News and events in Lower Manhattan
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Volume 6, No. 60, Aug. 13, 2022 |
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CONTENTS:
Letter from the Editor: Primary Election, Round Two
Bits & Bytes: Howard Hughes Corp. buys stake in Jean-Georges restaurant empire
Bulletin Board: Free Covid-19 test kits; Discounted sailing on the Pioneer
Calendar: Blues Barbecue in Hudson River Park
COVID-19 CASES IN NEW YORK CITY: As of Aug. 12, 2022 at 5:25 p.m.
2,718,484 confirmed cases * 41,320 deaths * 7,367,940 vaccinated in NYC with at least one dose.
Go to www.DowntownPostNYC.com for breaking news and for updated information on facility closures related to COVID-19
MASTHEAD PHOTO: PS 234 at 292 Greenwich St. in Tribeca is used as a polling place on Election Day. Polling places for early voting are likely to be different than the polls used on Election Day itself. (Photo: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer 2022)
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: PRIMARY ELECTION, ROUND TWO |
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Saddle up! It's time to vote again. This election is important. If you live in Lower Manhattan or in parts of Brooklyn and are a registered Democrat, you will be asked to vote in the primary to select a candidate for the wide-open 10th New York Congressional District to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican primary for this office on August 23, 2022, was canceled. Benine Hamdan is running as a Republican for election to the U.S. House to represent New York's 10th Congressional District and will be on the ballot in November.
Early voting runs from Aug. 13 to Aug. 21. Election Day is Aug. 23. For information on poll locations and hours of operation, click here.
Jerry Nadler, who has represented the 10th New York Congressional District since 2013 and who has been in Congress since 1992 is running in the 12th New York Congressional District this year because of New York State's cockeyed redistricting. I'm not going to go there right now. We have other things to talk about.
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Elizabeth ("Liz'") Holtzman and Mondaire Jones at a forum for Democratic candidates running in the primary election for NY-10. |
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There are more than 12 people who are or were running in New York's 10th Congressional Democratic primary this year. Some have already dropped out.
At the top of the pack in terms of endorsements, media attention and campaign funds are Mondaire Jones, Dan Goldman, Elizabeth Holtzman, Yuh-Line Niou, Carlina Rivera and Jo Anne Simon.
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If you have any interest in politics, some of these names will undoubtedly be familiar to you, others, not so much. Mondaire Jones is currently serving in the House of Representatives as a delegate from New York's 17th Congressional District, which includes most of central and northwestern Westchester County and all of Rockland County. He isn't running from NY-17 this year because redistricting would have pitted him against incumbents who, for various reasons, he didn't want to challenge. Deciding to run in NY-10 had obvious pitfalls, including his lack of familiarity with the nitty-gritty of the district, but Jones learns fast. He has an undergraduate degree in political science from Stanford University and a law degree from Harvard. His record during his first year in Congress, commencing in 2021, earned him an accolade as the most active freshman member of Congress and an endorsement in his current campaign from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In addition to those assets, he has an ability to address a TV camera and make it seem as though he's talking in a personal way to anyone who's watching. |
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Dan Goldman, who has never held elective office, is also likely to be a familiar face. He was lead counsel in the first impeachment hearing against former president Donald Trump. He has a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a law degree from Stanford.
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Although he lives in Tribeca with his wife and five children, in some ways he isn't really familiar with the issues and difficulties of life here for people of modest means. He is the beneficiary of a family fortune from Levi-Strauss, a company that takes its name from its founder, Levi Strauss (1829-1902), a German-born American businessman who was the first to manufacture blue jeans. (Goldman's Great-Great-Great Grandmother Frances Strauss Stern, was Levi Strauss's sister.) Goldman is very concerned with the numerous threats to American democracy and believes that his experience as a litigator would enable him to fight back from a seat in Congress.
If Liz Holtzman's name is known to many people, it's because she's a warrior from the past. As the youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress, she served in the House of Representatives from New York's 16th Congressional District between 1973 and 1981. During that time, she voted to impeach Richard Nixon. After leaving Congress, she was the district attorney of Kings County from 1982 to 1989 and then became the 40th Comptroller of New York City from 1990 to 1993. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School. She wants to get back in the fray because she sees "the radical right gaining strength, an extremist Supreme Court and Trump preparing to steal the next presidential election," to quote from one of her fliers. Her concerns include gun violence and crime, women's rights, affordable housing, the environment, discrimination and immigration, LGBTQ issues and healthcare.
