1867 – The United States buys Alaska from Russia for $7,200,000, or 2 cents an acre 1909 – Queensborough Bridge, a double-decked cantilever bridge, opens linking Manhattan and Queens 1950 – Phototransistor invention announced in Murray Hill, New Jersey. 1961 – The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs is signed in New York. The treaty updates the Paris Convention, signed on July […]
Archives for March 2016
Global Reach
Community Board 1 (CB1) has agreed to support modifications to a historic building requested by the developer who is converting it into condominiums, but in exchange wants two legacy features of the structure restored. The 1898 Renaissance Revival building, located at 346 Broadway (also known as 108 Leonard Street), was designed by the acclaimed architectural […]
IN MEMORIAM
A woman with an exceptional sense of style and a passion for the arts, Judith Hendricks died unexpectedly in Battery Park City on November 18, at age 78. She is survived by her husband, jazz legend Jon Hendricks, 94, and their daughter Aria Hendricks. Judith and Jon Hendricks Married for more than 56 years, Judith […]
EYES TO THE SKY
The Northeast Astronomy Forum The Horsehead, Flame and IC434 Nebulae by Terry Hancock, Downunder Observatory Most often as a solitary observer I look up to Earth’s blue atmosphere, radiant with sunlight or, at dawn and dusk, to the brightest stars and planets; after twilight deepens read more …
Today in History
1795 Beethoven debuts as pianist in Vienna at age 24. Thirty-two years later he is buried in Vienna, 20,000 people attended his funeral. 1798 Republic of Switzerland forms 1867 Congress approves building of Lincoln Memorial 1941 First performance of Benjamin Britten’s “Requiem Symphony” 1961 After a 4½ year trial, Nelson Mandela is acquitted on treason charge 1974 Mariner 10’s, first fly-by of Mercury, returns photos 1976 Eight Ohio National Guardsmen indicted […]
A Very Lucrative Landmark
The City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has leased the historic Battery Maritime Building to a ski resort operator, Stoneleigh Capital for up to 99 years at an annual rent that amounts to significantly less than one percent of comparable, prevailing rates. The publicly owned structure, located at 10 South Street, next to the Staten Island […]
Letters to the Editor
To The Editor, As I walked around in my neighborhood, people were shouting…”No more taxation without representation.” No, this is not a re-enactment of the Boston Tea Party for a television show that is being filmed in Battery Park City. It is a real issue facing the Battery Park City community, a place that I […]
Sometimes, Bigger Really Is Better
Community Board 1 (CB1) is calling on City officials who are planning a new elementary school in the Financial District to expand the project to include more school seats, a middle school, and a full-sized gymnasium. “Once again the Department of Education [DOE] has designed a school with a ‘gymatorium’ plan, which we are all […]
Eyes to the Sky
Most often as a solitary observer I look up to Earth’s blue atmosphere, radiant with sunlight or, at dawn and dusk, to the brightest stars and planets; after twilight deepens read more …
Today in History
1840 Dr. John William Draper takes first photo of the Moon The first ever photo of the moon, taken by John Williams Draper 1903 Wright brothers obtain airplane patent 1919 Benito Mussolini forms Fascist movement in Milan, Italy 1942 US move native-born of Japanese ancestry into detention centers 1944 Nicholas Alkemade falls 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) without a parachute and lives. That number was surpassed […]
Flood Risk Dampens Ardor for Lower Manhattan
Decision-makers who consider moving a business to Lower Manhattan are faced with many enticements, and one caveat, says a recent poll of more than 100 commercial property owners, brokers, agents, engineers, accountants and real estate lawyers. The survey, by accounting firm Marks Paneth, indicates that 70 percent of high-level real estate executives agree with developer […]
Today in History
37 – The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius’ will and proclaims Caligula emperor. 1314 – Jacques de Molay, the 23rd and the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake. 1673 – Lord Berkley sells his half of New Jersey to the Quakers 1881 – Barnum & Bailey’s Greatest Show on Earth opens in Madison Square Garden 1891 – Britain is […]
Letters to the Editor
Dear Congressman Nadler, Once more you vividly show with words and deeds you are a true people’s representative in your positions on all the crucial issues facing US citizens as well as your district in which I am located. I constantly admire your minority fight to slow the destruction of our system of democratic capitalism […]
Oratorio About an Odd Couple
An issue that may help determine the outcome of this fall’s presidential election will be interpreted in song and music tonight, when the Lower Manhattan-based Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra (KCO) premieres, “Supreme Justice: The Battle for Gay Rights,” a new work for soprano, tenor, vocal ensemble and orchestra, which chronicles the struggle for marriage equality in […]
City Taps Liberty Ferry Operator for Five-Borough Service
New York will soon be getting a city-wide network of ferries that cost no more than a subway ride, but the service will be provided by an out-of-town vendor that will likely sink the local competition, City officials announced Wednesday. During a press conference yesterday, New York Water Taxi boats floated up to Pier 11, […]
Today in History
Samuel Cole opens the first tavern in Boston. 1791 – First US internal revenue act, which taxed distilled spirits and carriages. 1803 – First impeachment trial of a federal judge, John Pickering, begins. He was officially the first judge to be impeached in 1804 on the grounds of drunkenness and unlawful rulings. 1845 – Florida became the 27th U.S. state. […]
Letters to the Editor
To the editor: The BroadsheetDAILY article by Matthew Fenton on the contract between AlliedBarton and the Battery Park City Authority for the provision of security services throughout the Battery Park City community misstates several key facts about the services the Authority receives in exchange for the monies paid pursuant to the contract. Let us begin by enumerating […]
Downtown Alliance Tells Security Personnel to Take a Hike
The Downtown Alliance, a nonprofit organization that strives to improve quality of life in Lower Manhattan, is boosting the pay for its uniformed security officers (and other employees) to a minimum of $15 per hour. This comes at a moment when another Lower Manhattan institution, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) has effectively slashed compensation […]
Today in History
837 – 15th recorded perihelion passage of Halley’s Comet 1807 – The U.S. Congress passed an act to “prohibit the importation of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States… from any foreign kingdom, place, or country.” 1814 – Ludwig von Beethoven’s 8th Symphony in F premieres 1854 – Composer Robert Schumann saved from suicide attempt […]
Letters to the Editor
Governor Cuomo To the Editor: BPCA employees are just the tip of the iceberg of people left out of the Governor’s plan. Although he is getting a lot of PR out of pushing for a $15 minimum wage, yet has not put money in the budget to fund this increase for nonprofit agencies with whom […]