Outdoor sports recreation space in the winter

While all of the grass fields of BPC are shut down for the winter, the unusually warm weather is causing kids and parents to seek out sport recreational spaces. The artificial turf fields on Murray are open and have ample space.

A shanty shack grows on South End Ave

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Update: February 3, 2012

By Steven Greer, MD

BatteryPark.TV delivers results once again. The despised shanty shack that had sprung up is now transformed back into a small fruit stand. It is still illegal and stealing business from the tax-paying Hudson Produce and Gristedes, and the red gas canisters are still there, but at least the eyesore is partially gone.

The First Precinct was the cause for the results. In contrast, the property manager of the nearby ex-Gate House porch, LeFrak, did not adequately act on the matter. This is the same property manager that allows the unsanitary dog urine to accumulate on the sidewalk in front of the Chase bank on South End Ave and fails to properly spray down the sidewalk.

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Update: February 2, 2012

A viewer informed us that the First Precinct stopped by the shanty shack and gave them a warning that the fruit stand can be no larger than eight feet. They will return later. Stay tuned.

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Update: January 31, 2012

One day after our report on the 27th, the boxes disappeared. The First Precinct replied to BatteryPark.TV that they were investigating and we spoke with the building owner of the old Gate House, upon which the illegal storage is taking place.

Now, four days later, the shanty shack has returned and the boxes are once again sprawled over the old Gate House porch. Neither the Gateway Plaza building property manager nor any official from the BPCA has responded to out requests for comment.

January 27, 201

Uptown BPC has the Shake Shack. Downtown BPC’ers have the Shanty Shack. BatteryPark.TV has received several emails complaining about the growing unsightly sloppy tent at the intersection of South End Avenue and Albany. A fruit vendor is expanding onto the empty porch of the closed down Gate House. He is now storing numerous boxes of fruit on the ground, and has an ugly makeshift tarpaulin over his stand. The merchants even have a 24-hour source of electricity from a gasoline generator with fuel canisters sitting on the sidewalk. The Gateway Plaza real estate group is the nearest property owner, and is allowing the storage of the boxes on their porch.

Also, across the street is a permanent, never moving, “Mobile” pastry and coffee cart. It is a favorite spot for tour buses and trucks that park illegally for hours on Albany using the food cart as their excuse for stopping. Brookfield Properties is the nearest property owner.

The nearby Hudson Produce, a legal establishment that loses money to both sidewalk vendors, was enthusiastic when BatteryPark.TV informed them that many in the community want the fruit shack to leave.

Where is the City Department of Health when they are needed? Do they only harass restaurants and collect fees? We asked Gayle Horwitz, CEO of the BPCA, whether they or some other agency is in charge of regulating this site, and she did not reply. We are awaiting replies from the property owners, City Hall, and the First Precinct.

What do you think? Should these unauthorized food vendors be shut down and evicted or do you value their services? Please post comments in the section below. They will be helpful to the community board and others.

Take our survey here.

Update: January 28, 2012

The First precinct community affairs replied to our story and they told us that they would investigate. We noticed that already the vendor has removed the numerous boxes, and the Gate House porch is empty. However, the ugly tarpaulin remains, as does the fuel canisters. The BPCA has still not replied to our questions.

(Click images to enlarge to full screen)

The permanent "mobile" pastry and coffee cart on Albany Street and South End Avenue

Goldman Sachs transforms BPC from a Staten Island annex vibe into the new Tribeca

January 10, 2012 By Steven Greer, MD

Battery Park City, since its formation in the early 70′s, has always been viewed by most New Yorkers as more of a Staten Island annex rather than a true part of Manhattan, and for good reason. With the West Side Highway as a barrier, the place took on a suburban vibe with a surreal David Lynch or Stephen King twist. All of that might change now as the new Goldman Sachs headquarters takes root.

Despite a large residential population with an average income well over $100,000,  Battery Park City has long been underserved by low quality shady restaurants barely meeting health inspection minimums, and has been totally devoid of respectable nightlife venues. After the financial collapse that began in 2007, things got even worse. The one bright spot of BPC, the Ritz Carleton hotel rooftop lounge, closed down, as did The Gate House and several shops in the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center.

The closest source for quality restaurants or entertainment has been in Tribeca with its block of restaurants, such as Nobu and The Tribeca Grill. But even Tribeca was seriously lacking in entertainment. With the housing bubble came $2 Million and up apartments, with owners more typically found in New Jersey or West Chester. As a result, the community board frowned upon 4:00 AM closing times or any noise whatsoever.

