Chelsea Now - December 5, 2019

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Chelsea VOLUME 11, ISSUE 48

YO U R W E E K LY C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S E R V I N G C H E L S E A , H U D S O N YA R D S & H E L L’S K I T C H E N

ROWIN’ ON THE RIVER

Young athletes get racing on Hudson Page 4 COURTESY VILLAGE COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE

Rowers at the star ting line.

THE LARGEST LANTERN FESTIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA

DECEMBER 5, 2019

Colorful display in Hudson Sq. Page 14

Ensemble makes a unique sound Page 18

Opens this Friday December 6th!

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December 5, 2019

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Council moves toward biz rents regulation

BY GABE HERMAN

I

t’s been over a year since the City Council held a hearing on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA), and while some advocates have expressed frustration that the bill has still not passed, officials say further work is being done to assess its impact, and new legislation has been introduced aimed at protecting small businesses.

The SBJSA would include giving commercial tenants rights to a lease renewal and provide arbitration in deciding rent increases. Speaker Corey Johnson has said the bill has legal issues and is problematic because it doesn’t distinguish between large and small businesses. He has also said the bill would hurt mom and pop shops who don’t have a lease, and which are largely immigrant-owned.

When Johnson was recently asked for comment about the bill, a spokesperson said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are what make New York, New York. In August, we approved several proposals to help businesses by providing much-needed support and information. Currently, the city lacks the data necessary to make informed policy decision and the storefront database bill will tackle this issue heads on. The Council is continuing to work on a number of complex policy proposals, including the Small Business Jobs Survival Act.” The August actions from the Council included regular collecting of information about storefront businesses, including vacancy rates; creating online guides for small business owners to help them understand rules and laws that apply to them; and requiring training and education to small businesses about issues like regulatory compliance, efficiency and marketing.

Johnson’s office also pointed to a bill passed in September that would strengthen commercial tenant harassment laws. And Johnson has said he is working with advocates and community groups, to try to move forward on issues related to small business.

Julian Hill, supervising attorney at TakeRoot Justice, which provides research and support to community groups in the city, said that no single bill will solve all of the small business issues.

“Could SBJSA have helped some of the clients I’ve worked with? Absolutely,” Hill said, but he added that it won’t necessarily be a solution in every scenario.

Hill said he supports collecting more data about the retail vacancy issue in the city. He noted that back in the 1940s, when commercial rent stabilization was being worked on, it was based on data and reports showing the problem in the city.

“I think it is a good idea to have that information so we can figure out what might be an ideal solution,” Hill said.

Too much regulation is a problem that some small businesses say they are facing, according to Hill. “I do hear the concerns around the ways in which some regulations are affecting small business clients I deal with, and how that can create certain burdens,” he said, which can include matters like permits and obtaining certain licenses.

Hill said that commercial tenants in the city don’t have the same protections as residents, and there is often an assumption that businesses have more knowledge about law and policies, but there may be situations where a small business owner doesn’t speak English, and may sign a lease without understanding it.

“For commercial tenants, it’s like the Wild West,” Hill said. He said he would like to have predatory provisions in leases outlawed, such as a deficiency provision, where if a commercial tenants can’t pay the full lease and has to leave the space early, the full terms of the lease must

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PHOTO BY GABE HERMAN

Vacant spaces last year in the West Village.

still be paid to the landlord if another tenant doesn’t move into the space.

A new bill was introduced in the Council in November which would create commercial rent stabilization for small businesses, similar to the system in place for city residents. Under the bill, a seven-member board would establish annual rent rates and adjustments for the businesses.

When Speaker Johnson’s office was asked about this new bill, a spokesperson said, “The bill is going through the legislative process.”

Hill said that TakeRoot Justice had limited involvement with the bill’s prime sponsor, Council Member Stephen Levin, about the legislation. Hill said that small

businesses who have been in place for decades can suddenly see large rent increases, and he said, “I do think that this type of legislation would be helpful for sure.”

With the SBJSA being re-introduced last year after decades, Hill said, and other bills aimed at addressing small business issues, he said it’s a positive sign. “It’s evidence that people are starting to see the importance of small businesses as employers of people who live in those neighborhoods, and for us being able to provide support.”

Hill added that he’s optimistic that the issues are being taken more seriously. “None of the bills are perfect,” he said, “but I definitely think we’re moving in the right direction.”

Chelsea church hosting Carol Service on Dec. 15

BY GABE HERMAN

S

t. Peter’s Church Chelsea will host the 45th Annual Candlelight Carol Service on Sunday, Dec. 15, featuring music and a reading of the poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

The event, at 6 p.m., is sponsored by Chelsea Community Church, and will be at 346 W. 20 St., between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. The free event will also include music by the choir, congregational singing and Scripture readings.

The famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” was written by Clement Clarke Moore, who founded the church and was the first organist in the sanctuary where the service will be.

The church dates back to 1831 and was built on Moore’s Chelsea estate.

The poem will be read by actor and Chelsea resident Michael James Leslie, whose credits include Broadway performances in “Hair,” “The Wiz,” and “Little Shop of Horrors.”

The choir will be accompanied by organ, bass and percussion, and music will range from the 16th to 21st centuries, according to the church.

The performance will include works by Handl,

COURTESY CHELSEA COMMUNITY CHURCH

Actor Michael James Leslie.

Brahms, Mendelssohn, and gospel pieces.

The Candelight Carol Service has been put on by the Chelsea Community Church, as a nondenominational congregation, every year since 1975.

December 5, 2019

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Youth athletes find a new field to play: The Hudson

BY SALLY CURTIS

A

s more families move into Lower Manhattan, there is an ever-increasing demand for ballfields for youth team sports. Ballfield advocates are pitted against real estate interests and developers who want commercial development and tourist attractions like the Highline.

The conflict is all the more acute since it is taking place in Community District 2 that has one of the lowest open space ratios in New York City at 0.58 acres per 1,000 residents. The citywide standard is 2.5 acres.

Amidst the controversy over balancing the needs of the community with the need for commercial development, an important resource is being overlooked: The Village Community Boathouse (VCB) where a diverse group of New York City high school students row wooden rowboats in the vast and underutilized open space of the Hudson River and compete in open water rowing races throughout the Northeast.

On a sunny and cold Saturday in November, VCB hosted its annual Youth Race at Pier 40. Rowers came from four different rowing groups: Stuyvesant High School and Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, the Sound School in New Haven, and Cortlandt Community Rowing. All the groups walked away with some prizes. In the words of announcer Michael Anton, “There are no losers today.”

More than 160 enthusiastic rowers, coaches, and volunteers gathered at the boathouse in the cold to share food and

COURTESY VILLAGE COMMUNITY BOATHOUSE

Rowers racing past Pier 40.

their love of rowing. The crew names were the best part, reflecting a competitive spirit tempered by a teenage sense of humor: The Wet Sox (Stuyvesant); Eat My Bubbles (Sound School); Kiss My Aft (NYHS); DeeDahs (Cortlandt), among others.

VCB is an all-volunteer, donationbased nonprofit organization. Incorporated in 2008, VCB occupies a space on the south side of Pier 40 where it

had operated as a downtown chapter of Floating the Apple since the establishment of Hudson River Park in 1998.

Utilizing a fleet of more than a dozen traditional wooden boats called Whitehall gigs, VCB volunteers take thousands of local residents, students, and international visitors out rowing for free all over New York Harbor every year.

High school rowers are VCB’s most

enthusiastic and numerous constituency. Rowing clubs from Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, City As School and Stuyvesant High School meet several times a week for rowing during the school year at the VCB boathouse on Pier 40.

