Downtown Express, July 17, 2014

VOLUME 27, NUMBER 3

JULY 17-JULY 30, 2014

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

A Water Day Splash

If you start with a cardboard kayak, there’s bound to be a mishap or two, particularly if you want to race one. It was all in good fun last Saturday on Governors Island as part of the annual Water Day celebration around the harbor. Twelve teams raced with the makeshift vessels, but once again Stevens Institute took the title.

Cuomo’s progressive foe popular with Downtown clubs B Y L I N CO L N A N D E R S O N

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fter previously voting “no endorsement” in the Democratic primary for governor, the Village Independent Democrats last Thursday reconsidered their position, ultimately throwing their support behind political newcomer Zephyr Teachout.

Teachout, a Fordham law professor, entered the Democratic primary in June after losing the Working Families Party endorsement to Governor Andrew Cuomo — and after V.I.D., in a rebuke of Cuomo, had already voted 26-0 for “no endorsement” in the primary.

Although her poll numbers are pretty low, she is

proving to be popular with Downtown Democratic clubs like Downtown Independent Democrats in Lower Manhattan, which voted not to endorse Cuomo, and may soon give their nod to Teachout.

One factor in D.I.D.’s snubbing of Cuomo was the governor’s role in the recently revealed “secret M.O.U.” (memorandum of understanding) to transfer $100 million worth of development rights from Pier 40 to the St. John’s Center site in Hudson Square.

Before last Thursday night’s revote by the Village club, the contenders first had another chance to address the club. Stand-up comic turned political Continued on page 12

5 15 C A NAL ST RE ET • NYC 10 013 • COP Y RIG HT © 2013 N YC COMMU N ITY MED IA , LLC

SEAPORT TOWER’S POWER: SURPRISING SUPPORT

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BY JOSH ROGERS

t’ll be another few months before the public gets to see how much the Howard Hughes Corp. has adjusted its proposed 600-foot tower at the South Street Seaport, but in the meanwhile, the tower has a lot more support than many observers thought.

Since the firm unveiled its proposal last fall, the tower to be built just outside the South Street Seaport Historic District has garnered near universal opposition at public meetings, but on Tuesday, the Seaport Working Group, which includes leading opponents of the project, released a survey showing 26 percent of Continued on page 5

As for “The Sopranos”, Schirripa told us he still gets asked about the series finale all the time. He thinks the meaning is simple.

“My personal opinion is nothing happened. What you saw is what you got,” he said. “Tony Soprano goes on living in New Jersey.”

THE CUOMO CLUB? AN OFFER WE DIDN’T REFUSE A big guy from the neighborhood with a gravelly voice that sounded like it was straight from “The Sopranos” gave us a call this week and asked us to do him a favor.

Even though everything turned out to be exactly as it seemed, we weren’t too scared because the call was from Steve Schirripa, the actor and Battery Park City resident most famous for playing Tony Soprano’s brother-in-law, Bobby Baccalieri.

Schirripa, who has lived at the north and now the south end of the nabe for over a decade, used to do fundraisers for P.S. and I.S. 289 where his children attended, even getting co-stars Michael Imperioli, Edie Falco and Steve Buscemi to play in a celebrity softball game.

And he loves B.P.C. as much as Bobby

“Sopranos” actor and Battery Park City resident Steve Schirripa.

loved his first wife’s lasagna.

“It’s like the suburbs of Manhattan,” he told us. “You pay a price for it, but it’s getting better all the time. People are stunned when they come down here.”

Speaking of lasagna, Schirripa wanted to tell us about his new Uncle Steve’s tomato sauce, which he will be promoting at Battery Place Market, 77 Battery Place, Wed., July 23 from 4 – 7 p.m.

“It’s my mom’s recipe, but we made it better,” he said of the organic, vegan, gluten-free and yes even kosher adjustments. “She passed away last year so I don’t know if she’d agree….

“I don’t want to sound like a pitchman even though that’s what I am, but the sauce is really good.”

Some Downtown politcos long in the tooth or up on local history perhaps noticed the generational shift in Village politics.

The more conservative (it’s all relative in Lower Manhattan) Village Reform Democratic Club formed 30 years ago as a vehicle to endorse Ed Koch for governor over Mario Cuomo, who got the nod from Koch’s old club, Village Independent Democrats.

More recently, as in the last few weeks, V.R.D.C. has come around to the Cuomo family, endorsing Mario’s boy, better known as Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but V.I.D. had none of it going with Zephyr Teachout over the younger Cuomo.

SEAPORT NOISE There’s been a lot of noise about South Street Seaport development plans, but there’s also been some about actual

noise as well.

Howard Hughes Corp., the Seaport mall operator and developer, moved its stage this year in deference to Southbridge Towers residents who had been complaining in years past, but the move did not work.

The firm received a good number of complaints this year about recent concerts.

“We thought we had a handle on it as a solution by putting the stage near Water St.— we thought good, problem solved,” Phillip St. Pierre, the Seaport’s general manager, told a Community Board 1 committee this week. “As it turns out, there was still a problem so we’re working on establishing levels that everyone can live with.”

“I couldn’t even hear my own TV and I’m down on Pearl St.,” Southbridge resident Una Perkins told St. Pierre.

There was also a little noise about literal development noise. The committee was concerned about how long Hughes would be driving piles at Pier 17, which it plans to begin reconstructing in October.

The firm’s Chris Curry didn’t have any answers, but neighbors were mildly reassured by the fact that no one at the meeting had noticed the test pile driving that’s been going on lately.

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DowntownExpress.com

July 17- July 30, 2014

3

SWEET SMELL OF MONEY The whiff of cologne and its eye-popping pricetag attracted shoplifters to two Downtown stores in the past week.

Police arrested a suspect, 45, for trying to take three bottles of Fierce cologne worth about $1,700 from the South Street Seaport Abercrombie & Fitch Sat., July 12 at 4 p.m. Police say he tried to conceal them in his bag, but an employee noticed and reported the crime.

The defendant does not fit the description of either of the suspects in another cologne caper two days later

Authentic Thai & Vegetarian

KNOCKED TO THE PAVEMENT A 19 year-old woman drinking coffee outside a Tribeca cafe was slammed to the ground Monday by a man asking to bum a sip.

Police say the woman was drinking on a bench outside Crave espresso cafe at 386 Canal St. just before 7 a.m, July 14 when a stranger who was about 5’ 11,” 180 pounds asked “can I have a sip of coffee?” When she refused, the attacker tried to take her knapsack from her body and knocked her to the ground before fleeing the scene. Police say the victim suffered minor injuries and did not seek medical attention.

LIGHT HANDS, HEAVY BAG

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A man stole a $1,300 pair of shoes from the Rick Owens department store in Hudson Square, just after noon on Mon., July 14. Police say the shoplifter put the shoes in his bag before leaving the 250 Hudson St. store.

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in Soho. In that incident, two men took over $1,000 worth of cologne from the Diesel Black Gold flagship store at 68 Greene St., on Mon, July 14 at 1:30 p.m.

Police say the store’s security cameras were not working.

— JOSH ROGERS

Downtown Express photo by Josh Rogers

Scene outside Crave cafe, where police say a woman was knocked to the ground outside after she refused to give a stranger a sip of her coffee

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July 17- July 30, 2014

DowntownExpress.com

In a surprise to all, New Amsterdam Market closes B Y J A N E L BL A D O W A Seaport staple since 2007, the New Amsterdam Market is no longer, founder Robert LaValva announced in a startling email Monday. The move surprised even the organization’s board members. It’s also unclear whether upcoming fundraising events will be held or canceled.

The announcement, which described the greenmarket’s history and success, also put blame on City Councilmember Margaret Chin for its demise. He wrote that Chin “betrayed the community in favor of a suburban shopping mall developer.”

Chin quickly responded July 14, denouncing the attack, citing her help raising funds for the market and saying that she will continue work to find positive solutions that will help the community.

“Dear Friends,” began LaValva’s email, “I am sorry to announce that New Amsterdam Market has ended, and will no longer take place on South Street.

“Founded in 2005, New Amsterdam Market was first staged at the site of the Old Fulton Fish Market in Lower Manhattan on December 16, 2007. Over

Downtown Express file photo by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

The New Amsterdam Market last year.

the ensuing seven years, the market grew in frequency and scope while nurturing an evolving community of small businesses dedicated to sustainable food production…

“We also championed the preservation of New York City’s oldest commons, where public trade has been conducted since 1642. We held a total 88 markets and…contributed to the creation of more than 350 jobs.