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Yuh-Line Niou, campaigning in Tribeca.
(Photo: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
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Yuh-Line Niou, who emigrated to the United States from Taiwan, currently represents Lower Manhattan's District 65 in the New York State Assembly. She was elected to that seat in 2016 for a term that will expire on Jan. 1, 2023.
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Two of her opponents in the NY-10 race — Mondaire Jones and Carlina Rivera — tout the fact that they were raised by single mothers in Section 8 housing as credentials that guide their understanding of the issues and what needs to be done about them. Niou states that she is autistic and that if elected to Congress, she would be its first openly autistic member. Niou has a Master's Degree in Public Administration from CUNY Baruch College. She lives in the Financial District. |
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Carlina Rivera is a member of City Council representing District 2 which includes the East Village, Flatiron, Gramercy Park, Rose Hill, Kips Bay, Murray Hill and the Lower East Side where she was born and raised. She took office on Jan. 1, 2018. Her current term ends on Jan. 1, 2024.
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Rivera has stated that she "stands unequivocally for abortion access and overall improved reproductive health care." Climate change is also on her mind. Since she lives on the Lower East Side which was hard hit by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, she has actively worked on mitigating climate change in New York City. She cosponsored Local Law 97, the Green New Deal for New York, to reduce building emissions citywide. In addition, she was able to secure nearly $1.5 billion in flood protection and riverfront park construction to protect the Lower East Side from storm surges and sea level rise. |
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Jo Anne Simon is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing District 52 in Brooklyn where she lives. She took office on Jan. 1, 2015. Her current term ends on Jan. 1, 2023.
She holds a
master’s degree in education of the deaf from Gallaudet University, and a law degree from Fordham University.
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Her professional experience has included working as a general counsel for the Association on Higher Education And Disability, as an adjunct law professor at Fordham University, and as a disability civil rights attorney. On her website she says, "We have built support for gun violence prevention laws, voter and campaign finance reform, and initiatives to protect women, immigrants, and families. I also work diligently to improve our health care and our educational system, especially for people with disabilities."
All of the Democratic candidates for the 10th New York Congressional District are more or less on the same page when it comes to the issues that they believe must be addressed, with solutions adequately funded. Their priorities differ somewhat depending on their own life experiences and to some extent on their ethnic backgrounds but without exception, their desire is to help enact legislation that addresses healthcare inequality, gun violence, the lack of enough affordable housing, the erosion of women's rights and the increasing impact of climate change.
But these are not simple times. Many state governments throughout the country are making it more difficult to vote and are installing people to oversee elections that have the power to change the results. Irresponsible "journalism" fueled by fiery political rhetoric has stoked rage and a desire for violence. American democracy is teetering. Whoever gets the nod to represent New York District 10 in the House of Representatives will have to do more than help the local community and protect its interests. We need to send a warrior to Congress — a compassionate, knowledgeable, brave, energetic and clear-eyed warrior.
Each of us has one vote. Each of us must use it.
Terese Loeb Kreuzer
Editor, Downtown Post NYC
Also on the ballot in the primary election are the three Democrats who are vying for the chance to have a seat in the New York State Senate, representing Lower Manhattan. Brian Kavanagh, the incumbent, has held that seat since 2017. Previously he had served for 11 years in the New York State Assembly. The challengers are Danyela Souza Egorov, the founder of a K-5 Brooklyn public charter school, and Vittoria Fariello, a partner in the law firm of Balestriere Fariello. She advocates 100 percent affordable housing at 5 World Trade Center and was opposed to a new jail in Chinatown. She believes that mental health professionals must work closely with the NYPD. Kavanagh, a lawyer, had worked on the staff of City Councilwoman Gale Brewer and in the Koch and Dinkins administrations. He currently chairs the Senate Housing Committee. Housing, the containment of gun violence, more equitable health care and childcare funding are his top priorities.
On Wednesday, Aug. 17, the three candidates will be at Laughing Man Cafe, 184 Duane St., in Tribeca to answer questions from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The forum can be viewed via Zoom for those unable to attend in person. For the link, click here. |
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Downtown Post NYC's website (www.DowntownPostNYC.com) is updated daily. That's the place to check for urgent messages, breaking news and reminders of interesting events in and around Lower Manhattan. So be sure to look at the website every day, especially if you want to know about breaking news.