Many of the young people who began rowing with VCB in high school return after college as volunteers, bringing with them valuable maritime skills, learned over their years of involvement with VCB. Pier 40, located in Hudson River Park, has four ballfields that are heavily used by children of all ages from local schools and athletic clubs. The legislation that created the park calls for using the pier to generate funds to support the rest of the park. However, the dilapidated pier is in need of adaptive reuse or demolition. Advocates for youth athletics have been working with The Hudson River Park Trust and elected officials to address the needs of the community for ballfields and boathouses. Unfortunately, team sports don’t generate much revenue, creating conflict between the need to generate revenue to support the park and the needs of the community.

Like the ballfields, the boathouse on Pier 40 has nowhere else to go in Lower Manhattan. Advocates for youth athletics should recognize and value the high school rowing programs run by VCB. The boathouse on the south side of Pier 40 should be included in discussions of preserving and expanding space for youth athletics in lower Manhattan.

Sally Curtis is President of the Village Community Boathouse.

Star Wars exhibition opens at Dolby SoHo this Friday

BY ALEX MITCHELL

T

his is where the fun begins for Star Wars fans.

Star Wars is teaming up with Dolby to turn the surround sound empire’s Manhattan flagship store into an intergalactic, interactive installation.

That’s where you’ll travel through hyperspace and have another happy landing at 11 immersive exhibits that chronicle the galaxy from Coruscant all the way to outer rim territories.

It’s here that you’ll relive some of the most iconic, dismembering, light saber duels throughout the days of the Old Republic and Galactic Civil War “as you explore the iconic sights and sounds of the Star Wars universe through the ultra-vivid picture of Dolby Vision and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos,” according to the company that’s been a part of the Star Wars alliance from the very beginning.

A long time ago in a decade far, far away (1977, to be exact), Dolby first

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December 5, 2019

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOLBY

The Dolby SoHo storefront decked out for its Star Wars exhibition.

partnered with George Lucas to provide sound for the first Star Wars movie, now called A New Hope.

“The force brought us together and

we are thrilled to open the doors of Dolby SoHo so Star Wars fans can experience their favorite franchise like never before,” said Stuart Bowling,

Content and Creative Relations Director, Dolby Laboratories.

Some of this one-of-a-kind experience comes by the way of movie props on display, along with memorabilia that will make many fans jump for joy around the galaxy.

No credits are needed to see the exhibit, as its open to the public for free starting Friday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 5. It’s open Wednesdays through Sundays (except Christmas and New Years Day) from 1 to 8 p.m.

Fans can also win a speeder’s load of prizes ranging from posters, exclusive items, and many more giveaways in the immersive space.

The interactive exhibit will span from iconic moments of all nine episodes of Star Wars — including the soon-to-bereleased “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Check out the exhibit at 477 Broadway in Soho to witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station.

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December 5, 2019

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Police Blotter male victim was talking with a male acquaintance. The victim suddenly fell unconscious, police said, and when he awoke, he discovered that his wallet and keys were allegedly gone from the apartment. The other man allegedly fled the location with four credit cards.

Stolen wallet leads to Apple purchase A woman had her wallet stolen at Kiki’s Restaurant, at 130 Division St., police said. On Oct. 1, around 6:50 p.m., a 27-year-old woman was inside the restaurant, when another female allegedly took her wallet, which contained her credit card. Around 8:15 p.m., the alleged thief entered an Apple Store at

103 Prince St., officials said, and used the credit card to buy a MacBook valued at $2,700.

Illegal buys after stolen purse in East Village Three men are wanted by police after a woman had her purse stolen at an East Village bar, officials said. On Oct. 21, at 3:15 a.m., a 31-year-old woman was inside Mama’s Bar on Avenue B, when she discovered that her purse had allegedly been stolen. Just after 5:30 a.m., three men were inside a Duane Reade store, police said, at 245 First Ave., where they allegedly used the victim’s credit card to buy several items.

-Gabe Herman

COURTESY NYPD

Police released this image from the Thanksgiving robber y on Eldridge Street.

X-rated riders at Bowling Green

Thanksgiving day store robbery Police are looking for three men who robbed a grocery store on Thanksgiving with guns and a knife, officials said.

At 4:55 p.m., the three men entered the store at 67 Eldridge St., police said, and two of them then produced handguns.

The third man allegedly produced a knife, and all three ordered 11 victims in the store to get down on the ground, and demanded cash and jewelry from them. The victims complied, and the three robbers took an undetermined amount of cash and jewelry, police said, including a gold necklace with a jade centerpiece. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported from the incident. Police said the three men fled north on foot on Eldridge Street.

Creep exposed himself on train: Cops Police are looking for a man after an alleged public lewdness incident on the subway, police said. On Tuesday, Nov. 26, around 7 a.m., a 45-year-old woman was riding on a downtown M train at the 42nd Street/Sixth Avenue station, when she allegedly saw a man exposing his private parts. The woman took a photo of the man, who then went to another train car.

Hudson Yards shoplifting attempt A man was arrested for trying to steal clothing from a Hudson Yards shop, police said. On Friday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m., a man allegedly took a Moncler jacket, valued at $836, from Neiman Marcus at 500 W. 33 St. Surveillance video from the store was available, and Michael Hoyt, 50, was arrested the same day for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. The stolen jacket was recovered.

BY GABE HERMAN

C Theft in Greenwich Village apartment by acquaintance A man was robbed in a Greenwich Village apartment on Friday, Nov. 8, according to police. Around 4:30 a.m., inside an apartment near Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue, a 26-year-old

COURTESY NYPD

Cops are looking for this man who exposed himself on the M train at the 42nd Street station.

ops are looking to lock up a man and woman who engaged in a sex act in front of passengers on a Lower Manhattan subway station platform last month.

The NYPD released on Nov. 30 images of the man involved in the lascivious display, which occurred at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Bowling Green station.

Several people waiting for the 4 or 5 train on the platform observed the couple engaging in what law enforcement sources described as “oral stimulation.” The two suspects fled from the location before police arrived.

Cops described the male suspect as having brown eyes and weighing about 200 pounds. There was no physical description offered for the woman involved in the illicit caper.

Anyone with information about this incident in the 1st Precinct is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit the Crime Stoppers website, nypdcrimestoppers.com, or send a direct message on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Domestic dispute in apartment There was a domestic assault inside an apartment at 505 W. 37 St., according to police. On Thursday, Nov. 28, around 10 p.m., a 48-year-old man said he got into an argument with his girlfriend, when the woman attacked him by scratching his left arm, causing a small cut and pain. The woman then allegedly fled the location. Jennifer Damery, 28, was arrested for misdemeanor assault.

Drunk driving incident on Friday night A man was arrested for drunk driving on the evening of Friday, Nov. 29, officials said. Around 11:25 p.m., a police officer observed a man disobeying a traffic sign at Eighth Avenue and 14th St., police said. After being stopped by police, the man was offered a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT), which he refused, according to police. The man was then taken into custody, and given a breathalyzer test which had a result of .23, police said, with the legal limit in New York being .08. Thomas Young, 26, was arrested for DWI, a misdemeanor.

-Gabe Herman

The Villager (USPS 578930) ISSN 0042-6202 Copyright © 2019 by Schneps Media is published weekly by Schneps Media, One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. 52 times a year. Business and Editorial Offices: One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Schneps Media, One Metrotech North, 10th floor Brooklyn, NY 11201. Call 718-260-2500 to subscribe. Periodicals postage prices is paid at New York, N.Y. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Villager, One Metrotech North, 10th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Annual subscription by mail in Manhattan and Brooklyn $29 ($35 elsewhere). Single copy price at office and newsstands is $1. The entire contents of newspaper, including advertising, are copyrighted and no part may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher - © 2019 Schneps Media.

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TURN YOUR CONCERN INTO IMPACT. The New York Community Trust can help maximize your charitable giving.