“However, I was never able to raise the funding or attract the influential backers needed for our organization to thrive. Furthermore, we were dealt a mor-

tal blow in 2013 when Councilmember Chin, who had long professed to support our cause, betrayed the community in favor of a suburban shopping mall developer, Howard Hughes. As a result, Lower Manhattan has already lost more than one acre of beloved and irreplaceable public space [at Pier 17] and is now seeing its most precious public asset ruined by inappropriate programming and terrible waterfront design.”

LaValva was not available by phone or email at deadline. An automatic reply to email stated that he would be away from the office until July 21. He would respond

to messages then.

Before the end of the day, Chin issued her own statement, critical of LaValva’s email. She said: “Like many other members of our Lower Manhattan community, I was sorry to learn this morning that the New Amsterdam Market has ended. Aside from that, it would be an understatement to say that I am deeply disappointed by Robert LaValva’s email attacking me as part of his announcement of the closure.

“After speaking with a member of the New Amsterdam Market’s board of directors, I quickly confirmed that Mr. LaValva’s email this morning was sent without the approval or knowledge of the New Amsterdam Market board. In fact, I have a great relationship with the board… and I look forward to continuing to work them in order to keep the market going for the good of our community.

“Mr. LaValva’s claim that I have ‘betrayed the community’ regarding the market and the Seaport is false.”

LaValva has said that the two food markets of 10,000 square feet Chin Continued on page 7

Survey says: Seaport project has surprising level of support SOUTH STREET SEAPORT // THE SITE

Continued from page 1

the comments it received opposed Guideline 6, which calls for alternatives to the tower, and 3 percent offered neutral opinions.

Although 71 percent support for the guideline is high, it was dwarfed by support for the other principles, most of which received at least 95 percent.

“That [26] percent number bothered me last night,” said John Fratta, chairperson of Community Board 1’s Seaport Committee and a member of the working group. “Because it just seemed too high for me.”

The group received 1,946 “eligible comments” on the guidelines either from its online survey or written comments at the public unveiling of the principles June 2, although far fewer commented on any specific principle.

The nine guidelines are carefully-worded and general in nature, allowing opponents and supporters of the Hughes proposal to disagree on whether the firm has already met many of them.

“I think if you look at all the guidelines, I would say the project that we’re envisioning is consistent with those guidelines,” Chris Curry, senior executive vice president of development for Hughes, told Downtown Express last month.

The guidelines also include calls for more open space, historic preservation, and storm resiliency.

Curry, who got a private preview of the findings Monday night along with the rest of the Seaport DowntownExpress.com

Working Group, also attended Community Board 1’s Seaport Committee Tuesday, when the survey results were released.

He declined to comment on the results. He confirmed at the meeting that Hughes expects to have its application for Landmarks approval early in September and a new version of the mixed-use tower proposal later in the fall.

That timetable runs counter to the desires of Community Board 1 and many Seaport Working Group members who want to see the entire proposal together.

“It’s still my hope we see everything as a master plan, and we don’t see things in segments and bits and pieces,” said Michael Kramer, a member of Board 1 and the working group.

The tower site, on the New Market Building, would likely include residential apartments and possibly a hotel.

It would not need landmarks approval, although officials with the city’s Economic Development Corp., which oversees the city-owned property at the Seaport, have indicated they want to see neighborhood consensus on a proposal before it offered support.

The landmark application will be reviewed by C.B. 1, which will offer an advisory opinion before it goes for approval to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The commission is likely to be most concerned about the plan to move the Tin Building and add a rooftop addition. The building, which is decaying, must be raised to meet new storm guidelines, requiring it to be moved because of its proximity to the elevated

PIER 17 NEW MARKET BUILDING

LINK BUILDING

TIN BUILDING

PROJECT BOUNDARY

HISTORIC DISTRICT BUILDINGS

Image courtesy of the Howard Hughes Corp.

Schematic of the project areas, including the New Market Building, pictured, and the Tin Building.

F.D.R. Drive.

Later in the fall, Hughes plans to submit its application for a Uniform Land Use Procedure, better known as ULURP, in order to build on the tower site. The City Council has the power to stop a ULURP. By all accounts, Councilmember Margaret Chin and Borough President Gale Brewer, who has an advisory say under ULURP, have been two of the most active members of the working group, which also includes leaders of C.B. 1, neighborhood small business owners and residents, business groups like the Downtown Alliance, as well as the Hughes firm.

Like Brewer, Community Board 1 will have a chance to review the proposal before it goes to the Council.

July 17- July 30, 2014

5

Peck Slip play area bounced by CitiBike

BY DUS ICA SU E M A L E SE V IC AND J O SH RO G E RS The placement of a CitiBike docking station at Peck Slip this month has spurred mixed reactions from Lower Manhattan community members.

Peck Slip was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy and was filled with construction equipment that had been recently cleared.

“We finally got this back,” said Paul Hovitz, a Community Board 1 member. “I don’t understand why they would put the bikes racks here now, other than they could.”

Residents and their children had been using the open area to play soccer, skateboard, walk dogs, and other activities.

“There are so few open spaces Downtown,” said Hovitz. “The West Side has a number including ball fields and all. And we have so little down here that its very challenging.”

No one disputes that the community did want a CitiBike station in the area, but Community Board 1 had requested one at a different location. Last December, Community Board 1 adopted a resolution that requested the city’s Department of Transportation and CitiBike “examine the usage of CitiBike stations in our district in order to relocate a station from an underutilized area to the South Street Seaport, on South St. between Fulton St. and Peck Slip.”

“Also, it is our understanding at the community board, that D.O.T. would discuss future locations of bike racks with the community board before installing them,” said Hovitz.

“This was not done. They simply appeared.”

“It’s kind of tough,” said Marco Pasanella, a Community Board 1 and Old Seaport Alliance member.

“I’m surprised that they had decided to put a partition right there.”

But, he added, “we’re happy to have CitiBike.”

At the board’s Seaport Committee meeting Tuesday, Michael Kramer suggested another alternative site for a bike docking station, the northeast corner of Peck Slip and Front St., and it was quickly endorsed by committee members, including Amanda Byron Zink, a local shop owner and resident.

“It’s helping in some way to draw

6

July 17- July 30, 2014

Downtown Express photo by Dusica Sue Malesevic

This CitiBike station at Peck Slip has taken over a temporary children’s play space, but Community Board 1 says there’s room on the block for both.

‘It’s helping in some way to draw traffic to our street although, I’m sad because I have kids and we like to play in the park.’

traffic to our street although, I’m sad because I have kids and we like to play in the park,” Zink said of the bike station. “Mike’s recommendation is perfect.”

The majority of people are very happy with the station, Whitney Barrat of the Old Seaport Alliance, said in a phone interview. “We all agree that Peck Slip is not the ideal location,” she said but “to have it gone, it would be an incredible loss.”

At the meeting, Barrat, said the city Dept. of Transportation plans to soon examine the bumpy sec-

tion to determine if it was suitable for pedestrians and playing activities. She said she expects there will be tables and chairs added to the area this summer.

The Seaport Alliance expects to manage the public space and has taken out liability insurance as the city requires.

There are still ongoing plans to turn Peck Slip into a permanent park space and the committee hopes to meet with the Parks Dept. in September to get an update on the project, which was approved in 2006.

Both Parks and D.O.T. declined to comment for this article.

The current open space, said Gary Fagin, “has been a great boon to the community — especially for the children.”

The area used to be a loading zone for the Fulton Fish Market until it closed in 2005, Fagin said, and now that Peck Slip is open, he doesn’t want to see it cluttered up with generic and unhistoric accouterments.

Angela Wong, 30, and her co-worker Kathlene Penaflor, 29, have been working at Suteishi, a Japanese restaurant across from Peck Slip for six years. SUteiShi was shut down for a year after Sandy, offering only delivery and take-out services.

Wong and Penaflor remember when Peck Slip was a cobblestone street used for parking. They were using the space to tan, lying on one of the many square white boulders that dot the area. They were glad that the CitiBike station was there — it could help bring in customers.

DowntownExpress.com

In a surprise move, New Amsterdam Market closes Continued from page 5

secured with last year’s deal to redevelop the Pier 17 mall, were too small to maintain a vibrant market feel at the former Fulton Fish Market, and that Chin did not do enough to check Hughes’ development plans for he rest of the neighborhood.

In her statement, Chin countered: “Here are some facts: I proudly helped secure funding from the City Council and the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation in order to support the New Amsterdam Market. I made sure to provide Mr. LaValva and the New Amsterdam Market with opportunities to formalize his relationship with the City.

“Now, Mr. LaValva is trying to publicly blame me for something that he could have prevented by working more collaboratively with my office and the city. That might make for an attention-grabbing email, but it’s not the truth.”

