This is sad news to hear. I've worked in Lower Manhattan most of my adult life (I live in Brooklyn). There were so many great bookstores out here, and, now, Barnes and Noble is going to close! In the early 1990's, there was Waldenbooks. In the late 1990's-2000, there was Border's Books. The first one near the original World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11, 2001. A few years later, another Border's Books popped up on Broadway. Sadly, that, too, went out of business. Thank goodness, I kept the free bookmarks I obtained with my purchases from Border's Books! I still have the membership card as a memento. Barnes and Noble (Tribeca) is the last great bookstore left in Lower Manhattan. I happily renewed my membership when I returned to work following last year's Covid lockdown. Now, this location is closing. Just sad. The dedicated sales staff are friendly and helpful - including those at the Starbucks counter, where I've purchased Margherita flatbread pizzas. One exception: If Amazon (books, mostly) were to replace B&N, I will be cool with that! :) — Yvonne Joseph on Barnes & Noble space is up for grabs

Design requirements like you mention already exist and are certainly part of the permanent plan, but I am curious about how the final guidelines will look. The more I think about it, the less I think shacks/sheds are a good long-term idea. Permanent outdoor dining should just be moveable tables/chairs/umbrellas surrounded by planters in the street. No cheap plywood boxes lining the street and no bulky structures obstructing lines of sight. Though some are tastefully done (Locanda), the shacks can be pretty unsightly (Wolfgang’s) compared to the beautiful architecture around our city and, most importantly, they're impossible to clean underneath. That’s where standing water and food scraps get easily trapped, which attracts rats, flies, and stench (L’angolo and Zona). The shacks also pose a challenge for streetsweepers and plows. Allowing only for simple setups of moveable planters, tables, chairs, and umbrellas instead of shacks will solve a lot of the negative externalities. Permanent outdoor dining should be about creating a weather-permitting nicety, not about creating makeshift indoor areas outside. That was needed during covid winters, but not post-covid when people can and will simply eat indoors. Open air is nicer anyway. — person on In the News: City Planning moves to make curbside structures permanent

This seems like a great idea. It's far better use of the space than parking. However, the plan might include some general guidelines as to aesthetics, upkeep and cleanliness, and safety of the structures (including perhaps safety barriers against the mad vehicle traffic, at least on busy streets and intersections). And of course, proprietors should be considerate of others living in the neighborhood or just using the sidewalks. Sidewalk clearances and throughways have to be kept open; noise levels should be kept reasonable for the sake of neighbors. I'm glad to have these on our street in Tribeca. They add a positive sense of street life to our block; the sheds are built aesthetically; the patrons have been well-behaved. I think it makes the street feel safer at night also; previously the street could feel quite desolate at night. Of course they may not be appropriate for some traditionally very quiet streets, so decisions may have to be approved on a case-by-case process. How would that work? Should neighbors on a street have a say in approvals? — Marcus on In the News: City Planning moves to make curbside structures permanent

What does this mean: "the fishbowl feeling of going about the intimate routine of daily life inches from a rotating cast of restaurant diners"? Outdoor dining is in public, and part of public and social life is people-watching and interaction. One might as well call all of NYC (or any city or town) a "fishbowl". Of course, for an introvert, the constant scene of "seeing and being seen" can be exhausting, but that's always been part of city living, and isn't it part of the appeal for many? I'm not sure I understand this concern (and I am an introvert). — Marcus on In the News: City Planning moves to make curbside structures permanent

And we are still in a pandemic so a good on that front too. — j. on In the News: City Planning moves to make curbside structures permanent

According to Google, among the Berts is one who is a licensed real estate salesperson and developer with the "Cornerstone Group," one who is the owner of myriad properties in New York including various condos in Tribeca, both residential and retail including one retail condo at 161 Hudson St., and one who is a JCP member, golfer, and NY Rangers fan. — James on 77 Warren will be a European bistro with a full menu