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December 5, 2019

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Lawmakers & advocates agree to press Cuomo

BY ALEJANDR A O'CONNELL-DOMENECH

L

awmakers were again pushed to fully fund Foundation Aid, the main source of funding for New York state’s public schools, at a state Senate Education Committee public hearing held Tuesday in Manhattan.

The message is not new. The hearing, hosted by committee chairs state Senator Shelley Mayer and state Senator Brian Benjamin, comes two weeks after the last of five roundtable discussions the committee held across the state.

The sessions were held to gather community input on how to best adjust the 12-year-old Foundation Aid formula.

Foundation Aid was created in the mid-2000s based on a lawsuit challenging the existing funding formula, which a court ruling found to create greater inequality throughout the Empire State’s schools. But differences in the ruling’s interpretation have divided the Governor and state lawmakers for years.

Those who testified at the Dec. 3 hearing repeated the message at the last roundtable discussion: The first step to making improving the quality of education is to fully fund Foundation Aid as it was intended.

“It’s important that we get more money into the hands of principals,”

PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

said New York City Department of Education Chief Financial Officer Lindsey Oates who added the city is owed $1.1 billion in education funding. According to the formula, Oates said, the city should have received $9.2 billion in funding but only received a little over $8 billion last fiscal year. Some lawmakers and advocates say that a total of $4 billion is owed to districts across

the state. Oates added that additional funds could go towards hiring more teachers, guidance counselors, mental health professionals and multilingual education services. “We know that when we provide additional resources to principals that they hire additional staff.”

But union officials, school officials, advocates and city representatives were

reminded that changes to Foundation Aid were not just up to committee members, and that the governor would need to be convinced to help bring about change.

“We have looked at and found new sources of resources of revenue to fully fund it and I think we are ready to increase the budget amount but there is one person who is not ready,” said state Senator John Liu about Governor Cuomo the hearing held at 250 Broadway.

Liu called the 2 percent cap on annual budget increases a “personal edict” that was not rooted in the law.

Liu asked both the president of New York State United Teachers Andrew Pallotta and president of the United Federation of Teachers Michael Mulgrew, “Will you stand with us and demand that he throw this ridiculously arbitrary 2 percent spending increase cap out the window?”

Both responded that they would stand with lawmakers in the “battle” to come. And that they believed that the time had come for advocates, teachers and elected officials to stand together and demand change and agreed to meet state Senator Liu in Albany at the start of the 2020 legislative session on Jan. 8.

The Governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

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You are invited to spend Advent & Christmas with Historic St. Peter’s Chelsea “The Christmas Church�

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SERVICES Saturday, December 7, 2019

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Christmas Tree lighting and party 5:00-8:00pm

Evening Prayer 6:30pm Meditations on the Magnificat

Sunday, December 8, 2019 Advent 2

Sunday, December 22, 2019 Advent 4

10:00am Holy Eucharist 3:00pm “Two Visits About Two Visitations� stage reading

10:00am Lessons and Carols Service

GET GIFTING

TM

LOOK FOR OUR CIRCULAR IN TODAY’S PAPER!

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 Wednesday, December 11, 2019 6:30pm Evening Prayer 7:00pm Meditations on the Magnificat

5:00pm Christmas Eve Service and Pageant

Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Sunday, December 15, 2019 Advent 3

7:00pm Christmas Day Service

10:00am Holy Eucharist

All Are Welcome Here!

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 346 W. 20th St. (btwn 8th & 9th Aves.)

212.929.2390 | stpeterschelsea.org

VISIT PCRICHARD.COM FOR A STORE NEAREST YOU

MICHELL-LAMA CO-OP STUDIO, TOWNHOUSE, AND TWO BEDROOM APT WAITING LISTS ARE BEING OPENED Unit Size

Income Limits* Carrying Charges** Purchase Price**

Studio Townhouse 2 Bedroom Studio Townhouse 2 Bedroom Studio Townhouse 2 Bedroom

Current Range $22,837.20 - $106,750.00 $26,646.40 - $120,125.00 $33,323.60 - $144,125.00 $570.93 - $598.61 $666.16 - $852.91 $833.09 - $976.61 $23,735.67 - $25,348.07 $32,192.32 - $44,191.34 $36,345.35 - $42,246.75

*Based upon the number of persons in household. **Subject to change OCCUPANCY STANDARDS: STUDIO: One to Two Persons. TOWNHOUSE: One to three persons. TWO BEDROOM: No fewer than three persons, a brother and a sister who are both adults, or a parent or guardian with at least one child of any age.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: (FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION) • Applicant must be a New York State Resident. • Applicant must be at least 18 Years Old at the time of the lottery. • Preference will be given to documented veterans selected in the lottery. • Applicants must be financially responsible. • Any applicant that does not have the proper family composition will automatically be disqualified. • Current shareholders cannot apply. • ONE REQUEST ONLY PER APPLICANT. Applicants can only be on one waiting list at a development.

If applicants have the right family composition, they can apply to more than one lottery. However, if they are selected for more than one lottery they will have to choose which waiting list they prefer. • An applicant can only submit a paper entry or an on-line entry. If applicants enter on-line and also mail in a letter or postcard, they have submitted a duplicate request and will not be eligible for the lottery. • Applications are not transferable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A $75 non-refundable application fee will be required at the completion of the lottery.

The Waiting list will be established by a limited lottery. There will be a limit of 300 applicants drawn for each bedroom size from the supervised lottery. Only applicants that are drawn will be notified.

HOW TO APPLY: ONLINE You can now apply to a lottery online through Mitchell-Lama Connect. Applying is fast, easy and you will be able to check the status of your entry to see if you have been selected. To apply on line go to: https://a806-housingconnect.nyc.gov/nyclottery/lottery.html#ml-home

BY MAIL Mail post card or envelope by regular mail. Registered and Certified Mail will not be accepted. Clearly print your full first and last name, current address and last 4 digits of your social security number and the bedroom size lottery that you wish to apply. If you do not include the last 4 digits of your social security number or bedroom size, you will not be entered into the lottery. Do not include the application fee with your entry. If selected in the lottery, the application fee will be requested.

Mail post card or envelope to:

Village East Towers Studio Lottery P.O. Box 642, 82 Nassau St. New York, NY 10038

Village East Towers Townhouse Lottery P.O. Box 666, 82 Nassau St. New York, NY 10038

Village East Towers 2 Bedroom Lottery P.O. Box 672, 82 Nassau St. New York, NY 10038

DEADLINE: Requests must be received by: DECEMBER 23, 2019 YOU CANNOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY SUPERVISED BY THE NYC DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Bill de Blasio, Mayor • Louise Carroll, Commissioner • www.nyc.gov/hpd Schneps Media

December 5, 2019

9

Hello Panda Festival waves to Citi Field this weekend

BY ALEX MITCHELL

O

ne of the brightest and ongoing festivals in the city will keep you warm at Citi Field this win-

ter.

The city’s inaugural Hello Panda Festival touches down in the World’s Borough this weekend, sticking around throughout January of next year.

More than 120 massively illuminated and handcrafted lanterns will be on display, and guests will get to enjoy great food provided by 30 magnificent vendors at the festival organized by CPAA North America and The World’s Fare.

The displays feature more than 300,000 brightly-colored LED lights and several interactive elements. Visitors can explore six different lantern theme parks, each of which deliver distinct, immersive experiences.

The never-before-seen exhibits will be spread throughout the festival grounds: Dream World, Holiday Wonderland, Discovery Zone, Interactive Music Zoe, Sports World and Community Interactive Zone.

