City & State New York 100719 by City & State

CHRIS COLLINS, GOP SAVIOR

D O O W Y L L G O N I H IS XPLOIT E

K R O Y W E N HOW FAR WILL THE EMPIRE STATE GO TO BE A STAR?

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

HOW BUSINESSES BANDED TOGETHER TO RESCUE MANHATTAN October 7, 2019

Your Business Improvement District Transforming the Far West Side one plant, one tree, one park at a time.

Hudson Yards Hellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen Alliance

412 W 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036 212-239-1619 | hyhkalliance.org

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

CELESTE SLOMAN; LOWER EAST SIDE PARTNERSHIP

REPORTER’S NOTE

ANNIE MCDONOUGH Tech and policy reporter

“IT’S 12:10AM, September 28, 2019, at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yards in the great city of New York, and we’ve just concluded filming our version of West Side Story,” the director Steven Spielberg wrote in a recent letter posted on Twitter, thanking the people of New York for their hospitality as he wrapped filming on his third feature film shot at Steiner. “We couldn’t have made our musical without you.” Producers of that quintessentially New York film – and the hundreds of other movies and television series that have been shot in the state – would argue that it’s not New York’s scenery or its spirited inhabitants that draw productions to shoot here, but the state’s annual $420 million film tax credit. Those subsidies have reached a total $6.5 billion spent since the incentive program became law in 2004 and are wildly popular with studio executives and local labor unions, whose members are employed on film sets. But they’ve also drawn criticism from fiscal watchdogs and some lawmakers skeptical about shelling out billions to lure productions that might film in New York with or without the incentives. My cover story this week explores the degree to which the film industry has embedded itself in New York City’s streets, outer-borough production facilities and, most importantly, in the halls of the state Capitol.

CONTENTS

CHRIS COLLINS … 8

His resignation is the best thing to happen to the GOP

FILM TAX CREDITS … 10

Does New York City need to bribe producers to film here?

MANHATTAN BIDS … 18 Business improvement districts transformed the borough. Can they do it again? WINNERS & LOSERS … 46 Who was up and who was down last week

The 100 Gates Project was supported by the Lower East Side Partnership, a business improvement district. Since the 1980s, BIDs have been credited with turning New York City around by investing in their neighborhoods.

CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

state GOP leaders are backing. Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested that he’s leaning toward holding that election on April 28, to coincide with the presidential primary. The race for Collins’ seat was already heating up, since at least six Republicans had announced or expressed interest in running. Now, if there is an April special election, it will be up to the state Republican Party to choose a nominee, rather than have the candidates duke it out in a primary.

“I think he should just step away while the stepping’s good.” – New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, on former mayor and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and his defense of Trump’s call to the Ukrainian president, via the Daily News

SALT CAP STANDS

CHRIS COLLINS PLEADS GUILTY AND RESIGNS

“Why would I ever even enter a plea deal? I’m innocent.” That’s what former Rep. Chris Collins said two months before he pleaded guilty to charges related to insider trading on Tuesday. Collins

had maintained that he committed no crime and gave indications that he would seek reelection, although never confirmed one way or another. A day before pleading guilty, he provided that confirmation by resigning from Congress, thus opening up his seat for a special election, something that

Despite the best efforts of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York state, the $10,000 cap on state and local tax, or SALT, deductions implemented as part of the 2017 federal tax law will remain in place. New York, along with three other blue states, sued the federal government, asserting that the cap was unconstitutional and unfairly targeted majorityDemocratic states. They

SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES This week’s cover of The New Yorker puts former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani front and center alongside President Donald Trump in the Ukraine controversy. A depiction of Giuliani and Trump pushing Uncle Sam off a bridge satirizes both politicians’ past reputations in New York City – Trump as the real estate mogul with mob connections, and Giuliani as the blustering law and order executive.

said the cap penalizes states with progressive tax policies and effectively makes state and local taxes more expensive, thus making it harder for states to impose tax increases. Although the judge in the case called the SALT cap a “novelty,” conceding that it was an unprecedented move, he ultimately decided that the four states did not do enough to prove the measure exceeds Congress’ taxation powers or unconstitutionally impeded state sovereignty.

NYPD OFFICER DIES BY FRIENDLY FIRE

“While the president of the United States may be willing to violate the Constitution to get reelected, I will not.” – Rep. Max Rose, announcing his support of an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump and ending his status as the lone Democratic holdout in the city, via The City

New York City Police Department Officer Brian Mulkeen died by friendly fire on Sunday, the second friendly fire police death this year. Mulkeen had been wrestling on the ground with an armed suspect, who was also killed during the struggle, who fled from police. The suspect’s gun was never fired, but Mulkeen’s weapon went off several times, prompting five other officers to open fire at the suspect, inadvertently killing Mulkeen as well. This most recent friendly fire incident, along with one from seven months ago, has called into question NYPD training practices and, as the widow of the officer killed earlier this year put it, the need to address “triggerhappy” officers.

JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE, CJ HANEVY, RBLFMR/SHUTTERSTOCK; MAX ROSE FOR CONGRESS

October 7, 2019

MAX ROSE COMES AROUND ON IMPEACHMENT

Rep. Max Rose has come out in support of an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump after being the lone New York City member of Congress not on board. Before news broke about Trump’s call with the Ukranian president at the heart of the impeachment push, Rose, who represents a swing district, actively denounced impeachment. After the news about Ukraine, Rose still resisted backing an inquiry, saying that “all options must be on the table.”

14TH STREET BUSWAY OPENS

It was a saga for the history books: ups, downs, a lawsuit, an injunction and a lawyer comparing transit advocates to Ku Klux

THE

WEEK AHEAD

City & State New York

Klan members. But at long last, the 14th Street busway pilot has officially begun after a judge gave the project its final greenlight. Thursday marked the first day that most private vehicles were banned on a sixblock stretch of 14th Street in Manhattan, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. It’s meant to allow the M14 bus – recipient of the Pokey Award for being the slowest bus route in New York City – to move faster than 4.3 miles per hour. If the pilot is successful, the bus route might become a whole mile per hour faster, which would make it almost on par with the average Manhattan bus speed of 6 mph. And on the first day the busway went into effect, despite the dire warnings about bottlenecking and increased side street traffic, things apparently turned out fine.

Congressional challengers weaponize impeachment For Democratic congressional challengers in New York, growing public support for impeachment – stoked by President Donald Trump’s effort to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden – has opened up a new line of attack against GOP incumbents. Democratic nominees from the 2018 cycle – Dana Balter, Tracy Mitrano and Perry Gershon – declared their support for impeachment shortly after the public release of a summary of Trump’s conversation with the Ukranian president. All three are running in rematches against incumbent Reps. John Katko of Central New York, Tom Reed of the Southern Tier and Lee Zeldin of eastern Long Island. The Democratic candidates used the embarrassing revelations about Trump to launch new attacks against the Republicans. “Congressman Katko’s priority has been to give Trump cover,” Balter said in a Sept. 25 statement, after Katko said an impeachment inquiry is “a dramatic overstep” by Democrats. Balter lost to Katko by 6 percentage points last year in a district that went for Trump in 2016, after being won by Barack Obama in the previous two presidential elections. Mitrano used her support of the inquiry to highlight her bipartisanship, an implicit contrast to Reed, a co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus in the House of Representatives, who said the summary of the phone call between Trump and Zelensky revealed nothing impeachable. “Partisan politics used to stop at the water’s edge,” Mitrano said in a Sept. 26 statement that criticized Trump for leveraging American foreign policy for personal political gain.

THURSDAY 10/10

The state health committees are getting an upstate perspective on single-payer health care in Rochester, at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Art Gallery Ballroom, 500 University Ave.

Rep. Anthony Brindisi is hearing from constituents at a town hall meeting from 6-8 p.m. at the New Hartford Senior High School Performing Arts Center, 33 Oxford Road, New Hartford.

INSIDE DOPE

Brindisi has touted town halls in his effort to be seen as bipartisan. But groups both supporting and opposing efforts to impeach President Donald Trump might crash the party.

Gershon said in an interview that he expects impeachment will remain on voters’ minds through November 2020. “It’s not just a matter of what the president did, but it’s how Zeldin behaved,” Gershon told City & State. Zeldin beat Gershon by 4 percentage points in 2018. “Is he acting to investigate? Or is he trying to be constructive? Or is he simply playing a pure partisan?” Balter, Mitrano and Gershon all said they have also incorporated impeachment into their fundraising pitches to donors. Throughout the 2018 election cycle, conventional wisdom held that Democratic congressional candidates should avoid talking about impeaching Trump if they wanted to have any hope of unseating Republican incumbents in swing districts. This approach worked out well for Reps. Anthony Brindisi, Antonio Delgado and Max Rose – all of whom cast themselves as pragmatic, mainstream alternatives to their GOP incumbents last year. Not anymore. Interviews with leading Democratic congressional contenders, grassroots activists and experts show that holding Trump accountable for his apparent collusion with foreign powers and attempts to cover up those actions will remain a point of attack. All of New York’s congressional Republicans have publicly defended Trump’s conduct and none have come out in support of an impeachment inquiry. Delgado cast aside his qualms about impeachment shortly after the revelations, and Rose held out until the end of last week to announce he would support an inquiry. Brindisi is the lone New York Democrat still on the fence. - Zach Williams

TUESDAY 10/15 New York City Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia talks about changes to private trash pickup at a Crain’s Business Breakfast Forum at the New York Athletic Club in midtown.

POLITICAL 6

CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

BY ZACH WILLIAMS

THESE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE IN SHOWBIZ ON THE SIDE

REPUBLICANS HAVE HAD plenty of opportunities to show they’re the party of Hollywood. Ronald Reagan was the star of B-movies. Arnold Schwarzenegger blew stuff up in many a blockbuster. Donald Trump had his own reality TV show. Here in the Empire State, however, Democrats are the ones popping up on the stage and silver screen. Here are five who’ve made their debut on stage, in the movies or on TV.

NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC ADVOCATE JUMAANE WILLIAMS

ASSEMBLYMAN MICHAEL DENDEKKER

ASSEMBLYMAN ROBERT CARROLL Does art mimic political life? It might in the case of the Brooklyn lawmaker who channeled his political experiences into writing a play called “The Believers,” which was staged on the Upper West Side in 2014. Carroll has also had roles in local productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Time of Your Life.” While his Broadway dreams are on hold for now, he’s already made it big in Albany.

BROOKLYN DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN FRANK SEDDIO

ASSEMBLYMAN JEFFREY DINOWITZ

Frank Seddio, the Brooklyn party boss, got to play the fictional Frank Seddio, a Chicago political operative, in a 2014 episode of the TV series “The Good Wife,” where he coaches a character on running for state attorney. The six lines he uttered might not have made TV history, but it’s a better shot at stardom than most county chairs get.

The Bronx lawmaker was originally brought onto the set of the 2002 movie “Maid in Manhattan” to coach star Ralph Fiennes – who played the GOP legislative love interest of Jennifer Lopez’s character – in the ways of playing a lawmaker. Dinowitz took to the screen so well that he earned himself a fictional promotion by getting a cameo as Republican Rep. Jeffrey Grey.

GREGG RICHARDS; MICHAEL DENDEKKER; ROBERT CARROLL; ASSEMBLY; A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; MONDAIRE FOR CONGRESS

The Queens lawmaker may be on the Assembly Labor Committee, but he’s also a card-carrying member of the Screen Actors Guild. You can catch him as Reporter #2 in “You’re Nobody ’til Somebody Kills You,” as a police officer in “A Forked World,” and as a judge in Spike Lee’s “Inside Man.”

Jumaane Williams, a former candidate for lieutenant governor, teamed up with his ex-running mate “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon in a reading of “King Lear” this month. The longtime drama enthusiast also starred earlier this year in Theater of War Productions’ “Antigone in Ferguson.”

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

A Q&A with congressional candidate

MONDAIRE JONES You hear the argument all the time about challengers – wouldn’t a representative with power and seniority like Rep. Nita Lowey be better for the district than a freshman congressman? We’re not getting anything at the moment appreciable from her chairing (the Appropriations) Committee. I would bring an energy to the position of a fighter. Someone who is going to fight tooth and nail for the things we say we believe in. So it shouldn’t take the first primary challenge in 30 years to get you to support impeachment. (Lowey backed an impeachment inquiry in July, weeks after

Jones announced his candidacy.) You shouldn’t have to be lobbied by activists all year to throw your nominal support behind the “Green New Deal.” (The Green New Deal started gaining steam in December, and Lowey signed on in February, soon after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez published a more specific framework.) It shouldn’t be that you’re giving more money to (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) than Republicans did the year before when they controlled the House of Representatives. Policy is very personal for me. And these issues are life and death – not

just for the people in the district, but nationally. And we are in a climate in 2019 that is very different from 1989 when she first took office. Nobody can expect reasonable behavior from the Republicans in Congress, so this impulse to compromise our values is, to me, insane. It sounds like you’re definitely running to the left of Lowey. Would you go as far as to consider

Bring together New York’s top government and business leaders for engaging policy discussions and networking opportunities. Align your organization with the decision makers and award-winning content that make every CITY & STATE EVENT a must-attend!

EVENT OPTIONS INCLUDE POLICY DISCUSSIONS COCKTAIL RECEPTIONS AWARD CEREMONIES PANEL DISCUSSIONS For more information on CITY & STATE’s event sponsorship opportunities, visit cityandstateny.com/events or contact our sales team at events@cityandstateny.com

yourself a democratic socialist? I would not go so far, and am still trying to figure out the definition of a democratic socialist, candidly. But I do see myself as sharing many of the same views as the democratic socialists. I think that’s demonstrably true. But I’m not frankly concerned about labels nearly as much as I am about doing the right thing for the people of New York’s 17th Congressional District, the district where I was born and raised and where I currently live. You’re black and gay.

Has there ever been a member of Congress like you? There’s never been an openly gay, African American member of Congress, to my knowledge. So the historic nature of this campaign is not lost on me. It’s not something I spend a lot of time talking about. But I do believe that representation matters. Even though I was 9 years old, (the) passage of (the Defense of Marriage Act) contributed to an environment in this country that legitimized homophobia and made me, as someone who was struggling with his sexuality, even then, traumatized.

CityAndStateNY.com

Chris Collins, GOP savior

After a year of insisting otherwise, Chris Collins pleaded guilty to insider trading charges and resigned.

