If you have any questions with regard to the ethics(or lack thereof) and/or corruption i suggest you take a look a the the BPCA annual budget for the past few years. You can get a copy via FOIL. No need to be an accountant or finance expert to get the gist of it. All is pretty clear in that spreadsheet. — Liz on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Glen, thanks for that clarification. What upsets me the most about the process is that Manhattan Yacht Club wasn't even notified by the BPCA that there as an RFP out for bid. Mike was told by a third party after the info was made public. I find that fact alone, very disturbing. The BPCA has the right to change managers, but at least have the decency to tell someone (Fortenbaugh) who has had the lease for 10 years and done a lot for BPC community that there is an RFP out and he can participate if he so chooses. — Camilla on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Janice, we are both part of the vibrant sailing community here in Manhattan (and Jersey City, Hoboken, Brooklyn, etc.). We all enjoy the freedom and accessibility of sailing on NY Harbor. This Tribeca Citizen article, other published articles and discussion threads regarding this matter provide perspective which helps me form an opinion. Given that there hasn't been a public bid opening, I sense that many of the people’s concerns are valid, and I feel compelled to inquire into the handling of the award process for North Cove Marina. Therefore, I myself will attend the rally tonight (Monday 12/15 at 6pm at North Cove) and I call on others to do so. I have joined theSaveNorthCove.com committee and signed the petition in the hope of getting more information. We are entitled to ask these questions and to express our concerns if we want to, and my choice is to not just sit back and take it. — Glen B on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Only place in NY you could buy coca tea! Shame, loved that place - wasn't the laziness of the place part of the charm? I'll take that over 90% of the restaurants that have opened in Tribeca in the last 5 years. — Andy on Los Americanos Is Closing

I for one will miss the fish tacos. I didn't find it overpriced and am surprised, it was a really good lunch option and we used to go for Happy Hour. — DC on Los Americanos Is Closing

It was also ridiculously overpriced. $12 for a small portion of guacamole and fried plantain chips! That was at least tasty unlike some other overpriced options... — AG on Los Americanos Is Closing

Yes it was inconsistent at times, but I actually loved that place. It was fun and chill. I thought the staff was friendly and cool. It did have more of an EV vibe, it was in the wrong neighborhood. New place should take that into consideration. — marie sousa on Los Americanos Is Closing

12 years of construction = rats — jfrankp on In the News: Condé Nast’s Rat Problem Is Getting Worse

The people who gave away our seaport, air rights and all should be called upon to explain. Someone sold the seaport that belonged to all of us. — Karen on In the News: City to Wipe Clean the Landmarks Slate

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! The hysteria about North Cove is starting to get a bit ridiculous, talking of small-boat sailing being shoved out by 150-foot mega-yachts with four crew and owners sipping champagne. There is not a SINGLE person, club member or otherwise, who yet knows what the plans are for the marina in 2015. All these parades-of-the-horribles are nothing more than idle and irresponsible speculation. Calls for greater "transparency" and the suggestions that the RFP and bid processes have somehow been improper or rigged are equally ludicrous. Transparency comes with required disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). BPCA is not under and obligation to award the lease at all to ANY of the bidders, but if and when it does so, its ratings of those proposals will in all likelihood be subject to FOIL as well. Calls to "Save North Cove" strike me as disingenuous. I think what most "protesters" mean is "save MY sweet gig." Don't get me wrong, I think a large sailing school and club at the marina are GREAT. And perhaps the next marina management will think it's a great idea as well! After all the lease requires that a sailing school of comparable size remain at the site. But everyone should stop speculating and wait to see what happens. Calls to halt the process are essentially asking the BPCA to unlawfully deviate from its legally mandated procedures for evaluating competing proposals. How could that possibly be defensible? Equally disingenuous is that, all of a sudden, it's "about the KIDS"? Oh, that is rich. Come on, for the vast majority of "protesters", it's about racing and exclusive privileges to sip cocktails on the MSC Yacht Arabella. It's about excursions on a luxury motor vessel, Blue Pearl, and unthinkably easy and affordable access to a fleet of sailboats. If it were truly "about the kids", don't you think that more than ONE SINGLE scholarship would have been awarded to a needy kid in the entire history of Project City Kids? Don't get me wrong, I sincerely hope that my friends with MSC continue to be able to sail from North Cove. I don't want to see ANYONE lose sailing privileges that they now enjoy. But, in my opinion, it is arrogant, selfish, and presumptuous to suggest that sailing in lower Manhattan as we know it will end if one individual does not retain unchecked (and NON-transparent) authority to manage the marina, primarily to line his own pockets. It is arrogant as well to believe that only MSC can operate a sailing school and club, or that it has somehow cornered the market on providing access to the water for kids. If it's really about the kinds, why not form a group, start a FB page, circulate petitions, and create a website whose goal is to get the kids of non-privileged New Yorkers on the water? If you haven't seen the proposals submitted to BPCA, much less know who won the lease, you have no earthly idea what might be in store for North Cove, whether it will be safer, more accessible, whether it's infrastructure or electrical system will be improved, or whether more than a single child whose parents lack the means to send him or her to sailing camp will benefit from potential management changes. (For heaven's sake, the kids' programs for paying families isn't even based in North Cove!) If you think your sailing opportunities might be diminished, by all means, speak your mind and try to change that. If you think the selection process is unfair, use the proper channels to find out. But don't disingenuously reframe your own selfish desires (and believe me, I share those same selfish desires) as trying to eliminate alleged sketchy government bureaucracy, foster transparency, or as being "about the kids." These opinions are my own. I do not align myself with any other organization, individual, former member or employee or anyone else. I am a passionate sailor who shares the desire to get on the water, but not by making unfounded accusations of impropriety or trying to undermine lawful procedure. If the process was flawed, we'll know soon enough. Hysteria and wild speculation will only impede rational investigation and reasoned analysis. — Janice Taylor on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