Some high-end wine or brandy bars have tried to establish in Tribeca but never flourished. The Tribeca Grand hotel lobby space and the Smyth Hotel venue are all struggling. The demand seems to be lacking. Bankers at nearby Citigroup bolt home after work, and poor management plagues the hotel attempts.

Along comes Goldman Sachs. The new headquarters opened in 2010 at the corner of Vesey Street and West Street, in Battery Park City. The adjacent hotel, also owned by Goldman Sachs, was gutted and converted into the new Conrad Hotel, upgrading it from the old Embassy Suites.

Dino Fusco and his Goldman Sachs team quickly evicted the failing Applebee’s, Chevy’s, and other low quality restaurants, and brought in some much improved establishment at the ground level of the hotel. Most of them are now open for business after more than a year of renovation.

Having been opened for just one week, the social scene has immediately changed for the better in Battery Park City. The crowds inside Mark Maynard-Parisi and Danny Meyer’s Blue Smoke southern cuisine restaurant do not remotely resemble the crowds of the old joints on South End Avenue. The place is packed with young executives who work nearby at American Express, Goldman Sachs, etc, or who live nearby in the newly built green apartments.

In addition to the Shake Shack, the other Danny Meyer establishment in the Conrad Hotel space is the North End Grill that is comparable to his midtown well-reviewed Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. No doubt, there will soon be seen lines of Maybach’s and limos on the street in front waiting for diners.

For the resident of Battery Park City with high standards, no longer will they need to trek over to Tribeca for decent dining. The entertainment situation might improve as well when the Conrad Hotel opens. A variety of lounges and music venues are rumored to be opening, including an outdoor rooftop space overlooking the Hudson River and New York Harbor. This might fill the void left when the Ritz Carlton gave up on this business. Ideally, residents would be getting a Jazz Standard next to the Blue Smoke, but that is not in the cards (despite BatteryPark.TV trying to convince people).

Due to its superior infrastructure, the Goldman Sachs-led reincarnation of Battery Park City actually has much more potential of becoming a premier Manhattan neighborhood than Tribeca ever did. For starters, there is a marina that can accommodate the largest yachts in the world. The area has an Asphalt Green training facility with an Olympic-size swimming pool and outdoor baseball/soccer fields. There are two newly constructed public schools. The BPCA-managed parks and botanical gardens are better than any others in the city. The high-rise housing is mostly all modern and green. It is easier to own a car and access the tunnels from Battery Park City than in Tribeca, and two of the best hotels in the city are in Battery Park (Institutional Investor Magazine ranked the Ritz as the best hotel in the world in 2007).

Good retail clothing shops will follow soon. In 2013, the renovation of the Winter Garden will be completed with numerous new businesses.

Please do not forward this article. A good thing is best kept quiet. We don’t want any riffraff from SoHo coming down here.

The Winter Garden at the WFC: site of new retail stores in 2013

Update on efforts to rid BPC of illegally parked tour buses

September 29, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The building manager of the 2 River Terrace called BatteryPark.TV about our tour bus stories. He said that the problem of illegally parked buses on North End Avenue has significantly declined since the stories. Their staff members are calling the Battery Park Enforcement Patrol and receiving assistance now.

In addition, we witnessed an NYPD full officer (as opposed to a traffic officer with no authority to ticket moving violations) issue a ticket to a bus on Murray Street. The bus was initially asked to leave North End Avenue and then promptly illegally parked 50 yards away on Murray Street.

The officer told us that they are now patrolling the area dealing with the tour buses. He explained that the designated areas for the buses are across West Street outside of Battery Park City.

Bus ticketed by NYPD on Murray Street

Why is Pier A delayed? Follow the money

January 5, 2012  By Steven Greer, MD

We had an interesting conversation with The New York Times reporter, Patrick McGeehan, who has covered Pier A and the Maritime Building for years. Unbeknownst to many, the BPCA is seeking a bizarre new source of additional funding for the stalled Pier A project.

A controversial federal plan allows foreigners with wealth to invest in developmental projects in exchange for green cards. According to the WSJ, “The so-called EB-5 visa is awarded to foreigners who invest $500,000 to $1 million in U.S. businesses; $500,000 is required if the investment is made in a high-unemployment or rural area. The investors must document that their investment created at least 10 jobs before they are granted green cards, which allow permanent residence in the U.S.”

The Maritime Building in the Battery Park and the Pier A, now under the BPCA jurisdiction, are both part of this new green-card-for-investing EB-5 visa program. Documents related to the proposed funding of the Roosevelt Island college campus also revealed other programs trying to capture funding, such as Pier A, according to testimony by Senator Schumer (courtesy of Mr. McGeehan of the NYT). The BPCA applied for the program in 2011. It is unknown whether any of these funding developments have led to the construction delays.