Now that the indicted congressman has stepped down, several Western New York seats are firmly in Republican hands.

by Z A C H W I L L I A M S

HE RESIGNATION OF Rep. Chris Collins is going to save Republicans a lot of trouble in shoring up their political position in Western New York – especially when it comes to the state Legislature, where two incumbent Republicans have already thrown their hats in the ring to replace the scandal-plagued, four-term former congressman. Collins had been under indictment on insider trading charges for the past year. Until he reached a plea deal with prosecutors and announced his resignation, he was planning on running for reelection next year. That could’ve damaged the party’s electoral chances because state Sens. Chris Jacobs and Robert Ortt had already planned to give up their seats to run for Congress, and there was no guarantee that they could beat Collins – whose nomination could have in turn endangered the GOP’s hold on the seat in the 2020 general election. Those concerns are now moot because Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested that a special election could be held soon to choose a replacement for Collins in New York’s 27th Congressional District, which stretches from near Buffalo to the Rochester suburbs. This decision by the governor, whose legal

ability to leave the seat empty until the next regularly scheduled election remains unclear, could be considered a gift to the GOP. Not only will Republican Party leaders be able to choose a candidate who is not at risk of going to prison – a fact that led Collins to nearly lose the heavily Republican district to a Democratic challenger in 2018 – the GOP will also be able to avoid the potential loss of two incumbent state senators in the process. Though a date has yet to be set for the upcoming special election, the governor could theoretically drag his feet, as was the case when former Rep. Louise Slaughter, a Democrat from Rochester, died in March 2018 and a special election was not held until November. This time around though, Cuomo appears to be considering a much shorter timeframe. “I would be inclined to have it sooner rather than later,” Cuomo said in an Oct. 1 appearance on WAMC. “2020 is a long time away, and Western New York deserves a seat.” A Cuomo spokesman said the administration is reviewing its options and looking for opportunities to schedule the special election at the same time as other local elections to keep costs down, though it is too late to schedule a special election for November. State law allows local party leaders to choose candidates in special elections, a

fact that can benefit the GOP in two important ways. Any fight over a replacement will likely happen behind closed doors as potential candidates jostle for the nomination, sparing the party of a divisive public primary. Even more importantly, a special election means that Jacobs and Ortt can run for reelection in the state Senate if either of them fails to get the nomination. A new state law that consolidated the state and federal primaries would have meant that both of them would have had to give up their legislative positions in order to run in the 2020 congressional primary. Ortt and Jacobs did not respond to requests for comment by publication time. At this point, it is unclear who party leaders will pick to be their candidate. Collins just announced his resignation and entered a guilty plea to charges related to insider trading after maintaining his innocence for more than a year. Federal prosecutors had accused Collins, who sat on the board of Australian biotech company Innate Immunotherapeutics, of alerting his son, Cameron Collins, and Cameron Collins’ prospective father-in-law Stephen Zarsky

FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

October 7, 2019

that the company had failed an important drug trial before that news became public so that they could sell their stock in the company. Cameron Collins and Zarsky also reversed their not guilty pleas. In addition to Jacobs and Ortt, Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia had also been considering a primary challenge to Collins. Though Bellavia has relatively little political experience, his military heroism and name recognition – he is the first living person to receive the medal since the Vietnam War – could make him a formidable candidate, though Bellavia lost the 2012 GOP primary to Collins. His nomination by party leaders would mean that Jacobs and Ortt could run for reelection next year. Ortt said on the “Capitol Pressroom” on Oct. 1 that he could reevaluate his candidacy depending on who else might join the race. “He is certainly very well known in the district,” Ortt said. “I’m not going to say ‘I’ll run’ except if this person gets in the race (but) we’ll reevaluate anytime anybody gets in the race or gets out.” If Ortt receives the nod from party officials, then it would likely have no bear-

City & State New York

ing on the GOP’s ability to keep his seat, considering the heavy Republican lean in a district where Ortt won reelection by 73 percentage points last year. Jacobs, however, won reelection by a much narrower margin – 56% to 44% over Democratic challenger Carima El Behairy. With Democrats now holding 40 of the 63 seats in the state Senate, Jacobs staying in Albany could make it harder for Democrats to win a supermajority in the chamber in 2020, which would allow Democrats to potentially override future gubernatorial vetoes in both chambers. It is unclear whether Jacobs or Ortt would choose to stay in the state Legislature if they are not chosen by party leaders to run for Collins’ seat. The Democratic takeover of the state Senate after the 2018 elections has made a state Senate seat less attractive for any Republican and both Jacobs and Ortt could run for other positions rather than simply filing for reelection for the state Senate. Jacobs has been mentioned as a potential candidate against Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins in the 26th Congressional District in Buffalo.

Whoever ends up being the choice of party leaders for the special election will likely cruise to victory against their Democratic opponent. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 191,600 to 149,986 in the district. Outgoing Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray, the 2018 Democratic candidate in the 27th Congressional District, appears to have an edge in getting the party’s nomination for the special election, considering his name recognition and fundraising. He lost to Collins by a razor-thin margin last year and has not really stopped running for the seat ever since. McMurray might have won over some Republicans last year because of their dissatisfaction with Collins, but that support may not come as easily moving forward. His outspoken support for impeachment and photo op earlier this year with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will likely turn off many Republicans. Now that he cannot run against Collins, McMurray’s chances of winning a seat in Congress are more remote than ever – making him the biggest loser of all following Collins’ resignation.

■

CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

BLINDED by th

October 7, 2019

he LIGHTS

City & State New York

The Empire State has spent billions subsidizing TV and film. Does New York need to bribe producers to choose it over Toronto? by A N N I E McDONOUGH

CREDIT

IFTEEN YEARS AGO, before New Yorkers learned to “grumblebrag” about film shoots taking up sidewalks and parking spaces, and before the musical version of “The Producers” moved from a Broadway theater to a Brooklyn soundstage, New York state decided to try out a new tax credit to lure film and television shoots. Prior to 2004, some filmmakers and TV producers filmed in New York City for its iconic location and local talent, some even inextricably linking their work to the city – think Nora Ephron, Woody Allen and “Sesame Street.” At the time, film was a $5 billion industry that employed more than 100,000 people in New York City, according to then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg. But as many states began offering subsidies for filming – not to mention the generous Canadian incentive programs that made Vancouver and Toronto film hubs – studio executives said New York had to get into the arms race. “The production heads that I grew up in the business with would tell me that they had stopped budgeting New York,” said Hal Rosenbluth, president and CEO at Kaufman Astoria Studios, a production facility in Queens that has been around since 1920. “We started to see a decline in the business.” Then came a helping hand from Albany. In 2004, then-Gov. George Pataki and the state Legislature created a 10% tax credit for film and television productions in the state on “below-the-line” costs – essentially all costs other than salaries for actors, directors and writers. The credit was capped at $25 million annually, with New York City kicking in an additional 5% refundable tax credit capped at $12.5 million per year for productions in the city. It was a bipartisan initiative with widespread support among outer-borough state legislators. At the time, Republican state Sen. Martin Golden and Democratic Assemblymen Joseph Lentol and Michael Gianaris were among those championing the legislation.

CityAndStateNY.com

The real push for the credit came, unsurprisingly, from the film industry – in particular, from real estate mogul Doug Steiner, who founded Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios. On an extensive tour of his sprawling 50-acre, 30-soundstage lot in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Steiner said that without a tax credit, Steiner Studios could not have become a thriving business. “About six months before we opened, I went into a total panic, realizing we needed a tax credit in New York

SKEPTICS ASK HOW A NEW YORK INSTITUTION LIKE “SNL” COULD OPEN THE SHOW EVERY WEEK WITH KENAN THOMPSON OR KATE MCKINNON YELLING INTO THE CAMERA LENS, “LIVE FROM TORONTO, IT’S SATURDAY NIGHT!” or it would be the most public colossal blunder of my career and sink me,” Steiner said. That New York got its film tax credit and Steiner Studios in the same year was no coincidence. “We opened in November in 2004, it was signed into law at our grand opening (with) Mel Brooks, Gov. Pataki and Bloomberg.” Brooks’ “The Producers” would be Steiner Studios’ first film in 2005. In the past 15 years, the $25 million state credit has grown into a behemoth nominally capped at $420 million per year, bringing the state’s total spending on subsidizing the industry to about $6.5 billion. Feature films, TV films and TV series and pilots in New York City can receive a 30% credit on qualifying below-the-line costs, while upstate productions are eligible for a 40% credit. If a New York City production has $10 million in below-the-line costs, they will receive a $3 million reimbursement after production ends. Productions apply for the credit through Empire State Development, the state’s economic development arm, and provide information about the number of people hired, shooting locations and ledgers. There is no minimum spending requirement, but some categories – including documentary films and instructional videos – don’t qualify. A portion of the funding is allocated to the

Before New York began aggressively offering tax incentives to filmmakers, even movies about the city, like 1995’s “Rumble in the Bronx,” 2003’s Rudy Giuliani biopic “Rudy” and 2004’s “New York Minute,” were shot in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, respectively.

state’s post-production tax credit, which offers a 30% reimbursement on post-production costs incurred in New York City, and 35% upstate. While $420 million may seem like a big pot to draw from, the number of productions applying for the credit has shot up since 2004. To pay every qualifying pro-

duction, the state has pulled funds allotted to future years. “Let’s say (the state has) run out of the 2019 allotment, they start to pull down the 2020 allotment, even though the movie is being filmed in 2019, and the costs are in 2019,” said David Friedfel, director of state studies at Citizens Budget Commission, a fiscal watchdog.

THE SPECS If you’ve spent any time in the Village, Williamsburg or any of New York City’s other popular filming locations in the past 15 years, you’re no stranger to just how many movies and TV shows are made right here in New York. If you live in any of those neighborhoods, it probably seems like every other day there’s another street blocked off for filming that’s keeping you from getting where you want to go. To add some perspective, City & State broke down a few of the numbers that tell the story of New York’s booming film and TV industry – and the tax incentives that are being credited with sustaining it.

$6.5 BILLION Roughly the total amount that has been

spent subsidizing film and television production in New York since 2004.

1,580%

Increase in the film tax credit since 2004 (when the annual cap was $25 million) to today (with an annual cap of $420 million).

43,351 The number of jobs directly supported

by the tax credit in 2017 and 2018 in New York, according to a state-funded report by Camoin Associates.

165

Film projects (movie and television) issued film tax credits in fiscal year 2018.

$43,748,065

The amount of tax credits issued to “The Blacklist,” an NBC TV show, in fiscal year 2018.

$1.08 The return on investment for every dollar spent on New York’s film production tax credit in 2017 and 2018, according to the Camoin report.

Wildly popular with the film industry and unions like the Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 or the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 52, whose members make up film and TV crews, the film tax credit program is also a hit with some lawmakers – including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Senate

Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris. Two of the city’s four major production facilities – Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Astoria Studios – are in Gianaris’ Queens district. But tax policy experts and some upstate lawmakers call the credit a waste. “It’s definitely bad tax policy,” Friedfel said. “Economic development, particularly economic development that is targeted to a specific industry, should be done to help that industry get established in New York. Once it’s established, it should become self-sufficient.”

ILM, TELEVISION AND commercial production receives the largest industry-specific tax subsidy in New York. But despite New York City being a magnet for auteurs, home to a deep bench of theatrical talent and “like another character” in some of the highest-grossing and most critically acclaimed movies and TV shows of the past 20 years, there’s never been a guarantee that those productions would actually shoot in New York. At the start of the millennium, the reasons to shoot a movie or TV show elsewhere were already piling up. New York City, with its high cost of living, high sales tax and so on, has always been an expensive place to shoot. But in the late 1990s, competing locations began offering incentives, with Canada, Louisiana and Georgia leading the way. The inherent attractions of New York may seem like enough to have continued drawing film and TV shoots, but a spate of productions demonstrated that studios were seldom willing to pay a high premium to film in one of the world’s great metropolises. New York had to watch as films aggressively promoting their New York setting, including 1995’s “Rumble in the Bronx,” 2003’s Rudy Giuliani biopic “Rudy” and 2004’s “New York Minute,” packed up and fled north to shoot in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, respectively. But after the 2004 creation of the tax credit, the amount of film and television production in New York grew dramatically. Seventy-two TV shows applied for the credit in 2017, compared with 14 in 2010. New York City’s four major production facilities have all expanded since 2004, and new soundstages are in the works for Buffalo. The actor Robert De Niro recently announced plans to build a $400 million production facility in Queens, and Netflix will spend $100 million on soundstages in Brooklyn to meet demand for its streaming titles. But just how much of the industry’s growth can be attributed to the credit is

a source of disagreement among tax experts and those in the industry. The film tax credit law mandated a study of the credit’s impact on employment every two years, and the most recent report on 2017 and 2018 found that the credit directly supported more than 43,000 jobs per year, along with $7.6 billion in spending per year. Friedfel noted that the high job creation claims count roles that might only last a few weeks. “When it comes to employment numbers, they don’t look at full-time equivalent jobs,” Friedfel said. “Any job that’s created, by nature, on TV and film shoots, is temporary. So if you work for one day, that counts as a job (for that year).” Some independent studies – like one by Michael Thom, an associate professor at the University of Southern California – have found that refundable tax credits like New York’s had no effect on employment. The study looked at employment changes in the industry, factoring in other reasons for those changes, including economic growth and general job growth. “I found no evidence that refundable tax credits increase employment,” Thom wrote in an email. “At best, a refundable tax credit might increase wages, but only a small amount, and only temporarily.” There is, after all, a lot more TV being made these days. A record 495 original scripted streaming, cable and broadcast series were released in 2018, thanks in part to the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, which in 2018 put out more than 1,500 hours of original programming. The number of productions in New York has continued to increase in the past few years, even as the size of the tax credit has plateaued. The industry has also seen a stylistic shift since the groundbreaking HBO show “The Sopranos” – which aired from 1999 to 2007, and which critics said kicked off the “golden age” of television – was shot in New Jersey and New York City. Other scripted series have continued the realism trend, including HBO’s “Girls” and Netflix’s “Master of None,” as well as TV shows that started out as locally shot web series like Comedy Central’s “Broad City” and HBO’s “High Maintenance.” Today, the best-reviewed TV shows feature production values and visual aesthetics that were once found only in Oscar contenders, which are aided by the authenticity of shooting New York City scenes on New York City streets. The tax credit’s few detractors in the state Legislature – mostly upstate Republicans – call it a corporate giveaway, adding that the benefits largely accrue downstate. Others have argued that the credit’s supporters are in the industry’s pocket. Previous reporting found that industry stakeholders have donated generously to

VALERIY EYDLIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; PREVIOUS PAGE: RBLFMR/SHUTTERSTOCK

City & State New York

CityAndStateNY.com

“IF YOUR BUDDY IS DOWN IN ATLANTA, GETTING THE SAME QUALITY PRODUCTION WITH THE SAME KIND OF STAR, AND HE OR SHE IS SPENDING 30% OR 40% LESS, DON’T YOU LOOK STUPID?”

October 7, 2019

Cuomo as well as to Gianaris and the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which Gianaris controls. Since 2001, studios and production companies have donated a total of nearly $200,000 to Gianaris and the DSCC. Jason Conwall, a spokesman for the governor, denied that campaign contributions had any influence over Cuomo. “We’ve made clear from the beginning, anyone who can be influenced by a single dollar has no place in this business – period. Under this administration, the program has been extended – with broad legislative support – without adding a single penny to the overall funding level that was established in 2010,” Con-

wall wrote in an email. Gianaris declined to comment for this article.