Display highlights include the world’s tallest Christmas tree lantern, life-sized dinosaurs and safari animals, a huge fairytale castle and a 98-foot-long light tunnel. “Hello Panda’s mission is to bring the epic scope and scale of China’s best and brightest lantern festivals to North

PHOTOS COURTESY OF FESTIVAL MEDIA GROUP

The Hello Panda Festival will light up the cit y beginning this month.

America,� said Winston Wang, General Manager of CPAA North America. “We want to transport visitors into a magical world filled with sights and sounds they’ve never experienced or even imagined,� he continued.

The World’s Fare, which has delighted tens of thousands of visitors to Citi Field the past two springs, is not just providing great food vendors, but also live performances, modern art exhibits, a holiday market and traditional crafts across six giant heated tent areas.

This is the first time that Hello Panda

will be coming to New York City, a feat that brings pride to the organizers. “We are thrilled to be a part of The Hello Panda Festival, which is #1 winter destination in Queens and throughout New York City,� said Elizabeth Aloni, President of The World’s Fare. The World’s Fare has a fantastic lineup of the best international food vendors from bao to baked goods plus a full bar serving seasonal cocktails, beer and wine.

So of course, the most delicious parts of Hello Panda will be handled by many of the city’s well known food vendors:

Bolivian Llama Party, Brooklyn Dumpling, C-Bao Ca’Pisci, Cambodia Now, Chef Jimmy Creole Vicious Cycle, Chori & Chimi, Dilena’s Dolcini, Don Ceviche, Dough Donuts, Down East Lobstah, Empanada Papa, Four The Hard Way Jianbing Company, and Joey Bats CafÊ.

Also, Knot Of This World, La Braza NYC, Made From Scratch, NYC Mac Truck, Pete’s Hot Cider & Tea, Pickle Me Pete, Shaking Crab, Snow Show Flushing, Spoonable Spirits, T-Swirl Crepes, The Wasted Baker, ToastieLand, What’s The Dillaz, Wings Lovers, and Zonarica Churros will be cooking up during the festival.

Meanwhile, some of those cultural points that the World’s Fare President Joshua Schneps referenced will done by the way of nightly music from local and international acts from different genres including dance, Latin, pop and hiphop along with festive artwork.

Hello Panda is open seven days a week from 5 to 10 p.m., Dec. 6 to Jan. 26, 2020. CPAA also plans to produce the even in Vernon, New Jersey, from Oct. 18 to Feb. 2, 2020, and at the World Vacation Hotel from Oct. 25 to March 22, 2020, according to the organizers.

Ticket prices range from $22 to $28 minus tax and service fees. For more information, visit www.hellopandafest. com or follow @hellopandafest on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook.

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11

Editorial

When does whining stop and defense begin?

T

he next phase of the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump begins today with the House Judiciary Committee taking over the case.

The panel — chaired by New York’s own Congressman Jerry Nadler — will consider a report from the House Intelligence Committee based on its investigation and testimony presented at televised hearings last month. It’s expected that the Judiciary Committee will accept the report, and use it as the basis for considering articles of impeachment against the president.

With the Judiciary taking over, President Trump is still complaining on Twitter or in press gaggles about how he believes the process is unfair. He’s flat-out wrong.

The House Judiciary Committee has given the president the opportunity to provide his own counsel at its hearings to question witnesses. The White House, at Trump’s insistence, rejected it anyway, falsely calling the process unfair.

Before that, the House Intelligence Committee also gave the president’s defenders ample opportunity to question witnesses. With that opportunity, they chose instead to besmirch witnesses, propagate debunked conspiracy theories and whine over procedural semantics.

The president and his defenders can complain about this process all they want — but they have zero basis to call it unfair.

The House Democratic leadership has played by the book from the start; they know how disastrous it would be to stray from it, or appear anything less than fair. That hasn’t stopped Trump and his protectors from whining about it anyway.

So, for the Trump defenders, we ask: When does the whining stop and the defense begin?

The president of the United States has been accused of withholding aid to a foreign power in search of dirt against a political rival. It’s the kind of high crime our founders dreaded would corrupt the presidency and undermine our country’s interests.

This serious accusation has been thoroughly supported through documentation and testimony provided by multiple witnesses. If the accusation is false, if the witnesses are wrong, it’s time to prove it — not with name-calling or complaining, but with factual evidence.

If such evidence exists, it must come forward now.

A president mired in such scandal has a duty to present a legitimate defense of their actions — if only to at least respect the process and the Constitution which provides it.

If Trump doesn’t have a defense to offer, that’s his problem — and his alone.

Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now, Downtown Express and Manhattan Express PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER CEO & CO-PUBLISHER EDITOR IN CHIEF REPORTERS

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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 others errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the advertisement in any subsequent issue.

Published by Schneps Media One Metrotech North, 3rd floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Phone: (718) 260-2500 Fax: (212) 229-2790 On-line: www.thevillager.com E-mail: news@thevillager.com © 2019 Schneps Media

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December 5, 2019

VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS JOSHUA SCHNEPS ROBERT POZARYCKI GABE HERMAN ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL MARK HALLUM MICHELE HERMAN BOB KRASNER TEQUILA MINSKY MARY REINHOLZ PAUL SCHINDLER MARCOS RAMOS CLIFFORD LUSTER (718) 260-2504 CLUSTER@CNGLOCAL.COM GAYLE GREENBURG JIM STEELE JULIO TUMBACO ELIZABETH POLLY

Member of the New York Press Association

Member of the National Newspaper Association

Member of the Minority Women Business Enterprise

FILE PHOTO /MARGOT GAYLE COLLECTION

The old wooden Jefferson Tower.

T

he Jefferson Market Library building has a long and storied history, including being built in 1876 as a courthouse and a preservation effort starting in 1960 to save the Venetian Gothic building. Before the current building and tower were built, there was a previ-

ous Jefferson Tower, pictured above, that was made of wood, according to the Dec. 30, 1971 issue of The Villager. The wooden tower was used as a fire lookout, and a volunteer fireman would stand at the top and ring a large bell to signal that there was a fire in the Village area.

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Op-Ed

Letters to the Editor

NY students need greater access to social workers

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHNSON’S OFFICE

Cit y Council Speaker Corey Johnson and a constituent.

BY COREY JOHNSON

P

overty. Housing instability. Food insecurity. Bullying. Gang violence. Complicated family dynamics. Imagine battling with these stressors while trying to focus on your algebra or chemistry assignments. All of these issues can have a traumatic effect on students, and we must recognize and address that trauma if we expect them to focus in school.

Part of making that a reality is ensuring that every NYC student has access to school staff who can provide the necessary social and emotional support they need.

Students are bombarded with conflicting ideas on social media on a daily basis, and they are also grappling with ever increasing everyday societal pressures. All of this can and does spill over into a student’s school life, with adverse consequences that can include absenteeism, failing grades and student-to-student conflict, among others.

Teachers do an amazing job juggling all these different concerns, but doing so often takes away time from instruction. Teachers need support from other professionals who are experts in addressing these challenges.

Students need access to social workers. Social workers are pivotal to creating a healthy learning environment. Research shows that social workers, guidance counselors and school psychologists are beneficial to students’ social and emotional health, as well as their academic outcomes. The comprehensive services that social workers provide can address many barriers to student learning. And, currently, too many schools don’t have a social worker or too few social workers.

Social workers provide critically important services directly to students and sometimes

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to teachers and staff. They help address many of the out-of-school needs that can hinder a student’s learning. They help bridge the gap between school, home and community for students. They work to prevent school violence, improve school climate, provide early intervention for students and assist teachers with better classroom management.

But these professionals do more than create healthier and happier students. In some cases, they make the difference between life and death.

This is what happened to me.

As a teen dealing with depression and feeling scared about coming out, a guidance counselor helped me sort through my feelings and gave me the confidence to talk to my football team.

