Make no mistake, this is nothing more than a gigantic cash grab to try and help paper over a mismanaged MTA who wastes more money than it spends wisely. The pols are taking advantage of well intentioned people who would love a cleaner and less congested environment... they know this will barely make a dent in behavior that will have any meaningful results... because if it did, then all the revenue assumptions they are making would be dramatically reduced. They don't want people not to drive in lower manhattan, they just want to be able to collect a fee from them. — Jeff on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

The Ring Ding Bar is honored and excited to be part of this fun event! — MADELINE LANCIANI on Smorgasburg comes to the Oculus for good

Pam - thanks for writing this up. Charles - thanks for writing in and for the links to additional resources in your articles. It makes sense that our subway signaling systems need to be upgraded, and that the MTA always needs more money so taxing drivers under the guise of relieving congestion is a good sell. But what are the main culprits for congestion in our city? Trucks, commuters, trash trucks, taxis, ubers? Probably all of it, but ever since uber came to town it does feel a little more crowded. But as my fellow neighbors have pointed out, we have enforcement issues and tons of construction too. Cars doubled parked, cars blocking the box (just ask all the folks close to the Holland tunnel entrances), and on top of all that construction everywhere, restricting lanes, and movie shoots everywhere too. Spending billions more on transit needs to happen, but doing it via congestion pricing, although sounds good, but without proper enforcement, it will just make the city even more expensive, hurt small businesses, and probably not clear up congestion in the long run. — Demetri on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

Does anyone have information about the license application for 401 Broadway? The clothing store on the corner of Broadway and Walker has a sign indicating it is applying for a liquor license. Any one have any idea what is going into that space? — TPA on CB1 meetings for April

Ya, that's right! See additional info in the post. — Pam Frederick on Where in Tribeca?

Congestion pricing seems like a good idea to me, although I can see from the comments here, that the "devil is in the details" to make its pros outweigh its cons. But beyond that, congestion would also be significantly improved if traffic laws were actually enforced: keeping bus and bike lanes clear, stopping the red-light runners, keeping the intersection "box" clear, requiring drivers to actually pay attention to the road instead of SnapGramTubeChat. (For the related issues of noise pollution, let's bring back the "no honking" laws and actually enforce them. Other major sources of noise: booming car stereos with window open that can be heard blocks away; motorcycles intentionally loudened.) Then there's the reckless driving. You would never know there are speed limits here. Certain streets (like ours) seem to function as de facto race tracks (also encouraged by the lack of red light enforcement, so that red light means "pedal to the metal"). Plus: Enforce laws against phone use while driving. "In 2016 alone, 3,450 people were killed. 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015." https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving Canal Street is a real death trap of chaos and lawlessness. Even when there are traffic cops present, they don't really do anything about these problems, form what I can see. / rant over... haven't even had coffee yet ...but first thing I hear outside our window is a car horn "shout" fest, a regular occurrence on our street — Marcus on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

Note that this is from November 2017 — Pam Frederick on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Rome has this but they do not tax the residents who need to come and go for work. You can register your lisence plate and have an ezpass like sensor. Those without registration get taxed for entering in the zones. This administration is possibly the biggest joke ever if they can’t make at least that happen. Also no one talks about the army of city vehicles that is a huge cause of congestion and the issues at hand. But I am sure the city will ensure their own exempt from this tax. So here again other benefit vs the residents who fund it all in the end. We should also expect price inflation as those that need to supply goods for sale or make deliveries will upcharge residents in the zone. Local business will also suffer in numerous ways as their costs will inflate. The heart of the problem needs to be fixed...the positions and MTA scum themselves who are running a public Mafia. Perhaps another government shutdown is in order. It was so pleasent when they were gone and the city didn’t miss a beat. We need a revolution. — Silly on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

Cynthia Rowley design is moving in on Jay and Staple. Cynthia herself was there doing manual labor and setting up the other night, so I chatted with her. Couldn't have been nicer. Looks like it's a design/showroom/special pieces type of thing. I don't think they will be manufacturing anything there though, except for special orders maybe? Nice addition to the neighborhood. — valentina on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Also, what about a discount for 100% electric cars and trucks? And while we are at it, a tax deduction for joining a bike share programs like Citibike? — Robert Ripps on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

This is located on 131 Duane street, regards, Sonia — Sonia Stock on Where in Tribeca?

It appears that owners Nicholas McKeon and Joseph Mangino were sued for embezzling money and fraud by their co-owners. The case can be found here https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=IduDml6Z4GLIxBYLQn4wIA== — James on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Closed down and out of business. — Patty on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

People who drive into the city park in parking lots (pay taxes there) or park at Muni meters (millions of dollars spent, not to mention money from parking violations). Where is that money? There's congestion due to bike Lanes, construction and road work that takes weeks to finish. Downtown there is construction on almost every block (taking up lanes) and rough roads waiting to be paved for going on 2 weeks. Scott Stringer needs to see the MTA books. I saw more than 10 cars yesterday with either Florida or Pennsylvania plates. Charge them. There are more than 20 cars in my Queens neighborhood who have plates from both states and they're here year round. — Sara Ross on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

Apologies for commenting here that Tribeca Beauty Spa had closed. Apparently it was just a new security door installed for after hours..happy to report they are OPEN! — JulieW on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Does anyone know what’s going on with Tribeca Tap House? Has it closed? — Meg on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Cynthia Rowley design studio has moved into the Jay St. space — John on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Hi Julie, This is Nadia, owner of Tribeca Beauty Spa. We are still open! Unfortunately, our sign blew down in a storm a few months ago and we are working with the building owners to get that back up. Tribeca is home to us (we love this community) and we have no intention of leaving any time soon :) — Nadia on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Yes..the space on Jay St. seems to be open for business..customers inside the whole thing (I was in a hurry and couldn't go in myself) also Sadly seems like Tribeca Beauty Spa on Harrison has closed? The signage is down and it appears locked up. — JulieW on Seen & Heard: Midtown Italian coming to Duane?

Yes, all along, the governor's team has penciled in truck tolls being a bit more than twice the car toll, which is unfortunate and unnecessary. Sam and I, together, have urged that the congestion tolls for commercial vehicle be "graduated" per tolls on MTA bridges and tunnels. A 2-axle van's toll would be just 70% more than a car's, while an 18-wheeler's toll would be 364% more, which is eminently fair, given size and damage. That's a detail worth fighting for but not killing the plan for. At least, commercial vehicles will pay only one toll per day. The hope / expectation is that many/most such vehicles will make the toll cost back in time savings. — Charles Komanoff on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

A very good point. Trucks will be charged more than cars: $25 per, according to Sam Schwartz's analysis. — Pam Frederick on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

I am more interested in the impact of goods and services in our area i.e. truck deliveries to downtown businesses and restaurants. Will they pass on the congestion pricing costs to customers? I am concerned about mom and pop businesses being sustainable... — TribecaMom on In the News: Digesting congestion pricing (say that five times fast)

The menu will not be at 100 percent till they get the added gas line. It has been one bureaucratic challenge after another... For example, their liquor license was approved and paid for months ago, yet it only came in last week. — Pam Frederick on The Old Kids on a New Block: Max

Now we're talking... — Pam Frederick on Seen & Heard: A goodbye and two hellos

Trying! It's an Italian place in the theater district -- 44th and Ninth. Awaiting their reply... — Pam Frederick on The Old Kids on a New Block: Max