These latest financial developments are just part of a long convoluted and embarrassing history of this stalled project and eyesore to our community. In 2007, the BPCA assumed control after deputy Mayor Doctoroff brokered a deal to rid the city of the headache. A cap of $30 Million dollars was established for renovation, mostly funded by the city EDC.

It is unknown whether this $30 Million figure thrown about so often in reports is really in the bank accounts of the BPCA available for spending, whether it was delivered and squandered, or any of the details of how this amount was or was not spent. BPCA Chairman Bill Thompson and CEO Gayle Horwitz did not reply to our questions.

A source close to the BPCA told BatteryPark.TV, ” BPCA has gotten some of the money. What happened was that EDC authorized the $30 million, then reimburses BPCA on a periodic basis as the work is done. So BPCA has gotten some of the money, though I could not tell you how much. Nor do I know if EDC has officially raised the threshold to $36 million.”

Prior to the BPCA assuming control, decades of unsuccessful plans had come and gone. A Staten Island development firm called Wings Point had been in charge and failed miserably. Of note, the managing partner of Wings Point also created the BillyBey ferry company when it bought the New York Waterway routes.

Pier A

Exclusive: BPCA Pier A renovation delayed a year with cost overruns

January 4, 2012 by Steven Greer, MD

Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) CEO Gayle Horwitz made a surprise appearance at the Community Board 1 (CB1) last night to deliver an update on the various BPCA construction projects underway. Recall, CB1 member George Calderaro had informed the community that Pier A renovations seemed to be going slowly and that no updates had been delivered from the BPCA.

In what was described as “overkill” by one CB1 member, the BPCA brought in a team of at least 12 people, comprised of architects and other officials involved in the Pier A project. What we learned was:

• The previous completion date estimates for Pier A were for “The season of 2012″. That has now been revised to “Late 2013″.
• The original $30 Million amount allotted to the project will be inadequate. The project is running over budget.
• The design team claimed that “natural drying” of the historic pier wooden architecture was the reason that the project was left windowless and to the elements.
• Despite the team of architects, no drawings of the proposed final project were presented. Recall, the project is supposed to have ample free access to the public and not be a space that requires fees or purchase of food to enjoy. In fact, John Fratta of the Seaport CB division wanted the location to entirely be an Italian heritage museum.
• CEO Horwitz claimed that not all of the architect and construction-experienced staff of the BPCA were fired when the 19 staff were abruptly fired late last year.
• The Poulakakos restaurant family and business partners claim that they now have an architect in place to design the proposed restaurant space of Pier A. However, as mentioned, no drawings were presented. There was a change in the design team.
• The stalled project of Harry’s Italian in the Conrad hotel/Goldman Sachs alley, another restaurant proposed by the Poulakakos group, was not discussed.

The Chairman of BPCA, Bill Thompson, was not present. Mr. Thompson is a 2013 New York City candidate for Mayor.

(Click images to expand)

Pier A

Polluting ferry boats to get new, less polluting, less noisy, engines

November 2, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The much anticipated BPC CB1 meeting to discuss the ongoing problem of noise and air pollution from the New York Waterway ferry boats yielded significant results for the first time in recent memory. The CEO of the BillyBey Ferry Company (DBA New York Waterway), Paul Goodman, announced that they will be using federal grants and “Nearly $1 Million of BillyBey money” to finally replace the outdated heavily-polluting diesel engines on nine of the worst offending vessels that dock often at WFC Vesey Street slip. The slip is controlled by the Port Authority.

The expected completion date will be mid-year 2012. That coincides with new regulations for marine vessels under the Clean Air Act.

Mr. Goodman elaborated, “Those 18 engines for 9 boats have been ordered. The program is fully funded…and installed over the first half of 2012.” He explained that the current engines, which so infamously now belch pure black diesel particulate smoke (see here) as they dock at the WFC Vesey Street slip fall under “Tier 0″ of the EPA classification of engines, according to Mr. Goodman. The new diesel engines with particulate filters will be “Tier 2″. (Note, our Google search of the EPA’s Tier system for engines revealed a system that did not coincide with what the BillyBey Ferry Company listed).

Given that no exhaust emission testings have ever been performed and made public, CB1 member Anthony Notaro tried to clarify whether BPC residents can expect to see, hear, and breath less pollution with the new engines promised. Goodman said, “You will see a significant reduction in pollution”. A spokesman for the DOT elaborated, “You can expect an 85% reduction in pollution (with the new engines).

Skeptics of these new promises from BillyBey Ferry Company have ample justification. The same NYSERD grant that will finally be used to convert the engines has been funded and made available to the company since at least 2006, and the only accomplishments to date from the grant money has been to install some exhaust particulate filters on a few boats and “perform tests”. Only now, after BatteryPark.TV coverage and the involvement of the NRDC, New York Times, EPA, and elected officials, is BillyBey promising to replace the outdated engines.

