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It was about three weeks ago that we first reported on possible zoning code violations at the Nolitan Hotel (40 Kenmare Street). For the past six months, residents have been complaining to the Department of Buildings that the project appears to have exceeded the Little Italy Special District’s height restrictions. In spite of regulations banning new construction over 8 stories, the neighbors said there seemed to be at least nine floors (as well as a 3-story structure on the roof).
On January 6th, a Department of Buildings spokesperson, Carly Sullivan, told The Lo-Down information was still being gathered about the situation at the Nolitan. There was no response when we followed up this week. But the DOB has, apparently, indicated to residents that the hotel is in violation of the height restrictions. The next step, presumably, would be an appeal and a request for a variance before the Board of Standards and Appeals.
Meantime, the residents, have been working with Councilmember Margaret Chin’s office. In a statement, she said: “We are working with the DOB to ensure that our office, as well as their staff, are on top of the situation. And should the building be found to be in violation of zoning, which we believe it is, we will work to ensure that it is brought into compliance.”
 
This afternoon, as the new City Council gets to work, Speaker Christine Quinn is expected to announce committee assignments. This morning, the New York Post is reporting she’ll strip Councilmember Charles Barron of his chairmanship of the Higher Education Committee.
Barron (D-Brooklyn) has long battled with Quinn, and recently caused a commotion at this year’s opening Council meeting when he challenged her for speaker and invited an angry group of residents to the meeting. Many in attendance shouted “Uncle Tom” at black members who voted for Quinn, who won with all but Barron’s vote.
What committees will downtown’s new councilmember, Margaret Chin, be serving on? We’ll be at City Hall this afternoon to see what happens. Her predecessor, Alan Gerson, chaired the Lower Manhattan Redevelopment Committee – and it has always been assumed that Chin would succeed him as head of the panel. Chin has also expressed a strong interest in serving on the education and housing committees.
Governor Paterson has vowed to veto the ethics reform legislation passed by the Assembly and Senate yesterday. Speaker Sheldon Silver is not saying whether he’ll call for an override vote.
The Daily News rails against stipends for Council members serving as committee chairs. The editorial notes both Margaret Chin and Rosie Mendez are on the record opposing “lulus.”
The Charter School Association is regrouping, after this week’s disappointment in Albany.
Continue reading Ethics Aftermath, Publicity Helps Ray’s, “Chilled by Choice”
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senator Daniel Squadron are out with statements on today’s passage by both houses of legislation meant to reform Albany’s porous ethics law.
In a news release, Silver said, “we who serve in government must always strive to restore the people’s faith in their government… The legislation we passed today will significantly strengthen the ethics laws which apply to all public officials in this state and to those who lobby government by expanding public disclosure of outside income, strengthening oversight of our ethics and campaign finance laws and creating a truly independent oversight body for each branch of state government. My colleagues and I in the Assembly remain committed to working in a bi-partisan manner to increase transparency and accountability in the Empire State.”
Squadron, who in his first year as a state senator made ethics reform a top priority, said New York had “taken a significant step towards (the) goal of “increased disclosure, enforcement, and independence.” He added, however, “the package is by no means a silver bullet; there is still more work to be done, but we cannot delay reforming ethics laws any longer.” Continue reading LES Lawmakers Praise Passage of Ethics Legislation
If you missed them at The Bowery Electric last night, you can catch The Uglysuit at The Living Room tonight at 9:00pm. They are The Living Room’s “Artist of the Week” and their myspace page touts:
Artifice has replaced art, style trumps substance. Sincerity and honesty got lost along the way. Once in a while though, something breaks through. Continue reading The Uglysuit is on the LES
The Times sums up Albany’s failure to agree on a charter school expansion plan. The Daily News: “Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference boss John Sampson yesterday betrayed New York‘s children and taxpayers in the most cowardly and irresponsible fashion possible.” In the Post, Frederic Dicker zeroes in on the teachers union.
Governor Paterson’s new budget proposal calls for the biggest cut in school aid in two decades.
The University Neighborhood School (Monroe Street, just East of Montgomery) was the scene of a stabbing yesterday morning. An 18-year old male was taken to Bellevue Hospital. According to New York 1, the victim was not ccoperating with Police.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly outlines security plans for the upcoming 9/11 terror trial.