New Amsterdam Market board member Roland Lewis, who is also president of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, told Downtown Express that the move to close the non-profit greenmarket by LaValva came as a surprise to its board.

“We haven’t spoken to Robert,” Lewis

DowntownExpress.com

said. “It’s always been a challenge for the market to make it.”

The board held an emergency meeting Monday to discuss how to proceed.

“We would like to see the market continue,” he said.

He also said that the market and development of the Seaport are “two separate issues.” He praised Chin’s support of the market.

Long-time Seaport resident and activist Gary Fagin summed up the disappointment of many neighbors about the news and the direction Howard Hughes Corp. management is taking in the Seaport.

“Along with the removal of the Fulton Fish Market, the demise of the Museum of the City of New York’s management [of the South Street Seaport Museum], and the return of chintz and tchotchka shops to the Seaport Marketplace, this rates as another huge blow to authenticity in the South Street Seaport Historic District.

“One would only hope — and it’s a big hope — that this will engender a serious re-evaluation by City Hall of the direction of the Seaport,” he concluded.

Similarly, Water St. resident Matthew Rosenstein said, “When do we as a city

Downtown Express file photo by Terese Loeb Kreuzer

Back in 2011, Councilmember Margaret Chin, center, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, joined New Amsterdam Market founder Robert LaValva, for the market’s opening for the season.

decide that we don’t need another chain store or another glass and steel building?

When do we decide that our history and traditions deserve better? I truly wonder whether visitors or indeed residents of the South Street Seaport in five or ten years will have any sense at all of its historical significance and past character. If things play out according to the current plan, why would they?”

The next New Amsterdam Market was scheduled for July 26. LaValva posted on Facebook recently that he was working with “noted chef David Tanis,

formally of Chez Panisse, on a seasonally-inspired clam bake.”

Tanis who currently writes the weekly “City Kitchen” column for the New York Times, emailed Downtown Express his own regrets about the end of the New Amsterdam Market.

“Robert LaValva fought tirelessly for the New Amsterdam Market to become a reality, mainly with a dream and great perseverance,” he said. “It’s a great shame that City Hall deemed the project unworthy and withheld support. The historic Seaport and the neighborhood deserve better.”

July 17- July 30, 2014

7

Pace students find traffic problems on William St.

BY A N N U M KH A N A visit to William St. during the afternoon will confirm the need for more traffic law enforcement. A truck stops in the middle of an eroding crosswalk at the corner of Exchange Place while pedestrians try to dodge it. Walking up William St., the busy plaza at Liberty St. and Maiden Lane has no stoplight as cars and trucks try to get by while the lunch hour rush of people jaywalk all over.

“As far as safety goes, we need more traffic people in the streets,” a 53-year-old traffic officer on William St. said. He said the N.Y.P.D. was currently hiring more traffic patrol and they are needed during rush hour.

Twenty-four Pace University students conducted a traffic safety survey in their spring urban planning class and presented it this month to Community Board 1’s Financial District Committee.

The survey showed numerous traffic violations, eroding crosswalk and vehicle stop lines and dilapidated or confusing street signs along William St. and Nassau St. in the Financial District.

Michael Levine, the students’ pro-

Downtown Express photo by Annum Khan

Liberty and William Sts. is one of several intersections with faded crosswalk signs.

fessor and Community Board 1’s planning consultant and an urban planning professor, presented the survey at the meeting. It was initiated at the request of concerned board members who have witnessed frequent accidents in the seven intersections the

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July 17- July 30, 2014

survey studied — along William St. where it crosses at Beaver St., Liberty St., John St. and Maiden Lane and along Nassau St. where it crosses at Maiden Lane, Beekman St. and Spruce St. After tracking traffic at morning rush hour, noon and evening rush hour, the survey recommended traffic guards on Nassau St. and Beekman St. where vehicles frequently stopped in the middle of crosswalks, rolled past stop signs and were aggressive with pedestrians.

“I hate it,” S. McCorkle, 32, of the South Bronx, said on a recent visit.

McCorkle works as a correctional officer near the William St. and Maiden Lane intersection. “Right now there’s just a stop sign here,” she said of the intersection. She would like to see a stoplight or a traffic controller.

The survey found 75 rolling stops at Beaver and William St. where the survey recommended South William St. become a no-car street or allow only left turns onto Beaver St. At Liberty and William Sts., where many cars roll or sped past stop signs, trucks double-park and pedestrians jaywalk, the survey recommended a stoplight, traffic officer or street camera. The survey recommended

repainting severely faded crosswalks all along Nassau and William Sts., and the addition of a stop sign at John and William St. Disobeying traffic signs is the top traffic violation for the year so far in the First Precinct, which includes the area surveyed, according to summonses data from N.Y.P.D. traffic reports. In the survey, over 200 traffic violations were rolling stops or not stopping at stop signs.

Recommendations were made for more visible street signs because they were blocked or tarnished by construction work scaffolding on John St. and Maiden Lane intersections at William St. The city Dept. of Buildings confirmed they would be inspecting the street signs on William and John Sts. At Liberty and William Sts., trucks were double parked or parked on sidewalks to bypass other trucks, limiting an already crowded street to other vehicles and pedestrians.

The traffic officer on William St. said this limited space was especially problematic for ambulances trying to get through.

Fines for double parking are something delivery trucks must already deal with due to lack of space for commercial vehicles.

Commercial truck driver, Jeff Martin, 45, of Brooklyn, is constantly asked by traffic officers to move his truck when trying to make a delivery or receives parking tickets.

“It’s harder on the truck drivers,” Martin said, who are trying to make a living.

According to Martin, he had problems at Liberty and William Sts., but also on Water St. and Broad St. where city bike racks, taxis and police vehicles frequently take up space that could be used for loading and unloading.

C.B. 1’s committee passed a resolution July 2 to reach out and work with city agencies to make the surveyed area safer for vehicles and pedestrians alike. A Dept. of Transportation spokesperson said in an email that D.O.T. would work with the board one on the traffic safety issues.

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Greenhouse’s ‘bizarre’ idea to win community support? Happy hour B Y SE RG E I KL E B NIK O V After closing for “rebranding,” violence-plagued nightspot Greenhouse will continue with its attempts to reopen, this time reportedly with a “new concept.”

The Varick St. nightclub has had a troubled history. In late April, the club was forced to shut down after its liquor license expired. A renewal application was filed with the State Liquor Authority, which after several months has yet to reach a decision.

Separately, Greenhouse has also applied to the city Department of Consumer Affairs for a cabaret license, which is needed to allow patron dancing at the club.

At a Community Board 2 S.L.A. Committee meeting last month, Greenhouse representatives surprised everyone with a presentation on their reopening plans that opponents described as “bizarre.” The discussion focused on the club’s application for a cabaret license, for which C.B. 2’s role — as usual — would be to give an advisory approval or denial.

Speaking for Greenhouse were the club’s lawyer, Monte Albers de Leon,

and Eric Biberman, who described himself as the club’s new special events manager. They said that the club plans “a completely different method of operation” in order to win community support.

The two representatives explained that the club wanted to open at 4 p.m. (instead of 10 p.m.), and have a happy hour, serve dinner and become a place where local residents could enjoy hanging out. In addition to those additional early-evening hours, Greenhouse would remain a nightclub from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., they said.

However, their application to D.C.A. for a cabaret license ran into opposition from local residents and neighborhood associations who want the club closed for good. The C.B. 2 committee advised against the application, telling the Greenhouse reps that they would need to clarify details about the club’s new model or else they would have to withdraw.

According to Sylvia Beam, president of the Vandam St. Block Association, de Leon told the C.B. 2 committee that the nightclub was waiting for papers to get signed, and “couldn’t disclose anything

Downtown Express file photo

Greenhouse nightclub.

at this point.” Beam also noted that the club was illegally operating without a cabaret license, since its previous one expired two years ago.

“Besides the new hours, we haven’t seen anything concrete,” said Richard Blodgett, who lives near the club, which is at Varick and Charlton Sts. He added that Greenhouse has repeatedly made excuses that there are “new principles

involved,” despite refusing to reveal additional details. “They need to show us what is going to change.”

Greenhouse withdrew its cabaret-license application to D.C.A., but reportedly plans on re-filing. There is another C.B. 2 committee meeting at which it can provide further information schedContinued on page 10

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DowntownExpress.com

July 17- July 30, 2014

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July 17- July 30, 2014

Overnight work at Four Seasons gets OK from C.B.1

BY AN N UM KHAN Amidst the seemingly never-ending construction in the Downtown area, the Four Seasons hotel and private residences project at 30 Park Place aims to limit its share of noise until the projected project completion date in June 2016.