The Port Authority spokeswoman at the meeting said, “We were aware that the (NYSERD-funded emissions program) was ongoing, but it didn’t move as quickly as we would have liked.”

After more than 20 minutes of the BillyBey CEO and his entourage of supporting government officials speaking (i.e. NYSERD, DOT, consultant to NYSERD, and EPA), vocal residents spoke up requesting that the WFC Vesey Street slip be moved entirely away from the neighborhood. CB1 member Tom Goodkind echoed those views saying, “We should consider removing these boats (from the WFC Vesey Street slip) until these engine retrofits occur.” and received applause.

Recall, the BillyBey Ferry Company is a New Jersey company that exists almost exclusively to haul New Jersey residents to their Manhattan jobs. There is a reason one of the boats is named “U.S. Senate Frank R. Lautenberg“. For decades, this New Jersey-benefiting operation has polluted the air and disturbed the peace in Battery Park City. This might be the beginning of the beginning of a solution to this New Jersey-rooted problem. When new Caterpillar diesel engines are mounted in the boats, we will take our victory lap.

And the full unedited video of all of the different boats polluting equally from EPA Tier-0 “worst  category” engines

The Christmas Tree Lighting in Battery Park City of 2011

December 8, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

(In full screen 1080iHD)

Toy donations can be made by contacting Stockings with Care or caroline@stockingswithcare.org

CB1 says “Close Indian Point”: Steven Greer, MD interviews Julie Menin

Update: June 28, 2011

The New York Times is reporting that Governor Cuomo plans to close Indian Point nuclear power plant. The two nuclear pants in jeopardy on the flooding Missouri river likely played a role in the timing.

March 22, 2011

The Community Board 1 held a full meeting on March 22nd. One matter was the passage of a resolution demanding the closure of the nearby Indian Point three-nuclear-reactor power plant 30 miles north on the Hudson River. BatteryPark.TV’s Steven Greer, MD interviewed CB1 Chairperson Julie Menin.

BPCA holds surprise meeting without public notice, minimizing attendance

December 20, 2011

The BPCA, run by Chairman Bill Thompson and CEO Gayle Horwitz, recently cancelled a scheduled board meeting in the wake of numerous controversies surrounding Pier A and Asphalt Green sports center construction delays, and the controversial mass firings of 19 BPCA employees. The Chairman was also not present at the recent “Town Hall” meeting, and the CEO cancelled at the last minute her personal appearances for the Christmas Tree lighting.

The BPCA rescheduled the cancelled meeting for 10:00 AM, today, without any prior notification to the public or the Community Board. No member of the CB1, to our knowledge, attended this meeting. Many on the board have questions they want to ask of the BPCA. Staff at the CB1 told us that they had no knowledge of the meeting today.

The BPCA media relations person, Anne Fenton, did not reply to our questions about the nature of the meeting. One staff member of the CB1 suspected that Leticia Remauro, who was among the fired 19, was possibly going to speak to the BPCA in an attempt to gain a better severance package or pension for some of the 19 members.

A local resident who was somehow notified, did attend. She wrote us, “Five members of the BPC 19, who had been laid off on Nov. 9, showed up for the meeting. Immediately after calling the meeting to order, Bill Thompson called it into executive session, which meant that all members of the public had to leave the room. The executive session lasted for around two hours. When it was over and we were allowed back in the room, Gayle Horwitz read some amendments to a Pier A contract into the record and the chairman said that he was asking the staff of the Authority to draw up a severance policy that would be presented to him within the next 10 days and would apply retroactively as well as going forward. Then he adjourned the meeting.”

Pier A plans are “A slap in the face to Italian Americans”

Update: June 25, 2011 The oyster bar wins

It appears as if the BPCA is not backing down on it’s subversive plans to turn Pier A into a for-profit bar (see below). John Fratta, leading opponent to the bar plan and champion of the idea to make Pier A an Italian Heritage museum, was rebuffed by the BPCA. His group had requested via Freedom of Information Act the details of how it came to be that the Poulakakos family was awarded the plan to make the pier a restaurant and bar. He organized a small press conference event today at the pier in protest. Based on our sources within the CB1, there seems to be little resistance to the oyster bar plan.

March 29, 2011

John Fratta, CB1 Chairman of the Seaport/Civic Center Committee explain why the CB1 opposes the current BPCA plans to turn over the Pier A to a private restaurant group led by the Poulakakos family. He is leading a drive to convert the Pier A into an Italian American heritage museum to compliment nearby Jewish and Irish museums. Mr. Fratta calls the current plans, “A slap in the face to Italian Americans”.