I’m not sure what would have happened if that guidance counselor had said, ‘I don’t have time to talk to you.’

I was lucky, but so many are not. Suicide rates are too high, and students are suffering.

They need support.

This year, the Council heard teachers, staff and students loud and clear: our schools need more social workers.

So we fought for and secured $29.7 million to support 269 full-time social workers in schools, up from 200 last year. This includes 100 Bridging the Gap social workers in schools with the highest numbers of students experiencing homelessness. But our school system serves 1.1 million students, and they all would benefit from having social workers.

An investment in our children’s futures is an investment in the future of our city. We are heading in the right direction, but we absolutely must do more.

Corey Johnson is the Speaker of the New York City Council.

COMMERCIAL RENT BILL STINKS City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said many times our small businesses face a crisis.

Why then does he stall for over one year to make changes in the Small Business Jobs Act and bring it to a vote and end the crisis? Why does he fast track many bills touted to help small businesses when none will save a single business?

Is this new bill on commercial rent stabilization a better solution to stop the closings and save small businesses than the Jobs Act? No! In fact, it gives no rights to small business owners and is an insult to every desperate owner who faces being forced to close when their leases expire. The business owners and the public are entitled to the truth on the future of their small businesses and jobs.

The truth is, the new bill was written by the real estate lobby to keep the status quo for landlords. The truth is, Johnson will never bring the Jobs Act up for a vote.

TheVillager.com member Save Our Jobs

REMEMBERING EVELIO Evelio Alvarez was a dear

friend for 50 years. We shared the same floor at 168 West 4th St. His mother Angelina took loving care of our baby with the help of her sister, Aida, and we saw the love and sensitivity with which Evelio took care of his mother and aunt.

We had to leave Greenwich Village and its wonderful community, but our friendship with Evelio never left us. We communicated every couple of months, and he always sent us around Christmas time, a basket of delicious pears, in memory as he said “of his mother who loved us so much.”

We will miss you Evelio! We will visit you in the spring and enjoy the blossoming cherry trees and beautiful tulips that you planted at the cemetery around the plot that you will now share with your mother.

Arlette and Larry Loomis

LIVE AND LET LIVE Regarding the couple caught having an x-rated rush hour at the Bowling Green station: Are these the people we really want the cops pursuing as criminals? This is crazy.

There are more important true crimes that they should be devoting their resources on.

Can’t believe how this society has become so prudish.

Charles Macedo

EXTRA! EXTRA! Local News, read all about it!

www.TheVillager.com December 5, 2019

13

necb.com

‘Street Cathedral’ art gives chance to reect on Varick

A LW AY S F R E E . A LW AY S S M A R T.

COURTESY HUDSON SQUARE BID

One of the sculptures in the “Street Cathedral� ar t piece.

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December 5, 2019

new art installation went up last month in Hudson Square that features geometric, translucent 3-D sculptures mounted on light poles on Varick Street.

Five pieces make up the installation, which is called “Street Cathedral� and interacts with changing light to reflect colors and shapes onto the nearby streets. The art piece is from the Hudson Square Business Improvement District (BID) and will be up until next October. “Hudson Square BID is proud to bring ‘Street Cathedral’ to our neighborhood,� said Ellen Baer, CEO and president of the BID. “Created to evoke the same magic quality of stained glass, these dynamic sculptures provide pedestrians with a new lens through which to view their daily landscape.�

The artists, Claudia Ravaschiere and Michael Moss, told the Villager by email that the art was designed with the neighborhood in mind. “First and foremost our work is inspired by the neighborhood and site that we are making the art for,� the artists said. “It is our hope that the art will create a reappraisal of everyday urban structures: the things that we pass as we walk

through neighborhoods, bringing a surprising element into the urban scape. “Street Cathedral utilizes daylight and the urban structures of streetlights to impart color and shape into the neighborhood street life. They are constructed three dimensionally, and intended to expand the field of vision. A kaleidoscope of colors invites the viewer to interact with light as the daylight shifts and changes throughout the day.�

The five locations of the light poles along Varick Street are: between Canal and Grand, Watts-Broome, BroomeDominick, DominickSpring, and DowningCarmine.

Ravaschiere and Moss said there is value to making public art. “The aspect that we love most about doing art for public spaces is that it takes art onto the streets where everyone can experience it,� they said, “and hopefully bring a shared encounter and joy as people meet the art in unexpected places. “We believe that art in the public realm enables viewers to re-imagine the spaces that they see every day,� the artists added. “It can break up our loneliness, connect us to our surroundings and show us another perspective of our environment.�

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Christmas roast beef dinner enjoyed by all

Loretta and Rober t. These two hard workers from Greenwich House Senior Center at 20 Washington Square Nor th get a chance to relax and this time be ser ved.

Officers from 6th Pct. ready to ser ve—roast beef & mash potatoes to residents of their precinct!

PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY

BY TEQUIL A MINSK Y

O

h, the weather outside was frightful, but Our Lady of Pompeii center was delightful.

Friends and members had a place to go, in spite of the sleet and snow.

The miserable weather on Monday night did not keep away neighbors from the annual roast beef fundraiser when officers from the Sixth Precinct serve up roast beef and accompaniments and dinners are delivered to tables by a bevy of volunteers.

This evening, NYPD officers familiar to all who transverse the streets of the neighborhood were out-of-uniform and relaxed with big smiles dishing out the yummy eats.

The Sixth Precinct Community Council organizes the annual event that everyone looks forward to.

Guests seated themselves among friends and were served, entertained while waiting and eating by Novak Nouray. Bringing his cache of Christmas sheet music with his keyboard, a chorus of music-loving exuberant guests joined him in song. And, melodies inspired more than a few to shake a leg.

Laura Marceca, director of Center on the Square, relished her meal along

A moment of affection for the women who were taking the money.

Hall filled with people enjoying a meal and the company.

Sing and dance-along.

with staff members Loretta and Robert, who enjoyed being served instead of serving.

Local pols State Senator Brad Hoylman and Borough President Gale Brewer stopped by and gave their best

Novak on keyboard and an exuberant chorus sings a Christmas medley.

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wishes. Former City Council candidate Chris Marte was spotted, and Corey Johnson’s Chief-of-Staff Erik Bottcher helped serve the tables, as did Auxiliary Police.

The Council covers incidental expenses and the costs of the roast beef— sourced, cooked, and sliced at Bleecker Street’s butcher— Faicco’s Italian Specialties. Le Souk restaurant donated the mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls and the vegetarian stuffed pepper

while Sammy from Le Souk uncorked and poured the wine. “White or red?”

Overheard, during the evening, one of the organizers said, “More people come to the dinner since we’ve been serving wine,” supplied in a flowing quantity by Le Souk and the Community Council.

Money raised from this fundraiser go toward Our Lady of Pompeii’s member’s fund, paying for materials and trips. Last year, they raised almost $2,000 and equally as important, the evening is a lot of fun for all.

Cake and coffee ended the meal and guests left with a full stomach, good cheer and a small goodie bag of chocolates as well as a candy cane.

Gale Brewer (with scar f) amidst senior center leadership, Laura Marceca, 20 Washington Square N., Judy Levin, and (far right) Our Lady of Pompeii director, Nicole Brown.

December 5, 2019

15

Washington Square artists warm hearts on a chilly Saturday in November

BY TEQUIL A MINSK Y

S

urprisingly few students were hanging out and absent were the usual hordes in Washington Square Park on a gray Saturday, Nov. 23. But, hardy New Yorkers, not kept away by the autumn chill, and tourists that just had to see the park, continued to stroll the walkways. hile lingering, park goers enjoyed the master artists creating that day.

