You and Alex could have purchased the Tin Building or signed a lease and opened whatever great idea you have for the space since you think you have the pulse of the neighborhood, but you guys didn’t do that and didn’t put any capital at risk, so maybe wait and see how this new place works out. — Reademan on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum

P: I don't care what tourists want or how much money they bring in - there has to be a limit to how much the city specifically caters to them. Now we have to contend with these clickbait-y garbage heaps taking up space. I still can't believe that cultural void called "Mercer Labs" is where an actually useful Century 21 used to be. How often is a local going to visit a "Balloon Museum" (which has more in common with an Instagram FYP than an actual museum)? I have a kid under 10 and at MOST I could imagine visiting once. It's useless, vapid - and $40+ per ticket! If I want to see balloons I'll go to Balloon Saloon for a lot less. A Chelsea Pier East, as another poster suggested, would be a thousand times more useful. Hell, even another Pier 17-esque mall would have more value to residents if the stores were the right fit. I'm so tired of visitors being the only demographic considered by so many developers. And no matter how much we build for tourists, they'll still come take up space meant for us anyway. Can't even get a table at Bubby's or a sandwich at Katz's without waiting on a line anymore... — Elizabeth on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum

Have been with Leo for 25 year! Congratulations on the new, beautiful space. See you soon! — Robert Berger on Ilya’s, aka Leo’s, has opened on Worth and Broadway

Someone who has lived on public property for 16 years, in the same neighborhood, is not seeking nor is he able to demand privacy. There is nothing illegal about Sonia Stock telling me what he told her. And anyone can be photographed in public at any time. — Tribeca Citizen on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

While the points you raise aren't unreasonable, I'm more inclined to look at the potential result of publishing this. More people will become aware of the living, conscious being that they'd ordinarily, reflexively consign to complete obscurity as they go through their day. It's possible that something will click with someone who knows a route to getting this person help he can use. This matter may or may not be insoluble, but could not possibly benefit from remaining in darkness. — mulciber on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

Alex in NYC, just looking for clarification. You're concerned the community won't make money off this new development? Are you aware of the numbers tourism generates...not just for the specific destination itself, but the surrounding businesses as well? Are you familiar with the balloon museum or just reacting to the name? Have you visited one of their other locations and seen the impressive crowds...and impressive installations? Although the Tin Building was a nice architectural design project, it had no chance for longterm survival, and showing losses of approximately $100,000 per day proved that pretty quickly. Give this new venture a chance. Perhaps it will become a welcome addition to a neighborhood that certainly could use some help. Maybe you'll even decide to go and enjoy yourself. Maybe. — P on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum

This entire chain of comments is interesting. While I don't doubt that many feel compassion when it comes to this man, I also agree with those who have asked "why is this ok?". Why is it ok to have an article about it? Why is it ok for him to be there for years? And I'd ask all of those who are call themselves feeling compassion and trying to help him, if he was a Black homeless man, would you feel the same way? Before you accuse me of making this about race, let me be clear - I am. Because it is really sad that even when it comes to unhoused individuals, there is privilege. There is no way that a Black homeless man would be allowed to stay there for 6 days, let alone 6 or 16 years. And to "SF" who made the ignorant comments about the Biden administration and immigrants, try to be more serious. — Intrigued on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

I strongly disagree with the decision to publish this article. A vulnerable person isn't a neighborhood curiosity. This started as a conversation between two friends — "Do you know anything about this guy?" "I don't, you should go ask him yourself" — that should have stayed private. Tribeca Citizen also chose not to speak with Johannes directly, describing him in advance as "clearly unstable." That's a dehumanizing assumption to make about anyone. I'm also curious whether Johannes consented to having his name, photograph, and personal details published. When Sonia was chatting with him, did she mention it was for an article, or did he think he was just talking to a friendly neighbor? (And if he's assumed to be "clearly unstable", is it reasonable to assume he could give meaningful consent?) Some of the comments are gross. I'd genuinely like to know what purpose Tribeca Citizen thinks this article serves. — ReaderOnDuane on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

