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.

Beating Time

We found this funny. The youngsters playing on the turf fields must not have much respect for time, as they beat the clock to oblivion with soccer balls, etc.

Beating time By Steven Greer

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.

(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

Drawing in the Park

May 21, 2011

(Viewable in full-screen 1080iHD)

One of the many activities in Battery Park that is produced by the Parks Conservancy is Drawing in the Park. Free art supplies and a tutor are supplied for adults to sketch landscapes and nature.

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.

Figure al Fresco

May 11, 2011

The Figure al Fresco program convenes on Wednesday afternoons, starting at 2:30 PM,  on the esplanade by the South Cove. An art instructor helps guide residents as the sketch a standing model. For more information, call (212) 267-9700 or visit http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/home/

A Tour of the Battery Conservancy

June 21, 2011

Battery Conservancy President and Founder, Warrie Price, gives Liz Conner a tour of the Battery Conservancy

(viewable on full screen 1080iHD)

Go Fish

May 21, 2011

Liz Conner interviews the founders of the Go Fish program along the esplanade discuss how the program raises awareness of the importance to keep the Hudson River clean, and how the river has rebounded since it was proclaimed “Dead” by the New York Times in the 1960′s due to pollution.

(Viewable in full-screen 1080iHD)

Did the Parks Conservancy intentionally raise the pond level that killed the ducklings?

November 18, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

Tess Huxley, head of the BPCA Parks Conservancy

Viewers will recall our previous stories from the spring following the fate of this years’ mallard duck hatchlings. A “mystery man” “Wildlife expert” had been taking the newly hatched ducks into his BPC apartment, nursing them, then transferring them into the Waterfall Pond, mistakenly thinking that the manmade ecosystem could accommodate the birds without starvation or drowning. (In fact, BatteryPark.TV intervention was required to allow the hatchlings of 2010 to survive to adult without starvation)

One of the 5 remaining ducklings that did not drown but that later disappeared

However, this year, most of the birds drowned rapidly, within a week of being transferred from the park into the pond. BatteryPark.TV was not present when the ducklings were first moved into the pond. Despite an extensive investigation with the park staff and local apartment buildings, the “mystery man” wildlife lover was unable to be located.

That man has now come forth to tell his story. The well-intentioned local resident who has been caring for a variety of struggling animals is a federal employee. We are keeping his name confidential and will call him Jerry.

Jerry’s daughter recently stumbled upon our BatteryPark.TV reporting by searching the Internet and told her father, who then contacted us. He added some crucial details to the unsolved mystery of how the ducklings were killed this year.

In our June 7 story, we reported that the hatchlings were irresponsibly placed into the Waterfall Pond when the water levels were too high and no circular islands existed to prevent drowning. According to Jerry, this was not the case.

Jerry said, “They (The Parks Conservancy headed by Tess Huxley) deliberately raised the water level of the pond on purpose to flood the birds out….When I put the ducklings in the pond, the water level was low and there were islands with tall grass, just as there had been the previous year in 2010…The Captain of the PEP officers gave me the OK to put the ducks in the pond and helped me…I have a record”

BatteryPark.TV did not begin to witness the events until after 10 of the 15 ducklings had drowned. We then reported on the one-by-one disappearance of the remaining five ducklings. A Parks Conservancy staff member at the time claimed that he saw a bird of prey and we attributed their demise to being eating by a blue heron. In light of these new testimonials by the man who actually placed the ducklings into the pond, we are not so confident that malicious human behavior was not involved.

Tess Huxley is on record for stating, essentially, that the mandate of her agency is to manage the vegetation only, and that wildlife are on their own in a survival of the fittest. She has said, Mother Nature will take its course”. The problem arises when animals are placed by humans into manmade ecosystems that require human interference to avoid animal cruelty, such as the Waterfall Pond.

The Waterfall Pond looks natural, but in reality, it is just a concrete swimming pool with decorative plants and steep sides that prohibit the ducklings from escaping until they can fly. The plant vegetation is not adequate to prevent starvation, and the round islands are inadequate to prevent drowning when the park staff raise the water levels.

To not provide human aid after the fact when the birds are placed into the pond is neglect. To intentionally flood out the birds would be a criminal act of animal cruelty.

Moreover, the Koi fish placed in the pond by the Tess Huxley’s staff require human intervention. Although the fish are resilient and can hibernate in the winter in most cases, in extreme cold as we saw this winter, the ice becomes too thick, oxygen to the water is cut off, and the fish will die. Tess Huxley’s hands-off policy of not intervening with the wildlife caused the Koi fish to die this year when the ice froze thicker than usual. Jerry told us, “I tried to crack the ice this year (realizing the fish were in jeopardy), but they (the parks staff) would not let me.” See our previous story “Who killed the Koi?”

