Stop commenting under other names. It violates the policies of this site. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Another Store Closed at the World Trade Center Mall

NYC assesses most commercial rental property based on the income it generates and has done so since the 1980s, by virtue of State . Just as you do not pay personal income tax on salary you were not paid, you should not pay property tax on rent you did not collect. That is different from the magical tax credit some people think is out there. Who knows why de Blasio proposes anything related to economics and taxation, aside from playing politics while serving his own personal interests? Leave aside for one minute all the meetings with real estate developers and lobbyists he has tried to conceal. There is, for example, a cap disproportionately lowering taxable values and therefore property taxes on the homes de Blasio personally owns and rents. I do not see him proposing to tie that tax break to rent stabilization of one-to-three family rentals, thus creating affordable housing, for example. According to a Crain's article in 2017, "a 2014 investigation showed that Mayor Bill de Blasio's Park Slope home, then worth more than $1.4 million, was assessed at a value that triggered a $2,894 tax bill for the year, while a similarly valued home in Borough Park paid five times more. The mayor's bill was low in part because the value of Park Slope homes rose so explosively that assessments—limited by the 6% rule—could not keep up." — James on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Whether the issue is applications for Landmarks or Sidewalk Cafes or Liquor Licenses, it is really the city agency having jurisdiction that matters. The Community Board's review is usually advisory at best, and ignored by the agency having jurisdiction at worst. Landmarks has been a stickler about flags for years now. LPC is a double edged sword in preserving the neighborhood. No exterior changes can be made without an application to LPC and their approval. LPC violations on a building issued for non-compliance can halt issuance of all Dept. of Buildings construction permits, certainly angering one's neighbors in the same building. https://nypost.com/2004/04/15/keeping-up-appearances-historic-and-landmark-buildings-have-special-needs/ "[...] When something is a designated landmark,any exterior change is reviewed by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, including permits for work. [...] "Flagpoles have proliferated in historic areas like SoHo, for instance, because signage is tightly controlled. That means retailers unfurl flags to catch the attention of shoppers, and sometimes don‘t know the rules. "'One flagpole leads to another and another flagpole and then whole streets of flagpoles, which frankly obscure the historic architecture,' [Simeon] Bankoff [,the executive director of Historic Districts Council,] complained. "But area residents and other shopkeepers are quick to spot illegal hoists and drop a dime on the offender. 'Just like they want you to maintain the integrity, they also want your neighbors to comply,' [Peg] Breen, [President of the Landmarks Conservancy] explained. "'It protects property values and the aesthetics of the street.'" — James Bogardus on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

I don’t think you know much about real estate taxes. Landlords can write off some rent they ‘didnt’ recieve, thus it serves them well to sit on properties until a large tenant comes in with deep pockets. Why do you think Di Blaiso has mentioned a bill to tax landlords who are sitting on vacant stores more than 24 months?? — Pete on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

My husband and I were the owners of Antiqueria Tribeca for 18 years. We loved the neighborhood and it’s vibe and shortly thereafter we moved here as well. It didn’t take too long to realize that the neighborhood did not support us. I could count on one hand the local residents who actually became clients. Our business could exist and actually thrive thanks to clientele from all other parts of New York,who appreciated our service, quality and last but not least fair prices. The community board was not much help either. After we displayed an appropriate and tastefully done flag to make people aware of our existence we were slapped with a $5000 fine that would continue daily if not removed immediately. In their words”We do not want another Soho”. Well, are you satisfied now? Is Ghostown classier or safer than Soho? When our streets are dark, deserted and neglected it also becomes a safety issue for all residents, rich or poor. In closing I need to add that we very much miss our store, it became our home away from home. We had the good fortune to meet a lot of wonderful people who became part of our lives as we did part of theirs. — Marion Feig on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Maybe put some pressure on the community board to ease up on Biz Regulations. It's almost impossible to open a restaurant or bar in the neighborhood with reasonable terms, unless you're one of the hotel owners. — SZ on Ghost Town: The 2018 Retail-Vacancy Report

Anyone who is as put off as I was by the Signage and tone of the new barbershop should call and complain to the people who rented to these obnoxious clowns: United American Land They can be reached at 212 431 7500 At least we might get a more subdued corner neighbor. Or a more discreet banner. This is not Las Vegas — No to boob massage on First Look Inside the Hotel at 456 Greenwich

I heard there is a top Osaka-based steak house planning a US location on Greenwich St. Wondering if they will be one of the restaurants in the new hotel. — Andrea on First Look Inside the Hotel at 456 Greenwich