Great news about outdoor dining. Rats/cleanliness and noise are genuine concerns, but they can and should be dealt with by regulating design/use, fining owners/landlords, etc. Outdoor dining is widely beloved and an infinitely better use of street space than private parking. — person on In the News: City Planning moves to make curbside structures permanent

Thanks, James. Hard to know who Shamsy and Bert are... — Tribeca Citizen on 77 Warren will be a European bistro with a full menu

Borough: MANHATTAN / NEW YORK Block: 132 Lot: 1601 77 WARREN RETAIL OWNER, LLC 2015 deed signed by manager Bert Baradarian Recent tax certiorari petition signed by "SHAMSY BARADARIAN" — James on 77 Warren will be a European bistro with a full menu

Yes, you are correct -- their plans for Barnett Newman Triangle go back to 2014. https://tribecacitizen.com/2014/11/20/developer-files-plans-for-church-street-pocket-park/ But the murals were never meant to be permanent, if that makes you feel better! — Tribeca Citizen on JR’s local connection

The developers behind 100 Franklin, I believe, were supposed to renovate the plaza between Franklin and White, on 6th Avenue. I remember reading about it years ago right here in TC. Can that be verified? Can I also say that I miss the murals that were up and are now buried behind the new construction? — Broadway Mamma on JR’s local connection

I have followed his work for several years. he has done amazing projects all over the world. I had no idea that he did these local works! Thanks for posting. — JS Millere on JR’s local connection

So excited!!! Tribeca needs places like that. We’ll be regulars! — Jen roff on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

And...Paper & Glue was edited by Keiko Deguchi, a longtime resident and fellow 234 family. Fittingly, it debuted at Tribeca Film Festival - saw it and loved it! — Karie Parker Davidson on JR’s local connection

Ah River Run - that takes me back! One of the places that first drew me to live here years and years ago, right along with Yaffa's. Agreed on your hopes re the vibe of this new place. — Noah on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

Can't wait to dine at the new Reade Street Pub and see what Chef Jude has in store! — Ana Silva-Hsu on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

The slow death of the late night bar scene continues. Not only is the early Sunday closing silly, but all new bars closing at 2 am sucks some of the vitality out of the city and the neighborhood. — Lawrence Greenfield on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

Well we just love her… simply just love her — Linda Rowe on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

No live music is a bummer. There weren't noise complaints when they could play inside... — Thursday Night regular on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

Jude is good neighbor and friend. I can't wait to see what he cooks up!! We need a Reade Street Pub resurrected with some good old fashion dishes!! — Native on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

Good luck to them and I hope that the new menu will make this more of a restaurant than bar with some food -- think the long lost (and at least by us, hugely missed) River Run. — A neighbor on Reade Street Pub will be resurrected as…Reade Street Pub

I live on White street and our bedroom windows face the 293 space--the skylight in the back. The noise from the private parties that have taken place there is ridiculous. My 8yo child could not fall asleep on a recent Wednesday (school night) because of a birthday party there. How do I know it was a birthday party? Well, a loud countdown to a "Happy Birthday" that we clearly heard in our place gave it away. We have also experienced a crowd spillover onto White Street with drunken patrons waiting for their ubers late into the night. All in all, so far this business has been an absolute nuisance. And, while it's always nice to see new businesses coming to the neighborhood, the proposed new bar would be on the same blocks as three or four existing restaurants/bars, creating a very high level of congestion. — LT on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

The illegal Airbnb on all upper floors of 293 is ridiculous, but not as ridiculous as the City's inability to shut it down. — James on Wine and cocktail bar coming to the Dirty Lemon space on Church

In 2002 on the first evening of my first trip to NYC to visit my new love interest (we’d met in New Orleans) and now spouse, we went Odeon for a late night dinner. I was hooked immediately and nostalgia for that beady night washes over me every time I walk through Odeon’s door. Roya’s lovely, sunny presence and her always warm and welcoming greeting are such an important part of the experience. Thank you Roya! — Elise Brown on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks

There is no one better-she is the whole reason for going to the restaurant. A lady-a fashionista-an all round class act. — Patricia Fersch on TCQ&A: Roya Shanks