HOW TO SUPPORT DOWNTOWN POST NYC: I made Downtown Post NYC free to subscribers so that no one who was interested in reading it would be excluded because of cost. Downtown Post NYC is largely supported by advertising revenue. In addition, some people have made contributions, which are much appreciated. For more information about how to contribute or advertise, email editor@downtownpostnyc.com.
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Bits & Bytes
JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN'S SEAPORT MARKET IS OPEN
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A rendering of the Tin Building, which is now open with Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurants and a food market, also run by Vongerichten. |
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"Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Massive Seaport Marketplace Is Now Open," Eater.com, 8/11/2022. "Over eight years ago, chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten met with Saul Scherl, president of the New York tri-state region for the Howard Hughes Corporation, about opening a food destination in what had been the Fulton Street Fish Market in South Street Seaport," says Eater.com. "Today, the chef and his partners will open a collection of six full-service restaurants, four bars, six counters, retail, and private dining in the entirely overhauled historic Tin Building. Designed by Roman and Williams Buildings and Interiors, the 53,000-square-foot marketplace will eventually employ 700 people. It’s one of more than 30 food halls across the city, but it is more like an Eataly, with an emphasis on retail; all restaurants are tied to Jean-Georges Vongerichten, as opposed to various vendors. The total cost to complete the Tin Building (96 South Street at Beekman Street) is $194.6 million." For the complete article, click here.
"South Street Seaport owner buys stake in Jean-Georges restaurant empire," New York Post, 8/8/22. "The Howard Hughes Corp., which operates the Seaport complex on South Street, is putting its money – a whopping $55 million — where its mouth is," says the New York Post. "Hughes just bought a 25 percent stake in Jean-Georges Restaurants (JGR), the 40-eatery empire of the great New York chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. ...On top of $45 million Hughes is paying for the minority stake, it also ponied up $10 million more for an option to buy 20 percent more of Vongerichten’s company. It might be the largest stake owned by a single real estate company in a restaurant group. The Tin Building at the Seaport, to partly open this month, is Vongerichten’s biggest venture to date. Its success is crucial to Hughes’ future fortunes at the Seaport, which — to some analysts’ surprise — it held onto when it sold off $2 billion of 'non-core' assets two years ago." For the complete article, click here.
"456 Greenwich Street Completes Construction In Tribeca, Manhattan," New York YIMBY, 7/31/2022. "Construction is complete on 456 Greenwich Street, an eight-story hotel building in Tribeca," says New York YIMBY. "Designed by Stephen B. Jacobs Group and developed by Caspi Development, the 94,000-square-foot structure yields 96 Art Deco-inspired guest rooms with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. Groupe Lucien Barrière of the Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris is the operator of the property, which is bound by Greenwich Street to the east, Desbrosses Street to the south, and Washington Street to the west." For the complete article, with photographs, click here.
"The Fight to Save New York’s Extravagantly ’80s Subway Entrance," New York Times, 7/29/2022. "Angular white columns. Dizzying mirrored tile. Lines of palm trees. The atrium at 60 Wall Street, which is also one of New York’s most distinctive subway entrances, feels to some 'like stepping back in time.'" says The New York Times. "In a city where the typical subway exit unceremoniously deposits passengers on a grimy sidewalk, to ride the escalator up from the dingy train station and ascend into the luminous white hall is to be truly transported. But now there is a plan to demolish this eye-popping extravaganza, designed in the 1980s, and create a sleeker, more contemporary design." For the complete article, click here.
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Gifts from Té Company
include
Té Company's snacks, oolong tea and teaware.
The tea room is open Wednesdays to Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
163 West 10th St.
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Bulletin Board
FREE COVID-19 TEST KITS; DISCOUNTED SAILING ON PIONEER
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Discounted sailing on the Pioneer: The South Street Seaport Museum is offering discounted sailing on its 1885 schooner Pioneer from now through Labor Day.