Nobu has gone downhill over the years. Was once really good but around 5 or 6 years ago it started to decline as it became too big. — Alex on In the News: Cast Iron House Got a $45 Million Loan

Isn't the convenience of detainees, their families, and their attorneys--especially in an era of cheap video conferencing--also either their "self serving reason” or a "progressive cause"? — James on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

According to NYC.gov, "The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles does not register electric bicycles, therefore their operation is prohibited in New York City." Pedal assist bikes comply with the law in being partly person-powered and not being fully powered and having a cut-off for the power assist at 20 mph, a mere 5 mph below most city street speed limits. — James on In the News: Cast Iron House Got a $45 Million Loan

Right, unless it's corporate-sponsored e-bike, it's not illegal. Love how corporations and money are ruling NYC. The city will eat itself up soon. — JOR on In the News: Cast Iron House Got a $45 Million Loan

you know that is not the issue. The argument is the same though - not in my backyard. It will hurt property values, there will be congestion, where will the children play? All the environmental and progressive causes get pulled out for self serving reasons. Rikers is old, inaccessible to families and lawyers who need to visit. The Tombs is two locks away, why not a jail too. — G on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

The Woolworth has always had lights, even colored ones at one point. They've only been turned off due to the construction. Glad to see them back. — mruptight on Seen & Heard: Woolworth Building Lights

I looked yesterday and it seems like they have permission to be there. The bus stop includes a sign for topview sightseeing pick up and drop off. — Donna on Seen & Heard: Store Closure at Brookfield Place

The counterfeit sellers leave garbage that blows all over Lispenard. It would be nice to see them gone. — rusty on An Italian Food Hall Is Opening at Broadway and Canal

The alternative is not where "those other people live"; it's where no people live. That's the point of an isolated location like Rikers. It's an island. Instead we should put it a dense neighborhood, next to a city park where children play? Rikers escape shows why city shouldn’t close the jail https://nypost.com/2017/07/27/rikers-escape-shows-why-city-shouldnt-close-the-jail/ — Marcus on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Well perhaps it's not too late to reverse that "support" by Councilmember Chin, if enough of us voice our dissatisfaction to her office directly. — Marcus on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Apparently not. It's in the Mayor's written press release. "To date, the City has held meetings with community groups and local elected officials and conducted focus groups with correctional officers, service providers, defenders, educators, formally detained people and families of justice-involved people, among others." https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/413-18/de-blasio-administration-plans-borough-based-jails-replace-facilities-rikers — James on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Marcus, if you really want to know who has the pull: "Every City Council member whose district includes one of the proposed jails has come out in support of the plan so far. This includes Diana Ayala, Margaret Chin, Stephen Levin and Karen Koslowitz, who were all quoted in a Wednesday press release stating their support. This may be pivotal, since local City Council members have significant sway over local land use decisions." https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/policy/criminal-justice/new-york-city-replace-rikers-new-jails.html — James Bogardus on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Remember that the closure itself will happen most likely long after this mayor is long gone.... What's the timetable for the proposed Chinatown branch? If that's also going into the next mayor's term, there may be a chance of a change of plan at that point. As for now, how much pull do community associations have in possibly rejection of the plan? — Marcus on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Spectrum installed the wire to provision service, presumably for Town Stages. Spectrum knows all about it. They have been out several times including last weekend and strung this cable up because they say they are waiting for permission from the City (likely DOT) to cut the street and trench to install a wire running from their box to the service location. Spectrum is regulated by the NY State Public Service Commission. Here is their contact info: Secretary to the Commission Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess Secretary to the Commission New York State Public Service Commission Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223-1350 Phone: (518) 474-6530 Fax: (518) 474-9842 Email: secretary@dps.ny.gov Public Affairs Office James Denn Public Information Officer New York State Public Service Commission Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223-1350 Phone: (518) 474-7080 Fax: (518) 474-0421 Email: james.denn@dps.ny.gov Consumer Complaints Office of Consumer Services New York State Public Service Commission Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223-1350 Phone: 1-800-342-3377 — James on Seen & Heard: Where Is Paper Source’s Tribeca Shop?

The renderings also fail to show the Stop Work Orders and damage to the neighbors on Washington and Greenwich Streets! — James on First Look Inside the Hotel at 456 Greenwich

Can you refute the notion that a disproportionately low percentage (by population) of Riker's Island "detainees" live in or are arrested in the area of the proposed jail "neighborhood?" If not, your trash analogy is a fallacy. — James on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse

Close Rikers! We all need to take our share of the burden, just like we all need to have the trash we generate disposed of in our neighborhood and not where "those other people live". — G on In the News: Meryl Streep Listed Her Tribeca Penthouse