Eric Reid, Four Seasons construction manager at Tishman Construction, spoke at a Community Board 1’s Financial District meeting last week to specifically address the ways in which more efficient construction methods could be used to reduce noise levels. Methods included only one lane closure, minimized truck loading and less equipment usage, all possible during night construction that runs from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The board’s committee approved the project’s night construction by agreeing to write a letter of acknowledgement to the city Dept. of Buildings, which wanted a show of support from the community board. The Four Seasons night

Downtown Express photo by Annum Khan.

Construction work on the Four Seasons hotel being built at 30 Park Pl.

construction is a part of the project’s precast panel erection phase in which approximately six concrete panels will be erected each night.

The 82-story building will have nearly 200 hotel rooms, 157 residences and a community park.

The project has been completed to the 40th floor, according to Dara McQuillan, a spokesman for Silverstein Properties, the developer of the project.

Greenhouse club Continued from page 9

uled in late July.

The application is “sitting in limbo,” explained Blodgett, but he thinks that “clearly they will re-file.”

The S.L.A. has yet to reach a decision on Greenhouse’s application to renew its liquor license. However, Blodgett and other locals suspect that the prolonged decision period means the S.L.A. will most likely renew the license.

Greenhouse is currently owned by Larry Hughes, a former basketball player with the Knicks, and Hirokuni Sai, a Japanese businessman. According to new manager Biberman, Hughes and Sai should not be held responsible for the club’s many problems, since they are hands-off owners.

The two owners are never present for any of the hearings and are “passive investors who don’t get involved,” according to Blodgett. Several people present at last month’s meeting requested but were reportedly denied the e-mail addresses and contact information of the two owners.

Biberman said that the prior management should be held accountable for the club’s many problems in recent

years, and that they have been fired.

However, this is a story that neighbors have heard repeatedly from Greenhouse — that is, blame everything on prior management.

Opposition continues against the club in the wake of the two applications. Neighbors have been expressing opposition at C.B. 2 meetings, as well as starting letter campaigns to Governor Andrew Cuomo and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

Even the Hudson Square business improvement district, Hudson Square Connection, has condemned the nightclub. Not only is it unusual for a BID to oppose a local business, but in this case, one located in a property owned by one of the BID’s own board members.

In addition, the Trump Soho condo-hotel, on Spring St., wrote a strongly worded letter to the S.L.A. in opposition to Greenhouse’s liquor-license renewal application.

Greenhouse’s only comment for this article was a prepared statement from their attorney, de Leon.

“The corporation is currently working with the community and is looking forward to providing its neighbors a level of service they can be proud of,” he said.

DowntownExpress.com

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11

Downtown political clubs like Cuomo’s liberal opponent candidate Randy Credico, a merciless Cuomo critic, chided V.I.D. for not backing him the last time around.

“I earned the right to be endorsed by this club.

But this is not a radical club — this is a Jacobin club,” accused Credico, who is also a student of political history.

He admitted, however, that Teachout has “got a lot of buzz” right now.

“She’s a very dynamic candidate,” he said.

“Cuomo is probably more fearful of her than me.”

With a final impersonation of Jimmy Stewart, followed by a declaration of, “I’m the Robespierre of the Democratic Party,” and “You’re Danton,” flung humorously at a V.I.D.’er., he strode out of the room, pushing his “running mate,” his little white dog, ahead of him in a baby stroller.

Next to have the floor, Teachout blasted Cuomo for not having achieved a Democratic-led State Senate or campaign finance reform, both of which he had promised he would bring about.

In fact, she branded him “a good, moderate Republican.”

Actually, at the very moment, Cuomo was “at a fundraiser Upstate with two Republicans,” she charged.

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community FRIDAY, JULY 18, 6pm Family Friday Pizza and Movie Night Relax with your kids and meet other downtown families for free pizza, children’s movies, and community. All families with young children are welcome.

Charlotte’s Place SUNDAY, JULY 20 & 27, 12:45pm Brown Bag Lunch Ministry: Packing Lunches Help pack non-perishable lunches, which will be distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays after the 12:05pm Eucharist.

74 Trinity Place, Parlor WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 & 30, 12pm Public Art: Summer Ribbon Project During the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, hundreds of people tied white “Remember to Love” ribbons to the fence at St. Paul’s with personal messages of remembrance and love. Trinity donated these ribbons to Muriel Stockdale (the artist behind the Charlotte’s Place flag collection) and she will be sharing the creation of this project all summer.

Charlotte’s Place

Continued on page 13

FRIDAY, JULY 25, 6pm Family Friday Yoga and Veggie Night Practice with your children in this familyfocused yoga class! As kids discover the foundations of yoga, adults can stretch away their stresses from the week.

Charlotte’s Place

education SUNDAY, JULY 20 & 27, 10am Community Bible Study An open, weekly Bible study during the summer, while regular Discovery classes are on break. Whether you’re a Bible scholar, just opening the book for the first time, or anywhere in between, your voice is welcome and encouraged. Led by the Community Bible Study team.

74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl, Parlor SUNDAY, JULY 20 & 27, 10am The Gospel, Times, Journal, and You A discussion group that reads the editorial pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the assigned Gospel for the day. Led by the Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones.

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Downtown Express photo by Lincoln Anderson

worship SUNDAY, 8am & 10am St. Paul’s Chapel · Holy Eucharist 8pm · Compline by Candlelight SUNDAY, 9am & 11:15am Trinity Church · Preaching, music, and Eucharist · Child care available MONDAY—FRIDAY, 12:05pm Trinity Church · Holy Eucharist MONDAY—FRIDAY, 5:15pm All Saints’ Chapel, in Trinity Church Evening Prayer Watch online webcast

Leah Reddy

Continued from page 1

“Someone with core Democratic values would take a clear stance on fracking,” she said. “New York should be leading on that question of banning fracking.”

During questions from club members, Charles Stimson asked why she didn’t vote last year, to which Teachout responded she had been out of town at a political event. But there were three different dates to vote — the mayoral primary, the general election and the public-advocate runoff between Tish James and Daniel Squadron — he noted. Unfazed, a smiling Teachout responded that she’s committed to running.

Finally, Erik Bottcher, Cuomo’s local liaison, spoke for the governor. He noted Cuomo passed marriage equality, plus has handled three 100year storms in three-and-a-half years, including Hurricane Sandy, and won federal funding to deal with the disasters’ effects.

Unemployment is down to pre-2008 levels, he pointed out, while the state has its highest credit rating since 1972.

Also, Cuomo has closed 13 Upstate prisons, he said, noting, “We don’t build prisons to give people jobs.” The amount of solar-powered energy in the state has quadrupled under Cuomo, who also

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July 17- July 30, 2014

DowntownExpress.com

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Continued from page 12

acquired land in the Adirondacks for the state, he added.

“These are progressive accomplishments that haven’t made the cover of The New York Times,” he stressed.

Club members then continued the discussion among themselves.

V.I.D.’s Nat Johnson warned that Cuomo, if elected, would surely push ahead with legalizing fracking. But Bottcher replied that Cuomo has said he won’t make a decision while environmental studies on fracking’s safety are still being done.

“There’s no rush to move forward with this,” he said. “The studies are still taking place.”

Keen Berger said she was backing Teachout because of her stance on two issues of deep importance to her — public education and campaign finance reform.

Meanwhile, two other local clubs have already endorsed Teachout — Coalition for a District Alternative (CoDA), the leading East Village political club, and the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, a gay organization led by Allen Roskoff.

During a speech last month at V.I.D., Teachout said that while she planned to be “in it to win it,” she also hoped to pressure Cuomo on the issues. A strong run by Teachout, even if she doesn’t win, could put a dent in Cuomo’s presidential ambitions, many say, denying him the overwhelming mandate he wants.

“I would love to be the governor of New York,” Teachout said. “But I would also like to get this governor of ours back inside the Democratic fold, get a little discipline, actually listen to the deep, very heartfelt concerns of the Democrats of this state.”

She hammered Cuomo on fracking, saying she hopes that during the campaign he will “feel pressure” to announce a ban on the hotly debated drilling technique. The governor, she declared, should “commit to protecting our state from poison, and commit to sustainable energy — sun, solar and wind — that would not only create a sustainable state, but also create jobs.

DowntownExpress.com

Her message is clearly resonating with Downtown progressives.

Sean Sweeney, a leading member of Downtown Independent Democrats, said Teachout seems to be a shoo-in.

“I fully expect her to be endorsed,” he said. “Cuomo has engendered a lot of antagonism amongst the D.I.D. grassroots, while Zephyr better embodies their beliefs.”

Sweeney also cited Cuomo’s “resistance to taxing the wealthy.”

