Neighborhood Chatter

WEST SIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT APPROVED Last week, the City Council voted unanimously to officially designate the first extension of the Riverside-West End Historic District, covering West End Avenue and its adjacent side streets from West 79th Street to West 87th Street. This final move marks the first victory in what preservation advocates hope will be a series of three designations expanding the Upper West Side's historic districts, eventually covering West End Avenue and the surrounding areas continuously from West 70th Street to West 109th Street. "West End Avenue is one of the world's most important ensembles of residential buildings, as architecturally harmonious and perfectly scaled to its spacious boulevard as is Park Avenue," Council Member Gale Brewer said in a statement praising the vote. "Regrettably, West End's buildings are being demolished one by one, and replaced with a stylistic hodgepodge of high-rises that endanger the avenue's architectural character." Support for this extension, and the other two pending extensions, has been widespread among elected officials and local preservation enthusiasts. The extensions were proposed to the Landmarks Preservation Commission by the West End Preservation Society. Next up will be the West End-Collegiate Historic District Extension, which covers much of the area between Broadway and Riverside Drive between West 70th and West 79th streets. TAVERN ON THE GREEN NEARS FINAL APPROVALS Crain's New York Business reported last week that the Emerald Green Group, which signed an agreement with the Parks Department for a 20-year operating license for the former Tavern on the Green restaurant, is one step closer to making a newly revamped dining spot a reality. The contract has been submitted for registration with the comptroller's office, and a Parks Department spokesperson said the final step was imminent. After the city is finished with the renovation of the space this summer, the Philadelphia-based company is planning to open a new restaurant with 300 seats inside and an additional 300 outdoor seats, Crain's reports. FREE FLU SHOTS Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal is hosting a Free Flu Shot Day, in partnership with Roosevelt Hospital/Continuum Health Partners, at her district office on Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone aged 50 or older (and especially anyone over 65) is strongly encouraged to get a flu shot. The office is at 230 W. 72nd St., Suite 2F. Appointments are required; please RSVP by calling 212-873-6368 or email rosenthall@assembly.state.ny.us.