The Dept. of Health does not close places down for trip hazards. That would be the Dept. or Buildings or Consumer Affairs. You have to have real problems to be forced to close. Usually this is associated with chronic rat or roach infestations or severly unsanitary kitchen conditions. One word describes this - GROSS. — James on Seen & Heard: Maxwell Social opens in June

I went to the Grand reopening of C21 store and this is my report. If you, like me, a big fan of the store, you’re in for a disappointment. It’s not the store I remember. First of all, it’s half the size and only 4 floors. I must admit that it looks very modern, bright and clean. Almost all staff is young people. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. Obviously, I headed to the 3rd floor to the men’s department. I was so excited and was looking forward to find treasures among the racks. I kept looking for well known international brands, especially Italian, that I always found here. But there we’re almost none. I saw a few racks of tacky Versace and overpriced Dior t shirts with loud logos, some strange looking sweatshirts by Celine at insane prices, but that was it! Most of the merchandise was some obscure random designers I never heard of, basically street style casual clothes that I wouldn’t touch. I was really shocked. As it turns out, they decided to target “younger “ consumer with upcoming designers and “fast fashion “, whatever that means. What a letdown! I, somehow, ended up with 3 items and not because I “had to have them”, but I felt I didn’t want to leave empty handed after standing in line for hours. In the men’s shoe department there were some good brands, such as Tods, Santoni, Balmain. But the prices were steep. And not every size. I ended up with a pair of Balmain sneakers ( originally $650, C21 price $350). The shoe department was a zoo. But many salespeople were ready to assist. The checkout was a nightmare: I guess because it was the first day and the new personnel was still trying to figure out what is what. The place was packed. My overall impression: it’s not the C21 we all loved, it a totally different experience and the merchandise is very disappointing. I doubt I will be a regular customer the way I used to be if things remain the same. I hope you get a better experience. — David on Century 21 opening “mid spring” — aka soon

The developer's behavior in this case has been egregious as I have commented before. But the city agencies also turned a blind eye. The vibrations from the piling work has been so severe that we the residents of the neighboring buildings feared for our lives. We complained multiple times over many months to anybody who would listen. But the developers and the DOB would come and tell us that vibration monitors are installed and everything is fine. When clearly it was not given the damage to the adjacent buildings. Anyone living in the adjacent buildings would tell you things were not fine but still they were allowed to proceed for a long time. And now we are left with the aftermath which is ugly and a loss for the neighborhood on many fronts. — shampab on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

There is a court case between the two buildings. It is all in public records. I took a look at the initial filing and it says: 1. In Feb of 2022, the DOB gave 65 Franklin Street a Stop Work Order and ordered 65 Franklin Street to stabilize 59 Franklin Street. (I think this is when the site shut down) 2. Engineers from both buildings agreed on a plan to stabilize the building and the Department of Buildings approved the plan. 3. 59 Franklin Street wouldn't give access to 65 Franklin Street to stabilize the building until they got a pay out which 65 Franklin Street was not agreeing to. So from my interpretation, the stall at 65 Franklin Street is due to the Stop Work Order that can't be resolved until they stabilize 59 Franklin Street. However, 59 Franklin Street won't let them stabilize the building. And now, 59 Franklin Street needs to come down as it was never properly stabilized. — Randy on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

I heard that 59 Franklin refused to sell to the developer for 65 Franklin? I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to merge the lots most demolition. Anyway, this is a real shame. And this corner will be an eye sore for years. — FiDiGuy on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

This is sad news indeed. The last thing we need is more "fast fashion", ugly, transient, poorly made, and ending up in landfills. I had hoped to find a source for affordable, elegant, well-made classic clothing from good designers. I guess this is not it. — Marcus on Century 21 will open May 16

The owner of 59 Franklin owns 358 Broadway and had no intention of ever trying to save either building. His plan was to always tear down both buildings. I would wager a bet to say that he didn’t care about his tenants at all and in fact is glad that the adjacent construction hastened the deterioration of his two buildings. — Broadway Mamma on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

This whole situation is a home run for the owner of 59 Franklin. The plan was to always tear the building down for a new development. Now the owner gets paid for the value of the existing building and the demolition, and can either roll that equity into developing the site or selling it to someone as ready for development. — Reademan on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

That IS a drill rig, not a pile driver — Leo on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

It is exciting that galleries are finding their way to Tribeca — Linda Pollak on Another gallery migrates to Tribeca