S THE STATE continues to dole out money to an industry that has spent $2 billion in the state so far this year, critics are asking whether we need to keep subsidizing the cost of filming in New York. The question came up most recently after progressive New York City politicians killed the deal to bring a new Amazon headquarters to Queens – partially because of the more than $3 billion in city and state tax incentives offered to the behemoth compa-

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

SARAH SHATZ

New York City is central to shows like “Broad City,” and viewers have grown accustomed to seeing realistic locations in TV’s “golden age.” But industry insiders say many shows could easily be filmed elsewhere.

ny. That those same politicians – including most prominently, Gianaris – haven’t called out the film tax credit for subsidizing one industry over others appears hypocritical to some, such as conservative commentator Seth Barron. Gianaris has said that the two subsidies were not comparable because one was targeted at a specific company that didn’t support labor organizing, and the other is targeted at a whole industry that largely employs union members. “Incentives are smart and useful when created with appropriate oversight and targeted to industries that need them to succeed in New York, as the film industry did when the

credit was established,” Gianaris wrote to Crain’s New York Business in April. “It’s also important that these incentives specifically target the creation of blue-collar union jobs.” That defense – focusing on the benefits to local middle-class workers, rather than to Hollywood producers – is one repeated by the state government. “The New York State Film Tax Credit Program generates a positive return on investment for the state, attracting billions of dollars in spending and creating tens of thousands of hires every year in our communities,” Adam Kilduff, a spokesman for Empire State Development, wrote in an email. “This activity boosts small businesses and strengthens local economies throughout New York, while providing livelihoods for production workers, caterers, hospitality workers and many others.” Some critics are less rankled by the existence of the credit than by its magnitude. Topping out at 40% puts New York’s credit on the more generous end of what states offer, but it isn’t unique: Louisiana offers credits up to 40% as well. Georgia, which has become a major hub for film and TV production, offers an extra 10% credit, on top of its 20% base credit, for productions that slap a “Filmed in Georgia” logo on the screen. And in Savannah specifically, crew members can get $2,000 in moving expenses for relocating to the city. “The film industry in New York is obviously very large and it’s an important employer, but this benefit is just overly generous,” Friedfel said. In 2017, the state extended the tax credit through 2022, and this spring, New York extended the credit for another two years as part of the state budget, and it is now funded through 2024. Still, the Amazon fallout has prompted renewed scrutiny of targeted tax breaks and subsidies – scrutiny that could continue to place the film credit in the spotlight. This spring, state Sen. Liz Krueger said that she was convinced of the film tax credit’s effectiveness, saying that it has shown a documented value year after year. But Krueger recently told City & State that she has since dug into it more deeply and concluded that the state needs to evaluate all of its tax credits in order to determine if taxpayers are getting bang for their buck. “It’s in the win column,” Krueger said of the film tax credit. “What I’m saying is, is it worth it?” Skeptics point to certain beneficiaries of the credit, like the long-running show “Saturday Night Live,” and ask how a New York institution like “SNL” could open the show every week with Kenan Thompson or Kate McKinnon yelling into the camera lens, “Live from Toronto, it’s Saturday night!”

“New York is an international location, and by that I mean, if you want to film a shot in a city that is recognizable all around the world, you would come to New York probably before you come anywhere, including Los Angeles,” said Ezra Sacks, chair of the undergraduate film and television program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. “A lot of scripts are simply written with New York as a location. And the writer and director see that location as significant to the story they want to tell.” Even so, film industry insiders say movies or TV shows set in New York City would be filmed elsewhere – whether that’s a backlot in Los Angeles or downtown Toronto – if the subsidy went away. For exteriors, they could bring production to New York for a week or two and film the rest somewhere else, or just use increasingly advanced computer-generated imagery. “If you take away the tax credit, you will lose the majority of your business,” Rosenbluth said. “You better have a really, really good reason to be in New York to spend that premium. And if your buddy is down in Atlanta, getting the same quality production with the same kind of star, and he or she is spending 30% or 40% less, don’t you look stupid?” There may be some middle ground between a $420 million credit and no credit. Some lawmakers who criticize the program have suggested that as an alternative to scrapping it altogether, the credit could be gradually scaled back or focused on upstate, where production isn’t already strong. “The goal of the state should be to have the least possible subsidy, and not the biggest politically achievable subsidy, which is where we are now,” said John Kaehny, executive director of the good-government group Reinvent Albany. “The size of the subsidy right now is dictated completely by politics. It’s how big of a subsidy the Legislature and the public will accept before they start howling.”

HE REAL HOWLING will come from New York’s studio executives and unions if the state gets rid of, or even scales back, the credit. “This tax credit ended up really saving an existing industry, and then allowing it to grow,” Rosenbluth said. “The growth created many more jobs, putting the union jobs like Local 52 (Motion Picture Studio Mechanics) and the Teamsters at 100% – and more because they’re bringing people from the outside. And what it encouraged was for Kaufman and Silvercup and Steiner and Broadway Stages to spend private capital, private money, to grow the infrastructure in order to sup-

CityAndStateNY.com

port the demands of the industry.” Thomas O’Donnell, president of the Theatrical Teamsters Local 817, said that the group had between 300 and 400 members prior to the tax credit and now has over 2,000. And though many union jobs on sets – like grips, prop designers and gaffers – are temporary jobs, the nature of the industry is such that when one project wraps up, another comes along. “These guys are able to know that they’re working most of the year – very different than a typical freelance job,” Rosenbluth said. Tim Clark, film commissioner at the Buffalo Niagara Film Office, said Richard Gere films “Arbitrage” the extra 10% credit is not in New York City only boosting production in in 2011. The tax Buffalo, but bringing highcredits are unpoper-profile films to the area. ular with upstate Republicans, A sequel to 2018’s popuwhose districts lar horror movie “A Quiet are rarely featured Place” recently wrapped in films, but new filming in Buffalo. “Once productions could change that. you have that crew base here and you have a nice little bump to come upstate, you start to see the movie studios and bigger movies,” Clark said. industry is not as robust – that would be “We’ve got some new soundstages that are something that I could certainly look at, being built, and we hope to attract some and maybe have a better appreciation for that kind of a program,” Ortt said. episodic television shows here.” Not every attempt to build a film indusThe film credit has even garnered the rare support of an upstate Republican, try in New York has worked out, though. state Sen. Patrick Gallivan, whose district The Central New York Film Hub was built includes parts of Erie, Wyoming, Living- in 2015 with $15 million from SUNY Polyston and Monroe counties. Gallivan ad- technic Institute – which managed the famitted that while his preference would be cility – but the project’s builder was caught to make New York more attractive to pro- up in lawsuits and a bid-rigging scandal, duction companies by reforming the state’s and the hub failed to attract productions. Still, despite the moaning of city dwellers tax code overall, this tax credit is an appropriate way to attract those companies slowed down on their commutes by streets in the meantime. “(If we did) something congested with trailers, cranes and bossy about taxes and regulations, we would not production assistants, increased film and need economic development incentives. TV production may bring with it fringe So while you can try to work on that, on a benefits – particularly as a source of caparallel track, we still have to compete for chet and tourism revenue. It’s not just the business,” he said. “And because we have “Sex and the City” bus tour that tourists to compete for business, I’m supportive of are showing up for these days. Locations this credit, because it’s one of the few cred- used in “Broad City” and “Gossip Girl” are its or one of the few economic development tourist destinations. “If you’re turning on programs that has proven to be successful.” your TV, and the stories are taking place State Sen. Robert Ortt, a Republican in New York City, and you go wow, ‘I realfrom Niagara County who, this year and ly like that show, I really liked the scenes, in the past, has called for an end to the tax God, I would really like to visit New York credit, is open to just scaling back the pro- City’ – that’s got to be good for tourists,” gram. “I’ve called for it to be scrapped, but Krueger said. “Maybe we should be factorif it was reduced, if it was focused on up- ing in the cross-fertilization of economic state New York, or places where the film generation of tourists dollars … (and) the

October 7, 2019

next generation of talented future artists and performers, saying, ‘I’ll kill myself if I can’t come to New York and try to make it,’” Krueger said. Even if an unbiased evaluation found the credit to be excessive, the industry’s deep pockets and the political power of unions would make reducing it a tough fight. In 2017, when New York’s film tax credit needed to be renewed, Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 and the Motion Picture Association of America successfully lobbied Cuomo to extend the program through 2022, winning the governor praise from the MPAA, Directors Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA New York and local studio heads like Rosenbluth. In 2018, Cuomo received $150,000 in donations from the industry, and in the past he has been successful in collecting contributions from fundraising trips to Hollywood. “This is one of the sacred cows of Albany, the film and TV tax credit,” Kaehny said. What would have to happen to change the credit, Kaehny said, is an alignment of other politically powerful groups, such as public sector unions and the progressive left – which might argue that tax dollars are better spent on their priorities like education. Despite the fact that the credit was just renewed for another two years, Steiner said it’s something he continues to lose sleep over. “I ultimately hope it becomes permanent, uncapped, it doesn’t come up for votes or anything like that,” he said, driving around his massive facility in a golf cart a few days before the 2019 Emmy Awards, where shows like FX’s “Pose” and Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – both of which have shot at Steiner – took home a few golden statues. “The faster it burns off, the more stressed out I become, and the harder it is to get through, because of the vagaries of politics. The more often we have to go, the more difficult it becomes, and the more it becomes a chip in a bigger game.” Most policies are treated as chips in a larger political poker game, but it may be time for state lawmakers to decide whether or not the industry is bluffing when they say incentives are what’s keeping them in New York.

■

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

WHAT HOLLYWOOD GETS WRONG ABOUT NEW YORK POLITICS BY REBECCA C. LEWIS

IF YOU LIVE IN New York, you’re used to seeing your city portrayed inaccurately on the big and small screen alike. People never seem to use the subway, they can always find parking right away and every major landmark is just one short but dramatic sprint away from wherever the protagonist is. And don’t even get us started on the massive Manhattan apartments every character with questionable employment is able to afford. The list is endless, but here are a few that’ll especially rub political junkies the wrong way.

little slicker, with their TV screens and well-maintained interiors, but come on, don’t pretend that’s what our subways look like. Marvel’s Netflix heroes consistently use the Port Authority-run, predominantly New Jersey-based

didate. We appreciate that local politics plays such an important role in a J-Lo movie, even if it gets a lot of things wrong. First of all, since when are state legislative candidates running from paparazzi, with their private lives splashed all over the front pages of the tabloids? (That usually comes later, when they’re charged with corruption.) Then to have a Republican elected to represent Manhattan? Please. Fun fact: Democratic Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz made his big-screen

THE STATEN ISLAND CITY COUNCIL

FX recently aired its first season of the TV adaptation of the cult-classic comedy “What We Do in the Shadows” – this time following vampires living in a stately Staten Island mansion who are trying to take over the country for vampirekind. They decided to start small with local government, so they attended a meeting of the Staten Island City Council. Apparently, in this universe, Staten Island has its own government independent of the New York City Council – which, honestly, would be pretty on brand for the borough. Congrats Jimmy Oddo, looks like you’ve been promoted to Staten Island mayor!

NORTHFOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK; COLLEEN HAYES/NBC

WHAT’S PAT KIERNAN DOING UP?

It’s always a fun little Easter egg to see NY1 as the news network of choice in movies that take place in New York City. But for some reason, no matter the time of day or night, Pat Kiernan is always the anchor. Kiernan has been a morning anchor since 1997, delivering the news from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays. It’s just a little odd to see him interviewing people while the heroes eat dinner, like in 2014’s “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.” Kiernan wakes up at 3 a.m. every day – he should be asleep!

THAT’S NO SUBWAY CAR!

Sure, the PATH trains may look a

ALL THIS OVER A STATE SENATE RACE?

In “Maid in Manhattan,” Jennifer Lopez plays a maid from the Bronx who falls for Ralph Fiennes, a Republican state Senate can-

Sleepy Hollow as a town, it is actually a village in the town of Mount Pleasant. While the village does have a local police department, it has no sheriff – which was a countywide elected position in Westchester County until the 1970s.

KAL PENN: IMPOSSIBLY LONGEST-SERVING NEW YORK CITY “COUNCILOR”?

Pitched as a more accurate portrayal of the city than the overly white, Manhattan-centric shows of the past, “Sunnyside,” which centers on a diverse group of immigrants in Queens, misses the mark when it comes to local politics. Star Kal Penn plays a disgraced former city councilman who had once been a young rising star. A note to the writers: They’re not called “councilors.” Also, Penn’s character was elected in 2004, a year when there was no City Council election, yet he was still in office in 2019 when he was forcibly removed by the council. The longest he could have actually served was 12 years, but on the show he still has hopes of being reelected. Term limits anyone?

HOW WOULD CARS EVEN GET IN THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY?

Kal Penn plays a former New York City councilman in “Sunnyside,” a new show on NBC that focuses on a diverse cast in the outer boroughs, but plays fast and loose with City Council facts.

trains to get around the city. Then again, if Daredevil got on the real subway, with its constant delays and malfunctioning infrastructure, he’d never get to Hell’s Kitchen in time to fight crime. Maybe Marvel should try to be more like “Mr. Robot” – which films in actual stations and cars, and is generally pretty accurate about the lines.

“Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the first wall crawler flick to give the outer boroughs their due, ruined the effect with shots of cars parked on the lower deck of the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry hasn’t allowed cars since 9/11. The only purpose they seemed to serve was dramatically falling into the harbor when the ferry was cut in half. debut in this film as a Republican congressman.

THE SHERIFF OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

The now-canceled Fox show “Sleepy Hollow” followed Ichabod Crane, a Revolutionary War soldier thrust into the modern day, and Abbie Mills, a lieutenant in the Sleepy Hollow Sheriff’s Department, in their quest to stop the headless horseman. It’s outlandish, we know. Except … Sleepy Hollow doesn’t have a sheriff’s department! And although the show refers to the

CENTRAL PARK’S SANTAHATING RANGERS

In the modern Christmas classic “Elf,” Central Park is policed by a group of horse-riding bad boys called the Central Park Rangers, who have a vendetta against Santa for putting them on the naughty list. But Central Park has no Canadian-style Mountie police force, let alone one trying to kill the hopes and dreams of children all over the world. In reality, the park is patrolled by just one mounted NYPD officer, in addition to other officers.