Classical music warmed the hearts of all in earshot with piano maestro Colin Huggins, a weekend regular on his baby grand. Meanwhile, Joe Mangrum, knee pads in place, designed an intricate— and they’re always different— vibrant sand painting, its dimension expanding on the plaza near the arch.

Long after the sun was down, these two continued to delight the public practicing their art.

Huggins stood on the piano bench inviting any listeners to lay under his piano and experience the vibrations and hear music in a new way. There are always takers.

Even after the chartreuse and bright orange sand painting looked finished, Mangrum got back on his knees to add swirling golden sand, curvaceous tails attached to the design.

W

A detail of Joe Mangrum’s sand painting created on a chilly gray Saturday.

Listeners are invited to lay under the piano to hear music in an entirely different way.

PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY

Daytime or early evening, phone and cameras came out for mementos of these iconic Village artists as they created.

Why were they there so late? Mangrum was asked. “It’s gonna rain tomorrow,” he explained. Both are weekend regulars, and visitors won’t be seeing either the next day.

Colin Huggins about to begin the last song of the evening, “Clair de Lune,” invites listeners to lay under the piano.

16

December 5, 2019

The sun set hours before as Joe Mangrum continues to add to his sand painting.

Continuing to create past sunset, Joe Mangrum add to his intricate vibrant sand painting.

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December 5, 2019

17

Echoensemble offers mind-blowing performance

PHOTO : BOB KRASNER

BY BOB KR ASNER

I

n a world of divisiveness, the Monday evening performance by the members of the ECHOensemble presented a world where contradictions not only existed peacefully side by side, they meshed in a way that presented unlimited possibilities.

Dressed completely in black, the seven performers dealt with their unusual stage with improvised creativity.

The venue was anything but traditional, being an empty storefront on Avenue A and East 4th Street that was provided by the non-profit organization ChaShaMa. Founded in 1995, the group partners with property owners who are willing to provide unused real estate for various artistic ventures.

Jonah Udall, the director of the ECHOensemble, welcomed the challenge of working in the unconventional space. “It’s both difficult and inspiring,” he noted, before the performance. “The lighting, the columns – the work will be a product of the space

18

December 5, 2019

and the moment.”

Although the group has only been performing in public since January, they put in a full year of weekly rehearsals prior to their debut at Dixon Place.

Their improvised pieces are not the results of rules or pre-arranged cues, but come out of what Udall refers to as their “practice.” “It’s not about rules,” he explained. “Rules are from the outside in – we work from the inside out.”

This piece – titled “Echo/Chamber” – involved music and dance but contained very little conventional music and no choreography. Beginning in silence, the piece slowly gave way to trombone bleats, the sound of sneakers repeatedly rubbing the floor, a guitar gently hitting the wall and occasional wordless yelps. Random thoughts became repeated actions, providing a visual rhythm that blended with moments of stillness.

A musician might walk across the space, blow a note and return to where he started, over and over, while another would raise his guitar in the air and then lower it again. The guiding prin-

ciple being that, “an echo is created, repeated and transformed in play with space and time.”

Spectators were encouraged to view the spectacle from anywhere they chose and to move from place to place whenever they felt the urge. In doing so the audience became part of the set and a part of the performance as well. One could choose to concentrate on a corner of the room, where a single performer created a silent tableau, or turn to see the quiet chaos that filled the former bank.

It was not a show for everyone, but they had an audience that appreciated their efforts. Robert Scripp commented that, “It was eye-opening, but not in a cliched sense. It was like looking at an abstract painting – it requires something of the viewer.”

Quinn Ford, “a fan of deconstructionism,” found that it brought to mind a number of philosophical influences, including John Cage and Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” She also noticed that “it was nice to see the crowd grow,” as passersby came in out of the snow dur-

ing the show.

ChaShaMa founder Anita Durst, who was on hand to introduce the event, also noted the effect of the group on the pedestrians. “ECHOensemble used every corner of the room, banging on the walls, crawling on the floors enticing the passersby,” she said, adding, “The unique performance by ECHOensemble was like no other performance that I had seen at 172 E. 4th St. It dared the audience to cross the boundaries of the 4th wall, urging one to become part of the performance.”

Further information can be found at www.echoensemble.com and www. chashama.org The next performance at 172 East 4th St. will be Friday, Dec. 6, 4-9pm: The Greenhouse Ensemble (an independent theater collective) presents musical performances by Jalopy Records and artist pop-up shop and gallery (also open over the weekend): https://chashama.org/event/jalopyrecords/

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Eats

Posh Pop Bakeshop on Bleecker is gluten-free

BY GABE HERMAN

I

n recent months, walks along Bleecker Street may often include sudden whiffs of delicious baked goods between MacDougal Street and Sixth Avenue. They’re emanating from Posh Pop Bakeshop, one of the newer Bleecker tenants, which offers tasty gluten-free desserts of all kinds.

The bakery opened at 192 Bleecker St. in March, having moved from its previous location in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The shop sends out warm air full of irresistible bakery smells onto unsuspecting passersby, and the window displays of large cookies lined up in rows add to the allure.

There are pumpkin pie cookies, Nutella-stuffed red velvet cookies, dulce de leche snicker doodle cookies, double chocolate s’mores peanut butter cookies, and of course the classic chocolate chip cookie. The cookies are oversized, probably equaling three or four normal cookies, and cost $6 each.

The shop also includes plenty of pies, cakes, smaller cookies sold in packs, and espresso drinks. And the glutenfree element doesn’t detract from the

PHOTO BY GABE HERMAN

Posh Pop Bakeshop is at 192 Bleecker St.

flavors at all.

The shop is popular with Yelp reviewers, averaging four-and-a-half stars out of five. One reviewer wrote, “To be able to have such a delicious GLUTEN FREE slice of triple chocolate cake definitely makes my day. Very

SOUNDOFF!

friendly staff, clean fresh environment, and overall just a great addition to Greenwich Village.”

Another person wrote, “This place has so many options! They are all gluten-free and then some are dairy-free as well. Everything I’ve tried (apple cider

doughnut, lemon bar, and magic bar) has been insanely good. Highly recommend!”

The shop is open every day, from morning until the late evening. More information can be found at poshpopbakeshop.com.

212 - 254 - 1109 | www.theaterforthenewcity.net | 155 First Ave. NY, NY 10003

Brother Soy by Victor Vauban Junior December 05 - Dec. 15, Tix $18 Thur - Sat 8PM, Sun 3PM

The Assassination of J.Kaisaar by Stephan Morrow December 4 - Dec. 15, Tix $12 Wed - Sat 8PM, Sun 3PM

Bread & Puppet by Peter Schumann December 5 - December 15, Tix $18 Thur - Sat 8PM, Sat & Sun 3PM

Write a letter to the editor

A Christmas Carol, Oy! Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa

by Vit Horejs, December 19 - Jan. 05, Tix $18 Thur - Sat 8PM, Sat & Sun 3PM

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December 5, 2019

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PUBLIC NOTICE COMBINED NOTICE OF JOINT RECORD OF DECISION (ROD) AND FINDINGS STATEMENT and NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI RROF) East Side Coastal Resiliency Project New York, New York December 6, 2019 This provides notice that the City of New York’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as the “Responsible Entity,” as that term is identified by 24 CFR 58.2(a)(7)(i), together with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks), has issued a Joint Record of Decision (ROD) and Findings Statement that formally selects Alternative 4 as the Preferred Alternative to be implemented along a portion of the east side of Manhattan and related improvements to City infrastructure. OMB is the grantee of United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds appropriated by the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (Pub. L. 113-2, approved January 29, 2013) related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 (Stafford Act) in calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013. OMB implements HUD’s obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through duly authorized Certifying Officers.