He conceded that, in his opinion, voting for Teachout is “a protest vote,” but that her campaign can hurt Cuomo nonetheless.

“If she gets 25 or 30 percent, that’s embarrassing,” he said, noting that, in any race, the typical protest vote is only around 15 percent. “She could bloody Cuomo’s nose, which would certainly affect his ability to garner the Democratic nomination in 2016.”

But while some leading Downtown Democratic clubs are championing Teachout, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the ultimate barometer for this election.

After all, last year, V.I.D., D.I.D. and CoDA all backed John Liu for mayor in the primary, feeling he was the most progressive candidate. But hamstrung by a campaign finance scandal, Liu wound up finishing fourth.

And elected officials certainly aren’t going to toss Cuomo overboard. Assemblymember Deborah Glick’s home club is V.I.D., but she said she’s supporting the governor for re-election — though she hasn’t issued a formal endorsement statement.

“I don’t know her. I haven’t heard her speak,” Glick said of Teachout.

“When you’re a candidate, it’s one thing,” she noted. “When you have to govern, it’s different. Being governor is a tough job.

“I’ve certainly had my differences with the governor,” Glick said. “But, on balance, he has demonstrated that government can work, at a time when the opposition — and I mean the Republicans and conservatives — are saying that government can’t work and should be done away with.

And through the floods and emergencies, he’s demonstrated that government can do things, and there’s a reason for government.”

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Something even higher than God’s Love — a luxury building

BY L I N CO L N A N DE R S O N The skyline is rapidly changing around Spring St. and Sixth Ave. On the corner, God’s Love We Deliver is rebuilding and vertically expanding its Soho headquarters.

Meanwhile, just to the north — and getting a boost from a transfer of air rights from the do-gooding, hot-meals provider — One Vandam, a new 25-unit luxury apartment building, is swiftly rising.

The 14-story project’s Web site lists four units still available, including two penthouses with four bedrooms each. One penthouse has 5,300 square feet and is going for $28 million, the other, with 3,400 square feet, is priced at $15 million. Two units on lower floors are being offered for a mere $6.2 million and $6.5 million.

A group of residents called the South Village Neighbors is still battling the project.

“We have recently retained new counsel and continue to explore legal remedies to the dubious air rights transfer that permitted this massive, out-of-scale and out-of-context building,” said Micki McGee. “The challenges are formidable in such a fight, and the failure of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to protect the full South Village as a landmarked district in time to prevent this calamity is one that is likely to impact residents for years to come.

Downtown Express photo

Works in progress: One Vandam, left, and the God’s Love We Deliver building, right.

“The entire South Village, including the triangle South of Houston St., should be landmarked immediately to prevent further damage to this beautiful, low-scale residential neighborhood,” McGee said.

“This is not a place for towers. Not at 180 Sixth Ave. [the actual address of One Vandam], not at 78 Sullivan St., and not on another lot in our beautiful,

but vanishing, neighborhood.

“The ad copy for One Vandam is ‘SOHO. ELEVATED.’ We say the South Village is being decimated,” McGee said.

“God’s Love We Deliver should rightly change their name to God’s Love We Develop for their part in this disaster of overdevelopment.”

Fighting to make Lower Manhattan the greatest place to live, work, and raise a family.

Assemblyman Shelly Silver If you need assistance, please contact my office at (212) 312-1420 or email silver@ assembly.state.ny.us.

14

July 17- July 30, 2014

DowntownExpress.com

TRANSIT SAM Thurs., July 17 – Wed., July 23 ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT ALL WEEK Special alert! President Obama is coming to New York Thursday afternoon for a D.N.C. roundtable event. The White House has yet to release details on the location, but he will likely chopper into Wall St. and motorcade to the event. That will make for freezes in and near the Financial District. His arrival may coincide with the beginning of rush hour, so be sure to follow me on Twitter @gridlocksam for the latest news on his visit.

A full weekend closure ahead on the Manhattanbound Brooklyn Bridge! Midnight Friday night to 6 a.m. Monday morning, you’ll have to take a different East River crossing. The Battery (Hugh L. Carey) Tunnel and Manhattan Bridge will be popular, so expect extra traffic at those crossings and West and Canal Sts., where they let out in Lower Manhattan.

Additionally, the Brooklyn Bridge/Manhattan Civic Center exit (Exit 2) on the northbound F.D.R. will close during the same time period.

Double tunnel trouble Thursday night! In the Battery Tunnel, one tube will close 9 p.m.

Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday.

One lane will remain open in each direction in the other tube. In the Holland Tunnel, one of

two New York-bound lanes will close 11 p.m.

Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. So if you’re crossing the Hudson, expect delays in the tunnel and on Canal St. For the East River, consider taking the Brooklyn Bridge, but beware slower traffic.

In the Lincoln Tunnel, the New York-bound tube will close midnight Friday night to 8 a.m. Saturday morning. This will send Manhattan-bound traffic down to the Holland Tunnel.

Brooklyn-bound F trains run via the A line between West 4th St. and Jay St.-MetroTech 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. That means no Downtown F service at Broadway-Lafayette, 2nd Ave., Delancey St., or East Broadway. Take the D to Broadway-Lafayette, and take the Queens-bound F back from Jay St for the other stations.

M.T.A. FASTRACK work will affect E, M, and R service in Lower Manhattan 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Monday through Wednesday nights. During those hours, no E trains will run between Roosevelt Ave. and the World Trade Center. M service between 71st Ave. in Queens and Essex St. and R service between 71st Ave. and Whitehall St. will end early.

The D.O.T. Weekend Walks Explore Chinatown Mid-Summer Festival will close Mott St. between Canal St. and Chatham Square 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday.

Thursday, a promotional event will partially close Broadway between Battery Pl. and Morris St. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Broadway between Beaver and Stone Sts. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FROM THE MAILBAG: Dear Transit Sam, I often find it convenient to take the Battery Tunnel to get into Brooklyn from Manhattan. However, at night, the access to the tunnel Brooklyn-bound from West St. is often closed. At what time do they usually do this? Is it weekends only, or every day?

Ben, New York Dear Ben, The West St. underpass closes nightly at 9 p.m. for maintenance. However, it’s easy to get around it and will add just a minute or so. Go to the end of West St. and take the left-lane U-turn which brings you onto the northbound side of West St. and gives you a right turn into the tunnel.

Transit Sam Have a question about a parking ticket, traffic rules, public transportation, or street cleaning rules?

If so, send me an e-mail at TransitSam@downtownexpress.com or write to Transit Sam, 322 Eighth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Trinity Preschool New location opening in the fall The Trinity Preschool has provided excellent childcare for the Lower Manhattan community for more than 30 years. We are proud to announce the school’s new location at 50 Park Place between Church Street and West Broadway. The preschool offers a full-day program (from 8am to 6pm), year round, for children ages 3 months to 5 years. Part time enrollment for 3- or 2-days a week is subject to availability.

Schedule a tour: 212.602.0829

DowntownExpress.com

July 17- July 30, 2014

15

PUBLISHER

Jennifer Goodstein EDITOR

Josh Rogers ARTS EDITOR

Scott Stiffler SR. V.P. OF SALES & MARKETING

Francesco Regini RETAIL AD MANAGER

Colin Gregory

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Bill Fink Allison Greaker Mike O’Brien Rebecca Rosenthal Julio Tumbaco ART / PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Troy Masters SENIOR DESIGNER

Michael Shirey GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Andrew Gooss Chris Ortiz PHOTOGRAPHERS

Milo Hess Jefferson Siegel PUBLISHER EMERITUS

John W. Sutter

Now that’s a shark

Downtown Express photo by Scot Surbeck

This fisherman pulled in a two-foot dogfish shark last week at the southern end of Battery Park City. The state’s Dept. of Environmental Conservation says the neighborhood is one of the prime spots to catch the sharks, which Brits love as the fish part of their fish and chips, but it also says they are more common to see in the spring and fall.

Letters Southbridge pros & cons PUBLISHED BY NYC COMMUNITY MEDIA, LLC ONE METROTECH NORTH, 10TH FLOOR BROOKLYN, NY 11201 PHONE: (212) 229-1890 FAX: (212) 229-2790 WWW.DOWNTOWNEXPRESS.COM NEWS@DOWNTOWNEXPRESS.COM Downtown Express is published every week by Community Media LLC, One Metrotech North, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201. (212) 229-1890.

The entire contents of the newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2012 Community Media LLC. PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue.

Member of the New York Press Association

Member of the National Newspaper Association

16

To The Editor: Re “Southbridge Towers: Should we privatize? Yes or No” (Talking Points, June 19 – July 2): We have to make the most important decision (as shareholders in our co-op) soon in voting about whether to remain ordinary tenants or become owners of our apartments.