Niether the BPCA nor the Poulakakos family accepted our offer to be interviewed.

(The video can be viewed in 1080i HD by clicking the YouTube settings)

The Irish Hunger Memorial Mr. Fratta mentioned

Oh the irony. Leticia Remauro denied access to BPCA offices

December 10, 2011

By Steven Greer

The Tribeca Tribune has a story about the recent BPC CB1 meeting whereby Leticia Remauro, former BPCA employee, met face to face with current BPCA administration (but not with CEO Gayle Horwitz, see our story Gayle Horwitz hides under her desk..”). In the story, they have a nice photo of Ms. Remauro being temporarily forbidden past the security desk at the WFC lobby and from going up to the BPCA offices for the meeting.

This event, so well documented by the Trib, has tremendous irony in it. Previously, while still media relations director for the BPCA, Ms. Remauro did the same thing to BatteryPark.TV. She told the security desk to not allow us up when we were trying to inquire about a parks related story. The saying “What goes around comes around” is fitting here.

The concerning part of this story, however, is that it reveals a pattern by the BPCA, a public office, of not allowing critics and citizens into their Ivory Tower in the WFC. We have consulted with legal experts and former BPCA senior executives, and this is illegal for the BPCA to selectively not allow certain members of the public into the offices.

Recall, the BPCA recently made important decisions about renewing the contract with the city for the PEP, and this was done at a meeting with no public input. A farce of a “Town Hall” meeting was held after the important decisions were made.

The cover up and hiding grows. Ms. Horwitz was recently a no-show at the tree lighting ceremony. There was supposed to have been a BPCA meeting on Tuesday, December 13th, to further discuss the growing scandal of the mass firings of the 19 staff ad the fate of Gayle Horwitz. It was rumored that Chairman Thompson was going to ban the public from the meeting. It seems they cancelled the entire meeting instead, according to the Tribeca Tribune.

Carl Glassman of Tribeca Tribune, Photo of Leticia Remauro being held up at WFC security

Gayle Horwitz avoids the public she represents, is a no-show for tree lighting

December 9, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

While filming the wonderful tree lighting party by South Cove, an interesting side story developed. The Parks Conservancy seemed to have expected BPCA CEO Gayle Horwitz to be the one to count down the tree lighting initiation. Even Santa Clause was expecting her there (see 40 second mark of the video), but Ms. Horwitz was a surprise no-show.

One of Ms. Huxley’s subordinates, Tess Huxley, explained to the crowd that Horwitz had a last minute excuse for not being present, but her comments were not heard clearly. The BPCA did not reply to our inquiries today for clarification.

Of note, the BPCA Chairman, Bill Thompson, also was not there, nor was he present for the “Town Hall” meeting last month. Neither Horwitz or Thompson actually live in Battery Park City.

Per our previous reporting, Gayle Horwitz hides under her desk as CB1 discusses her bizarre culling of the ranks, it would not be inconsistent wit Ms. Horwitz recent behavior to dodge the press and crowd. There might have been jeers and boo’s.

Gayle Horwitz hides under her desk as CB1 discusses her bizarre culling of the ranks

December 7, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The Community Board 1, BPC division, met last night and the main topic was the bizarre firings of 19 long-time BPCA employees, first reported by BatteryPark.TV. One of the fired employees, former media relations person Leticia Remauro, was invited to attend. The CEO of BPCA, Gayle Horwitz, did not attend the meeting, despite being the person responsible for the handling of the firings. She assigned her newly hired media relations person, Anne Fenton, to speak for the BPCA. Both Horwitz and Fenton served for BPCA Chairman Bill Thompson prior to him becoming the BPCA Chairman.

Gayle Horwitz

One member of the CB1 described the meeting as “Very awkward”. Three different members of the CB1 asked BPCA’s Fenton questions and she replied each time, “We do not discuss personnel maters.” Recall, this was the same reply that CEO Horwitz gave at the BPCA “Town Hall” last month.

BPCA’s Fenton explained that, “The reporting in the local papers was wrong.” When pressed to elaborate, she repeated, “We do not discuss personnel matters.”, further frustrating the board.

The one bit of clarity provided by Ms. Fenton was when she explained that severances were indeed provided to the fired employees, contrary to the “reporting in the papers”. At which time, fired Leticia Remauro replied, “I have a severance?”

The CB1 agreed to write letters of recommendations for the 19 fired employees. The BPCA has refused to do this for those employees.