CityAndStateNY.com

PUBLISHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SECTION

October 7, 2019

BID TAKING

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

DNESS CARE OF

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS HELPED END THE BAD OLD DAYS IN NEW YORK CITY. WILL THEY USHER IN THE NEXT ERA TOO?

by G A B E P O N C E D E L E Ó N

CREDIT

ince it opened in 2015, the Bella Abzug Park on the West Side of Manhattan has offered visitors a wide array of cultural programming, including sculpture exhibitions, a film festival and free yoga, to go along with amenities like a café, outdoor seating and three fountains that can detect wind speed and shut off on their own. And the park is still only half finished. The second phase of construction, which is expected to cost $374 million, will ultimately link the expanded park to the public square of the Hudson Yards megadevelopment. “It’s a high-end park,” said Robert Benfatto, president of the Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, the business improvement district responsible for the park’s administration. Benfatto recalled that in 2012 the developer “put together a design for the first three blocks of the park and they presented it to the Parks Department, who said it was a great design and they would take possession of it, but they wouldn’t maintain it.” The parties agreed to form a business improvement district, or an area in which local property owners contribute to a fund in order to provide services beyond what the city provides – anything from street cleaning to capital projects to public events. To establish a BID, however, the majority Times Square’s transformation from seedy hellscape to tourist mecca can be credited, in part, to the efforts of the local business improvement district.

20 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

of property owners and tenants in a proposed district must agree to a special assessment on commercial real estate. Since there was still no neighborhood around the park to support a self-imposed tax, the BID incorporated a swath of Hell’s Kitchen that fell outside the Garment District Alliance, a neighboring BID. “Most BIDs, there’s a neighborhood and then the BID comes,” Benfatto said. “This was sort of … the BID came first, and the neighborhood is coming afterward.” The idea of turning a public park over to private management was at one time controversial. When he formed the Bryant Park Restoration Corp., in 1980, Dan Biederman faced considerable resistance. “A lot of people from the civic community and the design world and preservation world opposed the Bryant Park project,” Biederman recalled. “It was torture to get through it.”

The end product, however, speaks for itself. When Biederman took over, Bryant Park was a shadow of its current self, a poster child for the blight of late 20th century American cities. On lawns where drug dealers once plied their trade, today you see office workers taking leisurely breaks, people playing music and tourists snapping pictures of this quintessentially New York locale. As part of the private management deal, Biederman formed a BID to fund a portion of Bryant Park’s operations. At the time, high crime and deteriorating living conditions were driving residents and businesses out of the city, and BIDs were seen as an innovative tool that could help reverse that trend. Though there are prior examples in American history of special purpose private governments emerging within specific geographic areas, the modern BID originated in Toronto in 1970. Today, there

are more than a thousand BIDs across the United States, with many more in other countries, such as Canada and England. Biederman, who would go on to head the Grand Central Partnership and the 34th Street Partnership, is now seen as a pioneer in the field. Under his leadership, BIDs picked up litter, removed graffiti, borrowed money to fund capital projects, enhanced streetscapes, improved lighting, hired security guards to assist police, planted trees and took over public squares that had become run down. Since their emergence in the 1980s, BIDs have been credited with helping to keep their districts clean and safe, and attracting new business during hard times. “When you add on this other layer of investment, coordination and political wherewithal, you have this new connection to the government and that helps the

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

LOWER EAST SIDE PARTNERSHIP; PREVIOUS PAGE: CHANSAK JOE/ SHUTTERSTOCK; SERGIO FLOREZ/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

The Lower East Side Partnership was crucial in moving the Essex Market into a new, larger location earlier this year as part of the Essex Crossing development.

neighborhood in terms of its development,” said Rachel Meltzer, an associate professor of urban policy at The New School’s Milano School of Policy, Management and Environment. One area that has seen its fortunes dramatically rise and fall over the years has been lower Manhattan. “The mid1990s were sort of (a) dark time here,” said Jessica Lappin, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York, a BID serving lower Manhattan. “Vacancy rates were through the roof and the neighborhood was being written off.” At the outset, the BID’s mission focused primarily on finding ways to clean up the streets and convince people that the district was a good place to invest. “We had been making great progress and then obviously 9/11 was a huge setback for us in this neighborhood and the city,” Lappin said. “Then we were making good progress again, but then 2008 and the recession was a tough time.” There are many ways in which a BID can help a neighborhood. In a city as large and diverse as New York, for instance, it can be a challenge for government agencies to identify and address the particular needs of a community. “I think BIDs fill that gap actually quite nicely in the commercial space,” Meltzer said. “Literally, the executive directors are walking the streets. They know the store owners. There is a real local connection to the community that I think is important for neighborhoods and neighborhood development.” This street-level engagement enables BIDs to offer local stakeholders as well as government officials a holistic view of the needs of a district.

“Our office regularly interacts with BIDs, as we do with all other organizations dedicated to making things better in Manhattan,” Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer said in a statement. “We send staff to their board meetings – or attend ourselves – and strive for two-way communication about their most urgent challenges, and ours.” There are currently 76 BIDs in New York City, half of which have formed since 2000. Over the years, many of the city’s BIDs have grown significantly in size, sophistication and ambition. While BIDs continue to provide core services around street cleanliness and public safety, some of the larger organizations have built research departments, enabling them to offer more sophisticated retail and tourist services. Many have launched ambitious quality-of-life initiatives and gotten involved in rezoning efforts. Thanks in part to BIDs, over the past couple of decades, Manhattan, in particular, has made a remarkable turnaround, and the borough is now leveling up, with a new generation of skyscrapers offering proof of the island’s rising fortunes. All six BIDs with annual budgets exceeding $5 million are located in Manhattan, as are 20 of the 24 BIDs with budgets of more than $1 million. According to the New York City Department of Small Business Services, the agency that oversees the BID program, in fiscal year 2018 Manhattan’s 25 BIDs were responsible for $134.2 million in total investment in their respective districts. But the city’s recent success has produced new challenges. Small-business owners, for instance, continue to be priced out of many neighborhoods due to the very improvements implemented by BIDs. By law, property owners must comprise a majority of a BID’s board members, which at times has led to questions around their motivations. The NYC BID Association, an umbrella group representing the city’s BIDs, has

Building BIDs

1970 First BID

established in Toronto

1974 Downtown

Development District in New Orleans, the first BID in the United States, is formed

1976 New York

state passes legislation authorizing “special assessment districts”

opposed the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, which aims to offer protections for commercial tenants. The association told City & State a year ago that the proposed legislation could be “counter-productive with unintended, negative economic consequences” as well as “restrict the natural evolution of our commercial corridors which enables new products to come to market and new business owners – potentially immigrant and minority business owners – to gain a foothold.” That is not to say BIDs are unresponsive to the needs of commercial tenants. On the contrary, many were created in large part to assist store owners struggling with issues like rampant crime and inhospitable streets. Today, the challenges may be very different: rising costs, changing customer bases, online competition – but many BIDs said they are still trying to help. “All of the BID leaders I know appreciate that what makes New York New York is having this diversity of retail and having mom and pop shops next to big name stores,” Lappin said. “That’s part of the fabric of the city and we want everyone to succeed.” Like other BIDs, the Alliance for Downtown New York offers services and workshops that help small-business owners navigate government rules and regulations, as well as share best practices. The group also launched a grant competition geared toward small businesses, with the goal of helping them compete online. “I think there are BIDs in neighborhoods that now are just seeing signs of neighborhood change – or what people call ‘gentrification’ – and I think they are trying to manage it because there can be benefits and costs,” Meltzer said. “My sense is that, more than not, the BIDs are very community focused, very neighborhood focused, very focused on their constituency there.” In order to ensure that BIDs continue to meet the changing needs of property owners and tenants, the Citizens Budget Com-

How the business improvement districts were formed.

1976 Fulton Mall,

the oldest BID in New York City, is established under that law

1980 The Bryant

Park Restoration Corp. is founded by Dan Biederman and Andrew Heiskell

1981- 1984 1988 Con Edison A few years and other after New York 1982 property ownCity Mayor New York City and state pass legislation permitting the formation of BIDs

ers form the Union Square Partnership

Ed Koch convened business leaders to find a solution to the squalor around Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Central Partnership is formed

22 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

mission, a nonpartisan fiscal monitor, has called for standardized public reviews of their operations. “Neighborhoods change over time, and the concerns change over time, and you want to ensure that the needs and goals and plans of the BIDs continue to align with what the property owners and business owners in the district are looking for,” said Ana Champeny, the Citizens Budget Commission’s director of city studies. Unease about economic disparities has also grown in the decades since many BIDs began operating. The fact that new BIDs tend to form in communities already show-

plement and finance these services – then what the city should be doing is actually redirecting or pushing more funds into the areas that don’t have those BIDs,” Meltzer said. “Or if we really think that BIDs are the solution, then go and figure out a way to implement a model more systemically, so it doesn’t end up being an uneven distribution of this extra resource.” In recent years, new BIDs have been forming predominantly in the city’s outer boroughs. A recent effort to expand an existing BID in Jackson Heights, Queens, was met with opposition from local merchants who feared it would lead to gentrification.

The second phase of Bella Abzug Park on the far West Side of Manhattan will ultimately link it to the public square of the Hudson Yards megadevelopment.

In Manhattan, there is only one effort formally underway to create a new BID. Its most prominent supporter, New York City Councilman Ben Kallos, said potential gentrification is less of a problem than the gentrification that has already taken root in his district. The proposed BID would center around the East 86th Street corridor, where most of the property is “owned by large corporations, faceless LLCs and absentee landlords,” Kallos told City & State. “As we have tried to reach out to businesses and landlords to sign on and support the business improvement district, we have so many LLCs, corporations and big-box stores that there is no there there,” Kallos said. “I have been in situations when I am calling pension funds from other states that own property in my district, and I have to talk to a state comptroller to see if they will sign off on our BID, and there is something wrong with that.”

ing signs of vitality, as opposed to those that lack tax bases stable enough to support one, has led to concerns that BIDs allow rich areas to get richer, leaving poorer areas behind. According to a 2007 study by the NYU Furman Center, “BIDs controlled by large, corporate interests might have more success in influencing the distribution of municipal resources than those dominated by small retail establishments.” Communities that lack the wealth to form even a small BID, therefore, have one less platform from which to advocate for their needs. “I would say if you have neighborhoods that are willing and able to pull together and do a BID – and they want to sup-

According to Kallos, East 86th Street was once zoned for mom and pop stores. Only after that zoning was lifted did the large retailers move in. Kallos argues that a BID would help solve sanitation problems arising from the volume of foot traffic to and from the 86th Street subway station. “If this was a typical neighborhood in this city, where you still have some semblance of mom and pop stores and landlords where you know who it is and you could talk to them, I could just call them and say, ‘Could you please do a better job cleaning up in front of your store, in front of your property? Can you please help us with planting here or there?’ And you’d have more of a community sense,” Kallos said. “In my district,” he added, “there are just no human beings associated with most of the properties.” A source familiar with the East 86th Street BID’s formation process confirmed that disengaged property owners have posed a challenge, but also noted that some large retailers have balked at paying the special assessment, which landlords usually pass on to commercial tenants in the lease. The BID’s steering committee devised a formula that would tax property based on commercial square footage and the assessed value, but some large retailers believe they are being asked to shoulder an excessive share of the burden, according to the source. Some owners of small stores argue that, unlike large retailers, they are unable to absorb the additional cost. By law, a majority of support within a district is all that is needed to form a BID, but in practice the city often wants to see broader buy-in among stakeholders before giving its approval. According to Michael Weiss, a consultant working on the current outreach effort, the East 86th Street BID has slightly surpassed 50% support. When determining whether or not to sign off on the BID, however, Weiss believes that the city would also take into consideration the absence of vocal opposition within the community – and he predicts that the process will enter into the legislative phase within the next few months. “The business improvement district is already predominantly big-box stores, and I can’t get them to take care of their storefront or the block,” Kallos said. “This is government stepping in with the community to make sure that somebody is taking care of the neighborhood.”

■

LITTLENYSTOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

THE MANHATTAN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS

HIS PAST WEEKEND, “Joker” was released in theaters. The heavily hyped comic book film had received rave early reviews at overseas festivals, with many critics highlighting the movie’s overt homages to the early films of Martin Scorsese, in particular his 1976 New York City classic “Taxi Driver,” with its landscapes of urban neglect and squalor.

Though it makes for a fascinating film setting, that vision of New York City is very much a relic of the past. In those days, the idea of families watching movies on the grass in Bryant Park or waiting for their turn at the TKTS booth in Times Square would have been unimaginable. The city’s transformation can arguably be credited to business improvement districts. In the early 1980s, some Manhattan businesses started to take matters into their own hands, setting up a new voluntary tax

to clean up their neighborhoods and make them safer for customers. The wild success of BIDs in Manhattan led to the creation of more districts throughout the five boroughs – but they still have the biggest impact in Manhattan. Last year alone, the borough’s BIDs poured a total $134.2 million into improving their areas. In the following pages, meet the organizations that are raising the bar for Manhattan’s neighborhoods.

TRAVELWILD, IS/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

Above: Harlem in the aftermath of the ’77 blackout vs. today. BIDs have played a central role in turning Manhattan around since the 1970s.

October 7, 2019

34TH STREET PARTNERSHIP

LEADER: Dan Biederman, President BUDGET: $14.7 million KEY PROJECTS: Redesign of the public restroom in Greeley Square Park to make it safer, more efficient and easier to maintain. Activation of new pedestrian plazas on Broadway with programming,

ALLIANCE FOR DOWNTOWN NEW YORK

LEADER: Jessica Lappin, President BUDGET: $23 million FOUNDED: January 1995

A Q&A WITH JESSICA LAPPIN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Lower Manhattan’s recent growth is truly remarkable. Our residential population has soared past 60,000. We are finally back to pre-9/11 employment numbers. There are now more than 1,200 restaurants and shops in the area, 38 hotels and a record 14.6 million tourists visited last year. I think all New Yorkers take pride, as they should, in our recovery and renaissance. But that growth has created some pressure as new quality of life issues have emerged. Garbage is one of them. The residential population has tripled since PUBLISHER’S SECTION

horticulture and furniture. FOUNDED: January 1992

A Q&A WITH DAN BIEDERMAN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? There are a large number of sidewalk sheds in our district, which obscure horticulture, 9/11. Simply put, more residents means more residential waste piled up on our narrow sidewalks. I’d also like to see more progress on the infrastructure front. After a decade, the city will finally break ground in 2020 to implement some of our long-standing streetscape proposals for the Water Street corridor. That’s fantastic news – now if we could only do the same in the area surrounding the New York Stock Exchange. We’re also strongly advocating for resilience and climate crisis intervention. A few years back, we helped to secure upward of $100 million in funds to protect lower Manhattan. But there is much more work to be done, specifically on the East Side, where a sizeable workforce is thriving. Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on?

make it difficult to do capital maintenance and are magnets for social disorder. Similar issues are posed by pay phones and LinkNYC units. We are currently working with several other midtown BIDs to have these sidewalk sheds, pay phones and LinkNYC units removed, as well as prevent any more from being installed in the future.

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? When we first started the 34th Street Partnership, we focused on establishing a baseline of order and cleanliness through street sanitation and capital maintenance. Once that baseline was established, we also turned our attention to improving social dynamics in the district through programming, security and outreach.

