November 22nd - November 26th, 2010

The city is considering a takeover of Battery Park City

November 22- Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the administration is looking into whether it’s feasible, because the City would have to shoulder the Authority's approximately $1 billion in debt. But the BPCA Authority takes in more than $200 million a year from taxpaying residents and businesses. Bloomberg directed Comptroller John Liu to study the feasibility of a takeover at the beginning of this year. Both Liu and Bloomberg would have to sign off on the $1 purchase.

A ‘green’ makeover is in store for Hudson Square

November 22 – Seven architectural firms will transform streets built for truck traffic into streetscapes that include lots of green space and space for increased pedestrian traffic. The goal, according to Crain’s New York Business, is to turn the area into an attractive, bustling, 24-7 neighborhood, leaving its gritty industrial past behind. The area is bounded by West Houston Street on the north, Canal Street on the south, Sixth Avenue on the east and Greenwich Street on the west.

Most 9/11 responders settle their lawsuits over WTC dust

November 22 - More than 10,000 people have joined a legal settlement that will pay hundreds of millions of dollars to ground zero workers exposed to toxic dust. The near-universal acceptance of the deal was announced by a court Friday and reported by The Associated Press. It will mean an end to most litigation over NYC's failure to provide protective equipment to construction workers, police and firefighters who cleared rubble. Only around 500 of the thousands who sued the city over the cleanup declined to take the offer

Builders of the Park51 Mosque invite the public to a Q&A

November 22 –  The goal is to dispel misunderstandings about the mosque. DNAINFO.com reports the information sessions will be held every Wednesday night for the next few months. Park51 developer Sharif El-Gamal will attend the weekly sessions to describe the project and respond to questions. The sessions are limited to a dozen attendees a week; those who want to go must e-mail info@park51.org in advance. The sessions will be closed to the press.

Opponents of the Park51 mosque unveil a 120,000-signature petition

November 22 - Guy Rodgers, executive director of ACT! For America, organized both the rally and the drive for petition signatures to move the Islamic center away from Ground Zero. Rodgers said about 9,000 of the signatures came from New Yorkers, including former Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, who signed one of the versions at a press conference last month.

Elected Officials, Residents Call on LMDC to Fund Ribbon Park

November 22 - Sen. Charles Schumer and NYS Sen. Daniel Squadron stood with Lower East Side community members and organizations to call on the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) to fund the Lower Manhattan Ribbon Park Project. As for the dollars needed, LMDC and Community Board 1 member Julie Menin said there is up to $270 million left of the $700 million federal grant Congress allocated separately specifically for the redevelopment of lower Manhattan.

The LMDC Board approves new grants for several Downtown projects

November 22 – A downtown performing arts center, a new pedestrian bridge and an East River park are all on the way, thanks to $137 million in grants approved by LMDC. DNAINFO.com reports the largest grant is $100 million to construct the performing arts center at the World Trade Center site. The LMDC also gave $20 million to a pedestrian bridge over West Street at West Thames Street and $17 million to finish pieces of the East River Waterfront, including the path in front of the Battery Maritime Building.

Former Construction Union boss convicted

November 23 – Michael Forde, former executive secretary-treasurer of the New York District Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, an additional three years of supervised release and restitution. He pleaded guilty in July to taking bribes from multiple contractors, helping contractors cheat the District Council Benefit Funds out of millions of dollars, rigging job assignments, lying under oath, and obstructing investigations into his conduct.

Speculation over the future of PA Chief Chris Ward

November 24 – Gossip in the latest issue of Crain’s New York Business says 2011 might not be a prudent time for Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo to replace Chris Ward as executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.  Ward oversees the World Trade Center rebuilding. The governor could be blamed if he changes horses midstream and the 9/11 memorial is not ready next year for the 10-year anniversary.

Chinatown businesses support a Business Improvement District

November 24 - The lower Manhattan neighborhood moved one step closer toward forming a Business Improvement District, after a survey of 2,300 local businesses found overwhelming support for it. The Daily News says supporters of the BID proposal are preparing to take the next step: presenting it to Community Boards 1, 2 and 3.

A Fulton Street Transit Center contractor is under investigation

November 24 – Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Skanska USA used front companies to avoid city rules which require hiring minority and women-owned businesses, DNAINFO.com reported. Skanska is legally required to hire a certain percentage of businesses owned by women, minorities or other "disadvantaged" persons. The report says the company has hired only one minority company.

People visiting the 9/11 Memorial may have to get tickets in advance

November 24 – Mayor Bloomberg announced that because the 9-11 Memorial will be surrounded by construction, it will not be safe for the number of people expected at the site. So, the City has decided visitors will have to get tickets, which will be free. The Memorial is still working out how many visitors will be allowed into the area every day.