Simply blaming congestion issues on the number of cars is avoiding the root causes. Are people willing to look at themselves in the mirror? Do you use Uber, Lyft, or another ride sharing service? They contribute to congestion. “People don’t shop locally anymore” is a common complaint as online shopping has skyrocketed in recent years. All those purchases are delivered by more UPS, FedEx and USPS vehicles than ever before. They contribute to congestion. I see Fresh Direct trucks and the Whole Foods delivery vans all over. Your online grocery shopping contributes to congestion. Many bike lanes narrow many streets which contributes to congestion. The perceived demand for more glass box apartments create construction zones that contribute to congestion by blocking or narrowing streets. The population downtown has greatly increased with more workers, residents, students, and tourists. Watch the large packs of people crossing the street at major intersections. Waiting longer to turn your vehicle increases congestion. The Governor’s Fix NYC plan, which raises congestion pricing as a needed fix states that “in 2008, the number of cars crossing into Manhattan from outer boroughs was peaking; it has since declined. Now, the intense growth is the number of vehicles within the core of Manhattan.” That’s a lot of conveniences driving around. If congestion pricing is introduced, ride sharing services, and all the aforementioned delivery services will pass the cost onto their customers and then the same people demanding congestion pricing will be complaining about the increased amounts they are paying for their conveniences. Even if you don’t own a car, you will indirectly be paying the congestion pricing tolls. There isn’t any simple solution. — PeterD on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

lan larb soho on caviar — BPCrez on Where to Order Chinese Food in Tribeca (2018 Edition)

We've ordered the Peking Duck from Pecking Duck House. The duck is very good and pleasantly surprised to receive the duck carcass as well, head included. — TNR on Where to Order Chinese Food in Tribeca (2018 Edition)

Would love to hear where people order Thai from? Sometimes I just want a good pad thai or drunken noodles and I struggle. — michael on Where to Order Chinese Food in Tribeca (2018 Edition)

Yes, because the MTA and as well as NYC & State Government have proven so efficient at budgeting and spending money efficiently... sure, let's give them EVEN MORE money to blow. James lays out great points, and overall, the theory of congestion pricing is very appealing. London appears to have even benefitted somewhat from it. My biggest concern is that there is ZERO accountability at the MTA, NYC & NY state government level for their total mismanagement and (let's be honest here) utter corruption. Make no mistake, the congestion pricing is a wonderful idea that appeals to reasonable people's sense... but it is nothing more than a cash grab so that the powers that be can mask their own incompetence. The MTA & other entities need to get their act together and actually prove they can make real improvements versus just putting lipstick on the pig. If they don't do this first, the congestion pricing will be nothing more than just a tax whose proceeds go into a black hole with no real benefits ever seen. Again. — Jeff on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

We live in lower Manhattan, own two vehicles and absolutely support congestion pricing. With the mass transit options available, there's no reason to routinely drive in Manhattan. We must do something to reduce the traffic volume in order to improve air quality and emergency response times. — Makes You Go Hmmm.... on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

None of those tax options do what congestion pricing does, namely reduce car traffic. Congestion pricing makes drivers pay just a part of the cost that everyone incurs from traffic and auto pollution. It is a drag on our economy and wastes tremendous amounts of people's time. Right now, more people drive than should because the cost to drive is artificially low (like free or cheap on-street parking vs. the cost of garage parking). If driving into Manhattan is not worth the daily fee, than maybe you should be taking mass transit instead, or maybe do not use Canal Street as a toll-free highway from the bridge to the Holland Tunnel. All those taxes do, at best, is raise money. Even if we use some of it for mass transit, too many cars will still be on the road in the absence of congestion pricing. We cannot use that money to build more streets to handle more cars, because there is no room to build more streets in Manhattan. — James on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

There have to be other options...Commuter tax anyone? Why add another tax to residents in lower Manhattan?! What about a infrastructure tax on developers? What about not penalizing people who live and work and drive down here and are not millionaires? — TK on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

Thanks, Erik, for reminding residents how to effectively use the 311 system to have a voice and making a trail or record of when establishments, businesses are creating negative dynamics in the area or near their home. It works! But, they have to hear from you, that's how it works, don't leave your complaints hanging in the air between you and your neighbors! CB1 listens and has a voice with the city agencies including SLA. Send/forward those 311 SRN#s to CB1. — neighbor on Seen & Heard: New Name for the Former Ritz-Carlton