Yikes...this is a selfish and heartless take. He keeps his area clean, he doesn't bother anyone, and is not asking for anything from you. He doesn't create any more of a rat issue than the odd tourist dropping food on the street and can't be adding more than a few extra dollars in electricity costs. I live on this street too and it has never once bothered me. Regardless of what WE think is best for him, he deserves to have his own agency. No one is romanticizing -- just discussing the reality of who he is and how he lives. — GD on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

You have to imagine they've been working on the details and sourcing material and contractors behind the scenes for a while if they're going to break ground by Spring. I think Silverstein has been in talks with Amex since 2024 or earlier, so this announcement just seems like the culmination of that. Since the foundation is already in place, we should start to see vertical ascent pretty quickly. As much as I like funky street art, I cannot wait to see the stump go. Great news all around. Thirty years to rebuild ... — malcolm on 2 World Trade Center will be developed for American Express

fascinating story. thanks! — madeline c lanciani on Books of Tribeca: Future Boy: Back to the Future and My Journey Through the Space-Time Continuum

Relieved that kindness prevailed and coyote was released to a natural habitat. — Alexandra Simmonds on Seen & Heard: Coyote is released to state land

Well, nearly four years later, apparently the place went to the dogs... — Scott on First Impressions: The Tin Building

It doesn't sound like you are being facetious, quite the opposite. You come across as I imagine you intended - opinionated by way of over-generalizing, uncaring and selfish. Thanks for sharing. — Nerd Pete on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

I’ve spoken with him many times over the years. The story he told me was that he was from The Netherlands, outside of Amsterdam. Something about losing his passport so unable to go home. Also something about legal issues which was a very complicated story. He was hoping things would resolve soon and he could go home. That was 4 years ago. I’m not sure if any of what he told me was based in reality. I’ve offered food, hand warmers, and to help him get permanent housing. He doesn’t want the assistance. — S on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

As announced by the New York Governor: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-new-american-express-global-headquarters-2-world-trade-center — JPL on Seen & Heard: Coyote is released to state land

Great news. Ilya has been cutting my hair for 20 years. He is the best! — Raphael on Ilya’s, aka Leo’s, has opened on Worth and Broadway

The administration isn't "blowing past it", they filed a new Fair Share Statement which you could have found very easily via Google. It even says as much in the Gothamist article you linked. Read closely! — Mike Oxlong on The city will open the shelter next to Peck Slip School

Another bit of neighborhood-ish news: Amex has finally agreed to be the owner and tenant of 2WTC and construction should apparently start this Spring. — malcolm on Seen & Heard: Coyote is released to state land

Agree. He obviously has mental health issues and needs intervention. This only ends one way. When the unfortunate happens, everyone will say "why didn't someone do something"? Look no further than our current government which will continue to allow this type of behavior to flourish - to the detriment of the humans involved, the neighborhood and the broader community. No one is winning here. — Downtown Dad Reborn on Nosy Neighbor: Who is the man who lives full time on Reade Street?

Definitely agree with G! They were great and noticeably did even better than last time with the corners of the blocks etc! — Tribeca Local on Blizzard takes Tribeca

Way too big of a space and the prices were very high for what it was. I think it would have worked in a smaller location for sure, needs more mass appeal to fill a space like that (i.e. italian, etc) or be a larger Tavern/pub . — Kman on Goa on Leonard has closed?

There was a proposal for this from the last borough president: https://tribecacitizen.com/2023/09/21/borough-president-proposes-tearing-down-fdr-drive-in-fidi/ — Tribeca Citizen on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/14/arts/design/con-artist-adam-himebauch.html An old joke. — J on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum

I think this is a fantastic idea. It will bring so many people to the waterfront to not only experience this awesome concept which I visited in Dallas, but it will allow families to have a great time and explore the cool things within this museum chain. It will be fantastic! — Esther on The Tin Building is closing to become…Balloon Museum