Related to this scandal that is plaguing CEO Gayle Horwitz, BatteryPark.TV has learned that there are rumors of Ms. Horwitz being replaced. The incident has turned into a political liability for

BPCA Chairman Bill Thompson

Chairman William Thompson who is running for New York City Mayor. BatteryPark.TV is also aware of increases in Google searches for terms such as “Gayle Horwitz fired”. A member of the CB1 told us, “This story is not going away for her (Horwitz)”.

Related stories found here

Ed Koch discusses homeless and politics

October 29, 2009

In the second part of our interview with Ed Koch, he discussed the growing homeless problem in Battery Park and how it is similar to New York City in the late 70’s when he was Mayor and the City was near bankruptcy. He also discusses the upcoming NY Governor’s election.

Will BPCA Chairman Thompson replace the 19 fired with his own cronies?

November 22, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

As BatteryPark.TV first reported, the BPCA abruptly fired 19 of its staff, with with much controversy. BPCA Chairman Bill Thompson, appointed by ex-Governor David Paterson, and Anne Fenton, spokesperson for the BPCA (now that Leticia Remauro has been fired), explained that the culling of staff was due to “restructuring…now that BPC is fully built”.

However, if the firings were executed in order to eliminate now-redundant staff and save money in a time of “austerity”, then why was the BPCA budget, approved in November for $223 Million, not lower than the previous year level of $210 Million? In fact, real estate owners in BPC were stuck with a double-digit land lease tax hike.

The operating expenses also have increased in the new budget, rather than decrease as one would expect after the firing of 19 staff. This year, the BPCA expenses are $31,800,000. For 2012, they will be $33,000,000.

Prior to approving the current budget, the BPCA held a board meeting on September 13th and discussed the ongoing plans to reduce headcount. If the board knew that they would be firing 19 people before the budget was approved, why did they not allocate less money to the fiscal 2012 year?

A source close to the BPCA believes that Chairman Thompson will likely simply replace many or all of the fired 19 staff with his own “cronies” who will help him run for Mayor of New York in 2013. This source pointed out that already Bill Thompson has hired Anne Fenton, creating a new position for her and paying her in excess of $100,000. Ms. Fenton was Thompson’s PR person for his last run for mayor. He has also brought in a new General Council, Phyllis Taylor, when they had an existing GC. Another person hired by Chairman Thomson indicative of cronyism, according to our source, is Michelle Caballero. She was an assistant to Governor Paterson and needed a job when the governor lost his job. Although she is, in reality, a receptionist, she is paid more than $75,000: more than many people senior to her in the organizational chart.

Will Chairman Thompson soon re-hire more of his own cronies and replace the 19 fired whom he did not originally hire? Stay tuned.

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Bonus:

Should New York Waterway be evicted?

A community board member suggested that the polluting New York Waterway ferry boats should the  be evicted from the WFC Vesey Street slip until they replace the engines? Do you agree?

Please take our two-question, 20-second, survey by clicking here

Tour bus finally ticketed

July 27, 2011

The NYPD (not the PEP, managed by Gayle Horwitz and Tess Huxley, who are refusing to enforce illegal parking) finally began ticketing illegally parked behemoth tour buses dropping off people to visit the 9/11 Memorial. This photo was taken on West Thames Street in a city bus stop “no parking” zone.

As most BPC residents know, these privately operated tour realized long ago that thy can park anywhere in South BPC, even in bus stops, and not be ticketed. BatteryPark.TV has a requested an interview with the Joe Daniels, CEO of the 9/11 Memorial, but has so far been stonewalled.

Gayle Horwitz acted like a “third world potentate”

Date:  November 17, 2011
To:  All
RE:  Battery Park City Authority Terminations

I was President and CEO of the Battery Park City Authority from May 1999 to June 2005.  I am shocked and dismayed at the heartless and unprofessional manner the present leadership used to dismiss dedicated employees in an “Emotional Blood Bath” of the type perpetrated by third world potentates.

I worked with many of the people who were terminated and I can tell you that they were all dedicated, hard-working public servants, talented in their own fields.  We worked as a team to create the vibrant community of Battery Park City. You can see the results of our work everywhere you look in Battery Park City from the parks, to the schools, to the museums, to the libraries, to the artwork.   From the residential and commercial buildings which are the result of revenue-generating development deals to the community events and M/WBE program. To fire them without notice, without severance and without benefits would be harsh had they been fired for cause. Under these circumstances, it is disgraceful. The administration has put a mark of shame on BPCA’s otherwise great history.  The Battery Park City Authority has always represented “the greater good” of public service. This horrible act reflects poorly on the Authority and is a disservice to the people of New York State and New York City the Authority represents.

Westchester County recently announced potential layoffs and let their employees know that they would each be contacted by the Human Resources department as to what their benefits, options going forward and how it would affect them.  This is how government should act under an austerity program — not just say good bye.

