–The mayor says he had no involvement in the decision to fire the official in his administration who approved the lifting of deed restrictions at Rivington House. [Daily News]
–De Blasio didn’t seem to care for questions about the dismissal of Ricardo Morales, deputy commissioner of DCAS: “The mayor stood up and ended the news conference at the 114th Precinct station house in Queens as a reporter pressed for details, asking: ‘Why can’t you tell us why Ricardo Morales was fired?’ ‘I covered it. Thank you,’ de Blasio said, his back turned.” [New York Post]
–Extell Development has sold about 100 of 800 apartments available at its gigantic Lower East Side highrise, One Manhattan Square. One real estate insider says: “I’ve never seen anything that large, and in an area in Manhattan that would be considered remote… This is a new location — an untested, unproven location — and they’re trying to build a community around it. It’s gutsy any way you slice it, no matter what the market is.” [Bloomberg]
–A look at what it costs to run a gallery in New York. On the Lower East Side, where many former Chelsea delaers have fled in recent years, rents are rapidly rising. [Artsy]
–Hate crimes have spiked 55% in New York City during the past year. [Politico New York]
–The next public workshop for the planning of the Lowline underground park takes place tonight at Grand Street Settlement. [The Lowline]
–Mondo NYC, the music and tech summit, will be back this coming fall and will be based at Rockwood Music Hall. [Brooklyn Vegan]
–Ryan Sutton awards Doyers Street newcomer Chinese Tuxedo two stars. [Eater]