We’ve been very vocal about the need to ban third-party ticket sellers in our district. At best, these aggressive ticket sellers overwhelm tourists and

locals. At worst, they scam or assault them – and each other. Over the years, there have been incremental changes made to try and mitigate their impact. It’s time for them to go for good.

KRISTI BLOKHIN, DANIEL KLOE, ALEXKSANDR/SHUTTERSTOCK; ALLIANCE FOR DOWNTOWN NEW YORK; BRYANT PARK CORP.

The 34th Street Partnership is focused on new pedestrian plazas and upgrades at Greeley Square Park.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? We introduced several new programs this summer, including a series of financial literacy seminars, Bhangra lessons and bubble blowing sessions. These join our already robust lineup of existing programs and engage a diverse group of people with wide-ranging interests. Several large leases were also signed in our district. The attractiveness of the 34th Street district to businesses is a testament to the good work we have done in recent years.

October 7, 2019

BRYANT PARK CORP.

LEADER: Dan Biederman, President BUDGET: $21.6 million KEY PROJECTS: Upgrade and reorganize the Parkhouse yard to maximize storage capacity and provide a better break area for employees; repair bluestone pavers on the Upper Terrace to eliminate trip hazards; enhance the lighting system on the Fifth Avenue Terrace to discourage negative uses overnight. FOUNDED: July 1986

A Q&A WITH DAN BIEDERMAN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? In terms of our challenges, the increasing number of visitors to Bryant Park puts additional strain on our staff and infrastructure, requiring us to simultaneously dedicate additional resources and be more

City & State New York

efficient in order to maintain high levels of service to the public. For our accomplishments, the introduction of new programs such as capoeira, ribbon dancing, kung fu and weekend events for children. The use of an LED screen rather than a projector for movie nights, These days, the which allows for Bryant Park Corp. more flexible uses of is focused on crethe stage throughating innovative programming and out the summer. streamlining its We also redesigned operations. the audio system for performances in a year-round destinaBryant Park, bringing it up to world-class standards tion for tourists and lothat match the quality of our cals alike. performers. During the winter, we continued to improve the How has the focus of offerings at the Winter Village, your organization evolved adding bumper cars, igloos, live over the years? music performances and a pub- The initial goal of the Bryant lic broomball league. Because of Park Corp. was to reclaim Brythese efforts, Bryant Park is now ant Park from the crime and

misuse that plagued it during the 1970s and 1980s. After establishing Bryant Park as a safe and inviting place for the public, our focus then turned to innovating our programming and operations to make Bryant Park one of the premier public spaces in the world.

The East Midtown Partnership is proud to work with our fellow Business Improvement Districts to build a better Manhattan and stronger New York City.

East Midtown Partnership • 875 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 • 212-813-0030 • EastMidtown.org

26 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

finding system with the DOT for pedestrians; the introduction of many historical first initiatives of the community; the first business improvement district to initiate an ADA welcome event; first to support the ADA parade and every summer since; the first to bring dragon boats and many other joyful and fun initiatives into the community.

LEADERS: Wellington Z. Chen, Executive Director; Warren Chin, Chairman BUDGET: $1.9 million KEY PROJECTS: Americans with Disabilities Act guidance and weekend walks; Asian heritage cultural celebration and preservation special events; business assistance, education, promotion and outreach; Community Land Trust community outreach and engagement; coastal and climate change future storm preparedness; historical, cultural tours and other promotional events; reconnect with bypass counter measures due to security zones; Shared street TGIF programs in defiance of terrorists’ threats; Smoke-free partnership and smoking cessation and reduction program; special district exploration in partnership with stakeholders and advisers FOUNDED: 2012

COLUMBUS AMSTERDAM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT LEADER: Peter Arndtsen, District Manager BUDGET: $479,550 KEY PROJECTS: We pro-

The Columbus Amsterdam BID on the far Upper West Side has had to focus less on safety over the years.

PUBLISHER’S SECTION

A Q&A WITH THE CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORP. What challenges are you currently facing in your district? The historical ebb-and-flow pattern of immigrants coming and going, of families seeking better opportunities and looking for more viable options elsewhere; changing and shifting consumer patterns and duce events calendars and restaurant guides; provide free monthly walking tours and lectures about the rich history of the neighborhood; “Manhattan Valley Trees,” a project to increase the number of trees and tree wells in an effort to beautify the neighborhood and improve air quality; Bloomingdale Family Days, an annual street fair that encourages community engagement among residents and visitors and provides a space for community organizations and city agencies to talk with residents about relevant issues and outreach opportunities; and our street sweeping and horticultural team maintains our

live/work preferences; high operation costs and merchants’ difficulties in keeping up with demand. What accomplishments are you most proud of? Breaking through in finally forming a business improvement district and jump-starting an effort that had languished for 30 years, resulting in sending away millions of pounds of trash and garbage; successfully piloted and implemented the first city waysanitary and healthy streets in the neighborhood. FOUNDED: July 1987

A Q&A WITH PETER ARNDTSEN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Current challenges our diverse and vibrant district faces include both the changing demographics of property owners who are often more corporate, not local, and difficult to engage, in addition to the influx of new resident groups. We’re most proud of the positive changes seen in our neighborhood and the increase of community involvement. Our sidewalks are clean, safe and have a high number of pedestrians. We’ve hired a number of unemployed neighborhood residents to our street sweeping and horticulture team who have gained work experience and are now employed elsewhere.

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? The Chinatown Partnership grew out of the ashes of post-9/11 world as a catalytic task force to conduct a value demonstration campaign of supplemental cleaning with temporary promotions and it was able to create a stable business improvement district platform. Now, the focus needs to shift to finding solutions that have eluded the other prior groups with their previous attempts. The search for answers to this riddle remains critical. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? In the past, the Columbus Amsterdam Business Improvement District was focused heavily on safety and security in the neighborhood. Projects included installing safety lights, painting over graffiti and cleaning the sidewalks, and although we still have similar initiatives, safety projects have required less focus. Are there any legislative and/ or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? We have focused on encouraging the retail rezoning of our neighborhood, which emphasized the need for small spaces for small-business owners. We are concerned by property taxes, laws and regulations that have an outsized impact on small businesses. In addition, our business improvement district supports the need for good transportation policy, including dedicated bus lanes and regulated and protected bike lanes.

EDDTORO/SHUTTERSTOCK; CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP

CHINATOWN PARTNERSHIP LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Access new public space in Midtown East at Pershing Square Plaza. www.grandcentralpartnership.nyc

@gcpbid

28 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

COLUMBUS AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

FOUNDED: January 2000

LEADER: Nicole Paynter, Executive Director BUDGET: $430,000 KEY PROJECTS: Districtwide beautification and landscaping; Taste of the Upper West Side

A Q&A WITH NICOLE PAYNTER

EAST MIDTOWN PARTNERSHIP

district with little life after work hours. Today it’s become a much more diverse area, with many new residential buildings. Those changing demographics have, in turn, changed the retail mix, which today caters to both the district’s daytime business community and the off-hours community that increasingly lives and socializes in East Midtown. There was certainly nothing wrong with the old East Midtown, but today it’s much livelier, much more fun, with many more consumer options.

LEADER: Rob Byrnes, President BUDGET: $3.5 million KEY PROJECTS: Beautification of our community has long been a major priority, and we are in the process of building on our previous efforts to make our community more attractive. We also plan to integrate planters to our streetscape by next spring as a pilot program which, if successful, would be expanded districtwide. FOUNDED: January 2002

A Q&A WITH ROB BYRNES What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Our chief challenge today and our chief accomplishment over the past 17 years are actually complementary. This slice of Manhattan has transitioned dramatically since 2002. Back then, this was a heavily commercial PUBLISHER’S SECTION

What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? When we opened our doors, our focus was very heavily on safety, cleanliness

supports local retail.

and homeless outreach, with the latter two tied to a social service component. As the years passed, though, we sought out and found more ways to improve the district. We’ve been expanding our special events calendar to bring innovative, creative programming to the area.

The East Midtown Partnership gets involved in more local issues. One example is congestion pricing, which will have a direct effect on us since the zone boundary runs through the BID. We believe it’s imperative that businesses and residents on or near East 60th Street be given consideration as the plan is finalized. We shouldn’t be penalized and experience a diminished quality of life based solely on our geographic location.

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on?

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? Over the past 20 years, the Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District has evolved in many ways. In the early years, after a major reconstruction project on Columbus Avenue caused a wave of vacancies, we focused on individual businesses to ensure their survival. Later, as a more mature organization and district, we were able to turn to bigger projects, such as placemaking and beautification efforts, and creating a large event to draw people to the district. Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? In terms of policy issues, we are currently focused on the rising cost of doing business and ever-growing regulatory hurdles, street vending and ADA accessibility compliance within a historic landmark district. AGSAZ/SHUTTERSTOCK; COLUMBUS AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; EAST MIDTOWN PARTNERSHIP

The Columbus Avenue BID hosts Taste of the Upper West Side, now in its 12th year.

most proud of? Like many other districts, we are dealing with the changing face of retail as well as changing consumer demand. The businesses in our district are learning to adapt, and businesses that utilize new retail models are coming into the district as well. Additionally, our businesses are dealing with the rising cost of doing business and ever-growing regulatory hurdles. The district is currently 95% leased and we have sustained this level or better for several years. We are able to sustain small individually owned retail and hospitality businesses as well as attract international brands. Our stores tend to have smaller footprints, well-sized for individual brands and mom and pop shops, and we are in the heart of a community that

Learn More: FlatironDistrict.NYC/expansion

Home to unique shops, restaurants & the American Museum of Natural History

VISIT US AT COLUMBUSAVENUEBID.ORG

30 CityAndStateNY.com

LEADERS: Jerome Barth, President; Edward Hogan, Chairman BUDGET: $6.4 million KEY PROJECTS: Renovation and reopening of Apple; renovation of Tiffany & Co.; renovation of the Crown Building; the creation of a parklet at the northeast corner of 53rd Street and Fifth Avenue FOUNDED: July 1993

A Q&A WITH JEROME BARTH What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Our most pressing challenge currently is the presence of unruly street vendors along Fifth Avenue. Our proudest accomplishments are achieving the value and trust of our tenants. We have attracted and retained the industry leaders across

multiple categories here on Fifth Avenue: Apple, Tiffany, Cartier, Gucci, Nike, Sephora, Louis Vuitton, just to name a few. And they are not just planting their flags here on Fifth – they are investing millions of dollars in their spaces because they know the value of Fifth is solid. In the hospitality space, we welcome Aman – whose first urban property will be here on Fifth – and soon you’ll see major investments from other major players as well. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? As consumers expect more of an immersive experience, we’re looking to deliver on those expectations. We’re striving beyond delivering

Since 2006, the Flatiron BID has been focused on improving the safety and cleanliness of the iconic area.

FLATIRON/23RD STREET PARTNERSHIP BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: James Mettham, Executive Director BUDGET: $3.8 million KEY PROJECTS: Flatiron public plazas redesign and place management; expanding PUBLISHER’S SECTION

the boundaries of the business improvement district FOUNDED: January 2006

A Q&A WITH JAMES METTHAM What accomplishments are you most proud of? Since the establishment of

just on safety and sanitation. We want to evoke emotion, personal sentiments with one eye harkening to the glamour of Fifth with the other firmly on the future. We’re investing in placemaking, activations and partnerships that integrate Fifth Avenue into the personal experiences of visitors and locals alike, whether through art, music,

fashion or pop culture – we want them to feel no experience in New York is complete without Fifth Avenue.

the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership in 2006, Flatiron has undergone a dramatic transformation into a safe, clean and desirable neighborhood sought out by a wide variety of businesses, industries and cultural institutions as well as residents, employees, tourists and local visitors.

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? Upon its inception in 2006, the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership’s primary focus was on litter and graffiti abatement and a general focus on cleanliness, social services and safety. From there, we have expanded to focus on more robust quality of life enhancements, placemaking, district identity and business support.

What challenges are you currently facing in your district? With Flatiron’s ongoing growth and vibrancy, the streets and sidewalks are often congested, creating challenges with pedestrian and cyclist safety and competition for the use of our district’s vital and limited public spaces. Another challenge in Flatiron – and neighborhoods across New York City – is achieving long-term solutions for individuals living without shelter. Since 2007, the Partnership has partnered with homeless services nonprofit Urban Pathways to offer ongoing assistance and critical services to individuals and families living without shelter.

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? There are always many potential policy issues that are of interest. A potential overhaul of vending rules is one, a change in commercial waste carting rules is another.

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? The Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership is focused on outreach for a proposed BID expansion, a process that requires legislative authorization. The proposed expansion will bring our extensive services to a larger footprint that includes NoMad, the Sixth Avenue gateway to the district and 20th Street. We are seeking to expand the BID because there’s a greater need for broader districtwide advocacy. We hope to enter the legislative phase by mid-2020.

BLVDONE, WARREN EISENBERG/SHUTTERSTOCK; FIFTH AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

FIFTH AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

October 7, 2019

The Lincoln Square Business Improvement District salutes City & State and our Manhattan BID colleagues, a dynamic network of organizations committed to promoting economic development and fostering vibrant retail corridors and flourishing neighborhoods throughout the borough. Together, we make our City cleaner, safer, more beautiful, and more fun. We invite everyone to celebrate the holiday season with us at the 20th Annual Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve at Lincoln Square on Monday, December 2, 2019!

www.lincolnsquarebid.org

32 CityAndStateNY.com

LEADER: Barbara A. Blair, President BUDGET: $10 million KEY PROJECTS: Communi-

ty and public programming; streetscape beautification; sanitation and security; promotion and marketing of local businesses

The Garment District Alliance has worked to establish the area’s first designated open space.

GRAND CENTRAL PARTNERSHIP

LEADERS: Alfred C. Cerullo III, President and CEO; Peter S. Kalikow, Chairman BUDGET: $13.6 million KEY PROJECTS: Public space: Pershing Square East/ West, One Vanderbilt Plaza; development: One Vanderbilt, 270 Park, Grand Hyatt; infrastructure: Grand Central-42nd Street subway improvements, East Side Access FOUNDED: July 1988

A Q&A WITH FRED CERULLO What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? A specific challenge we face post-Midtown East rezoning is the identification and planning of new public spaces and amenities stemming from its enactment, and to ensure that we are prepared to address the needs and desires of the new population of tenants, employees and residents. In terms of accomplishments, we’ve completePUBLISHER’S SECTION

FOUNDED: October 1993

A Q&A WITH THE GARMENT DISTRICT ALLIANCE What accomplishments are you most proud of? In December 2018, GDA supported a tremendous, historic feat for the Garment District neighborhood and New York City at large. The City Council voted to lift outdated zoning restrictions in the Garment District, which will unleash the neighborhood’s full economic potential. In July, the New York City Department of Transportation announced the city had dedicated $20 million in capital funds to convert two blocks of Broadway from temporary to permanent plazas. This will serve as the first designated open space in the history of the Garment District.

in your district? As the Garment District continues to evolve and new tenants move to the neighborhood – including restaurants and bars – GDA is advocating for initiatives that address congestion, enhance the pedestrian experience and focus on facilitating mobility. Additionally, as homelessness continues to rise in New York City and across the U.S., GDA is focused on advocating for programs that aid individuals in need.

