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

Ed Koch: Will Governor Cuomo become Obama’s VP?

July 7, 2011

We spoke with former Mayor Ed Koch again today. In Part 1, we asked him to prognosticate as to whether President Obama would shift VP Biden to Secretary of State and make Governor Cuomo the new VP for 2012. We also discussed the Governor’s recent accomplishments.

Ed Koch: Who will be the leading contenders for the NYC Mayoral race?

July 10, 2011

We interviewed former Mayor Ed Koch about the likely candidates for the 2013 New York City Mayoral race now that Anthony Weiner is no longer a viable candidate. NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn is his favorite candidate.

Outrage over high salaries of 9/11 Memorial staff amidst budget overruns

January 30, 2012

Construction of the September 11th Memorial has screeched to a halt as the numerous different state, federal, and city bureaucracies fight over the tab of the cost overruns. After rushing out a partially constructed memorial to avoid embarrassment on the tenth anniversary, not much progress has been made since.

Amidst this, we get a better sense today of the bloated number of bureaucrats on the September 11th Memorial staff leading the construction while they also reap huge financial rewards personally. The WSJ is reporting that top executives of the September 11 memorial have been receiving nearly $500,000 salaries. Relatives of those killed on 9/11 are outraged.

According to the WSJ, “Joan Gerner received $296,565 upon leaving her position as executive vice president of design and construction in May 2010, bringing her total compensation that year to $439,463, recently released tax records show. She was the group’s highest-compensated employee that year….. In 2010, seven other executives with the organization received compensation in excess of $200,000, records show, and four received compensation packages of more than $300,000, including the president, Joseph Daniels, who earned $378,288 in salary and other benefits…. Retired FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Riches, whose son, Jimmy, also a firefighter, died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, called the foundation executives’ salaries, and specifically Ms. Gerner’s severance payment, “totally obscene” and an “insult” to victims and their families. “They shouldn’t be having contracts like they’re professional athletes—it’s totally disgusting,” Mr. Riches said. “It’s a shame, and they have no shame.”"

According to the WSJ, Mayor Bloomberg has been supportive of the high pay and large staff. “But Mr. Bloomberg has long defended the executive compensation at the memorial and other such organizations. Julie Wood, a spokeswoman for Mr. Bloomberg, said the mayor believes the “professionals at the 9/11 memorial are paid only a fraction of what they’re worth, but at a level similar to people at comparable nonprofits.”"

From Wall Street Journal

BatteryPark.TV helps prompt City Council investigation of restaurant letter grading system

(In full screen 1080i HD)

January 13, 2012

Did BatteryPark.TV’s reporting from January 7 (And the much larger New York Post) cause this January 11 email from the City Council? Several restaurant owners seem to think so and forwarded us this email. If you feel you are being “shaked down” by inspectors, email us and we will send cameras over within minutes.

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City Council Launches Restaurant Inspection Survey 

January 11, 2012

From Speaker Christine C. Quinn

Council seeks feedback from restaurant owners on City’s food safety inspection process and new letter grading system.

As part of the City Council’s oversight of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and in response to mounting concerns raised by city restaurateurs regarding the restaurant inspection process, yesterday I, along with Health Committee Chair Maria del Carmen Arroyo announced the launch of a comprehensive restaurant inspection survey. City restaurant owners and operators are urged to participate in this Council effort to gather information on food safety inspections, with particular emphasis on the recently implemented letter grading system and its impact on city restaurants. The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/restaurantinspection and accessible through the Council’s website at www.council.nyc.gov. The questionnaire will also be available in six different languages. The survey results will provide a foundation for an oversight hearing in late February, where the Council intends to further explore the inspection process and possible areas for reform. 

I am troubled by the wave of complaints the Council has received from restaurants – even the ones that get A’s – about the fairness and inconsistency of the food safety inspection process. Any initiative – especially 18 months after establishment – calls for scrutiny. With this survey, we hope to learn more about what is and isn’t working, including whether the grading system has been implemented fairly. The participation of restaurateurs in this analysis is critical, and we look forward to hearing their input.

Divided into two sections, the first part of the survey seeks background information about the food establishment and solicits views on DOHMH’s inspection process and the letter grading system. The second section requests recent historical data about experiences with inspections and adjudication in administrative tribunals. Specifically, this section seeks details about violations issued during each inspection from 2008 to the present, along with costs accrued in connection with the payment of fines, consultants and improvements. Survey participants are encouraged to answer as many questions as possible.

In July 2010, DOHMH began requiring food service establishments to post letter grades corresponding with scores reflecting sanitary inspections during which restaurants receive points for violations. An inspection score of 0-13 violation points is an A, 14-27 violation points is a B, and 28 or more violation points is a C. Grade cards are meant to be clearly visible to the public.

The FDNY Fire Fighter II

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The FDNY Fire Fighter II, taken by Steven Greer

George’s diner closed after owner films health inspector during inspection

(In full screen 1080i HD)

Update: January 9, 2012

George’s diner was re-inspected today by the city health inspector. Two inspectors were sent,  and the restaurant was allowed to re-open. George’s will be open for normal business tomorrow. A letter grade will be assigned after a follow up inspection is made.