(The BPCA did not reply to our requests)

The human intervention platform required in 2010 to avoid drowning

Jerry releasing the ducklings onto an island

Ducklings before the water levels rose and they drowned

The mother duck

A hurricane did not hit Manhattan

November 10, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

Numerous politicians have been saying recently that a hurricane hit Manhattan. The problem with those comments is that “Hurricane Irene” had fizzled out and was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit Manhattan. In fact, we barely received any rain (in contrast to western New York and New England).

Why are politicians revising history? Mayor Bloomberg needs to justify his overreaction. Others, seeking disaster relief funds, also benefit if they can claim that their regions were damaged by “The hurricane”.

Recently, the BPCA, at their September board meeting, cited the exemplary performance of the PEPs during the “hurricane response” as a justification for renewing the contract with the city and a $1.5 Million raise. In fact, their was nothing for the PEP to really during the storm. this is what the scene really looked like.

The BPCA has also embarked on repair project to the wood boardwalk along the South Cove. Jeff Hayduk, construction manager for Cashin Associates who is contracted by the BPCA for maintenance of the area, explained to BatteryPark.TV that this large-scale project is part of routine maintenance and comes out of the normal BPCA budget. It is not being funded by FEMA or hurricane relief monies. A local paper had reported today, “Recently, a tidal swell hit the planks so hard that a piece of debris cracked one of the horizontal planks.”

(Click image to enlarge)

Repairs underway to South Cove board walk

The West Thames grass field is closed for the season

November 7, 2011

After numerous stories in the local press observing that the expensive newly sodded West Thames Tire Swing Park grass field was becoming trampled to death once again, the Parks Conservancy headed by Tess Huxley finally closed the field for the season. Why 50% of the field was not alternated and closed for root regrowth earlier in the season, allowing for usage of the field and preventing the grass damage we see now, is a mystery. Hopefully, the field will regenerate this time and not require re-sodding.

Exclusive: The BPCA gives the PEP a $1.5 Million raise, renews contract, all with no public comment

November 6, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

On Sept 13th, the BPCA board met and approved a renewal of the contract with the City of New York to provide Park Enforcement Patrol (PEPs) officers for Battery Park City. Despite the controversy this winter with the beating of a local resident walking his dog and other complaints, the BPCA did not seek any public comment before making this decision. In fact, the city contract was renewed and the PEP received a collective pay raise of $1.5 Million.

In fairness to the current PEP crew, many of the worst officers were removed from BPC. Also, the willingness of the PEP to respond to calls has increased. (However, one wonders if the new and improved PEP performance will last now that this contract issue is resolved.)

The new contract will pay $2.7 Million per year for approximately 32 PEP officers, or $83,000 with benefits and pension per PEP. That is not bad in a depression with 20% unemployment in the region and huge city and state budget deficits. It reminds one of bankrupt Greece and their public employees.

The BPCA is scheduled to make the announcement of the PEP contract renewal sometime this month at the new school on Battery Place. To see what transpired at the board meeting behind closed doors, view this video.

The full video of the meeting can be found here.

Big meeting tonight to discuss the fate of the polluting NY Waterway boats

November 1, 2011

By Steven Greer, MD

The CB1 Battery Park City subcommittee will meet tonight to discuss the fate of the BillyBey Ferry Company’s air and noise polluting ferry boats (6:00 PM, 1 World Financial Center, 24th floor). After several meetings leading up to this one, scheduled to be in attendance tonight are the CEO of BillyBey, representatives from Senator Gillibrand and Rep. Nadler’s offices, the EPA, the DOT, the non-profit environmental watchdog group the NRDC, and The New York Times.

Key issues to be determined will be:

• What did BillyBey do with the more than $7 Million in grants provided by an arcane grant from the State and City specifically meant for cleaning up ferry boat exhaust? “The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), announces the Deployment Phase of the New York City Private Ferry Emission Reduction Program.”
• BillyBey claims that several of their boats have already been retrofitted with diesel particulate filters. However, per our filming and reporting, not a single New York Waterway ferry that docks at the Vesey Street slip seems to have any such filter.
• BillyBey also claims to be completely replacing older diesel engines with more modern “clean diesel”. When will this take place?
• What happened to the brand new super-clean and quiet Goldman Sachs ferry boats, seen briefly in April and reported by the New York Times? They seem to have disappeared and never made it into service. BillyBey CEO Goodman refused to answer that question in our previous call with him.
• What powers does the federal Clean Air Act give our local EPA to enforce pollution violations that appear to be committed by the BillyBey New York Waterway ferries? The well-funded non-profit environmental watchdog group, the NRDC, and the EPA, will shed some light onto that.
• What role will the Port Authority, operator of the Vesey Street slip and contractor with BillyBey, play in resolving this public health problem?
• What role will the city play now that the city is in contract with BillyBey for the East River new ferry services?