The Joint ROD and Findings Statement was prepared pursuant to City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), Mayoral Executive Order No. 91 of 1977, and the City Environmental Quality Review Rules of Procedure found at Title 62, Chapter 5 of the Rules of the City of New York (CEQR), and in accordance with SEQRA [New York Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 8 (8-0101-8-0117)]. NYC Parks, as Lead Agency under SEQRA/CEQR, together with OMB, as Lead Agency under NEPA, has given consideration to the facts and conclusions relied upon in the FEIS and determined that the requirements of CEQR and Article 8, Section 80109 of the ECL and implementing regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617) have been met.

Pursuant to 24 CFR Section 58.43, this Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI RROF) satisfies procedural requirements for project activities proposed to be undertaken by OMB. Project Title: East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project Purpose: The purpose of the proposed project is to address coastal flooding vulnerability in a manner that reduces the flooding risk while enhancing waterfront open spaces and access to the waterfront.

Location: Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York Project Description: On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall, greatly impacting the east side of Manhattan and highlighting the need for the City of New York (the City) to increase its efforts to protect vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure during major storm events. Hurricane Sandy, a presidentially declared disaster, caused extensive coastal flooding, resulting in significant damage to residential and commercial property, open space, transportation, power, and water and sewer infrastructure, which in turn affected medical and other essential services. As part of its plan to address vulnerability to such major flooding, the City is proposing the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project (the proposed project), which involves the construction of a coastal flood protection system along a portion of the east side of Manhattan and related improvements to City infrastructure. The Preferred Alternative for the proposed project is Alternative 4: Flood Protection System with a Raised East River Park.

The proposed project area begins at Montgomery Street to the south and extends north along the waterfront to East 25th Street and is composed of two sub-areas: Project Area One and Project Area Two. Project Area One extends from Montgomery Street on the south to the north end of John V. Lindsay East River Park (East River Park) at about East 13th Street. Project Area One is approximately 61 acres and consists primarily of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt East River Drive (the FDR Drive) right-of-way, a portion of Pier 42 and Corlears Hook Park as well as East River Park. The majority of Project Area One is within East River Park and includes four existing pedestrian bridges across the FDR Drive to East River Park (Corlears Hook, Delancey Street, East 6th Street, and East 10th Street Bridges) and the Houston Street overpass. Project Area Two is approximately 21 acres and extends north and east from Project Area One, from East 13th Street to East 25th Street. In addition to the FDR Drive right-of-way, Project Area Two includes the Consolidated Edison Company of New York (Con Edison) East 13th Street Substation and the East River Generating Station, Murphy Brothers Playground, Stuyvesant Cove Park, Asser Levy Recreational Center and Playground, and instreet segments along East 20th Street, East 25th Street, and along and under the FDR Drive. The proposed flood protection system is completed on the north with a connection to the existing U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center flood protection system.

The area that would be protected under the Preferred Alternative (the protected area) includes lands within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year special flood hazard area (SFHA). In addition, the protected area also takes into consideration the 90th percentile projection of sea level rise to the 2050s. Based on these assumptions, the protected area includes portions of the Lower East Side and East Village neighborhoods, Stuyvesant Town, Peter Cooper Village as well as East River Park and Stuyvesant Cove Park inland of the flood alignment. Within the project area, the City is proposing to install a flood protection system generally located within City parkland and streets, which would consist of a combination of floodwalls, levees, closure structures (e.g., floodgates), and other infrastructure improvements to reduce the risk of flooding. The Preferred Alternative would raise the majority of East River Park by approximately eight feet and would limit the length of exposed wall between the community and the waterfront to provide for improved neighborhood connectivity and integration. In addition to providing a reliable coastal flood protection system for this area, another goal of the proposed project is to improve open spaces and enhance access to the waterfront, including East River Park and Stuyvesant Cove Park.

Subsequent to the FEIS, the City identified a phased construction approach in Project Area One for the Preferred Alternative where substantial portions of East River Park would be kept open throughout the construction period to partially mitigate significant adverse construction effects on open space resources. As with the construction schedule presented in the FEIS, activities under the revised construction phasing plan would commence in March 2020 and the flood protection system would be in place by the hurricane season of 2023. Although access and open space improvements for the entire project area would not be completed until 2025 under the revised construction phasing plan, unlike the previous construction plan, a substantial part of East River Park would always be available for public use during the construction period. The details of the modified Preferred Alternative, including the revised construction phasing plan, have been analyzed in a Technical Memorandum. As presented in the Technical Memorandum, the modified Preferred Alternative would not result in any new or different significant adverse effects not already identified in the FEIS. A Programmatic Agreement (PA) has also been prepared for the proposed project. A draft of the PA was included in the FEIS; the PA has been executed among OMB, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (SHPO), and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), and also signed by five consulting parties – NYC Parks, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), The Municipal Art Society, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative (LESPI), and the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

The City has entered into a grant agreement with HUD to disburse $338 million of CDBG-DR funds for the design and construction of the proposed project. The City is the grantee of CDBG-DR funds related to Hurricane Sandy for the development of a coastal flood protection system, which would be provided to the City through OMB, acting under HUD’s authority.

Estimated Project Cost: approximately $1.45 billion Availability of Joint Record of Decision and Findings Statement This is to give notice that OMB has prepared a Joint ROD and Findings Statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 USC § 4321 et seq.) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA 40 CFR Parts 1500 to 1508. This Joint ROD and Findings Statement is also prepared in accordance with SEQRA [New York Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 8 (80101-8-0117)], and pursuant to City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR), Mayoral Executive Order No. 91 of 1977, and the City Environmental Quality Review Rules of Procedure found at Title 62, Chapter 5 of the Rules of the City of New York.

Public Review: The Environmental Review Record (ERR) for this project, which includes the ROD, Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and Technical Memorandum 001, is available online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cdbgdr/documents/environmental-records.page. Hard copies of the ERR documentation are available for public review during regular business hours at: • Office of Management and Budget, 255 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10007; • NYC Parks, The Arsenal, Central Park, 830 Fifth Avenue, Room 401, New York, NY 10065; • New York Public Library – Seward Park Branch, 192 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002; and • New York Public Library – Epiphany Branch, 228 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010.

Further information may be requested by writing to the New York City Office of Management and Budget, c/o Calvin Johnson, Assistant Director CDBG-Dr, 255 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10007, or by emailing CDBGDR-Enviro@omb.nyc.gov. This combined notice is being sent to individuals and groups known to be interested in these activities, local news media, appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency having jurisdiction, and to the HUD Field Office, and is being published in newspapers of general circulation in the affected community and the City, in compliance with the ESCR Citizen Participation Plan.

Public Comments: Any individual, group or agency may submit comments on the ROD and NOI RROF via the following methods: • Mail comments to New York City Office of Management and Budget, c/o Calvin Johnson, Assistant Director CDBG-DR, 255 Greenwich Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10007 • Submit comments online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/escr/index.page • Submit comments via email at CDBGDR-Enviro@omb.nyc.gov All comments should be received by December 23, 2019, or fifteen (15) days from the actual date of publication, whichever is later, to be considered by OMB prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD. If modifications result from public comment, these will be made prior to proceeding with the expenditure of funds. Once complete, responses to comments will be published on the following website: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/cdbgdr/documents/environmental-records.page.

Request for Release of Funds and Certification On or about January 2, 2020, OMB’s certifying officer will submit a request and certification to HUD for the release of CDBG-DR funds in the amount of $338 million as authorized by related laws and policies for the purpose of implementing the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project.

Environmental Certification: OMB certifies to HUD that Melanie Hartzog, in her capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows OMB to use CDBG-DR program funds.