Owner Bill Koulmentas said, “It is not common for a restaurant to be re-opened this fast…(we received), a lot of positive verbal feedback (on the BatteryPark.TV story) from throughout Battery Park City. Thank you very much for all that you have done.”

January 7, 2012  By Steven Greer, MD

George’s diner on Greenwich Street and Rector Street, south of the World Trader Center, was shut down by the New York City Health Department on Friday, January 6th. The original restaurant had to be demolished after the WTC disaster of September 11th, 2001, and was reopened in a newly constructed building in 2005.

We interviewed the owner, Bill Koulmentas, to learn why the restaurant was shut down. We could not contact the health department.

According to Mr. Koulmentas, and iPhone video supporting his story, a female health inspector stopped by approximately two weeks ago and found some violations. He felt that the inspector was aggressive and had an agenda to find violations no matter what. On Friday, January 6th, a male inspector arrived unannounced at 9:30 AM and inspected until 2:30 PM.

During the inspection on the 6th, Mr. Koulmentas felt that the inspector was “rigging” the inspection, claiming cockroaches were found that did not exist, that the refrigerator did not work when it did, etc. He pulled out his iPhone and began to videotape the inspector. At this point, the inspector began to become irritated. Mr. Koulmentas believes that the closure of his restaurant was due to his filming the health inspector and disputing his findings.

The health inspector closed the restaurant on the spot, at 2:30 PM, January 6th. It is unknown what will happen next and when the restaurant might be allowed to reopen.

The new letter grading system instituted by Mayor Bloomberg has been very controversial. Newspaper reports have insinuated that the process is rife with corruption, and was adopted simply as a way to increase revenues for the city in the form of fines. Many restaurant owners feel that the grades assigned are completely arbitrary, and Mr. Koulmentas’ filmed experience certainly adds credence to those theories.

If you are a restaurant owner and have experienced similar problems with the health department, BatteryPark.TV wants to know about it. Shoot us an email at info@batterypark.tv

9/11 Memorial Tour hosted by Sheldon Silver

October 2, 2011

(In full screen 1080iHD)

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.

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Pier A

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

Mayor Bloomberg admits the stimulus package was wasted

August 1, 2010

Mayor Bloomberg was on NBC’s Meet the Press today. He made some insightful comments about the ineffective ARRA stimulus package that not many in the press have made. As unemployment remains high, the debate has been whether the nearly $1 Trillion stimulus package worked. That is really a false debate. The money never actually made it to jobs creation programs. Instead, the states and municipalities gobbled up the money to pay off their budget deficits and maintain their bloated entitlement programs.

In the Mayor’s words

A tour of the NYC Rescue Mission for the homeless

October 14, 2009

With the closure of the John Hughes shelter, the nearest homeless shelter to Battery Park City is now in Tribeca. Joe Little of the New York City Rescue Mission gives a tour of the city’s oldest homeless shelter. With the bad economy and closure of other shelters nearby, demand for meals at the Mission have increased 20%.

To volunteer or donate money, contact (212) 226-6214 or go to http://www.nycrescue.org/

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.

The NYMEX has removed onerous security screening stations after businesses close

November 27, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), part of the CME Group, has dropped the onerous security measures at the entrance to its retail mall. The metal detectors and X-ray bag screening station have been removed. People can now walk freely throughout the glassed-in corridor that faces the Hudson River and used to house many retail shops.

All of those shops are now closed down. Staff at the NYMEX explained that the tight security hampered business too much. The one remaining business is Jack’s Unisex Hair Salon. Late next year, new shops are supposed to move in, according to the staff.

NYMEX Staff explained to BatteryPark.TV that the security alert status since 9/11 is now lowered making the screenings unnecessary. Related, many businesses across the street in the Financial District are begging the Mayor to remove unsightly exterior barricades in front of store front businesses.

Entrance to NYMEX where screening stations used to be

Closed shops in the NYMEX mall

Jack's Unisex Hair Salon remains open

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.

Ed Koch: Indian Point nuclear plant should be closed

July 9, 2011

We interviewed former Mayor Ed Koch. In Part 2, we discuss Governor Cuomo’s plans to shut down the Indian Point nuclear power plant.

The NYPD Museum

October 14, 2010

Julie Bose, Director of the NYPD Museum, takes us on a video tour of the museum with two new exhibits. The first one is “Artist as Witness” by artist Aggie Kenny who was given extraordinary access to the first-responders to 9/11. The second exhibit is the new children’s wing of the museum called “Junior Officers Discovery Zone”.

For more details, call (212) 480-3100 or visit http://www.nycpm.org

Exclusive: Picasso Pizza shut down by the health department

November 21, 2011

The Battery Park City “Broadsheet” reported this morning that Picasso Pizza, on South End Avenue, was closed for renovations. That is incorrect. In fact, the New York City Department of Health shut them down. From the Health Department website:

Closed by Health Department