June 22nd, 2009
Jesse Hartman won the support of the Community Board 3 committee that considers applications for liquor licenses. But he has a few more hurdles to clear before he can proceed with his plans for “Grand Park,” the restaurant he wants to open in the old “Isabella’s Oven” location on Grand Street. According to Frank Durant, Seward Park Co-op general manager, two restaurants are in the running for the location. The Co-op, which owns the space, is in negotiations with both businesses.
Meanwhile, Hartman has posted on his new web site some preliminary drawings of the backyard enclosure he wants to construct for Grand Park. They’re just a first draft – lots of design and cost issues need to be worked out, so there could be major changes. Here’s a look:
June 22nd, 2009
Today we continue our series of interviews with the candidates running for the District 1 City Council seat currently held by Alan Gerson. The District includes the Lower East Side, Chinatown, Soho, Wall Street and Tribeca. Last week we heard from Margaret Chin, one of four challengers Gerson
faces in September's primary election. Today it's Pete Gleason's turn.
Gleason is an attorney, as well as a former New York City police officer and firefighter. He ran against Gerson unsuccessfully in 2003. Recently, he won the endorsement of an influential political club, the Downtown Independent Democrats. Gleason has been an outspoken critic of the lack of progress redeveloping the World Trade Center site.
In these interviews, we want the candidates to be able to lay out their positions fully. For that reason, editing was kept to a minimum. We removed extraneous comments that were repetitious or not directly related to the question asked, and streamlined questions. For more information on the campaign, see below. The full interview with Pete Gleason can be found after the jump.
TLD Interview: Margaret Chin
Pete Gleason's web site
Gotham Gazette's profile of District 1
City Hall News primer on District 1 race
Continue reading TLD Interview: City Council Candidate Pete Gleason
June 22nd, 2009
Organizers held a kickoff event yesterday for "Pride Goes East," a celebration of Gay Pride in the East Village and the Lower East Side. The special week full of entertainment, as well as restaurant, nightlife and shopping deals is a joint project of the Fourth Arts Block and the LES Business Improvement District. City Council member Rosie Mendez spoke at the kickoff, encouraging people to enjoy events on both sides of Houston this week. There was also a cameo from Ms. Sarah Palin, the popular drag queen, and a performance from "Showdown," David Parker and The Bang Group’s
new interpretation of the songs from Irving
Berlin’s "Annie Get Your Gun." Roberto Ragone of the Lower East Side BID and Tamara Greenfield of the Fourth Arts Block said they hope this week's events and deals will establish their two neighborhoods as a Gay Pride destination. You can see more information about "Pride Goes East" including a schedule of events here.
David Parker and Jeffrey Kazin performed a new version of "Old Fashioned Wedding."
"Ms. Sarah Palin" gave her personal endorsement to "Pride Goes East"
June 22nd, 2009
The Daily News reports Senator Daniel Squadron will co-sponsor the State Assembly passed mayoral control bill in the Senate.
The latest Siena poll says 63-percent of New Yorkers think the state is headed in the wrong direction. The Assembly is not spared in the public's assessment of the Senate coup.
A New York Times editorial blasts the Bloomberg/Silver push to allocate Port Authority money to office towers at Ground Zero.
Gabe Pressman is suspicious of the mayor and the City Council's decision to slash the public advocate's budget.
Crain's New York has a look at the Pomeranc family's hotel empire, which includes the Thompson LES.
Grub Street will miss the bar, 87 Lounge, which closed up shop last week rather than face the music at the State Liquor Authority.
Follow the Discussion