Construction at 77th and Broadway. Photo by Ken Lupano.
September 4, 2012 Weather: Scattered Storms, High of 77 Degrees.
Notices:
Today’s events include an appearance by This American Life host Ira Glass, and ukulele classes! Check ’em out!
The playground on 70th Street between West End and Amsterdam is now known as Matthew P. Sapolin Playground, after the city’s former disabilities commissioner who died at the age of 41 last year. “Matthew Sapolin dedicated his life’s work to making our great city accessible to all who live and visit here,” said Deputy Mayor for Legal Affairs Carol Robles-Román. “Generations of children who play in this park will be inspired by Matt, who lost his sight as a child but never let his own disability stop him from doing anything he set out to do.” A controversy erupted last year when the city tried to name part of West 69th Street for Sapolin.
The community board meets tonight at Roosevelt Hospital, 1000 Tenth Avenue at 58th Street, and residents plan to protest against a new homeless shelter on 95th Street.
News:
Just as the Upper West Side was getting sprayed with pesticides for the first time ever to combat West Nile Virus last week, the city revealed six new West Nile cases in the past six days. It’s not clear how many (if any) were on the Upper West Side. (NY Times)
The stately Beresford at 81st Street and Central Park West has been fighting to evict a hot dog vendor on the corner for months, saying he’s causing a mess and cluttering the street. Too bad, says the city. He’s got a permit. (The Real Deal)
Taxi fares are set to rise 17%, with drivers allowed to charge the new higher fares starting today. By the end of the month, all drivers will be charging the higher fares. The last hike was in 2006. (NY Times)
More on Debra Cooper, the newest entrant into the race to become the next member of City Council from the Upper West Side. (Columbia Spectator)
The new operators chosen by the city to run Tavern on the Green are rinky-dink, even by Philadelphia standards. (NY Post)
A photo of a delivery bike rider after getting slammed by an SUV driver on West 62nd Street last week. The driver, a German citizen, got a ticket for unlicensed driving. (NY Times)