Voting yes will mean having owner equity immediately, varying from $350,000 to $900,000 according to the appraisal tables in the approved Black Book.

Since you will own the apartment, you may sell it, leave it to a member of your family or it will become a part of your estate. Any upgrading renovation you pay to do in the apartment adds to its value (and comfort) and will be retained and not passed on to a stranger on leaving in the future.

You may be able to use your apartment as collateral for a low interest home equity loan to pay off expensive debt or invest.

If you vote no and the co-op stays in Mitchell-Lama, tenants will continue with the current rate of fee increases and not face a possible transfer tax now on appeal before the court as mentioned in the Black Book.

No one can accurately predict the possible impact of privatization on monthly apartment fees presented at great length in the Black Book scenarios in spite of the assumptions of both sides of a yes or no vote.

If you are interested in becoming an owner of your apartment with

an immediate huge increase in your net worth with no cash investment and other benefits as previously described, the risk range of potential increases in the monthly fee is miniscule compared with the huge rewards, not found anywhere. Vote yes.

If you solely desire the knowledge that your monthly fee increases shall continue at current levels and are satisfied in being a tenant, vote no.

Personally, I never intend to move from our beautiful courtyard oasis development in the middle of the Manhattan concrete jungle.

I urge everyone at Southbridge Continued on page 17

NEW ADDRESS FOR DOWNTOWN EXPRESS Downtown Express and the rest of the NYC Community Media L.L.C. team will be in our new office at One MetroTech North, Brooklyn N.Y., 11201 as of Mon., July 21. Our main phone line, 212-229-1890, will remain the same as will the phone numbers for the editorial and advertising staff. Letters to the editor and news tips should still go to news@DowntownExpress.com.

© 2012 Community Media, LLC

July 17- July 30, 2014

DowntownExpress.com

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

Downtown Express photo by Milo Hess

Kicking it in various ways The Friday before Monday’s Bastille Day saw petanque players, cancan dancers and guillotine victims all kicking it, in one way or another, at Tribeca’s Cercle Rouge, on Broadway at N. Moore St. Downtown Express photo by Tequila Minsky

Continued from page 16

to consult a professional financial advisor (as I have), who only has your interest and welfare in mind, someone who you can be certain has no underlying political, personal, or blind fearbased motivation.

Sy Schleimer

Posted To “SEAPORT REPORT, WEEK OF JULY 2, 2014” ( “PUZZLES AND PARTIES,” POSTED JUL. 2)

This is hopeful news but the tourism service DowntownExpress.com

workers are really in need of a low cost food court type of deal to replace Pier 17. Yes, the food options at pier 17 were horrible, but we desperately want to bring tourists back to Fulton St. and the Seaport district and we have to have some place where we can feed 4 or 5 buses at a time with less sophisticated fare. Something like the dining concourse at Grand Central Terminal would be ideal. What are the plans for the Fulton Market where that horrific Bodies exhibit resided?

Matthew REPORTS OF SURVEILLANCE DRONES IN BATTERY PARK CITY (POSTED, JUL. 2 )

There was a concert last month in Washington

Square Park that was completely spoiled by overhead flying things’ motors. It was the same day as the President came into town, so maybe that was the reason; but WHY do we need all these flying objects making noise?

The open-air concert was a bust because of them. jane heil “FOUR SEASONS GETS OK FOR OVERNIGHT CONSTRUCTION FROM C.B. 1 COMMITTEE” (POSTED, JUL. 11):

How will night construction limit noise for the residents at 10 Barclay tower........? This makes no sense.

Guest July 17- July 30, 2014

17

Activities

EVENTS DOWNTOWN JULY 17- JULY 30 THURSDAY, JULY 17 HUDSON RIVER PARK Pier 25 at North Moore, http:// www.hudsonriverpark.org/events/ river-rangers-2014 River Rangers: Hudson River Park offers budding scientists an opportunity to learn more about the great outdoors. Hudson River Park’s environmental educators bring the opportunity to observe and explore through discovery-based science experiments and nature-inspired crafts. Hands-on learning and play activities for kids will vary from week to week and will include touch tanks, puzzles, science experiments and much more!

Ages 3 – 9 | Free | 10-11:30 a.m.

EVERY THURSDAY UNTIL 8/28

BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org Preschool Art: Come learn art with paper, clay, wood, and paint.

Ages 4 and under | Free, drop in | Nelson A. Rockefeller Park| 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

THURSDAYS UNTIL OCT. 30

Art & Games: Age 5+ | Free, drop in | Nelson A. Rockefeller Park | 3:305:30 p.m.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; firstcome first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free |11:30 a.m.

EVERY THURSDAY AT 11:30

Bilingual birdies: Children | Free | 3:30 p.m.

BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org

18

July 17- July 30, 2014

River & Blues Concert Series: Enjoy summertime blues against the backdrop of spectacular sunsets over the Hudson River on five Thursday evenings in July and August All ages | Free | Wagner Park| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 18 FIDI FAMILIES South Street Seaport Summer Stage Fulton Street, http://www.

FiDiFamilies.com Summer Fridays with FiDi FamiliesEvery Friday in July and August, FiDi Families will present a fun, family-friendly activity and/or musical performance at the South Street Seaport Summer Stage. July 18 Music Beans and City Man All ages | Free | 10:00 a.m.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

TUESDAY, JULY 22

BIG CITY FISHING Pier 25, http://www.hudsonriverpark. org/events/series/big-city-fishing The rods, reels, bait and instruction will be provided. Beyond teaching fishing, the program also provides participants with a first-hand opportunity to learn about river ecology and the many fish species that can be found in the river.

5+ | Free | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, ny pl.org / lo c at ion s / bat ter y-pa rkcity Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; firstcome first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free |11:30 a.m.

EVERY SUNDAY THROUGH 9/28

MONDAY, JULY 21 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers: Enjoy simple stories, lively songs and rhymes, and meet other babies in the neighborhood. Limited to 25 babies and their caregivers; first-come first-served.

Ages 0-18 months | Free | 9:30 a.m.

EVERY MONDAY AT 9:30 A.M.

BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org Preschool Play: Interactive play on the lawn. Toys, books, and play equipment provided.

Ages 4 and under | Free | Drop in | Wagner Park | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

EVERY MONDAY

SATURDAY, JULY 19 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl.org/locations/battery-park-city Toddler storytime Ages 18-36 months | Free |10:30 a.m.

Saturday Family Drive-In Movies: The library is screening classic children’s films on the second floor.

Kids can use library bins to decorate their very own “cars” and then drive in for the movie. Film runtime: 30-45 minutes. 7/19: Kevin Henkes | All ages | Free | 3:00-3:45 p.m.

EVERY SATURDAY IN JULY

Teen Advisory Group: Come chill out with new friends and old at the Teen Advisory Group! Trade book and media recommendations, work on your own digital projects, volunteer at the Library and more.

Refreshments will be served 13-18 years | Free | noon Picture Book Time: A librarian will read classic stories and new picture books.

All ages. | Free | 4 p.m.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 4 P.M.

Toddler Story Time: A librarian will share lively picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers.

Ages 18-36 months | Free | 4 p.m.

EVERY MONDAY AT 4:00 P.M.

RIVERFLICKS FAMILY FRIDAYS At Pier 46 in Greenwich Village, http : //w w w.hudsonriverpark.org/ events/series/riverflicks-family-fridays This outdoor Movie Series features family oriented movies suitable for all ages - Films are rated PG. “Ghostbusters” All ages | Free | 8:30 p.m.

EVERY TUESDAY AT 11:30 A.M.

Children’s Basketball: Adjustable height hoops and fun drills to improve skills. Close-toed shoes required. | Ages 5 – 6 | Free | Drop in | Rockefeller Park |3:30 to 4:30 PM, 5-6 year olds, 4:30 to 5:30 PM, 7 & older EVERY MONDAY UNTIL 10/27

BIG CITY FISHING Pier 25, http://www.hudsonriverpark. org/events/series/big-city-fishing The rods, reels, bait and instruction will be provided. Beyond teaching fishing, the program also provides participants with a first-hand opportunity to learn about river ecology and the many fish species that can be found in the river.

5+ | Free | 5:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org Preschool Play: Interactive play on the lawn. Toys, books, and play equipment provided.

Ages 4 and under | Free | Drop in | Wagner Park | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Soccer for Preschoolers and Elementary Schoolers: Have fun passing, shooting & dribbling!

Parks programming leaders facilitate the fun. Everybody plays!

Closed-toe shoes required.