After decades of being subjected to noise and air pollution from the BillyBey New York Waterway ferries, our community seems to the most support ever for resolving this problem. Please attend the meeting tonight.

(unedited filming of ferry boat pollution)

West Thames Park lawn looking mangy

October 19, 2011

(An excerpt from Downtown Express By Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

After months of negotiations between the Battery Park City Authority, the Hudson River Park Trust and the New York State Department of Transportation over who should pay to resod the West Thames Park lawn and who should police and maintain it, the lawn already is looking mangy.

“Kids come there from high schools on the other side of the West Side highway and play pick-up sports after school,” said Mark Costello, a Community Board 1 member who is also on the board of the Downtown Little League. “There’s no rule against it. The problem is that that’s not what that lawn is built for. Last year, we also had adults coming over from Wall Street after work, and they would play and were very aggressive. I think the emphasis [for that lawn] should be on passive use and family play.”

The guidelines for the park say, “No cleats, no using more than half the field per group and no aggressive play that may result in harm,” said Anne Fenton, a B.P.C.A. spokesperson. But, she added, “There’s only so much you can control in nature.”

The B.P.C. Conservancy has been entrusted with caring for the lawn, and as of a few weeks ago, the H.R.P.T. and Battery Park City Parks Enforcement Patrols (P.E.P.) assumed joint jurisdiction for policing it.

For full BatteryPark.TV coverage, click here

Also, please note how BatteryPark.TV is the only local New York news source with the journalism ethics to cite other sources, even if they could be viewed as competition

BPCA CEO Gayle Horwitz responsible for the field control and feud with HRPT and DOT

SECURITY ALERT: Protestors in BPC now

October 6, 2011

The number of “OccupyWallStreet” protestors has grown exponentially over the last three days and it is causing them to bleed over into our once-sleepy neighborhood, which is a considerable distance from “Wall Street” and the original Zuccotti Park . Approximately ten protestors were found vandalizing (picking and eating) garden vegetable plants in the community garden on Albany and West Street.

Most of the protestors in the garden area were passive, but one man with a skateboard was refusing to leave and pushed his outreached arm near the face of a local BPC resident (name withheld for security) who asking them to leave. After 911 was called, the group ran away southward on the “Pataki Promenade” (see photo).

Nearby, Goldman Sachs security is at full alert. Numerous NYPD on foot and in squad cars surround the headquarters building as the protestors marched westward to the ferry boat slip and went to Jersey City to surround the smaller New Jersey tower of Goldman Sachs.

If you encounter any problems, you should call the PEPs at (212) 417-3114. If the PEP ignore you, please email us immediately info@batterypark.tv and take photos of the protestors. Obviously, if you feel threatened, the police should be called as well.

(Click image to enlarge)

Some of the Wall Street protestors running away from the community gardens after vandalizing the plants

A chat with Russell Simmons at OccupyWallStreet: by Steven Greer, MD

October 16, 2011

BatteryPark.TV had a chance to speak with Hip-Hop mogul Russell Simmons at the OccupyWallStreet protests today. He has been down there quite often. After a lengthy interview with Fox Business and Geraldo Rivera, he surprisingly was quite accessible as he walked around the crowd.

Russell Simmons with Fox Business and Geraldo Rivera

We asked, “(We) have not been able to hear your message as you were speaking (to Fox). Have you been trying to focus this group on more tangible goals?”

Mr. Simmons replied, “We have a focused message. It’s to get rid of Wall Street and lobbyists from Washington.” He went on to elaborate that point for approximately a minute. Unfortunately, we did not have our camera with us.

Overall, the crowd is more organized now than last week. The group “Anonymous” and others are clearly providing the agenda and support. For example, when the city announced that they group would be removed for cleaning, some organization provided push brushes for a photo-op of the protestors cleaning the area.

Also, more focused goals of the protests are appearing on professionally made signs, such as this one that says “End the Fed”.

The Zuccotti Park dos not feel like a chaotic unsafe area. Protestors are quite peaceful, when we were there at least. There was no evidence of marijuana smoke, drugs, or “open sex”.

So far, the protestors and the NYPD are doing a good job. The dangerous riots seen in Italy and the rest of Europe are not brewing in Zuccotti park, yet.

An effort calledConcreteIdeas trying to focus the OccupyWallStreet efforts