The local paper for the Upper East Side BROADWAY’S FINE-FEATHERED FRIENDS
◄ CITY ARTS, P.12
Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, seen here introducing Donald Trump at a 2016 campaign event in Iowa, has cemented his role as the president’s loudest and most combative supporter. Photo: Iowa Public Radio Images via Flickr
A TALE OF TWO RUDYS?
Never before in Central Park’s 161-year-old history has a single capital investment been greater, more transformative – or more urgently needed – than the $150 million now committed to the northern realm of the greensward BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN
The final price tag for the design, engineering and con-
struction of the entire 843 acres of Central Park in the 15year period between 1858 and 1873 was roughly $14 million. Now, the modern-day stewards of the park are about to spend more than 10 times as much over a four-year period to transform an area in the north end that occupies less than 20 acres. Historically neglected and serving a largely minority community – two miles north of the Zoo and Carousel, 1.5 miles north of The Lake and Bethesda Terrace – the less
trafficked, less touristy, less renowned, less pristine northeast corner is set for a $150 million makeover. It desperately needs it: The landscape, ecology and hydrology of the site are gravely damaged. The flow of people and water are obstructed. Viewsheds are blocked. And the passage into one of the park’s most picturesque areas has been partially blockaded for over half a century. The Central Park Conser-
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PERSONALITIES
policy issue. Nor was it much discussed around the water cooler. Not exactly. The sneering But City Hall had just figure at the heart of Trump banned residents from ownWorld bears an uncanny ing them as domestic pets, resemblance to the ex-mayor deeming them feral, unhyand his unbridled furies. With gienic and menacing to chilone exception: No New Yorker dren because of their sharp will ever forget how Giuliani teeth. broke the mold after 9/11. Naturally, this being New York, the ferret-rights community was livid. And one BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN advocate, “David from Queens,” took his umbrage The year was 1999, and the topic was ferrets. It was hardly the utmost public- CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
OURTOWNNY.COM @OurTownNYC
LEAD REPORT SLAMS CITY AGENCY
Comptroller’s investigation charges that multiple missteps left thousands of children exposed to the toxin. p. 6
WHEN THE METS TAUGHT A LESSON Recalling how the lovable losers rose up in 1969. p. 13
WHAT WOULD YOU WAIT IN LINE FOR?
Let's face it: everyone in Manhattan does it. p. 8
An overview of the re-envisioned north end of Central Park looking northwest. The rebuilt Lasker pool and skating rink is at bottom left, the Harlem Meer is in the background and new trails, paths and boardwalks weave across the landscape. Renderings: Central Park Conservancy / Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture
WEEK OF AUGUST
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Your personal edition of Our Town Eastsider Since 1972
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3-9 2019
INSIDE
THE MIRACLE ON THE MEER
PUBLIC LANDS
WEEK OF OCTOBER
Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts
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Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21
2019
‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19
f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel
◄ 15 MINUTES,
Eastsider INSIDE
SUTTON PARK,
AT LAST
just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5
chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council
IS VISION ZERO WORKING? SAFETY
has seen a surge Five years in, NYC and uctuating in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM
year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to
CONTINUED ON PAGE
6
WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,
firing Officer Daniel
Pantaleo on
THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW
Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”
POLITICS
dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage
C i e Watch
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat and holiday candles Friday Oct. 4, 6:15 pm Yom Kippur eve, Tuesday Oct. 8, 6:09 pm For more information visit: www.chabaduppereastside.com
3
14 Restaurant Ratings 16
day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.
of peace,
SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD
seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.
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