The development of the 92-acre site was overseen by Authority staff who had the vision and the initiative to make the development a crucible to test new ideas. Staff engaged brilliant architects and designers well before the City and the GSA had initiated their Design Excellence Program.  The Authority’s sustainability program and ground-breaking Green Guidelines became a model for the rest of the City and throughout the world.  The Solaire, the first building to be built under the Guidelines, was the first sustainable high rise residential building in the country. The Authority’s diversity program was a model throughout the State.

After the September 11 attack many of the individuals fired were “First Responders.” They helped thousands of people escape the horror of 9/11 by moving them into boats, ferries and other watercraft before thinking about their own safety and evacuating to New Jersey.  They were involved in the Rescue, Recovery and Rebuilding of Battery Park City and the entire Downtown.

To encourage companies to stay in BPC they developed a security project that typified Battery Park City’s mission:  to create a desirable and profitable development site while creating desirable and brilliant public space.  Authority staff mediated between the wants of the developers and the needs of the public.  The elimination of nineteen positions in addition to the eight who left last year through the State’s buy-out program, I believe, nullifies the Authority’s ability to do that and demonstrates the current Administration’s lack of understanding on how to do it.

It is true that Battery Park City is reaching full build-out and elimination of staff is eventually inevitable. However, the Authority is currently involved in construction projects and negotiations.  Elimination of  knowledgeable staff and institutional memory is inconceivable.  The reliance on outside consultants to do work that staff once did will eliminate any financial savings — the stated goal of the firings.

The celebration of full build-out once it is accomplished would have been a positive end to this chapter of development.  Treating the staff of Battery Park City responsible for its success like criminals is instead a shameful end.
I hope that the Board, in its infinite wisdom will rectify this travesty.

Yours Sincerely,
Honorable Timothy S. Carey

Dog excrement and speeding mopeds dominate BPCA town hall meeting

November 17, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The Battery Park City Authority hosted the first town hall in ten years on the evening of November 17th. Chairman William Thompson was not present and speaking for the authority was CEO Gayle Horwitz. Both Mr. Thompson and Ms. Horwitz are the source of controversy relating to their handling of firing 19 BPCA staff without notice, as we have previously reported.

Unlike congressional town halls seen in the news over the last few years whereby constituents directly asked questions, Ms. Horwitz screened the questions by reading from written cards submitted by the audience. There were a few topics that were repeatedly raised by the residents in the audience that received applause after the questions were discussed.

Dog feces, urine, and the smell created by it all on South End Avenue in front of the Gateway Plaza shops seemed to be the biggest concern of the meeting. Residents of South BPC know too well that the sidewalk in front of the Gristedes, the ice cream shop, pizza shop, etc, is the favorite spot for dog owners living in Gateway Plaza to let their pets relieve themselves. Even when the excrement is not visible, the smell is pungent and disgusting. Multiple residents pointed out that other regions of BPC have building owners that diligently power wash the sidewalk, and that the owners of Gateway Plaza are far less fastidious. Ms. Horwitz stated that she would communicate with the Gateway Plaza representatives about possibly power washing the sidewalk more frequently. No promises of more stringent PEP enforcement were offered.

In addition to this problem area on South End Avenue, other residents complained about an overall increase in dog feces being spotted throughout BPC over the last six months. Dog association representative, and member of CB1, Jeff Galloway, along with another dog association member, dismissed the problem as being caused by a GI “illness” going around amongst the pet community. It was not clear whether they were joking at first, but they were indeed serious. Tess Huxley, manager of the Parks Conservancy and the staff who deal with problems of this nature offered no tangible solution to the problem.

The other problem raised that drew significant applause was an apparent infestation of rats all throughout BPC, particularly Wagner Park and the West Thames Park. Ms. Horwitz and Ms. Huxley offered no immediate solution to this problem and proposed bringing in a “rat expert” doctor to discuss the problem further. New trash collection centers south of West Thames Street were discussed as one measure already taken to reduce the open bags of tempting trash/food for the rats.

Speeding electric mopeds driven by food delivery men that whiz by pedestrians on the sidewalks and nearly collide with them was another common complaint. Ms. Huxley of the Parks Conservancy who manages the PEPs, and Ms. Horwitz, both seemed unaware of the problem and emphasized more what was legal for the delivery men to do rather than what the delivery men were doing wrong which could be ticketed by PEPs. They did not promise to begin ticketing the kamikaze drivers.