What challenges are you currently facing

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? GDA is focused on policies that ensure the neighborhood’s streets are pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. Advocating for a comprehensive review of what is on our streets from people to vendors, bikes, Links and phone booths, newsstands and all the various users claiming space requires a plan that starts from scratch and rationalizes how we allocate our shared spaces.

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? GCP is focused on working closely with neighborhood stakeholders on the many new land use projects coming to our neighborhood, and on assisting property owners and business-

es through that process. Additionally, we work very closely with our business improvement district counterparts on important legislative and policy issues, such as vending, homelessness, commercial carting and related regulations that are imposed on the business community.

ly recast the district’s streetscape, making it cleaner, more uniform in terms of streetscape elements, and much more attractive and well lit through our horticultural and lighting programs. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? From a tight focus on making the neighborhood clean, safe and beautified when we first began, GCP’s evolution has included leveraging advances in technology to create more sustainable infrastructure, such as the conversion of our streetscape lighting to LED. The newest chapter of our existence has found us providing public space management given the new focus on expanding public realm opportunities throughout Midtown East.

MASSIMO SALESI, RESUL MUSLU, EDI CHEN/SHUTTERSTOCK; GRAND CENTRAL PARTNERSHIP; HUDSON SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; HUDSON YARDS HELL’S KITCHEN ALLIANCE

GARMENT DISTRICT ALLIANCE

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

HUDSON SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: Ellen Baer, President and CEO ASSESSMENT: $3.2 million KEY PROJECTS: Transforming Hudson Street from Canal to West Houston streets into a redesigned boulevard; planting more trees, helping further our commitment to environmental and health benefits; Hudson Square Canvas, a public art initiative featuring five large-scale street art pieces from contemporary artists FOUNDED: February 2009

A Q&A WITH ELLEN BAER What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? Home to the Holland Tunnel and some of lower Manhattan’s most congested streets, the Hudson Square Business Im-

HUDSON YARDS HELL’S KITCHEN ALLIANCE

LEADERS: Robert J. Benfatto, President; Kevin P. Singleton, Chairman BUDGET: $3.2 million KEY PROJECTS: The Canoe public plaza on 36th Street between Ninth and Dyer avenues; the 37th Street pilot project to create a safer and more inviting experience

printing district. Inspired by the long-standing tradition of creativity in the neighborhood, the BID laid the groundwork for this transformation with the Hudson Square is Now streetscape master plan, which sought to bring the spirit of creativity from inside our office buildings out onto the neighborhood’s streets.

The Hudson Square BID focused on beautifying the congested streets around the Holland Tunnel.

provement District’s mission is to ensure the comfort and safety of our neighborhood. In 2012, we launched a master plan known as Hudson Square is Now, a $27 million public-private partnership. We are proud to announce that years later, all projects from the master plan are either completed or in implementation. The master plan has vastly changed the neighborhood’s streetscape,

between Ninth and 10th avenues. FOUNDED: 2013

A Q&A WITH ROBERT J. BENFATTO What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? We are working with New

allowing for the creation of expansive green spaces, environmental initiatives and overall street beautification. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? When the Hudson Square BID was launched 10 years ago, our primary focus was to create a thriving community in what was formerly Manhattan’s York City and local nonprofit organizations to try and help many of the homeless who pass through Hell’s Kitchen. The construction debris and the heavy Lincoln Tunnel traffic create legitimate safety concerns for people who are sleeping in makeshift encampments. On a daily basis, our staff members reach out to homeless people in the community to encourage them to receive available social services. Local residents often complain about construction noise. The ongoing problem of construction is a good problem because our area is responding to commercial and residential growth. The construction is short term, but the development will benefit the community in the long term. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? When I first took over as president of Hudson Yards Hell’s

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? Our ongoing commitment to pedestrian comfort and safety has manifested itself in advocating for new policies to reduce overall traffic congestion in lower Manhattan, particularly in our work to institute two-way tolling on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. On April 28, top city officials gave their full support on the issue, announcing federal legislation to reinstate two-way tolling on the Verrazano. Kitchen Alliance, my main concerns were where to find office space, establish human resources, obtain maintenance, landscaping and waste management services that the organization was obligated to provide, hire an entirely new staff, solidify park calendar maintenance and completion. Our responsibilities have grown to include numerous organizations and additional independent contractors whose work ensures that the Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards community remains vibrant and well serviced. Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance does not often advocate for or against any legislation. However, as a member of the NYC BID Association, and its present co-chairman, I do work with other BIDs throughout all five boroughs on legislation related to vending, commercial rent control and other concerns shared by all BIDs.

34 CityAndStateNY.com

LEADERS: Monica Blum, President; Gary Jacob, Chairman BUDGET: $3.4 million KEY PROJECTS: Make Lincoln Square clean, safe, beautiful and fun; maintaining our extensive horticultural program; printing and distributing the official Lincoln Square map and guide, plus a restaurant guide called Where to Eat in Lincoln Square; Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square FOUNDED: April 1997

A Q&A WITH MONICA BLUM What challenges are you currently facing in your district? Our public safety team and our clean team work together on many quality-of-life issues and, where appropriate, we report these to city agencies. Each summer, we deal with

LOWER EAST SIDE PARTNERSHIP

LEADERS: Tim Laughlin, President; Michael Forrest, Chairman BUDGET: $1.85 million KEY PROJECTS: Opening of the new Essex Market and other elements of the Essex Crossing development; the installation of new public space amenities that have transformed underutilized areas; the 100 Gates Project, a mural art program that installs art on roll down security gates, improving streetscapes and deterring illegal graffiti. FOUNDED: January 1993

A Q&A WITH TIM LAUGHLIN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? While the Lower East Side remains a dynamic destination to work, live and shop, contextual constraints of the building stock have previously limited daytime uses, such as office space, that create foot PUBLISHER’S SECTION

a fairly dramatic seasonal increase in the number of homeless sleeping overnight in our public parks and spaces. To address these conditions, we have formed a great working alliance with various social service providers and responsible city agencies. We also address illegal vending conditions, and report street conditions requiring attention to 311. Seasonally, we paint all street furniture, and throughout the year we remove graffiti and stickers. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? The neighborhood that com-

thriving residential community with an incredible vibrancy and active street life and nightlife.

prises Lincoln Square has changed dramatically since our formation almost 25 years ago and has experienced tremendous growth with the addition of many residential buildings, more retail establishments and more pedestrian traffic. Despite these changes, Lincoln Square – anchored by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts – is a

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? The Lincoln Square BID, along with our colleagues at the NYC BID Association, consistently monitors issues of mutual concern, including proposed legislation that would increase the number of vendors without any siting requirements and expanded enforcement. With congestion pricing on the horizon, we will work closely with our city and state partners on implementation, since the boundary will undoubtedly have an impact on our district.

traffic. Those conditions are rapidly changing and are the principal rationale for the organization’s steadfast advocacy that any development of the Seward Park Extension Urban Renewal Area include commercial office space. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? In recent years, our work has focused on improving overall quality of life, which we firmly believe sets the stage for continued economic growth and success for our local economy and the small merchants that call it home. Our work achieves this goal through public space improvement and maintenance, public programming that drives foot traffic and supports a diverse residential population. Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? We seek to support and assist property owners, many of

The Lower East Side Partnership held its annual Pickle Day this past weekend.

which own single buildings often passed down over multiple generations. The increasing burden of property taxes, sewer and water charges and an ever-changing regulatory environment continue to create unique conditions

for the mom and pop property owners in our community. We also will continue to work closely with the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and other city agencies to address the unique impacts associated with a robust and active nighttime economy.

LINCOLN SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; LOWER EAST SIDE PARTNERSHIP

LINCOLN SQUARE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

October 7, 2019

Broadway pedestrian plazas, top-notch dining, unbeatable rooftop views, world-class art and more in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. For more, visit garmentdistrict.nyc

The Madison Avenue BID, representing 800 businesses on Madison Avenue between East 57 and East 86 Streets, is a proud member of the New York City BID Association. Join us for our upcoming special events, including:

An advocacy campaign including CITY & STATE FIRST READ provides a targeted way to reach decision makers in NEW YORK GOVERNMENT and POLITICS. CAMPAIGNS INCLUDE

ADVOCACY NEW HIRE OPEN-HOUSE MESSAGING ANNOUNCEMENTS PROMOTIONS

October: Wedding Weekend on Madison Avenue, benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (in partnership with The Bridal Council) November: Jewelry Made on Madison Avenue (in partnership with New York Jewelry Week) December: 33rd Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue, benefiting The Pediatric Programs of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center For more information, please visit www.MadisonAvenueBID.org

36 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

MADISON AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? The core public safety and

sanitation services that our organization provides were the building blocks that built our reputation among our members, and which continue to play a critical role in making Madison Avenue a pleasant place to visit, live or work. As the organization has grown over the years, we have taken on a much larger role in the marketing and promotion of the district and its members.

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? The Madison Avenue BID focuses on working with city elected officials and agencies to identify solutions to the many challenges facing our businesses. Most recently, the Department of Transportation has proposed to install bus shelters along the extremely narrow sidewalks of Madison Avenue. The placement of these bus shelters with illuminated advertising would negatively affect small businesses by blocking storefront visibility and limiting pedestrian movement. As a compromise, the BID has offered to financially support installing benches, providing relief for bus riders and pedestrians.

focus will be on driving foot traffic, creating multipronged community programming and continuing to help businesses, property owners and residents improve their quality of life.

commercial interests of the neighborhood. This project overall marks another moment of transformation for the Meatpacking District. We are grateful to our businesses

and residents for bearing with us through the lengthy, and often disruptive project. The Meatpacking District has arrived, again, and we’re just getting started.

LEADERS: Matthew Bauer, President; E. William Judson, Chairman BUDGET: $2.4 million KEY PROJECTS: Wedding Weekend on Madison Avenue in partnership with The Bridal Council; Miracle on Madison Avenue in partnership with The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center FOUNDED: April 1996

A Q&A WITH MATTHEW BAUER What accomplishments are you most proud of? As the luxury retail marketplace evolves and new venues for the purchase of these products continue to expand, Madison Avenue is reasserting its core strengths of loyal and local clients, expert retail sales talent and a physical environment that celebrates pedestrian scale and cutting-edge storefront and window design

MEATPACKING BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: Jeffrey LeFrancois, Executive Director REVENUE: $2.9 million KEY PROJECTS: The opening of new public plazas; capital improvements on 14th Street between Ninth and 10th avenues; planning for and expanding upon the Meatpacking District’s programming for 2020 FOUNDED: 2015

A Q&A WITH JEFFREY LEFRANCOIS What challenges are you currently facing in your district? I have held this position since February, and the biggest focus and challenge has been hammering to get all of the neighborhood’s capital construction completed. The entire neighborhood has been torn up for the past four years, and slowly but surely, we’re seeing it roar back to life now that the streets have reopened. With the streets and public spaces now easily accessible again, the PUBLISHER’S SECTION

blended with historic architecture. These strengths are what compelled longtime Madison Avenue brands, such as Carolina Herrera, Giorgio Armani and Hermès to reinvest by either announcing or inaugurating new flagship stores within our district this year.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? Not to dwell on construction, but the capital reconstruction project was a decade in the making, so to be a part of its completion is really exciting. After a lengthy design and review process, the BID worked with the city Transportation Department and the Design and Construction Department to move the project forward in the most effective and efficient manner possible while protecting the business and

The Meatpacking District’s capital reconstruction project is drawing to a close.

October 7, 2019

City & State New York

J2R, LAZYLLAMA/SHUTTERSTOCK; MADISON AVENUE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; MEATPACKING BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; NOHO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT; SOHO BROADWAY INITIATIVE

NOHO BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

necting our businesses and building synergies. Also, the increased daily costs on our neighborhood businesses, including rapidly rising property taxes, mean our businesses need even more support. We do a lot of outreach and connect businesses to government resources and programs and to each other, so they can find ways to work together and support each other.

LEADERS: Cordelia Persen, Executive Director; Bradley Fishel, Chairman BUDGET: $540,000 KEY PROJECTS: Supplemental sanitation; neighborhood safety; business outreach; and district marketing FOUNDED: January 1997

A Q&A WITH CORDELIA PERSEN What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? There has been a significant rise in vagrancy and drug-dealing on our streets. The BID has worked hard to build a network of eyes on the street, including building supers, engaged residents and property owners who work with us to inform the NYPD on daily activities. While it’s an ongoing problem, it’s good to have a coalition

SOHO BROADWAY INITIATIVE

LEADER: Mark Dicus, Executive Director BUDGET: $990,000 KEY PROJECTS: Expansion of the residential compost program; curb extension and planter installation; guidelines for retail events and product launches FOUNDED: 2013

A Q&A WITH MARK DICUS What accomplishments are you most proud of? The initiative was founded to keep SoHo Broadway clean and improve sidewalk congestion caused by illegal sidewalk use. Over the past five years, the initiative’s clean team has delivered on a cleaner Broadway each and every day. The difference from before we started and today is night and day. On sidewalk congestion, the initiative has mapped the district to show where vending is allowed and worked in partnership with the city to do education and enforcement on the rules for vending. We’ve seen

working to make our community stronger. How has the focus of your organization evolved

over the years? NoHo has changed a lot since our founding. We now work a lot more on marketing and placemaking. This means con-

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? NoHo and SoHo have been going through a community planning process to rethink the zoning and land use rules in the area. We have evolved from a manufacturing center to an active, high-profile work/ life district. The community has been actively engaged in trying to come up with comprehensive solutions for issues around quality of life, housing and street-level retail.

the number of illegally located vendors drop by over 65% since we started our work. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? While the initiative’s focus on keeping SoHo Broadway clean will always be a focus, we’ve started to spend more time on bringing neighbors together and exploring how to provide more green space. We get frequent complaints about how there are so few places for neighbors and work colleagues to meet up for lunch or after work. The initiative has started to explore ways to bring neighbors together in fun and casual ways, through neighborhood events like happy hours or game nights. Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? We are keeping a close eye on proposed vending legislation, which we strongly oppose, and the commercial waste zone col-

The SoHo Broadway Initiative was launched to stop illegal vendors from forcing pedestrians into the street.

lection legislation. We support the New York City Department of Sanitation’s proposal. We are eagerly awaiting the release of the report from the Envision SoHo/NoHo communi-

ty engagement process, which will likely include a number of recommendations on how to improve the SoHo/NoHo neighborhoods, including possible zoning changes.