pro–Seaport redevelopment petition people at Spruce school pickup today. Introduced themselves under some bland name. Asked them if they were from Howard Hughes, they said yes. I said I would sign if they paid me, since I'm not making any money on the project. — jfrankp on Seen & Heard: Kanlo Tea Shop Is Closing

Sushi of Gari, corner of West Broadway and Duane? — amorris on Where in Tribeca…?

BYS opened in December 2013. Distilled opened in June 2013. Cast Iron House could've been on the list—had to draw the line somewhere. Probably should've included 7 Harrison, if anything else.... — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: Workers Spotted at Gourmet Garage

How about: best new fitness Bikram Yoha Soho Is Distilled new enough for new restaurant? What about Cast Iron House for new residence I want to live in? — Blacksquirrel on Seen & Heard: Workers Spotted at Gourmet Garage

Yep, let's hope that along with the new concept, name and menu there will be new management and new staff... Some of the food was good but service was consistently poor (very odd, slacker vibe in there...). — Lulu on Los Americanos Is Closing

well that recusal underscores the point of having a resident on the board. That marina is a community asset that is used by members of the community. Honestly you would be hard pressed to find someone who is willing to serve on such a board who has not been involved in the marina is some fashion. Who has not taken a ride on the Toot or enjoyed the holiday train show on the boat, or taken a class at the sailing school? There is no transparency and again only lip service given to the community. What will Brookfield bring to the marina? What is their plan? Where are the politicians who can stand up to this? It is sad and sickening. Its like the residents are a complete joke despite the fact that our ground rents pay for the salaries of those useless BPCA members. Disgusted. — cami on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Actually, I wanted to say thanks for the heads-up about lunch at Da Claudio. I was there with a friend on Monday and lunch was very good, with excellent sandwiches. The staff was friendly and helpful and the comic art decor is decidedly fun. — HCR on Seen & Heard: Lunch at Da Claudio

That restaurant was TERRIBLE. Hoping for improvement with the next iteration. — Sparrow on Los Americanos Is Closing

There's some overlapping ownership but the restaurants are otherwise completely separate. The menu was always going to be different. — Erik Torkells on New Kid on the Block: Gotan

Forgot to add.. that quote is from another website. — lowphat on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

The board member that recused herself from the voting didn't do it just because she lived in the area. Her reasons were that "she is a member of Forenbaugh’s sailing club, has a boat in the marina, and had contributed to his foundation". — lowphat on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Erik - are the owners the same people behind Little Collins? I thought I recalled one of your earlier reports mentioning that. The menu looks different. — McGee on New Kid on the Block: Gotan

As if there was ever any doubt that the man who built up the Marina and who has the best interest of the community ever had a chance. I still think the recusal of the board member is suspect. Her vote should have been allowed or else she should recuse herself from the board and no BPC resident should be allowed to sit on the board at anytime. — TribecaMom on Is the Battle for North Cove Marina Over?

Heres an idea for the new concept: cease being a huge rip-off — . on Los Americanos Is Closing

I have worked in the neighborhood for more than 26 years and have tried every eatery that has come along. Tribeca Kitchen is the only place that has offered deliciously prepared upscale organic foods and desserts. The owners and staff go the extra mile to provide a great selection on their menu daily. Their food is prepared on order so the food is always fresh and flavorful. I appreciate being able to order such delicious dishes like Musaka (oh so flavorful) and all kinds of burgers...all organic. And i would be remiss if i did not mention the fabulous chicken wings...yes they serve some over the moon chocolate dipped savory wings. Yummmmy. The prices are very reasonable and the service is stellar. If you come once you will return ebery day...just like me I love this restaurant and i love the people who care so much about the food and atmosphere their customers experience. As long as they are here i will be here. Congrats — Carolyn on Marathi