Free | Drop in | Nelson A. Rockefeller Park 2:30 – 3:15 p.m., 3-4 year olds 3:30 – 4:15 p.m., 5 to 7 year olds 4:30 – p.m., 8 to 11 year olds EVERY TUESDAY

BIG CITY FISHING Pier 25, http://www.hudsonriverp a rk .or g / e ve nt s /s e r ie s / b ig- c it yfishing The rods, reels, bait and instruction will be provided. Beyond teaching fishing, the program also provides participants with a first-hand opportunity to learn about river ecology and the many fish species that can be found in the river.

5+ | Free | 1: 00pm - 4: 00pm EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH 8/26

EVERY MONDAY THROUGH 8/25 DowntownExpress.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH 175 North End Ave, 212-790-3499, nypl. org/locations/battery-park-city Toddler Story Time: A librarian will share lively picture books, finger plays, and action songs with toddlers and their caregivers.

Ages 18-36 months | Free | 10:30 a.m.

EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 10:30 A.M.

Science club: Educators will lead weekly workshops exploring simple machines and their unique functions. Students will learn about gears, pulleys, wheel and axles and much more through hands-on demonstrations.

Ages 5-12 | Free | 4:00 p.m.

SEE CHANGE Front/Row Stage, http://www.southstreetseaport.com/events/# Wednesdays with Bilingual Birdies: Every Wednesday this summer, join Bilingual Birdies at the Seaport. Bilingual Birdies is a foreign language program for kids that will teach Spanish (June), French (July), and Mandarin (August) through live music, movement, dance, puppetry, and theatre-based games.

Free | 1:30pm and 2:30pm BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY Wagner Park, 212-267-9700, bpcparks.org Preschool Play: Interactive play on the lawn. Toys, books, and play equipment provided.

Ages 4 and under | Free | Drop in | Wagner Park | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Wednesdays at Teardrop: Come enjoy lawn games and art projects. Art supplies provided. Ages 5 and up. | Free | Drop in | Teardrop Park | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

EVERY WEDNESDAY UNTIL 10/29

Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, http://www.mjhnyc.org/spielberg/ Downtown at the Museum of Jewish Heritage see collection of iconic films directed by Steven Spielberg. Tickets will be available at the box office on a firstcome, first-served basis starting at 4 P.M. on the day of each screening Free suggested donation | 6:30pm EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH 8/18

SEE CHANGE/NY FAMILY FILM SCREENINGS South Street Seaport, http://www.southstreetseaport.com/events/ Outdoor movie screenings at the Seaport all summer long. | 8:00pm EVERY WEDNESDAY THROUGH 8/27

HUDSON RIVER PARK River Rangers: See July 17 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers and Bilingual birdies: See July 17 BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY Preschool Art and Art & Games: See July 17 BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY River & Blues Concert Series: See July 17

FRIDAY, JULY 25 FIDI FAMILIES Summer Fridays with FiDi Families | July 25 Creative Play For Kids | See July 18 RIVERFLICKS FAMILY FRIDAYS July 25 “Ghostbusters II” | See July 18

Drop-in Chess: Play chess and get pointers from an expert.

Ages 5 – 15 | Free | Drop in | Rockefeller Park | 3:30 – 5 p.m.

EVERY WEDNESDAY UNTIL 10/24

SUMMER FILM SERIES FEATURING THE WORK OF STEVEN SPIELBERG

THURSDAY, JULY 24

SATURDAY, JULY 26 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH Toddler Storytime and Saturday Family Drive-In Movies: See July 19

SUNDAY, JULY 27

Do you remember when _____________ happened downtown? ...We do. Visit our archives at Downtownexpress.com IN PRINT OR ONLINE

BIG CITY FISHING See July 20

MONDAY, JULY 28 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers and Toddler Story Time: See July 21 BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY Preschool Play and Children’s Basketball: See July 21 BIG CITY FISHING See July 21

TUESDAY, JULY 29 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH Baby Laptime for Pre-Walkers Teen Advisory Group and Picture Book Time: See July 22 BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY Preschool Play and Soccer for

Preschoolers and Elementary Schoolers: See July 22 BIG CITY FISHING See July 22

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30 NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BATTERY PARK CITY BRANCH Toddler Story Time and Science Club: see July 23 SEE CHANGE Wednesdays with Bilingual Birdies: See July 23 BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY Preschool Play and Wednesdays at Teardrop and Drop-in Chess: See July 23 SUMMER FILM SERIES FEATURING THE WORK OF STEVEN SPIELBERG See July 23

SEE CHANGE/NY FAMILY FILM SCREENINGS See July 23

DOWNTOWN LITTLE LEAGUE would like to thank all of our sponsors for a great 2014 season.

Albanese Organization, Alliance for Downtown New York, American Sommelier, Asphalt Green Battery Park City, Battery Park Vision, Blaue Gans, CAOILFHIONN’S FARM, Crown Hospitality Group, Davis Group - Town RE, Deer Mountain Day Camp, Downtown Dance Factory, Downtown Day Camp, Downtown Express, Dr. Lois Jackson, DDS, Gee Whiz Diner, Global Risk Advisors, iFundy.com, Intricate Bay Lodge - Alaska, Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, John Franco Charitable Foundation, Lance Lapin Salon, Lee Associates, Liberty Green, Liberty Luxe, Lower Manhattan Physical Therapy, Masterpiece International, Merchants River House, Metro Loft, Milford Management, Milk Truck, MOTOWN - THE MUSICAL, Mulberry & Vine, NY Vision Group: Koster Eye Care, NYU Trinity Center, Oxeon, Outsect, Reade Street Prep, Reade Street Pub, Ready Computing, Ready Heat, RiverPark Funds, Robert J. Ziets, M.D. - Orthopaedic Surgery, Seer Capital, Shake Shack, Southwest NY, St. Paul’s Chapel StemSave, Stone Source, Tamid - The Downtown Synagogue, Tao Downtown, TAVROS, The De Niro Team, The Goatsingers, The Harrison, The Solaire, Torly Kid, Town RE - Demetri Ganiaris, Tre Sorelle, Tribeca Grill, Tribeca Stone, Tribeca Taphouse, Tribeca Trib, Trinity Church, United Builders Group, Verdesian, Wallachbeth Capital, LLC, West Chin Architect www.liftcommunities.org

W W W.DOWNTOWNEXPRESS.COM

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July 17- July 30, 2014

19

It’s Melting! It’s Melting!

The clock is ticking on New Ohio’s Ice Factory Festival THE NEW OHIO THEATRE’S ICE FACTORY FESTIVAL Through August 2 Wed. – Sat. at 7 p.m.

At the New Ohio Theatre 154 Christopher St. Btw. Greenwich & Washington Sts. Tickets: $18, $15 for students, seniors Call 888-596-1027 or visit NewOhioTheatre.org Facebook.com/IceFactoryFestival Twitter: @NewOhioTheatre.org

BY SCO T T ST I F F L E R Like the noonday sun bearing down on a treat from the Mister Softee truck, time has been melting away the New Ohio Theatre’s Ice Factory Festival — its annual summertime showcase, where emerging and established companies develop their work. Of the six featured Ice Factory productions, three remain.

Through July 19, Live Source, a group of theatre and film artists, brings their highly stylized performance method to “The Incredible Fox Sisters.”

Based on a true story that remains clouded by fantastic claims and multiple recantations, the controversy begins in Hydesville, NY, circa 1888 — when two sisters convince their older sibling (then the town, then the nation) that they can commune with the dead. “There is quite a market for strangeness these days,” says a doctor (and budding tour manager) who’s more P.T. Barnum than altruistic M.D. The two younger sisters became the darlings of America’s budding spiritualism movement — and perhaps the first casualties of reality star culture.

Eventually revealed as hoaxters, they both died soon after (one from alco-

20

July 17- July 30, 2014

Courtesy of Vampire Cowboys

From 2013: Bonnie Sherman, Carlo Alban and Sheldon Best as Edgar the Bear, in Vampire Cowboys’ “Alice in Slasherland.” Their latest (untitled) work closes the festival, July 30 – Aug. 2.

holism).

Like the sisters’ alleged parlor tricks, the script (by Jaclyn Backhaus) takes liberties with the truth — and in doing so, adds an effective layer of complexity to the uneasy sibling dynamic and the enduring question of whether paranormal forces were at work alongside good old-fashioned greed. No matter the nature of their power, Live Source’s version of the Fox sisters are effective mediums for examining the ease with which we permit ourselves to believe when there’s money, power, or peace of mind to be gained. Visit Live-Source. org for more info.