Curbed reports “The Stanton,” a Karl Fischer designed, luxury rental building is ready for tenants.
The Museum at Eldridge Street’s new east window makes the “Talk of the Town.”
Friends of Gulick Park launches a web site.
EV Grieve has word of a fundraiser for Ray’s Candy Store Saturday night.
Tonight, there’s an information fair for parents to learn more about the Pre-K and Kindergarten options in the neighborhood. It’s sponsored by State Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Senator Daniel Squadron and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Here’s the letter they sent out:
Dear Parents:
We are writing to invite you to the District 1 Elementary Schools Pre-K and Kindergarten Information Fair on Wednesday, January 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at P.S. 20 Anna Silver located at 166 Essex Street. The fair will provide an opportunity to learn about educational opportunities available in elementary schools in District 1, and a chance to learn about a new admissions policy our offices urged the Department of Education (DOE) to adopt. Continue reading Kindergarten Information Fair Tonight
From Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s office:
I am extremely proud of the Race to the Top application New York submitted today. We have advanced a broad set of reform proposals that will raise standards, make our tests more rigorous and help us to recruit, train and hold accountable our teachers and school leaders. The state’s proposal is a road map to finally turning around New York’s failing schools and closing the achievement gap. I am disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement on charter schools and strengthen New York’s Race to the Top application. The bill we put forth would double the number of charter schools across New York State while making them subject to greater accountability and transparency. Furthermore, charter schools would have to meet higher health and safety standards, serve our neediest children and meet the high performance standards set by the federal government. I remain committed to working with our partners in government to authorize the creation of 200 additional charter schools while meeting these goals.
 photo from Canada Gallery There is an intriguing solo exhibition by the artist Joanna Malinowska at Canada (55 Chrystie St. between Hester/Canal). Time of Guerilla Metaphysics features a gigantic sculpture of a Boli, which, the press release explains, “is a spiritual talisman created by the Bamana people in what is now Mali in West Africa. Continue reading Time of Guerilla Metaphysics at Canada Gallery
The fate of new charter schools hangs in the balance today, as the Legislature races to meet a federal funding deadline.
The Times gives Albany’s ethics reform deal one star.
Shelly says the governor needs to raise a lot of fast campaign cash.
Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh is skeptical of the MTA’s plan to paint a red bus lane for the M15.
Channel 5′s post “24″ report on concerns in Chinatown about the upcoming terror trial.
Ray’s Candy store also makes the late news.
And don’t forget the Educational Alliance – Fox checked in on yesterday’s Day of Service at P.S. 140
Anyone concerned about the problems caused by the booming Chinatown bus business will want to check out a new report from the New York Department of City Planning. While there are no huge revelations, the study offers a comprehensive look at the impact the private/interstate bus companies are having on the neighborhood. It recommends building a new bus terminal to alleviate curbside gridlock, but acknowledges there’s no obvious place to put a depot downtown. Short term, the study suggests implementing a permit system, making it easier for the NYPD to deal with the situation (this would require a new state law). Continue reading Chinatown Bus Issues? CB3 Wants to Know
Happy Martin Luther King Day. See here for a list of holiday-related events today. And here’s a rundown of what’s closed for MLK Day.
The Legislature is back in session tonight, racing to complete work on a bill raising the charter school cap by tomorrow’s deadline. Mayor Bloomberg says changes to the law, stripping him of the power to grant new charters, are a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver counters: “the only limits (the bill) places are on his (Bloomberg’s) and Chancellor Klein’s unchecked ability to completely disregard the voices of traditional public school parents in siting decisions.”
The Times reports on Ray’s Candy Store, still in danger of being shut down.
Ephemeral New York recalls the Ludlow Street jail.
A 1924 plan to drain the East River.
This weekly feature spotlights a wide variety of people who live on the Lower East Side. If you would like to participate in “My LES”, please email us here.
What do you do?
I’m a mother, I have two websites—one local webforum, www.lesparents.com, that helps keep parents in the neighborhood (and the East Village) connected and another, www.askyourfriendkira.com, with ideas and advice, from conception through parenting.
Continue reading My LES – Kira Wizner
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State Senator Daniel Squadron
