage street vendors and hasn't yet arrived at the answer - one that is clear, enforced evenly, and effective. We all want to "just make a living" but are constrained by law from pursuing a variety of occupations. If that's the basis for public policy, let's go all the way and toss the idea of business licenses, occupancy permits, fire exits, payroll taxes and everything else. Do the vendors comply with mandatory sick leave policies and family leave obligations? Blocks of empty, desolate storefronts, resurging graffiti, three quarter empty sidewalks, vacant offices, a collapsing tax base, and politicians arguing that "giving more stuff away for 'free' " doesn't seem to bode well for the next ten or more years. Although I'm just guessing here. — Bill on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

About 3.5 years ago I was able to enter to get to the archives facility that gave public access (via microfiche) to the tax photos on the first floor, so hopefully the restrictions now are Covid related and will be released some day. It is an amazing, awe inspiring space. — N on Two ways to get inside 31 Chambers – virtually

This is such a nuisance. I would just add that it is creating a safety hazard and that people with disabilities are not able to pass through the area. There has to be some solution here. — FidiGuy on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

Not long after Odeon opened my (now) wife went there and opined "This place will never make it" !!!!!! — Bob on In the News: Gyms opening new locations

Scott and I attended the same High School, Paul D, Schreiber. We not in the same classes so I sadly never got to know him. Years later I met him at Randalls Island Golf center., where I was teaching golf at the time. After Scott hit his bucket we spoke about the last 15 years, I remember someone telling me that Scott was acting in Los Angeles and for whatever reason he decided to move to New York.He said he was looking for acting work and had a part in an off broadway play , I can't remember ithe name of it. I did attend and enjoyed it very much ! I had heard that he was a photographer and artist and recently saw his work on line, beautiful imagination I wished I had known about his talent at that time. We also saw one another at our class reunions , danced a bit and talked, it was always nice to see him there..He made his appearance and left shortly thereafter. — DANA MCBEE on Scott Geyer, local artist and dog walker, dies at 69

And the Tower Cafeteria was great too…. — Doxie on In the News: Gyms opening new locations

While I agree with most of the feedback posted here I don’t think we can have a conversation about the appropriate use of public sidewalks without including how Whole Foods, Amazon and Fresh Direct have taken over streets in our neighborhood. Warren between West and Greenwich, W. Broadway just north of NYLaw are just 2 examples of where multi-billion $& public companies use public spaces for private purposes with seemingly no compensation to the neighborhood or city. — Ben on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

This third world bazaar sells knock-offs of trademarked brands, ripping off intellectual property and undercutting prices in stores that pay taxes, payrolls, licensing fees. The city has become a increasingly lawless place under DeBlasio. Looking forward to seeing Adams restore some sense of order. So far, he is talking a good game. — Jon on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

De Bl*ASS*io and friends continuing onwards with their campaign to strip every possible reason people may have for living here in NYC... Fortunately he too is running out of time. Cannot wait to see him leave office — Rohin on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

Agreed with Larry. Quality of life has gone downtime after Bloomberg left office. I think it will be even worse when the Congestion Pricing becomes effective in 2023. Downtown neighborhoods will be hurt real bad. We will be charged when vehicles enter and for every day when car remains in the zone. Currently, there is only exemptions for residents making less than $60k/year. It's basically a tax on car ownership. It will affect us even if we don't have a car, all the deliveries and prices of goods in our neighborhood will go up. Submit a comment with MTA here: https://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/app/cbd_tolling — TribecaMom on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

New York City will face multi-billion dollar budget deficits in the coming years. The current crop of politicians will be retiring soon with their hefty pensions and generous healthcare coverage. These politicians choose to ignore reality and are consciously allowing both the tax base and the quality of life to deteriorate dramatically. The political class has little or no sympathy for the residents and storekeepers in our area. The increasing tax burden will fall on the current residents and the businesses that are able to survive. — Larry on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

Apparently the city believes the answer is to do nothing. For years I have watched several police officer patrolling the area and directing traffic daily right in front of these vendors without even turning their heads. — Randy on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied

Absolutely love what the Hudson Square BID is doing. Great plan and presentation. Hopefully they can get that bridge installed! — Person on Seen & Heard: Cooking lessons downtown

Walked through it Saturday. It’s overwhelming. Don’t know the best answer for all. — j. on Illegal vendors on Broadway have multiplied