Objection to Release of Funds: HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and OMB’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date of the Request for Release of Funds or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of OMB; (b) OMB has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Tennille Smith Parker, Director, Disaster Recovery and Special Issues Division, Office of Block Grant Assistance, at U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Rm. 7272, Washington, DC 20410; Phone: (202) 402-4649. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

City of New York: Bill de Blasio, Mayor Melanie Hartzog, Director, Office of Management and Budget Mitchell Silver, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Date: December 6, 2019

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Manhattan Happenings

Your guide to great events in Manhattan, Dec. 5-11 NYC [100 West 77th St., www.grandbazaarnyc.org]. Free.

Thursday Dec. 5 Touch Tour: Performance across the Museum

Monday Dec. 9

Guides with specialized verbal description and touch training will lead this tour for people who are blind or have low vision. The Rainforest V (variation 1) exhibit and other artworks will be shown.

9 to 11 a.m. at MoMA [11 West 53rd St., www.moma.org ]. Free.

Bill Chats: Elizabeth Diller Bill T. Jones will lead a conversation with Elizabeth Diller, the world renowned artist and architect of projects like the High Line and The Shed. They will talk about about their upcoming collaboration in the Spring.

7 p.m. at New York Live Arts Theater [219 W 19th St., www.newyorklivearts. org]. Free with reservation.

Working with Youth in the Garden Learn how to work with GreenThumb to invite youths into your garden!

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tony Dapolito Recreation Center [1 Clarkson St., www.nycgovparks.org]. Free.

Friday Dec. 6 New Show

York

Motorcycle

Interact with other motorcycle lovers and exhibitors in Progressive’s International Motorcycle Show.

2 to 8 p.m. at Javits Center [655 West 34th St., www.motorcycleshows.com]. $22 adults, Free kids under 12.

Observe unique interpretations on wreath making with this display created with work from more than 40 artists.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Arsenal in Central Park [830 5th Ave., www.nycgovparks. org]. Free.

Saturday Dec. 7

Tuesday, Dec. 10

orklivearts.org]. Full $30/student and senior $15.

Le Poisson Rouge Enjoy a performance from John Kadlecik, Jeff Chimenti, Reed Mathis, and Jay Lane, members of the Golden Gate Wingmen, at Le Poisson Rouge.

7 p.m. at The Gallery at Le Poisson Rouge [158 Bleecker St., www.lpr. com]. $35 advance, $40 at door.

Sunday Dec. 8 Deck the Stalls Holiday Market Experience this multicultural market event with the best of New York City’s

public markets. There will also be live music and other programming.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Seaport District [89 South St., www.fultonstallmarket. org]. Free.

Evergreen Giants Urban Park Rangers will lead this walk around Inwood Hill Park, teaching visitors about the evergreens. Please wear comfortable shoes and pack a light snack.

1 to 2:30 p.m. at Inwood Hill Park [Dyckman St., Hudson River, Harlem River S, www.nycgovparks.org]. Free.

Grand Holiday Bazaar Shop for holiday gifts and goodies with over 150 vendors at the holiday edition of the Grand Bazaar.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Grand Bazaar

One Hour in Betye Saar: The Legend of Black Girl’s Window Take a closer look at the prints and assemblages of Betye Saar.

1 p.m. at MoMA [11 West 53rd St., www.moma.org ]. Free with museum admission.

Wednesday, Dec. 11 InTandem InDoors Cyclists who are blind, have low vision, or another disability that prevents them from riding a bike by themselves are invited to this special spin class.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Asser Levy Recreation Center [392 Asser Levy Pl. www.nycgovparks.org]. A NYC Parks Recreation Center membership is required.

Crosscurrent This retrospective production will celebrate Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company’s 30th anniversary, with a performance that showcases Chen’s unique cultural style and influences. The work Calligraphy II , which highlights the energy and dynamics of the brush strokes in Chinese writing, will be shown.

7:30 p.m. at New York Live Arts Theater [219 W 19th St., www.newySchneps Media

What’s going on in your neighborhood?

Tell us! Email your events for our calendar to news@thevillager.com December 5, 2019

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Schneps Media Covering Manhattan in more ways than one

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December 5, 2019

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Real Estate

Three Man. buildings led city in apt. sales

BY EMILY DAVENPORT

A

new report found the five hottest-selling apartment buildings in New York City this year — and, no surprise, three of them are in Manhattan.

The report, which was released by PropertyClub.com, tracked which residential buildings in New York City were among the best-selling this past year. According to their findings, a number of buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn were in the top 20 best-selling buildings in 2019.

One Square Manhattan topped the list by a long-shot with 217 units sold this year. Located at 225 Cherry St. on the Lower East Side, the complex hit a total sales volume of $381,998,176 with a median price per unit reaching $1,485,554.

Manhattan’s 15 Hudson Yards, located in the city’s newest neighborhood, holds the number two spot on the list. With 141 units sold in 2019, the building had a total sales volume of $606,605,205 with a median price per

PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

unit hitting $3,878,750.

Venturing out into the outer boroughs, Queens’ GALERIE development project reached number three on the list with 93 units sold. Located at 22-18 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, the building had a total sales volume of $95,118,082 and the units had a me-

dian price of $909,493.

Following close behind at number four is Brooklyn’s The Greenpoint, located at 21 India St. With 89 units sold, the complex had a total sales volume of $149,836,511 with a median price per unit reaching $1,654,656.

Circling back to Manhattan, the

111 Murray Street building, located in TriBeCa, came in at number five on the list with 67 units sold. The building had a total sales volume of $423,103,962 with a median price per unit reaching $5,150,000.

Read the full report at propertyclub.com.

The Villager Sales Guide Listings selected at random. Courtesy StreetEasy.com and Google Maps GREENWICH VILLAGE

Mercer Street

SOHO

Six th Avenue Sixth

LOWER EAST SIDE

East Houston Street

Under $1 million 250 Mercer Street #C616 Price:$949,000 Beds: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Broker: Nest Seekers

Under $1 million 143 Sullivan Street #14 Price:$449,000 Studio Bathrooms: 1 Broker: Oxford

Under $1 million 210 E Broadway #H1403 Price:$765,000 Beds: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Listed by owner

Under $3 million 2 Fifth Avenue #7Q Price: $1,595,000 Beds: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Broker: Southebys

Under $3 million 145 Sixth Avenue #5C Price: $2,000,000 Beds: 1 Bathrooms: 1.5 Broker: Southebys

Under $3 million 287 East Houtson Street #6A Price: $2,550,000 Beds: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Broker: Corcoran

Under $5 million 20 East 9th Street #16 F Price: $3,595,000 Beds: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Broker: Compass

Under $5 million 70 Grand Street #PH Price: 3,950,000 Beds: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Broker: Douglas Elliman

Under $5 million 252 South Street #75C Price: $3,849,000 Beds: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Broker: Extell

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CHELSEA

West 23rd Street

Under $1 million 264 West 22nd Street #10 Price:$560,000 Beds: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Broker: Level Under $3 million 250 West 24th Street #1GW Price: $1,800,000 Beds: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Broker: DG Neary Under $5 million 519 West 23rd Street #PH Price:$4,700,000 Beds: 3 Bathrooms: 2.5 Broker: Douglas Elliman Schneps Media

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December 5, 2019

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Free Flu Shots

at Lenox Hill Hospital

When: Thursday, December 5th 1:00 – 4:00pm Tuesday, December 10th 4:00 – 7:00pm Where: Hearth Room 130 E 77th Street New York, NY 10075

This event is funded by Lenox Hill Hospital and co-hosted by the following: Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney

Assemblymember Dan Quart

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer

City Council Member Keith Powers

Senator Liz Krueger

City Council Member Ben Kallos

Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright

For more information, please contact:

(212) 434-2751 Must be 18+ years old.

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