38 CityAndStateNY.com

TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE

LEADER: Tim Tompkins BUDGET: $23.2 million KEY PROJECTS: Times Square Arts, our burgeoning public art program; plaza programming featuring Broad-

UNION SQUARE PARTNERSHIP

LEADERS: Jennifer Falk, Executive Director; Lynne Brown, Co-chairwoman and President; William Abramson, Co-chairman BUDGET: $4 million KEY PROJECTS: Advocacy; streetscape beautification and capital improvements; community and public programming; marketing and promotion of the district FOUNDED: July 1984

A Q&A WITH JENNIFER FALK What challenges are you currently facing in your district? What accomplishments are you most proud of? The Union Square Partnership ensures the Union Square14th Street district’s continued growth and success by overseeing a wide range of programs, including business development, park beautification, public safety and sanitation, and marketing and events. I am most proud that during my tenure USP completed its largest capital project to date, PUBLISHER’S SECTION

way Buskers and Jazz at Lincoln Center; the Valentine Heart Design Competition, Times Square Design Lab and the NYC Design Pavilion; and the curation of our food kiosks by UrbanSpace FOUNDED: January 1992

A Q&A WITH TIM TOMPKINS

es to celebrate the city’s unique cultures and communities.

What accomplishments are you most proud of? Progressively improving the public space experience in Times Square. First, we spearheaded the building of the TKTS booth and the Red Steps, setting a new design standard for Times Square. Then, understanding that our public space challenge was no longer about getting through Times Square without getting mugged, but just getting through Times Square, we partnered with the city to create 98% more space for pedestrians by creating the Broadway plazas. Since then, in small steps, we’ve worked to use those spac-

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? “Clean, safe and friendly” were the three most important words during our first decade of work. Many partnerships brought great progress in the face of enormous challenges. Every sign of progress was celebrated and amplified in the face of enormous skepticism that anything could ever change. Our success brought newly congested sidewalks and streets, and suddenly “clean and safe” wasn’t enough for a world-famous public space. A second decade created new expectations for the public realm. The Alliance’s third decade will reflect ever-higher aspirations: that Times Square represents the best of New York through world-class design, first-rate public space management and unique urban arts and programming.

ronment, like our public plazas and park seating areas, or activating our spaces with events like our public art program.

that having too many vendors can have on a thriving 24/7 residential and commercial district. Some vendors is always a good thing – it adds life and activity to our bustling sidewalks. But too many causes a multitude of problems, so we’re always advocating on behalf of our districts for balance.

the $20 million North End Project, which tripled the park’s play space and rehabilitated the historic pavilion for use by a seasonal restaurant concession, the widely popular, Bocce Union Square. How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? The Union Square Partnership was founded back during the city’s fiscal crisis. Back then it was all about the “clean and safe” programs that are still the foundation of our work today. But organizations like USP are doing so much more for their communities these days – whether it’s making capital investments to improve the overall physical envi-

Are there any legislative and/or policy issues that you’re currently focused on? Like most of our sister organizations, we are very focused on vending and the impact

CHANSAK JOE/SHUTTERSTOCK; TIMES SQUARE ALLIANCE; UNION SQUARE PARTNERSHIP

October 7, 2019

Times Square as we know it today, with the Red Steps and traffic-free plazas, was spearheaded by the Times Square Alliance.

Down is What’s Up!

The Alliance for Downtown New York has been witness to one of the greatest urban renaissance stories in our country’s history and we’re proud to have done our part.

downtownny.com We thank City & State for the opportunity to highlight our diverse neighborhood

Find monthly EVENTs, activities, & volunteer opportunities at: www.columbusamsterdambid.org

Eat locally and discover flavors from around the world at: www.bloomingdalerestaurants.nyc Explore this unique NYC community through monthly Walks and Talks provided by Bloomingdale Neighborhood History Group www.upperwestsidehistory.org

40 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

VILLAGE ALLIANCE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADERS: William Kelley, Executive Director; Martin Dresner, President BUDGET: $1.6 million KEY PROJECTS: Astor Place plazas, Village Access app FOUNDED: 1993

A Q&A WITH THE VILLAGE ALLIANCE What challenges are you currently facing in your district? An uptick in homelessness and public intoxication, and higher vacancy rates than in previous years. What accomplishments are you most proud of? Astor Place renovation and clean and friendly streets.

The Village Alliance is responsible for renovating Astor Place.

125TH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: Barbara Askins, President and CEO ASSESSMENT: $1 million KEY PROJECTS: Clean Campaign Initiative; Harlem Happenings App FOUNDED: January 1994 RESPONSES: Declined to answer

47TH STREET BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: Michael Grumet, Executive Director ASSESSMENT: $900,000 KEY PROJECTS: Installation and maintenance of 19 distinctively designed street lights and four corner diamond shaped pylons; the sanitation program keeps the district free of excess debris; the PUBLISHER’S SECTION

installation of flowers, holiday decorations and banners that greet consumers entering the Diamond District; the development of a website that provides shoppers with information on purchasing jewelry and gives merchant referrals; a strong relationship with the NYPD which increases security in the Diamond District. FOUNDED: July 1997 RESPONSES: Declined to answer

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

LEADER: Isidro Medina, Executive Director ASSESSMENT: $517,422 KEY PROJECT: Uptown Restaurant Week FOUNDED: July 1986 RESPONSES: Declined to answer

LITTLENYSTOCK, MASSIMO SALESI/SHUTTERSTOCK

How has the focus of your organization evolved over the years? From basic “clean, safe and beautiful” toward neighborhood promotion and public space activation.

THE RESULTS ARE IN! Since relaunching CityandStateNY.com in early 2018, the results have been staggering. Through the first quarter of 2019, we’re averaging more than twice as many visitors to our site than this time last year, and we continue to grow at a 20% monthly rate. With more original content than ever and priority advertising options available, there’s no better time to reach our powerful audience of political insiders and influencers.

YEAR-TO-YEAR GROWTH THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2019 UNIQUE USERS

86% INCREASE

PAGE VIEWS

133% INCREASE

MOBILE PAGE VIEWS

255% INCREASE

NEW USERS

53% INCREASE

AVERAGE TIME ON PAGE

28% INCREASE

BILLBOARD, VIDEO, MOBILE AND OTHER PREMIUM OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY! Contact advertising@cityandstateny.com or 646 517 2741 for more details.

CityAndStateNY.com / PUBLIC and LEGAL NOTICES

October 7, 2019 For more info. 212-268-0442 Ext.2039

legalnotices@cityandstateny.com Notice of Qualification of Arrow Payments, LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 8/29/19. Office location: NY County. LLC organized in IL on 3/6/12. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. IL and principal business address: 20 W. Kinzle St., 17th Fl., Chicago, IL 60654. Cert. of Org. filed with IL Sec. of State, 501 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62756. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Notice of Qualification of Horizon Big, LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 3/20/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 75 Varick St., NY, NY 10013. LLC formed in DE on 3/13/19. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016. DE addr. of LLC: 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of 268 East 7th Street Owner LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/13/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 64 2nd Ave., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10003. Purpose: any lawful activities. Notice of Formation of FON CONSULTING, LLC filed with SSNY on June 21 2019. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 2804 Gateway Oaks Dr # 100 Sacramento, CA 95833. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of Security Resources NY, LLC n/k/a Security Resources, LLC (through merger). Arts. of Org. filed w/ Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/13/19. Office in NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o CSC, 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207, registered agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: Any lawful act/activity.

October 7, 2019

Notice of Formation of Hip Hop Ventures, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 8/26/19. Office location: NY County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 131 W. 35th St., 8th Fl., NY, NY 10001, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Diane Nelson CPA LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 8/19/19. Office location: Kings County, NY. Secretary of State of NY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. Secretary of State shall mail process to : The LLC Attn: Diane Nelson 225 4th Avenue 8a Brooklyn NY 11215 Purpose: Any lawful purpose LEAGUE REAL ESTATE GROUP LLC, Arts of Org. filed SSNY 08/30/18. Office: NY Co. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process may be served & mail to League Real Estate Group LLC, 261 Madison Ave, 9th Fl, NY, NY 10016. General Purpose. YOGI TEA BAR LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 7/24/19. Off. Loc. : New York Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, c/o Gurdip Singh Josan, 193 Fredrick Street, Paramus, NJ 07652. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. Notice of Formation of VIRIDIAN SKYFALL LLC filed with SSNY on July 22, 2019. Office: Richmond County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: Attn: US Corporation Agents, 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of THEATRE NERD PRODUCTIONS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/29/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 67 E. 82nd St., NY, NY 10028. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of SARDIS DEVELOPMENTS, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/23/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/22/19. Princ. office of LLC: 84 Wooster St., Ste. #603, NY, NY 10012. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Corp. Div., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Investment management. RAUSA RUSSO LAW, PLLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 08/02/2019. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC: 30 Broad Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CARE AND PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION, DOCKET NUMBER 19CP0164NE Trial Court of Massachusetts, Juvenile Court Department, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Bristol County Juvenile Court, 75 No. Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 TO: Rose Mary Colon-Rivera: A petition has been presented to this court by DCF (New Bedford), seeking, as to the following child: David Carrasquillo, that said child be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the child named herein, if it finds that the child is in need of care and protection and that the best interests of the child would be served by said disposition. You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 01/16/2020 at 09:00 AM Pre Trial Conference (CR/CV) You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter with a trial on the merits of the petition and an adjudication of this matter. For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at 508-999-9700. WITNESS: John S. Spinale, FIRST JUSTICE, Roger J. Oliveira, Acting Clerk Magistrate, DATE ISSUED: 09/04/2019 Notice of Formation of Red Arrow Advisors, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/14/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Richard P. Altieri, Carnelutti & Altieri Esposito Minoli PLLC, 551 Madison Ave., Ste. 450, NY, NY 10022. Purpose: any lawful activities.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

BATTERY PARK GOURMET CAFE, LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 5/16/19. Off. Loc. : New York Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served & shall mail proc.: c/o Gieto Nicaj, 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

MNYS 300 GENESEE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/23/19. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 475 Riverside Drive, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10115. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

FRASHON COMMUNICATIONS LLC filed with SSNY 9/11/2019. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, Attn: Vashon Smith 523 West 143rd street Apt 5B New York, NY 10031. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

JOHN DICHIARA & ASSOCIATES LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/01/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Legalinc Corp. Svcs Inc., 1967 Wehrle Dr., Ste 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Reg Agent: Legalinc Corp. Svcs Inc., 1967 Wehrle Dr., Ste 1 #086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Qualification of 11 OUNCES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/19/19. Office location: Kings County. LLC formed in Ohio (OH) on 12/26/18. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, c/o Cummins Law LLC, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 1530, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. OH addr. of LLC: 11 Ounces LLC, c/o Cummins Law LLC, 312 Walnut Street, Suite 1530, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. Copy of Articles of Organization filed with Secy. of State of OH, 180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

PUBLIC and LEGAL NOTICES / CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

Notice of Qualification of JAYADIT BUILDERS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/24/2019. Office location: Richmond County, NY. LLC formed in New Jersey (NJ) on 01/29/2015. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. NJ addr. of LLC: JayAdit Builders, Limited Liability Company, 47 Rosewood Rd, Edison, NJ 08817. Cert. of Form. filed with State Treasurer of the State of NJ, Div. of Revenue and Enterprise Services, 33 W State St, #5th, Trenton, NJ 08608. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice of Formation of WILLIAMSBURG PRESERVATION DEVELOPERS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/26/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Omni New York LLC, 909 Third Ave., 21st Fl., NY, NY 10022. Purpose: any lawful activities. KENT TOWER REALTY LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 8/30/19. Off. Loc. : New York Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, 242 East 74TH Street, New York, NY 10021. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity. Notice of Formation of Lantern Class A Member, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 9/12/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 1501 Broadway, 28th Fl., NY, NY 10036. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, c/o Randi Seigel, 7 Times Square, NY, NY 10036. Purpose: any lawful activity

Notice of Qualification of COATUE CT 55 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/20/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/16/19. Princ. office of LLC: 9 W. 57th St., 25th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, Attn: Philippe Laffont at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., Federal & Duke of York Sts., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of COATUE CT 56 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/20/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/16/19. Princ. office of LLC: 9 W. 57th St., 25th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, Attn: Philippe Laffont at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., Federal & Duke of York Sts., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Plastic Surgery and Skincare NY, PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/16/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Steven Levine, 308 East 72nd St., Apt 8D, NY, NY 10021. Purpose: to practice the profession of Medicine.

Notice of Formation of 459 CENTRAL AVE LLC filed with SSNY on September 5, 2019. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 446 Kent Ave Apt 3B, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of Amanda Mazin Consultants LLC filed with SSNY on September 11, 2019. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: c/o Zachary Mazin, McKool Smith, One Bryant Park, 47th Fl, NY, NY 10036. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. CLEVENGER BEACH LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/27/2019. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Keith M. Bloomfield C/O Forbes Family Trust, 767 Fifth Ave., 6th Fl, NY, NY 10153. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of DINOCORN, LLC filed with SSNY on August 8, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 12 W 18TH ST, SUITE 4E, NY, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. Notice of Qualification of COATUE CT 54 LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/20/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/16/19. Princ. office of LLC: 9 W. 57th St., 25th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, Attn: Philippe Laffont at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., John G. Townsend Bldg., Federal & Duke of York Sts., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LICENSE, SERIAL # 1320818 FOR LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO SELL LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER AT RETAIL UNDER THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW AT 1801 HYLAN BLVD STATEN ISLAND, NY 10305. RICHMOND COUNTY, FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION. CAMPANIA BUEL LLC Notice of Formation of PICTURE TAKER LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/13/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Coin Group, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 12/11/2018. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The INC, Attn: United States Corporation Agents, 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Formation of Conca, LLC filed with SSNY on September 19, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 308 East 72nd Street, 4B, NY, NY 10021. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. Notice of Nikolas Trading Company, LLC filed with SSNY on June 17, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 47 Titus Road, Glen Cove, NY 11542. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of TCD Management, LLC filed with SSNY on August 12, 2019. Office: Kings County. United States Corporation Agents, Inc. designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 488 Central Avenue Apt 1 Brooklyn, NY 11221. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. BEGINNER’S EAR LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/24/2019. Office loc: NY County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, 450 North End Ave., 23A, NY, NY 10282. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. Notice of Qualification of RAHF IV Harbor Hill, L.P. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 4/2/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 551 5th Ave., 23rd Fl., NY, NY 10176. LP formed in DE on 5/15/18. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc. (CGI), 10 E. 40th St., Fl. 10, NY, NY 10016. DE addr. of LP: c/o CGI, 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Name/ addr. of genl. ptr. available from NY Sec. of State. Cert. of LP filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of RAHF IV Sunset Gardens, L.P. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 4/2/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. bus. addr.: 551 5th Ave., 23rd Fl., NY, NY 10176. LP formed in DE on 5/15/18. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc. (CGI), 10 E. 40th St., Fl. 10, NY, NY 10016. DE addr. of LP: c/o CGI, 850 New Burton Rd., Ste. 201, Dover, DE 19904. Name/ addr. of genl. ptr. available from NY Sec. of State. Cert. of LP filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to collocate wireless communications antennas at three (3) locations. Antennas will be installed at a top height of 84 feet on a 79-foot existing building at the approx. vicinity of 89-11 153rd Street, Jamaica, Queens County, NY 11432. Antennas will be installed at a top height of 190 feet on a 208-foot existing building at the approx. vicinity of 535 Carlton Avenue, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY 11238. Antennas will be installed at a top height of 105 feet on a 291-foot existing building at the approx. vicinity of 161 Varick Street, New York, New York County, NY 10013. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Lauren Schramm l.schramm@trileaf.com, 1395 South Marietta Pkwy, Building 400 Suite 209, Marietta, GA 30067, 678653-8673.” Notice of formation of Realopoly, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/16/2019. Office located in Richmond County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to: 322 New Dorp Lane #6, Staten Island, NY 10306. Purpose: any lawful activity or purpose.” Notice of Formation of ENC Property Maintenance, LLC filed with SSNY on May 20, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 39 Tynan Street Staten Island, NY 10312. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

CityAndStateNY.com / PUBLIC and LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of Formation of Groundworks Consulting LLC filed with SSNY on September 23, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 21 Stuyvesant Oval, Apt 4H, New York, NY 10009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LICENSE, SERIAL # 1321284 FOR WINE & BEER HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO SELL WINE & BEER AT RETAIL UNDER THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW AT 569 LINCOLN PL BROOKLYN, NY 11238. KINGS COUNTY, FOR ON-PREMISE CONSUMPTION.