If you have an issue with a bar, restaurant, or event space, the best thing you can do is file a complaint with 311 (you can call or do it online) and the State Liquor Authority. Nothing will likely happen as a direct result, but you’ll get a complaint number that you should forward on to CB1 (email man01@cb.nyc.gov). These numbers are the main way CB1 keeps track of issues regarding local businesses, and they’re what the State Liquor Authority will take into consideration when a renewal, alteration, or new license comes up. The SLA has said that the only way it’ll reject a renewal is if there’s a trail of prior complaints. And, always, your complaint will be much more noticed if it’s not the only one. You’re wise to engage other residents to contact 311 and CB1. — Erik Torkells on Seen & Heard: New Name for the Former Ritz-Carlton

What is the channel to complain about the operation at Shoegasm space? The music was extremely loud and the party attracted some suspicious activities in the neighborhood. I complained through 311 and police did not take any action. — sean on Seen & Heard: New Name for the Former Ritz-Carlton

... and Cortlandt Alley between Franklin and White is only 25 feet wide. — James on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle

I wouldn’t count out Dunkin Donuts yet. The materials in the picture have been there since Right after Wicked Juice closed and it might be that the landlord is letting the check cashing place next door, that did or does have a Verizon counter, store them temporarily. — N on Seen & Heard: New Phone Store on W. Broadway

Because I genuinely believe you can click a link or Google the name. — Erik Torkells on Six More Restaurants Worth Going Aboca

How about being a bit more reader friendly and including the addresses right in the write up? Thanks. — Peter on Six More Restaurants Worth Going Aboca

Of course, just what the neighborhood needs, a phone store. So that they can order their necessities via app, instead of going to a physical store. — JOR on Seen & Heard: New Phone Store on W. Broadway

I still don't live at #5 (or any other # on) Franklin Place, nor am I yet the sponsor. Further, all these addresses that avoid Broadway for marketing purposes, including 91 Leonard St and the new Cortlandt Alley development, all strike me as equally silly in their attempts to "class up the joint" via a small, narrow, or dirty alternative to a Broadway entrance. That said, it is certainly an interesting story. — James on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle

How is this for a summary - The developer knew the street was private and probably figured its was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Their ex-post facto attempts to make the street "public" is CYA BS. I like it the way it is. — Adam on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle

Your on quite the mission James, wonder where you live? Given the facts that: – it has been mapped AS Privately held forever – there is an existing, long- time public easement for emergencyvehicles (who certainly can and may need to cross the alley without loading or unloading passengers); and, -there is no way a emergency vehicle can turn into the alleyway because of its limited width How about use Broadway? for a broadway address — gatekeeper on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle

In London, I understand residents get up to a 90% discount if they prove residency in the zone AND prove their car is registered with the government's Motor Vehicle Registry to their address within the zone. I am sure that it will be a hard choice for many certain Manhattan car-owning residents whether to keep their car (illegally) registered with the DMV at a 2nd home outside NYC for lower insurance rates or whether to register their car with NYS DMV in Manhattan properly for the congestion zone pricing discount. (Manhattan residents already get a substantial parking tax discount.) — James on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

cannot agree on all of these suggestions unless downtown residents are exempt from the additional fees. If you go often or work at any of the larger east side hospitals like Memorial Sloan Kettering or NYP Cornell Hospitals or even the Animal Medical Center you will be charged ridiculously by car or cab. The Downtown Branch of NYP cannot handle many situations and you have to be transferred uptown - so financial pain is added on top of medical ills. — TK on In the News: How Congestion Pricing Could Help Downtown

It is not a public street presently. The question is, would it comply with the rules if it were taken by eminent domain to be made a street? Given the facts that: - it has been mapped; - there is an existing, long- time public easement for emergency vehicles (who certainly can and may need to cross the alley without loading or unloading passengers); and, - the alley is over 150 years old; the City could certainly make a good argument that (a) or (d) apply and that the 50 feet minimum width does not apply. Perhaps the attorney for the unit owners at 5 Franklin Place should contact DOT investigatory committee and offer to cede their portion to the City in exchange for making it public in order to get the ball rolling here. — James on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle

Dim Sum GoGo A La Saigon - although not technically Chinese - they are fast and consistently good! — TM on Seen & Heard: Life Preservers Installed on the Riverfront

I think Cast Iron House people have given up working on the project. People seem to have moved into some apartments, but finishing the penthouse and other work seems to have been stalled for many months. — Troy Torrison on Seen & Heard: New Phone Store on W. Broadway

In April 1982 Franklin Place appeared in the NY Times as a location in the CBS Murders case. Ms. Margaret Barbera was murdered and her body was found at 5 A.M. by a dog walker in Franklin Place, a cobblestone alley between White and Franklin Streets. http://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/14/nyregion/4th-slaying-linked-to-3-on-west-side.html — Gumby Soho on The Latest Salvo in the Franklin Place Battle