The Pioneer sails from Wednesdays to Sundays, departing from Pier 16 in the South Street Seaport. Get 25% off Pioneer sails by using the code SUMMER22 at checkout. For more information and to book a sail, click here. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Test Kit Pickup: Free, Covid-19 rapid-testing kits can be picked up in Lower Manhattan at the following locations:
Battery Park City Library
,175 North End Ave.; Chatham Square Library, 33 East Broadway. Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tests can be used on people 2 years old and older. One kit is recommended per person
At-home Testing: At-home testing for COVID-19 is now available to all immunocompromised New Yorkers and those ages 65 and older. To schedule an in-home appointment, call (929) 298-9400 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (7 days a week).
Governors Island ferry access: Access to Governors Island is by ferry, with timed ticket reservations required. Ferries run daily from the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South St. in Lower Manhattan. The ferries are always free for kids 12 and under, for seniors 65 and up, for residents of NYCHA housing, for military servicemembers, Governors Island members, and for everyone on weekends before noon. Starting later this year, NYC Ferry will serve Governors Island daily via the South Brooklyn route. A launch date for this expanded service will be announced soon. NYC Ferry's shuttle from Wall Street/Pier 11 to Yankee Pier on Governors Island will continue on weekends until the launch of 7-day/week service along the South Brooklyn route. NYC Ferry riders on any line that makes stops at Wall Street/Pier 11 may transfer to a shuttle service to Governors Island on Saturdays and Sundays. Governors Island weekend ferry service from Brooklyn (Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook) is currently not in service and will return in Spring, 2022. The first ferry to Governors Island from 10 South St. leaves at 7 a.m. The last ferry from Governors Island leaves at 6 p.m. Learn more about Governors Island ferries and book tickets by clicking here.
Lower Manhattan Greenmarkets: There are Lower Manhattan Greenmarkets in Tribeca (at Chambers and Greenwich Streets) and at Bowling Green, City Hall, the Oculus and the Staten Island ferry. GrowNYC asks that shoppers wear a face covering inside the market space and maintain a six-foot distance between themselves, Greenmarket staff, farm stand employees and other customers. Dogs and bicycles should be left at home.
Click here for a list of the fruits and vegetables now in season.
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Many of the Downtown Post NYC bulletin board listings are now on the Downtown Post NYC website. To see the bulletin board listings, click here.
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To see the events and activities on the Battery Park City Authority's summer calendar, click here. Most events are free. For some, reservations are required. |
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CALENDAR
Spotlight: Blues BBQ Festival in Hudson River Park
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Waiting in line for food at the Blues BBQ in Hudson River Park. Aug. 22, 2015.
(Photos: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
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Aug. 13: After a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hudson River Park's Blues BBQ Festival is back, this year on Pier 76. The festival, which first took place in 1999, has become a much-loved summertime tradition with live music, delectable offerings from various barbecue joints and saloons and impromptu dancing. The festival is free. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
Doors open at 1 p.m. The music begins at 2 p.m. The line-up, subject to change, is as follows:
• 2:00 PM Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers
• 3:15 PM Jackie Venson
• 4:30 PM Walter “Wolfman” Washington
• 6:00 PM Bette Smith
• 7:30 PM Don Bryant
Food and beverages will be provided by:
• Allagash Brewing
• Archer Roose
• Big Papa Smokem Gourmet BBQ
• Blue Smoke
• Bronx Brewery
• Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
• Jases BBQ
• JuneShine
• Kimchi Smoke Barbeque
• Sunday Beer
• Two Robbers
Pier 76, on the Hudson River just north of West 34th Street, was formerly a tow pound. After demolishing the tow pound buildings, the five-acre pier opened to the public on June 9, 2021 as a venue for outdoor concerts and other uses yet to be determined. The first event in the pier was an opening-night screening of "In the Heights," part of the Tribeca Film Festival.
The Hudson River Park Trust is now responsible for the pier and is considering how it should be permanently developed. — Terese Loeb Kreuzer
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Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe playing at the Blues BBQ Festival in Hudson River Park on Aug. 24, 2019. (Photo: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
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Vaneese Thomas singing at the Blues BBQ Festival in Hudson River Park. Aug. 22, 2015. (Photo: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer) |
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Dancing at the Blues BBQ in Hudson River Park. Aug. 22, 2015
(Photo: © Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
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Downtown Post NYC is emailed to subscribers once a week.
Editor: Terese Loeb Kreuzer
All articles and photographs in Downtown Post NYC are copyrighted and
may not be reprinted or republished without written permission.
© 2022
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