It is a little-known fact that the Broadsheet is written, edited, and distributed by elves. (Have you ever noticed that it seems just to appear in your lobby, but you’ve never actually seen it being delivered? This is because elves are second-cousins to leprechauns, but that’s a story for another day.) In any case, we […]
Archives for December 2016
December 21
1826 – American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declare their independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion. 1879 – World premiere of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark. 1907 – The Chilean Army commits a massacre of at least 2,000 striking saltpeter miners in Iquique, Chile. 1919 – American anarchist Emma […]
Generation Gap
Lower Manhattan has a new landmark: the 1888 Excelsior Power Company Building, at the corner of Gold and Fulton Streets. Described by the American Institute of Architect’s Guide to New York as, “a lusty Romanesque Revival brick monolith,” the structure boasts a storied past. It was commissioned by Martin Brown in the early years of […]
Quay to the Future
Lower Manhattan is on the verge of gaining a another great public space, thanks to the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT). Pier 26, along the Hudson River waterfront in Tribeca (between North Moore and Hubert Streets), is currently a blank slate. Apart from providing homes for the City Vineyards wine bar and the Downtown Boathouse […]
December 16
714 – Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the Merovingian palace, dies at Jupille (modern Belgium). He is succeeded by his infant grandson Theudoald while his wife Plectrude holds actual power in the Frankish Kingdom. 1431 – Hundred Years’ War: Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. 1773 – […]
Lifeline for Pier 40
On Thursday, the City Council approved a deal that will bring a massive capital infusion to Pier 40 — a recreational facility considered vital by youth athletic leagues serving Lower Manhattan — which has been slowing falling into the Hudson River for decades. Located at Houston and West Streets, Pier 40 has been suffering from […]
December 15
1161 – Jin-Song wars: Military officers conspire against the emperor Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty after a military defeat at the Battle of Caishi, and assassinate the emperor at his camp. 1778 – American Revolutionary War: British and French fleets clash in the Battle of St. Lucia. 1791 – The United States Bill of […]
How Lower Manhattan Voted: Clinton vs. Trump
It will come as no surprise that in the recent presidential election, the Democratic ticket of Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine won by comfortable margins throughout Lower Manhattan. In this regard, Battery Park City is representative of much of Downtown. In the neighborhoods six election districts (or “precincts”) that lie south of Vesey Street, a […]
December 14
557 – Constantinople is severely damaged by an earthquake. 835 – Sweet Dew Incident: Emperor Wenzong of the Tang dynasty conspires to kill the powerful eunuchs of the Tang court, but the plot is foiled. 1287 – St. Lucia’s flood: The Zuiderzee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses, killing over 50,000 people. 1542 – Princess […]
Demography In Action: The Kids Are All Right
(Editor’s Note: This is part an occasional series that will seek insights about life in Lower Manhattan by looking at statistics available from the Data2Go.NYC website, by Measure of America — a nonpartisan, non-profit project of the Brooklyn-based Social Science Research Council. This installment focuses on statistics about young people.) If you were poised to […]
The Cost of Living in Manhattan
Dear Editor , This letter is a response to your comprehensive, powerful story about the escalating cost of living in an apartment that is making it economically possible for only the wealthy or low income (public housing) residents to live in Manhattan. Another possible niche for affordable, owned housing could be built (or converted?) in […]
Elevated Discourse
Three local elected officials are urging the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio to consider a proposal to create a new, elevated tram network to help mitigate the shock from the 18-month shutdown of the L train slated to begin in 2019. U.S. Congress member Carolyn Maloney, City Councilman Stephen Levin, and State Assemblyman Joseph […]
Today in History December 12
884 – King Carloman II dies after a hunting accident. He is succeeded by his cousin, emperor Charles the Fat, who for the last time reunites the Frankish Empire. 1098 – First Crusade: Siege of Ma’arrat al-Numan: Crusaders breach the town’s walls and massacre about 20,000 inhabitants. After finding themselves with insufficient food, they reportedly […]
Eyes to the Sky December 12 – 25, 2016 See Aldebaran disappear, Long Night Moon, solstice sun
The thrill of being present for events in the natural world might not elicit cheers of triumph as when experiencing feats of physical prowess, all the same, waves of delight course through the observer, every cell refreshed with a sense of receiving grace and enlightenment. Tonight, December 12 – 13, if the weather cooperates, from […]
Community Leadership in Action
Recently, they took a trip to Chinatown a few blocks north of the hotel which is located on Maiden Lane to visit PS 1, the oldest public school in New York City. Located on Henry Street, the school began in 1806 as an immigrant school, predating the establishment of New York City’s Board of Education. […]
Colloquy with Authority
At its December 7 board meeting, the Battery Park City Authority (BPCA) for the first time allowed members of the public to comment on its proceedings. After approximately 50 minutes of deliberation about contracts and finances, Authority chair Dennis Mehiel, said, “now we have a period of public comment,” and asked the first speaker, Jeanette […]
December 9
536 – Gothic War: The Byzantine general Belisarius enters Rome unopposed; the Gothic garrison flee the capital. 1775 – American Revolutionary War: British troops lose the Battle of Great Bridge, and leave Virginia soon afterward. 1793 – New York City’s first daily newspaper, the American Minerva, is established by Noah Webster. 1856 – The Iranian […]
Petition: Funding Request for Lower Manhattan Pedestrian Traffic Safety and Mobility Study
Finding solutions to our everyday quality of life concerns — sidewalk congestion, garbage piles, construction sheds, trucks parked on sidewalks, etc. requires that we better understand the root causes of the problem. With data, proper planning and solutions can be implemented. The Financial District Neighborhood Association has put together a petition to request public funding […]
Regional Questions, Local Answers: Rent Regulation
(Editor’s Note: This is the second in an occasional series that will explore questions and answers of City-wide significance raised at Senator Daniel Squadron’s recent Community Town Hall meeting. This installment focuses on the issue of housing affordability.) At the November 15 Community Town Hall meeting hosted by State Senator Daniel Squadron, a surprising number […]
December 8
1660 – A woman (either Margaret Hughes or Anne Marshall) appears on an English public stage for the first time, in the role of Desdemona in a production of Shakespeare’s play Othello. 1813 – Premiere of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. 1927 – The Brookings Institution, one of the United States’ oldest think tanks, is founded through […]