Will Brookfield Properties really save the beloved marble stairs in Winter Garden, as they have promised, was a question raised by activist Justine Cuccia. Apparently, artist renderings of the new construction about to take place show plans of the new Winter Garden sans stairs, in a possible bait and switch. CEO Horwitz vowed “To my dying breath” to not let Brookfield pull a fast one and demolish the staircase.

The problem of tour buses illegally parking on the streets of BPC was also complained about by several residents. Ms. Horwitz made no mention of the achievements made by BatteryPark.TV that have virtually eliminated this problem on North End Avenue. Ms. Horwitz made vague statements about how she is working with the First Precinct to encourage ticketing, and offered up her email address for anyone to send photos of the buses.

The problem of the noisy and polluting New York Waterway ferry boats was raised by a resident. Ms. Horwitz made mention of the Port Authority that runs the slip, but made no mention of the efforts by BatteryPark.TV that seem to have completely ameliorated the problem, assuming the company does as it promised and replaces the old diesel engines with newer ones.

Resident Adam Pratt gave a five-minute statement about his abuse by the PEPs earlier this year and his desire to see the PEP force dismantled. BatteryPark.TV will have more on that story.

Given that many BPC residents are renters or live in rent-controlled Gateway Plaza, they most important issues relating to the BPCA seemed of little concern. The sky-high land lease taxes paid by building owners to the BPCA, that in turn create the highest monthly fees in the city for apartment owners making their units un-sellable, were addressed by a resident. No tangible reductions or changes were promised by the BPCA board, to no one’s surprise.

Lastly, as we reported in our separate story, the 800-pound gorilla on the room was the mass firings of 19 BPCA staff by Ms. Horwtiz. She simply refused to address that matter whatsoever, stating, “This meeting is for community issues, not staff matters.”

Bonus:

Should New York Waterway be evicted?

A community board member suggested that the polluting New York Waterway ferry boats should the  be evicted from the WFC Vesey Street slip until they replace the engines? Do you agree?

Please take our two-question, 20-second, survey by clicking here

The BPCA “Town Hall” was a farce

November 19, 2011

A letter by M. Kamau

A major problem within our society is in our media. Our corporately controlled media is now used more to steer the mass public with Jackass news stories than play their designated role as “watchdogs” and expose the corruption within our municipal and federal governments. This can be fixed, but only if the masses of educated people in our society ask the right questions.

When the people want a chance to air their issues, a town hall meeting sounds like a great forum, but what happens when people spend more talking about animal defecation (both rat and canine) and public art installations than the real issues we all as a community need to address? The public deserves answers to the hard questions, such as where our additional taxes as Battery Park residents are spent. We considered the upcoming tax hike as a “victory” because, and I quote, “it could have been a lot worse.”

Battery Park residents pay additional taxes that are used to fund a miniature private government that exists solely to govern Battery Park City. The Battery Park City Authority uses our hard earned money on PEP officers to patrol our neighborhood. To prove their need in our community they also help us address pressing issues such as placement of bike racks and field complaints from residences. The last time I checked residents in other neighborhoods have found avenues to accomplish this without having to incur extra property taxes. This extra layer of bureaucracy might help us noise our complaints about stop signs and D.O.T violations, but our complaints are then lost in their designated departments as soon as they are aired.

This so called “authority” taxes us because we let them! As a people we have a right to know how our money is spent. If transparency existed with the Battery Park City Authority there would be no Battery Park City Authority. They have marketed their need with our money. They condone unlawful behavior. The Parks Department officers who are contracted to protect us and enforce New York City law have been involved in numerous lawsuits involving assault and harassment, yet we still knowingly and willingly pay their salaries. The contract we pay for as residents of BPC to the parks department exceeds $2.5 million for their services rendered. We could go the Goldman Sachs route and hire four NYPD officers to sit in our neighborhood 24/7 and pay less than half of the contract price with the Parks Department. Taking this approach would also conceivably cut police response time as well. This sounds like a win-win. We can stop the waste of our hard-earned money!

New York City is full of problems. Deal with it. Why do we feel the need to pay extra taxes (which make every apartment that less desirable to a property across the highway with much lower taxes yet access to our neighborhood) to gain the privilege for another public forum? Community Board 1 could handle the issues of the residents with the help and oversight of our congressman and senator. Why do we need to contract the Parks Department officers when the good ol’ NYPD is good enough for the rest of the 7,000,000+ residents of New York City? But we don’t want to complain about wasted taxes and gross negligence in the governing body of our neighborhood, we want to complain about the rats (NEW YORK HAS RATS!), the dog defecation on the sidewalks, the delivery men (WHOM YOU ORDER FOOD FROM AND EMPLOY!) and speed bumps for bikes. Democracy can only work if the people are informed, ask the right questions and can see past all of the dog$h!t.

Adam Pratt explaining his grievances