Harlem residents vote overwhelmingly against Columbia University expansion
A West Harlem community board voted almost unanimously last month against Columbia University’s push for rezoning. The board voted 31-2 against zoning changes for the university’s planned $7 billion expansion north into Harlem. Planning officials say they will consider the vote before making a decision. The 17-acre expansion plan includes new buildings for the arts, business and sciences, along with a public high school.
Official: Coney Island plan ‘dead’
Thor Equities’ $1.5 billion plan to redevelop Coney Island into a Las Vegas-style resort is “dead in the water,” a high-ranking city official said last month. The Bloomberg administration is unhappy with the developer’s plan for 350 time-shares in proposed hotels, as well as Thor’s push for $100 million in subsidies. Thor’s sale of the Albee Square Mall in Downtown Brooklyn earlier this year led to fears that it might also sell on Coney Island after receiving a favorable zoning change. The city will not meet with Thor until the developer proposes a new plan, the New York Daily News reported. Talks over keeping Astroland Park open at Coney Island next year also remain stalled, with Thor seeking $3 million rent while the park wants to keep paying $170,000.
Antitrust suit against REBNY enters next round
Both sides in an antitrust suit have claimed victory after a U.S. district court judge ruled last month that he would hear conspiracy charges filed by BrokersNYC against the Real Estate Board of New York and others, but dismissed monopoly charges. The suit claims that a conspiracy prevented REBNY broker listings from being shared with an outside listing service, a possible breach of federal antitrust regulations.
City says Trump on thin ice at Central Park rink
Donald Trump let Central Park’s Lasker Rink fall into disrepair, the city comptroller says. An audit released last month by City Comptroller William Thompson says Trump failed to keep up the rink, near 107th Street, for nearly four years, allowing paint to peel, steps to crack, tiles to go missing and toilets to break. Trump says the rink was “a total disaster when we took it over, and now it’s beautiful.” The entry pavilion, stairs and a parapet were supposed to be fixed by October 2003, but were not done until after the audit was finished in April, the Daily News reported.
Bloomberg congestion pricing plan may receive $354M in federal funds
Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan will get $354 million in federal funding if it is ultimately approved by lawmakers, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced last month. The funding is not connected specifically to congestion pricing, but to the performance goals Bloomberg said could be achieved from congestion pricing, the New York Observer reported.
Downtown Brooklyn to get green space modeled after Bryant Park
Downtown Brooklyn will get a park with a parking garage underneath it called Willoughby Square Park, the New York Post reported. The city’s Economic Development Corp. will accept proposals until October for the project, which would create 1.15 acres of green space on city property and 694 underground parking spaces. Modeled on Bryant Park, Willoughby Square Park is part of a $100 million revitalization plan for Downtown Brooklyn.
Ground broken for Harlem park expansion
The city broke ground last month on the Harlem River Park Greenway and Esplanade’s second phase, the Observer reported. The greenway and esplanade along the Harlem River will be extended from 139th Street to 142nd Street by next August. The first phase opened the greenway and esplanade from 135th Street to 139th Street in 2003.