Photo: The view from Straus Square on a dreary Sunday afternoon.
In the news:
–As concerns about safety in Sara D. Roosevelt Park mount, the Parks Department has been slow to implement renovations made possible through more than $20 million in government funding. A city spokesperson says the plans are in the “design phase” and that the improvements will be completed by the spring of 2025. [Gothamist]
–A large number of migrants have descended on a site on Avenue B, a so-called “re-ticketing hub” where they must apply to re-enter the city’s shelter system. Mayor Adams instituted a rule booting migrants from the system after 30 days. [NY1]
–Executives at Mount Sinai says they’ll start dialing down some services at Beth Israel within a couple of weeks, preparing for a complete closure of the downtown hospital. The state must approve the closure plan. [Gothamist]
–Through Chinatown Runners, Victoria Lo hopes to combat AAPI hate and empower the Asian American community. [Runner’s World]
–Local photographer George Hirose talks about his amazing night photos in community gardens, as well as his art and activism. [Whitehot Magazine]
–At Community Board 3 this month: The board will yet again take up the issue of Grand/Clinton Street traffic (12/5), hear the latest explanations from Mount Sinai about the closure of Beth Israel (12/7), view the final designs for the rebuilt 70 Mulberry community facility (12/12) and learn about upcoming renovations at Hamilton Fish Park Library (12/13). Also, on December 11, the committee that reviews liquor license applications will hear a proposal from the owners of Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse, the legendary Lower East Side destination that closed in 2021, to reopen at 112 Stanton St. Previously the community board voted to support a liquor permit at another location on Clinton Street. [CB3]
–Le French Diner on Orchard Street has been a beloved local spot for years. It’s now apparently become an industry favorite as well, “in the past couple of years emerg(ing) to become the place that the people who live and breathe restaurants go when they want something to eat, to avoid any gimmicks or trends, and to forget for the night that Resy even exists.” [Grub Street]
