Tapped In: Notes From the Neighborhood

Compiled by [Megan Finnegan Bungeroth] SIDAMON-ERISTOFF DIES AT 81 Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff, who served as the head of the MTA for 15 years as well as regional administrator of New York"s EPA region under President George Bush, died at his Upper East Side home Dec. 26.ˆ  Sidamon-Eristoff, 81, also served under numerous other mayors, including as adminstrator of the New York City Transportation Administration from 1968 to 1973. He served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Highways as an assistant to the mayor. He was also chairman of the board of Audubon New York and a board member of the National Audubon Society. He is survived by his son Andrew, who represented the Upper East Side on the City Council from 1993-1999, as well as his wife Anne, children, Simon and Elizabeth and several grandchildren. PARKS RELEASES RFP FOR TAVERN ON THE GREEN New York City"s Department of Parks & Recreation recently announced the release of a request for proposals (RFP) for the operation of a high-quality casual restaurant and outdoor cafÃ&Copy; at Tavern on the Green in Central Park, just west of the Sheep Meadow near 67th Street. â??Tavern on the Green has long been one of the city"s most unique settings and today marks a new chapter in its life. Now is the right time to re-envision the historic space and give it a new look and a new use, said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. â??We look forward to proposals for the creation of a casual restaurant and outdoor cafÃ&Copy; that everyday parkgoers, neighbors and visitors can enjoy. All responses to the RFP must be submitted no later than Friday, March 30 at 3 p.m. The parks department will hold a recommended proposer meeting and site tour on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. At Tavern on the Green, the department envisions a casual restaurant, outdoor cafÃ&Copy; and bar that will honor the original design intent of the Olmsted and Vaux park plan and exist in harmony with its naturalistic park setting. The building is currently being restored by the city to a smaller, more historic footprint. The city is performing significant structural and exterior work, allowing a future concessionaire the opportunity to focus on building out the interior to meet their specifications. The parks department will evaluate proposals based on several specific criteria listed in the RFP, including planned operations for the restaurant, the proposer"s operating experience, plans for capital improvements, the fee offered to the city and the proposer"s financial capability.   EAST 79TH NA MEETING The East 79th Street Neighborhood Association will meet Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at the City University of New York, 535 E. 80th St. (at East End Avenue). There will be a special crime prevention presentation by police officers from the 19th Precinct. Meetings are free and open to the public.