A surprising front page story in the Sunday Times revealed that Wall Streeters aren't actually suffering as much as we've been led to believe. Without getting into the nitty gritty details (which always seem to make people's eyes to glaze over and no longer care about these financial matters), it was spelled out right there in the second graf: "Workers at the largest financial institutions are on track to earn as much money this year as they did before the financial crisis began, because of the strong start of the year for bank profits."
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Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau may look like he's been on a course to live forever (he was born 1919, so yes, he's one of those few who remembr the Great Depression), but turns out he's finally decided to not run for re-election. City Hall news reports that he's opted against his promised “90 in ’09” run and was "sighted introducing Cyrus Vance to key players in the Chinatown community at a recent Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association dinner." By law he's not allowed to endorse candidates, but it appears he prefers Vance, a former assistant district attorney and son of the former secretary of state.
According to City Hall: "Morgenthau will not be supporting Dan Castelman, the office’s longtime chief of investigations, who lobbied hard to get the support of his boss to succeed him."
The official announcement of Morgenthau's decision not to run isn't expected until next week. But seems he'll no longer have to take whatever measures he's been needing to resuscitate every morning.
“Change” may already seem like last year's tired trend (aren't we ready for easy equilibrium or some safety in stagnation?). But New Yorkers are gonna get more unwanted “change” soon enough. Mayor Mike’s announcement that cars and trucks will not be able to travel Broadway in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is gonna need some serious getting used to.
"Green Light for Midtown," is a pilot program that will shut down several blocks on Broadway in an attempt to make traffic flow more smoothly while freeing up space to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists (go Janette Sadik-Khan, our fave commissioner or transportation!). Broadway will be shut to vehicles between West 47th and 42nd streets in Times Square, and again from West 35th to 33rd streets in Herald Square.
According to the New York City Department of Transportation, “the street has remained a significant traffic problem, disrupting the grid of avenues and streets, creating complicated intersections and negatively impacting traffic flow throughout Midtown Manhattan.”
These changes to streets are intended to make Sixth Avenue traffic flow better through Herald Square by giving cars a longer green light and eliminating backups that often stretch from 34th street to 23rd street. The plan also emphasizes the safety aspect for pedestrians, who frequently walk onto Broadway's roadway because the sidewalks are so packed.
Seventh Avenue would be widened to accommodate the extra traffic diverted from Broadway. These $1.5 million plans are scheduled to occur as early as Memorial Day weekend 2009 and finish by September and remain in effect until the end of the year. If the experiment works, the changes could become permanent.
Last summer, the city completed a project, called “Broadway Boulevard,” when it narrowed Broadway from West 42nd Street to 35th Street by setting aside two lanes on the east side of the street for a bike lane and promenade with tables, chairs and plants. That concept is being taking even further with the new plans to create more of a pedestrian plaza in Times Square. Traffic will continue to flow through on crossing streets, but the areas between the streets would become pedestrian malls with chairs, benches and cafe tables with umbrellas. The changes on Broadway will create open spaces for tourists who frequently visit the most famous crossroads in the world and New Yorkers who avoid the area because of the crowds, while infuriating some drivers who rely on the streets during commutes.
Photograph courtesy of Zodak via Flickr
Is Assembly Member Hakeem Jeffries the sexiest guy in NYC politics? City Hall news has unveiled its list of the 30 Most Beautiful People in New York City Politics, and we think Jeffries has the most confidence and sex appeal of the entire bunch.
We'd like to think that to make it in the cut-throat world of politics, that brains and contacts are enough. But anyone who knows the ins and outs of policymaking, also knows you that beauty can help make the final decision on Election Day. So we analyzed the “red carpet” interviews of those on the list to see what helps them make it in the competitive circle at City Hall. And we wonder what sort of politicking went on to make the list, cuz there seems to be some serious oversights. Like, where is cutie Council Member Jessica Lappin?
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According to a story in the West Side Spirit, many of the city's arts organizations are optimistic about weathering the proposed cuts to arts organizations. The American Museum of Natural History says they will close some less-visited wings on a rotating basis. And The Museum of the City of New York has cut staffing so that they can keep the lights on and not cut any programs.
The Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance, however, seems not on such sure footing. “We are literally counting paperclips,” LaRue Allen, Martha Graham’s executive director told Charlotte Eichna. She went on to explain that "the funding crunch comes on the heels of a massive effort bring the dance company and school out of a $5 million deficit incurred during a high-profile legal battle over the Graham estate. Allen and company emerged victorious but had to make major cutbacks to work off the debt. The group now functions with a budget that was cut by more than half, to $2.8 million."
Dance may not seem that important to most people, but the New York Public Library offers access to books and media for free and looks like it may have to cut a day of service and only be open five days a week in many branches. "Something that New Yorkers fought long and hard for and has proved to be an important resource for the people of New York in this time of economic difficulty,” Heidi Singer, a library spokeswoman, wrote in an email.
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Yes, Virginia, the High Line is going to happen. At least the most lucrative, Southern sections are a sure thing. Section 1 of the High Line elevated park, between Gansevoort and West 20th Street, is set to open in Spring 2009. Expect Section 2, between West 20th and 30th streets, to open the following year (see Field Operations' designs here). But that doesn't mean the rest of the High Line is protected or will even be saved from future development plans.
In fact, the East/West spur over 10th Avenue between West 30th and 34th streets is actually scheduled for demolition if Related Properties' current proposal is accepted. Tonight a public forum is taking place (at
520 W. 49th St.) regarding zoning amendments that are needed as modifications to allow Related to get their way regarding their re-development of the Westside Rail Yards.
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The City Council voted to send a “home rule” message to Albany March 31, requesting that the State Legislature approve congestion pricing for New York City.
Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released her annual report this morning, which finds a 7% increase in complaints about the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Most of those complaints dealt with maintenance.
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