I went to the Grand reopening of C21 store and this is my report. If you, like me, a big fan of the store, you’re in for a disappointment. It’s not the store I remember. First of all, it’s half the size and only 4 floors. I must admit that it looks very modern, bright and clean. Almost all staff is young people. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. Obviously, I headed to the 3rd floor to the men’s department. I was so excited and was looking forward to find treasures among the racks. I kept looking for well known international brands, especially Italian, that I always found here. But there we’re almost none. I saw a few racks of tacky Versace and overpriced Dior t shirts with loud logos, some strange looking sweatshirts by Celine at insane prices, but that was it! Most of the merchandise was some obscure random designers I never heard of, basically street style casual clothes that I wouldn’t touch. I was really shocked. As it turns out, they decided to target “younger “ consumer with upcoming designers and “fast fashion “, whatever that means. What a letdown! I, somehow, ended up with 3 items and not because I “had to have them”, but I felt I didn’t want to leave empty handed after standing in line for hours. In the men’s shoe department there were some good brands, such as Tods, Santoni, Balmain. But the prices were steep. And not every size. I ended up with a pair of Balmain sneakers ( originally $650, C21 price $350). The shoe department was a zoo. But many salespeople were ready to assist. The checkout was a nightmare: I guess because it was the first day and the new personnel was still trying to figure out what is what. The place was packed. My overall impression: it’s not the C21 we all loved, it a totally different experience and the merchandise is very disappointing. I doubt I will be a regular customer the way I used to be if things remain the same. I hope you get a better experience. — David on Century 21 will open May 16

This is wrong headed and uninformed. Drilling piles can severely damage neighboring properties if the contractor, for example, fails to remove the drilling water diligently. The water travels through the ground and liquefies the soil providing foundation support for the neighbors, causing the neighbor to sink or rotate or both. Excessive vibrations caused by drilling piles can also lead to damage to adjacent structures. Contractors and developers have every incentive to disregard safety protocols and get their job done as fast as possible. — James on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

The old practice of pile driving for the insertion of foundational supports should not be allowed anymore. There are other safer and less damaging means to accomplish the required insertion of piles (rotation/screwing in) that cause far far less damage to surrounding buildings. The city should mandate the same.... Would help solve a lot of problems and drastically reduce the amount of local 11 work needed to be done to surrounding buildings — Rohin on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

The damage by adjacent developers and the issue of dilapidated garages are two different matters. Please do not confuse them. The latter is being addressed through new reporting requirements. See https://www.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/parking-structure.page. The former, damage by adjacent developers, is entirely the fault of developers, who are held strictly liable for the damage that occurs to adjacent structures. Landmarks Preservation Commission and Department of Buildings are at best toothless in their enforcement and at worst, effectively complicit in the destruction. As I commented earlier, developers and contractors care only about finishing their building and are happy to let liability insurance pay for the destruction left in their wake. You really could write a whole article on this topic alone. — james on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

The developers of the two sites are to blame here. The developers of 65 Franklin should have protected 59. And the owners of 59 should have ensured that. — Tribeca Citizen on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

DOB does not do inspection for demolition. There are multiple old buildings in all the boroughs. Events will continue to happen beyond control. Its also unfair to label a agency for corruption every time an event takes place. You should be directing your concerns to Mayor Adams and hire more inspectors to cover targeted areas. — FW on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

This is a very important story. Why does this keep happening? Is the DOB asleep? On the take? Old buildings in Tribeca and parking garages have become threatened or allowed to fall into disrepair due to the DOB's malfaesance. I'd like to see this story really investigaged. — Heide Fasnacht on 59 Franklin, compromised by a failed construction plan, will be demolished

You can see the list of open streets on https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openstreets.shtml and Duane is indeed an open street. Why do you find it upsetting? It's a much better use of the block than the cars and parking. I enjoy biking through and occasionally eating in the street. — Larry Greenfield on Other private uses of public space that make neighbors nuts

Please...let's not let facts get in the way of our woke outrage. — Makes You Go Hmmmm.... on Tennis court times for sale on Craigslist

There are numerous development sites in Tribeca where neighbors were damaged by developers and contractors who cared only about finishing their building and letting insurance pay for the destruction left in their wake. You could write a whole article on this topic alone. — James on Construction Update: 65 Franklin / 360 Broadway

That plaque was put up in 1995 by the organization that ran the park at the time, of which John Jones was a member; the city had nothing to do with it. You can read about that here. He worked for the IRS, and was not a municipal employee. Read that story and you will see that the court has had trouble for decades, largely because of pros monopolizing the court time, including John Jones. — Tribeca Citizen on Tennis court times for sale on Craigslist

Very beautiful paintings — John on The Paintings of Pete Sinjin

Marcus, unfortunately, the Sanitation Department is supposed to respond to complaints about those locksmith stickers. They certainly are not pro-active. They might respond to a 311 complaint, because in 2003, the city passed a law allowing the beneficiary of such stickers on private property (storefronts and buildings' front doors) to be held liable via fines. — Rick D on Other private uses of public space that make neighbors nuts

One reason the city doesn't stop the ubiquitous "moving" and "handyman" posters is the scammy companies behind them are not in the U.S. The numbers listed are switchboards that pay a commission for the referral. The man behind the moving posters is a millionaire fugitive (for other crimes) who lives in a country that will not extradite him. — OK on Other private uses of public space that make neighbors nuts

The court has been a source of controversy for many years. I moved to Tribeca in 1994. During my time there the court was named in honor of a local resident and tennis pro John Jones. However after 9/11 when more affluent aka privileged individuals moved to the neighborhood they questioned why a black man had his name plaque there. The city had honored Mr Jones a former municipal employee with the name plate because of his dedication to the youth of the neighborhood providing tennis lessons for free. It used to be a nice neighborhood where everyone got along. Now, more money more problems! — Zach Minor on Tennis court times for sale on Craigslist