From July 23 – 26, the Asian American theater company Second Generation Productions (2g.org) presents “Galois” — and although they’ve only made a synopsis available to the press, the stamp of Sung Rno on this production gives it a sight-unseen vote of confidence. Rno, after all, was the man behind “Yi Sang Counts

to Thirteen” — the 2001 FringeNYC Excellence for Overall Production award-winner that took a self-described “mathematical-theoretical” approach to the waking world love triangle and the inner life of Korean surrealist writer Yi Sang. In his latest project, Rno once again contemplates the intersection of doomed relationships, art, and politics — as lived by a brilliant-but-unappreciated man who died young (Yi Sang succumbed to tuberculosis at 27, while in a Tokyo jail cell, and the title character of this new work met his doom at 21).

Expanding upon the life of mathematician Evariste Galois (1811-1832), Rno elevates the “genius of abstraction” to rock star status, by melding the music of Aaron Jones with his own book and lyrics. The result is a “rock & roll expression” of “contradictory passions.” Locked in conflict with teachers unable to understand and unwilling to nurture his exceptional

talents, Galois meets Stephanie at a gathering of Parisian student radicals (“they both like explosions and singing,” the synopsis declares). A botched entrance exam to the premiere science school in France, participation in street riots, and a stint in jail are followed by a duel insisted upon by Galois (to avenge a perceived insult to Stephanie’s honor). Just before that fateful exchange of gunfire in a field outside of 1830s Paris, the mad/brilliant young man secures his legacy by putting down on paper the theory of Galois groups — alternately baffling and fascinating algebra students for years to come.

Untimely death is played for kicks — and often done with karate chops — in the Ice Factory Festival’s final entry (July 30 – Aug. 2). It’s a currently untitled offering from writer Qui Nguyen and director Robert Ross Parker, the prolific brains behind Vampire Cowboys. The once-scrappy, now-iconic troupe has earned their cult following by bringing comic book, grindhouse, sci-fi, and horror sensibilities to their pulpy tales of everyday people thrust into supernatural quests. It’s hardcore nerdcore, yes — but you don’t necessarily have to drool over vampires, werewolves, zombies, high-stakes stage combat, and profane puppetry to enjoy the ride.

Camp with consequence is what they do best. The deaths (often accompanied by dismemberment and gore) earn a laugh from the audience, yet still manage to take a lasting, emotional toll on the surviving characters. There’ll be no time for tears for the chosen one from this new project. Set in a utopian future, Vampire Cowboys’ “sacrilegious action-adventure play” compels a young lady in possession of extraordinary powers to murder those who would usher in hell on earth. Yikes!

Visit vampirecowboys.org, where you won’t find any further details on their latest bloody slugfest — but you will get a very good primer on what to expect, based on past productions.

DowntownExpress.com

Just Do Art

BY SCOTT STIFFLER

THE BATTERY PARK CITY PARKS CONSERVANCY “RIVER & BLUES” SERIES Fifteen years ago, blues and parks enthusiast Abby Ehrlich found a way to merge those two great loves — and Downtown audiences have been profiting from it ever since, in the form of annual free concerts that comprise the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s “River & Blues” series. As the BPCPC’s Director of Parks Programming, Ehrlich has a decisive (albeit, collaborative) hand in selecting the bands and producing their concerts. So far, the series has presented trumpet sensation Christian Scott and blues-meets-swing-meets-surf band The Wiyos. Three performances remain, set against the backdrop of a spectacular — and increasingly earlier — sunset over the Hudson River.

On July 24, the Heritage Blues Quintet celebrates the longstanding musical mingling between African-American music, modern jazz, and Western European harmony. Slide guitar, blues drumming, Continued on page 22

Photo by Michael Weintrob

The Heritage Blues Quintet T:8.75”performs a free outdoor concert on July 24, as part of Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s “River & Blues” series.

Amazing things are happening at 170 William Street.

NewYork-Presbyterian is now in lower Manhattan.

Where over a million people live, work and play. The only hospital below 14th Street brings access to advanced specialties and a 24-hour adult and children’s emergency department. Learn more at nyp.org/lowermanhattan

I N PROU D COLLABORATION WITH

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July 17- July 30, 2014

21

music&art

summer Just Do Art Starting June 23rd n

n n

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Continued from page 21

Programs for students of ALL AGES! Music & Art Camps Private & Group Instrumental Birthday Parties & Space Rentals

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virtuosic harmonica, a pounding horn section and three part harmonies are among the tools used to bring contemporary life to classics from Son House, Muddy Waters, Leadbelly, and others.

On July 31, soul singer and songwriter Bettye LaVette — who famously teamed with Bon Jovi to sing Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” at President Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Celebration — performs an R&B set that’s alternately intimate and epic.

The series wraps up on Aug. 7, when the 12 members of Sun Ra Arkestra builds on the legacy of its late founder (who would have turned 100 in May). Composer, pianist, electronic keyboardist, synthesizer player, poet, and Afro-Futurist philosopher Sun Ra will surely be smiling down from his home planet of Saturn, as the band continues his legacy by taking you on an intergalactic journey spanning the past, present, and future of jazz. Charismatic altoist Marshall Allen, who has led the Arkestra since 1995, presides over the highly evolved and skillfully calibrated madness.

Free and family-friendly. All shows are 7–8:30 p.m. at Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park (access: Battery Place), in Battery Park City. For info: 212-267-9700 or visit bpcparks.org.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARKING LOT PRESENTS “TWELFTH NIGHT” Shakespeare on the roof? In an alley? On a moving flatbed truck, perhaps? The Drilling Company is weighing its options, determined to ensure that the show will go on.

After the current (20th!) season of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, the much-loved “Bard-under-the-stars and among-the-cars” open air mustsee will be kicked to the curb. This is no midsummer night’s dream. Plans have been cemented to pave over the parking lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome, to accommodate the Essex Crossing project that will swallow up other neighborhood stalwarts (including the beloved Olympic Diner and the infamous nip bottle paradise known as Jade Fountain

22

July 17- July 30, 2014

Photo by Claire Taddei

Happy with their (parking) lot in life: The cast of “Twelfth Night” brings Shakespeare to the paved outdoors, for one final season at Ludlow & Broome Streets.

Liquor Corporation). Fittingly, The Drilling Company notes that the first of two swan songs in this particular location — “Twelfth Night” — is “one of the last and most bitter-sweet of Shakespeare’s comedies.”

This adaptation casts shipwrecked twins Sebastian and Viola as lost visitors swept into the Municipal Parking Lot — where they must navigate mistaken identity and unrequited love, after encountering characters reimagined as contemporary Lower East Side denizens (Sir Toby is an affectionate nod to the drunks who’ve injected their own drama to past productions; Olivia resides in one of the area’s new upscale towers; Feste is a drag queen, and the servants are longtime neighborhood residents employed by monied newcomers).

“Like the Lower East side itself,” notes director Hamilton Clancy, “the Parking Lot is a melting pot.

Shakespeare speaks to human diversity and performing it in the Parking Lot has always seemed the perfect frame for us. This production aims to celebrate that.” The celebration doesn’t end with the last night of “Twelfth.” One final stab at immortality remains, when The Drilling Company presents “Othello” (July 31–Aug. 16).

“Twelfth Night” plays through July 26. Thurs.–Sat., 8 p.m. at the Municipal Parking Lot (corner of Ludlow & Broome Sts.). Free (donations gratefully accepted). Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes. For info, call 212-873-9050 or visit shakespeareintheparkinglot.com.

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July 17- July 30, 2014

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Planned Service Changes

July 21-25 10PM to 5AM, Monday to Friday No E trains between Roosevelt Av and World Trade Center.

No F trains between Roosevelt Av and 21 St-Queensbridge.

M and ) services end early each night.

Travel Alternatives: • Take the 7 between Manhattan and 74 St/Roosevelt Av or Queensboro Plaza.

• Take the ( between Manhattan and Queensboro Plaza.

• In Manhattan, transfer at 5 Av/42 St-Bryant Pk 7F, Times Sq-42 St/42 St-Port Authority 7A, and 34 St-Herald Sq F(.

• In Manhattan along 8 Avenue, take the A Local instead of the E. • Free shuttle buses run LOCAL between Queensboro Plaza and 74 St/Roosevelt Av making station stops at Queens Plaza, 36 St, Steinway St, 46 St, Northern Blvd, and 65 St. • In Queens, transfer between shuttle buses and trains at 74 St/Roosevelt Av 7EF or Queensboro Plaza 7(.

Stay Informed Call 511 and say “Current Service Status,” look for informational posters in stations, or visit mta.info – where you can access the latest Planned Service Changes information, use TripPlanner+, and sign up for free email and text alerts.

2014 Metropolitan Transportation Authority

24

July 17- July 30, 2014

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