Notice of Formation of UBSL COMPLIANCE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/18/19. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 1333 Broadway, Ste. 500, NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

MEMPHIS SEOUL LLC.

Notice of Qualification of UNTITLED PARTNERS, LP Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/22/19. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/15/19. Princ. office of LP: 412 W. 15th St., NY, NY 10011. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Untitled Holdings LLC, Attn: Neeraj Chandra, 412 W. 15th St., NY, NY 10011. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of DE, John G. Townsend Bldg.Ste. 4, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Red Arrow Advisors, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/14/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Richard P. Altieri, Carnelutti & Altieri Esposito Minoli PLLC, 551 Madison Ave., Ste. 450, NY, NY 10022. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of NYP YC LLC filed with SSNY on July 11, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 888 7th ave 5th FL NY NY 10106. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. Notice of Formation of PRK JEWELRY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/23/19. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Jane L. Brody, Esq., c/o Sherman Wells Sylvester & Stamelman LLP, 1185 Ave. of the Americas, Fl. 3, NY, NY 10036, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Watkins Worldwide, LLC filed with SSNY on June 12, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 445 E 14th St, 11E, NY, NY 10009. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LICENSE, SERIAL # 1321558 FOR LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO SELL LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER AT RETAIL UNDER THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW AT 371 BROOME ST. NEW YORK, NY 10013. NEW YORK COUNTY, FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION. ROOT NOLITA LLC.

October 7, 2019

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, V. ST. CLAIR JOHN; ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated July 23, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Kings, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and ST. CLAIR JOHN; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the KINGS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, ROOM 224, 360 ADAMS STREET, BROOKLYN NY 11201, on October 31, 2019 at 2:30PM, premises known as 134 EAST 92ND STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11212: Block 4610, Lot 26: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN, COUNTY OF KINGS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 501789/2017. JAMES MARTIN CAFFREY, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Notice of Qualification of LOWER MANHATTAN MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/24/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/13/19. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of The Promedex Institute, LLC filed with SSNY on June 12th, 2019. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 305 Sixth Ave. Unit 3L Pelham, NY 10803. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to relocate wireless communications antennas from an existing 135-foot water tank to an adjacently located existing 141-foot water tank at the approx. vicinity of 138 Albany Post Road, Montrose, Westchester County, NY 10548. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Alison Adams, a.adams@ trileaf.com, 1051 Winderley Pl, Ste 201, Maitland, FL 32751.

Notice of Formation of Bourdeau Acoustic Design LLC filed with SSNY on June 20, 2019. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 2 Pinehurst Avenue, C4, New York, NY 10033. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

NOTICE OF QUAL. of VC Atlantic Partners LLC. Auth. filed Sec’y of State (SSNY) 8/12/19. Off. Loc: NY Co. LLC org. in DE 8/8/19. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom proc. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to NRAI, 28 Liberty St, New York, NY 10005, the Reg. Agt upon whom proc. may be served. DE off. Addr.: 160 Greentree Dr., Ste 101, Dover, DE 19904. Cert of Form. on file: SSDE, Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A LICENSE, SERIAL # 1321701 FOR LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR BY THE UNDERSIGNED TO SELL LIQUOR, WINE, & BEER AT RETAIL UNDER THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW AT 1006 FLUSHING AVE BROOKLYN, NY 11237. KINGS COUNTY, FOR ON PREMISE CONSUMPTION. RABID INC PUBLIC NOTICE AT&T proposes to modify an existing facility (new tip heights 68’) on the building at 488 Morgan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (20191524). Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856-809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

Notice of Qualification of Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State on 11/19/2018. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in DE on 7/18/1996. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: The LLC, 520 Madison Ave., NY, NY 10022, principal business address. DE address of LLC: c/o The Corporation Trust Co., 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of MAGIC VALET LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/25/19. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/23/19. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o DHA Capital, 154 Grand St., #45-03, NY, NY 10013. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of DE, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity. Notice of Qualification of KEYFRAME FUND II, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/27/19. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/25/19. Princ. office of LP: 65 E. 55th St., 35th Fl., NY, NY 10022. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the Partnership at the princ. office of the LP. The regd. agent of the company upon whom and at which process against the company can be served is John Rapaport-c/o Rapaport Thesis Driven Capital Advisors, L.L.C., 65 E. 55th St., 35th Fl., NY, NY 10022. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

PUBLIC and LEGAL NOTICES / CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

1. Publication Title: City & State New York 2. Publication No.: 19703 3. Filing Date: September 30, 2019 4. Frequency: Weekly except for week of New Years, July 4th, Thanksgiving & Christmas 5. Number of issues published annually: 48 6. Annual subscription price: $99.00 7. Complete mailing address of Known Office of Publication: 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 8. Complete mailing address of Headquarters: 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 9. Full Names & Complete Address of publisher, editor and managing editor: Publisher- Tom Allon, address: 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 Editor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jon Lentz, address: 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 Managing Editor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ryan Somers, address: 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 10.Owner If the publication is owned by a corporation, give the name and address of the corporation immediately followed by the names and addresses of all stockholders owning or holding 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock. If not owned by a corporation, give the names and addresses of the individual owners. If owned by a partnership or other unincorporated firm, give its name and address as well as those of each individual owner. If the publication is published by a nonprofit organization, give its name and address. City and State NY, LLC; Tom Allon- 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721; Steve Farbman-61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721; Michael Steinhardt 61 Broadway, suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2721 11. Known Bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities: None 12. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has not changed during preceding 12 months 13. Publication Title: City & State New York 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data below: September 30, 2019 Extent and nature of circulation

Avg. No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

A. Total number of copies (net press run) B. Legitimate paid an/or requested distribution (by mail and outside the mail) B1. Outside County Paid/ Requested Mail Subscriptions B2. In County Paid/ Requested Mail Subscriptions B3. Sales through Dealers and Carriers Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation D. Non-requested distribution D1. Outside County Non-requested copies D2. In-County NonRequested copies D3. Non-requested copies distributed by USPS by other classes of mail Non-requested copies distributed outside of the mail Total Non-requested distribution Total Distribution Copies not distributed Total Percent Paid and/or requested circulation

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

3729

3704

2288

2564

2289

2565

531

464

829

625

1360 3649 80 3729

1089 3654 50 3704

62.73%

70.20%

16. No electronic circulation 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the October 7, 2019 issue of this publication 18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties): Tom Allon, Publisher

UNCLAIMED FUNDS! Insurance companies We can publish unclaimed funds for you quickly, easily and efficiently. WANT MORE INFO? EMAIL: LEGALNOTICES@CITYANDSTATENY.COM

46 CityAndStateNY.com

October 7, 2019

CITY & STATE NEW YORK MANAGEMENT & PUBLISHING CEO Steve Farbman, President & Publisher Tom Allon tallon@cityandstateny.com, Comptroller David Pirozzi, Business & Operations Manager Patrea Patterson, Administrative Assistant Lauren Mauro

Who was up and who was down last week

CREATIVE Art Director Andrew Horton, Senior Graphic Designer Alex Law, Graphic Designer Aaron Aniton

LOSERS

DIGITAL Digital Marketing Director Maria Cruz Lee, Digital Content Coordinator Michael Filippi, Social Media Editor/ Content Producer Amanda Luz Henning Santiago

CHRIS COLLINS The Western New York Republican congressman pleaded guilty and resigned from office after crying “witch hunt” for more than a year. The next stop for Collins could be the slammer for his role in an insider trading scheme – but at least he’s not going down alone. His resignation is surely dashing the congressional hopes of Democratic challenger Nate McMurray. Running against Collins was hard enough last year in the deeply red 27th Congressional District.

THE BEST OF THE REST

THE REST OF THE WORST

NICK LANGWORTHY

ISMAIL MOHAMMAD HASSAN & MOHAMED ALI HASSAN

With Rep. Chris Collins out of the way, the state GOP chair can just pick a successor.

BETSY GOTBAUM

Citizens Union is all about transparency ... until it’s suing to keep donors secret.

HENRY GARRIDO & LINDA MCPHERSON

Now all pre-K teachers are paid the same, these labor leaders deserve some naptime.

KELSEY LOUIE

AIDS is nearly done for in NY, thanks to the work of Gay Men’s Health Crisis.

If you’re going to (allegedly) bribe a city worker, try to cough up more than $400.

MICHAEL BLAKE

The oppo is piling up against the guy who lives in the district he’s running for.

ADVERTISING Vice President of Advertising Jim Katocin jkatocin@ cityandstateny.com, Account/Business Development Executive Scott Augustine saugustine@cityandstateny.com, Event Sponsorship Strategist Danielle Koza dkoza@ cityandstateny.com, Sales Associate Cydney McQuillanGrace cydney@cityandstateny.com, Junior Sales Executive Caitlin Dorman, Legal Advertising Executive Shakirah Gittens legalnotices@cityandstateny.com, Junior Sales Associate Chris Hogan EVENTS events@cityandstateny.com Sales Director Lissa Blake, Events Manager Alexis Arsenault, Event Coordinator Amanda Cortez, Editorial Research Associate Evan Solomon

Vol. 8 Issue 38 October 7, 2019 CHRIS COLLINS, GOP SAVIOR

OOD LLYW ITING IS HO EXPLO

ORK NEW Y HOW FAR WILL THE EMPIRE STATE GO TO BE A STAR?

CIT YANDSTATENY.COM

@CIT YANDSTATENY

HOW BUSINESSES BANDED TOGETHER TO RESCUE MANHATTAN October 7, 2019

Cover image Lightspring/Shutterstock

ARTHUR SCHWARTZ

He warned a 14th Street busway would unleash a transit apocalypse. It was fine.

SETH MYERS

This EDC honcho is stuck defending the NYC Ferry, which serves rich white folks.

WINNERS & LOSERS is published every Friday morning in City & State’s First Read email. Sign up for the email, cast your vote and see who won at cityandstateny.com.

CITY & STATE NEW YORK (ISSN 2474-4107) is published weekly, 48 times a year except for the four weeks containing New Year’s Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving and Christmas by City & State NY, LLC, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2763. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to City & State New York, 61 Broadway, Suite 1315, New York, NY 10006-2763. General: (212) 268-0442, subscribe@cityandstateny.com Copyright ©2019, City & State NY, LLC

SUSAN ARBETTER; FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

SUSAN ARBETTER For the Capitol press corps, this is it – the Big Time. The longtime host of WCNY’s “Capitol Pressroom” has landed a new gig succeeding Liz Benjamin as host of Spectrum’s “Capitol Tonight.” Listeners will miss Arbetter’s soothing voice wafting out of the “Plywood Hut” where she recorded her radio program, but reporters and the general public will now get a chance to watch politicians squirm under Arbetter’s firm – but always fair – interrogations.

OUR PICK

WINNERS

The poverty rate in New York City has dropped to a record low. That’s a great thing! Then New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had to come in and take credit for ending “the tale of two cities.” The very week that City & State published a meticulously reported argument that de Blasio didn’t have jack squat to do with it! We’ll let you decide who’s right. But remember, we have the power – to decide who’s on Winners & Losers.

EDITORIAL editor@cityandstateny.com Editor-in-Chief Jon Lentz jlentz@cityandstateny.com, Managing Editor Ryan Somers, Senior Editor Ben Adler badler@cityandstateny.com, Special Projects Editor Alice Popovici, Copy Editor Eric Holmberg, Staff Reporter Jeff Coltin jcoltin@cityandstateny.com, Staff Reporter Zach Williams zwilliams@cityandstateny.com, Staff Reporter Rebecca C. Lewis rlewis@cityandstateny.com, Tech & Policy Reporter Annie McDonough amcdonough@ cityandstateny.com, Staff Reporter Kay Dervishi

OCTOBER 24, 2019 The procurement process continues to be a major source of business for private organizations in New York. Just last fiscal year, over $19 billion in contracts were available for procurement in New York City. However, successfully navigating the process remains difficult and out of reach for many organizations. The Government Procurement Conference will foster business partnerships between the city and state level government, prime contractors, and small, minority, service-disabled veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses.

FEATURED SPEAKERS DAN SYMON Director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services SEAN CARROLL, Chief Procurement Officer, New York State Office of General Services CHARLETTE HAMAMGIAN, Senior Executive Director of the Division of Contracts and Purchasing New York City Department of Education ASSEMBLYWOMAN RODNEYSE BICHOTTE, Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBE COUNCILMAN BEN KALLOS, Chairman, Committee on Contracts MERSIDA IBRIC, Deputy CommissionerNew York City Office of Citywide Procurement STATE SEN. JAMES SANDERS JR., Chairman, Task Force of MWBEs GREGG BISHOP, Commissioner New York City Small Business Services TRYPHINA RAMSEY, MWBE Director, New York State Office of General Services COUNCILWOMAN HELEN ROSENTHAL, New York City Council RACHELMILLER, Associate Commissioner and Agency Chief Contracting Officer, New York City Administration for Children’s Services COUNCILMAN ROBERT E.CORNEGY JR., Chairman, Minority-and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Task Force RSVP at CityAndStateNY.com/Events For more information on programming and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lissa Blake at lblake@cityandstateny.com

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS