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Monday Bulletin: Neighborhood’s ‘Tallest Building’ Rapidly Rising; Bagel Spots Named Among Best In City; An UWSer’s Column on Crime; All-Star Cast of Comedians Slated for Beacon Theatre; Local Man Killed in West Side Highway Crash

October 30, 2023 | 1:23 AM
in COLUMNS, CRIME, FOOD, NEWS, REAL ESTATE
47
An indoor view of the scaffolding coming down at the Beresford.

Monday, October 30, 2023
Rainy. High 66 degrees.
There was gorgeous weather on Friday and Saturday, but the showers on Sunday mean it has rained for eight straight weekends in New York City.

Notices
Our calendar has lots of local events. Click on the link or the lady in the upper righthand corner to check.

The general election will take place on Tuesday, November 7th, and Upper West Siders will find two races for judgeships on their ballots. There is generally little known about the candidates who want to be judges, but Rachel Holliday Smith from THE CITY recently put together a helpful guide. You can read it — HERE.

Upper West Side News
By Gus Saltonstall

What will become the Upper West Side’s tallest building is rapidly rising after years of controversy, and apartments costing in the tens of millions are being listed for the first time at the address. The building at 50 West 66th Street will stand 775 feet tall, which is over 100 feet taller than 200 Amsterdam’s 668-foot height.

There are currently eight listings available in the 50 West 66th Street building that will cost you between $4.6 million and $34 million, according to the New York Daily News, which reported on the building’s progress last week.

West Side Rag reported extensively on the development in 2019 and 2020, including when a state judge ruled against the developer in a lawsuit challenging the use of “mechanical voids” to help lift the proposed building to the 775-foot mark.

Construction stalled for months during the legal battle.

“I’m less than thrilled,” Upper West Sider Lynn Kressel told the Daily News last week. The building is expected to be completed in 2024 or 2025.

You can read more about it on the Daily News website.

A pair of local bagel spots were just named among the top in the five boroughs. Eater New York recently published its list of “The Best Bagels in New York City,” and two Upper West Side joints earned spots.

Absolute Bagels on Broadway between West 107th and 108th streets, and Bagel Talk on Amsterdam Avenue near the corner of West 78th Street both got featured on the Eater New York ranking.

“The bagels at Absolute are larger than average and glossy from their boil,” the staff at the food review and news website wrote about Absolute Bagels. “The bright orange egg bagel is a favorite, and so is the everything bagel, best spread with the salty and smoky whitefish salad for a flavor explosion.”

In the review of Bagel Talk, Eater New York specifically mentioned its bagels were better than those at nearby Zabar’s, and that Bagel Talk had recently revoked its no-toasting policy.

Let us know in the comment section if you think a different Upper West Side bagel spot got left out.

Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, columnist, and Upper West Sider, penned a piece in The New York Times on October 24th, titled — “Why are so many people stuck in the dark, crime-ridden fantasy world.”

The column covers F.B.I. crime statistics, public perception vs. reality when it comes to safety, the fall of violent crimes that began in the 1990s, former President Donald Trump’s approach to the issue, and how the number of murders nationwide fell again in 2022 after seeing an uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“What this implies is that public views about crime needn’t have much to do with personal experience. They may instead be shaped by impressions people pick up from media, both news and social, and from politicians,” Krugman wrote while citing F.B.I. statistics from 2022 that there were 370 violent crimes for every 100,000 Americans. “In other words, perceptions about crime are like perceptions about the economy — perhaps more so: They don’t necessarily bear much relationship to reality.”

You can read Krugman’s full column on the New York Time’s website, and revisit his interview with the West Side Rag — HERE.

An all-star cast of comedians will perform for a good cause at the Beacon Theatre in December. “Night of Too Many Stars” will take place on Monday, December 11th, and also include a live auction to raise money for Next for Autism, an organization that builds programs to support adults with autism.

The slate of comedians will feature Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart, Amy Schumer, Rachel Bloom, Chris Rock, and Stephen Colbert. Tickets are still available starting at $338.

Robert Smigel, a longtime Saturday Night Live writer/producer, started “Night of Too Many Stars” with his wife, Michelle Smigel, after struggling to find appropriate education for their autistic son, reported DeadLine.

The event has raised over $30 million over the past 20 years.

An Upper West Side man was killed in a traffic collision on the West Side Highway this Friday. Gregory Ahrens, 55, was riding his motorcycle on the West Side Highway near West 112th Street, when he attempted to merge lanes and collided with the rear of a SUV, reported amNewYork and confirmed by the NYPD.

Ahrens was rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He was a resident of West 75th Street, amNewYork reported. You can read more about it — HERE.

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47 Comments
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Jerry
Jerry
1 year ago

Cue dozens of comments with perceptions about crime bearing little relationship to actual reality.

6
Reply
Mike M
Mike M
1 year ago

Krugman’s column was good, but he should read this report, “Measuring what matters,” from the National Institute of Justice.
https://www.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh241/files/media/document/170610-1.pdf

Though the report is dated, my CUNY colleague will find the report describes much of interest.

2
Reply
Brock Feldman
Brock Feldman
1 year ago

Kudos to the folks at Bagel Talk. My “go-to” bagel and coffee stop.

5
Reply
GrumpyOldMan
GrumpyOldMan
1 year ago

Far more threatenng to the civility and quality of life in District 6 than crime are the hoards of 2 wheeled vehicles failing to observe the rules of the road. They are an existential threat to pedestrian safety. A threat which politicians thus far have been impotent to find a solutionl.

35
Reply
Mike
Mike
1 year ago
Reply to  GrumpyOldMan

The solution is fairly simple – Very few business on the UWS use their own delivery people, most of the delivery is done by service companies (grubhub, door dash, etc.) – Set a simple regulation that all these delivery riders have to be able to identify the company they work for – Once you have that information writing tickets makes sense because you now have a legitimate name/address to go to for payment. If the service companies don’t control the out of control situation – Up the fines until they do.

6
Reply
Ellliot Podwill
Ellliot Podwill
1 year ago
Reply to  GrumpyOldMan

And the intentional noise they create is unacceptable. Various countries prohibit juiced up, noisy, motorcycles. Why not NYC?

9
Reply
Jerry
Jerry
1 year ago
Reply to  GrumpyOldMan

If I can add to that, beyond the specific physical danger to pedestrians that two-wheeled vehicles failing to observe the rules of the road represent, I also perceive an overall sense of lawlessness as a byproduct of this behavior. It probably looks like street ballet if viewed from above, but at street level (and as a resident and as a citizen), it makes me feel extremely uneasy, and much more wary of my surroundings and my neighbors than I wish to be. Currently, when I leave my apartment to walk almost anywhere in my neighborhood, there are all manner of two-wheeled vehicles (usually motorized) riding, swimming, swerving, careening and veering across lanes, against traffic, through crosswalks, in the middle of streets, on sidewalks–everywhere. Laws regarding helmets and license plates for motorized vehicles are largely ignored, as are the most fundamental of traffic laws, such as red lights! Even if I am able to avoid being struck, it still feels like loosely organized chaos, disrespect or disregard for others, and public incivility. With no visible police or traffic enforcement to speak of, it feels like we are living in a free for all.

45
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerry

YES! We need to rein this in, and one thing that will help more than anything else is for all of them to carry license plates and insurance and suffer stiff penalties for breaking the laws.

26
Reply
Betty
Betty
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerry

Well said, Jerry.

7
Reply
Liz
Liz
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerry

couldn’t have said it better. Very stressful environment, especially for older folks. Only a second of inattention, and you could be toast.

19
Reply
Jerry
Jerry
1 year ago
Reply to  GrumpyOldMan

Agreed.

6
Reply
Molly
Molly
1 year ago

Absolute Bagels!! Absolutely!

6
Reply
UWS-er
UWS-er
1 year ago

For anyone with Celiac or a gluten allergy/sensitivity, Modern Bread & Bagel is a godsend. Unlike nearly all other gluten-free bagels, they actually taste like excellent regular bagels. No idea how they do it.

10
Reply
UWSTJ
UWSTJ
1 year ago

The defenders of quality of life in the neighborhood always come back with, “But, look, murders are down!”. Yea, well, I may not be getting murdered any time soon, but I sure would like to walk down the street without being bombarded by panhandlers high on who knows what, climbing over piles of trash and even sometimes passed out people on the street, or simply sitting in my apartment and enjoying dinner without blasting music coming through the window. I’ve lived on the UWS for almost 20 years and I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to be bothered by these things, they just simply weren’t a daily occurrence up until a couple years ago.

41
Reply
Betty
Betty
1 year ago
Reply to  UWSTJ

Well UWSTJ, I’ve been living here 50 years, and it has been way worse — sounds like you missed the 80s. I hate empty buildings the most — placeholders for the one-percenters’ wealth. Real people, e.g., apartment dwellers, always bring life, — and before amazon–, small shops and a wide range of local jobs.

13
Reply
Tucker
Tucker
1 year ago
Reply to  Betty

I agree with you on the empty buildings, for so many reasons. The comment below calling them a borderline slum is exaggerated, to put it charitably. But a problem can be a problem without being extreme.

To that end, I don’t accept “the [80s/70s/Whatevers] were worse” as an argument for not dealing with a problem we have now. The stats easily show we are living in safer times, but it’s not unreasonable to want to walk up Amsterdam without being held up at gunpoint. (Referring to a recent WSR story.) My time here is about 22 years — similar to USWTJ — and I am seeing a decline. Not to what I know the 70s/80s to have been…and I’d like to not get to that point!

3
Reply
UWSTJ
UWSTJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Betty

I agree with you on the empty buildings! An no, I wasn’t here in the 80s, so I will not speak to that. I respect your perspective having been here and all those that have.

2
Reply
Lejabe
Lejabe
1 year ago
Reply to  UWSTJ

Uwstj: thank you! You are 100% right. Almost overnight the West 70’s became borderline slum. Stores closed, homeless took residence on the streets, it’s filthy with overflowing trash, panhandlers are hostile and in your face and of course someone thought it a good idea to put can recycling machines on Broadway and 76th in front of not really Fairway. For years we all write but it won’t matter. I wouldn’t open a new store in this neighborhood, why would anyone? It will be years or maybe never before the neighborhood comes back to anything pleasant or decent.

27
Reply
Brandon
Brandon
1 year ago
Reply to  Lejabe

The West 70s have become a “borderline slum”? Such hyperbolic sentiments confirm how out of touch many of the commenters here are when it comes to crime rates and quality of life on the UWS.

13
Reply
OPOD
OPOD
1 year ago

Upper West Side crime is simply a fantasy, until YOU get punched in the face by a random stranger, then it’s reality.

31
Reply
Leon
Leon
1 year ago
Reply to  OPOD

That’s what Mike Tyson said. Funny that he is a lot smarter than a lot of our over-educated neighbors.

There are some people in our neighborhood (and in the city as a whole) who are very clearly mentally disturbed. There is no debating it. These people need help. They are a danger to themselves and all of us. But for some reason, some of our neighbors insist on protecting their “rights” and letting them rot away on the streets.

I don’t understand the logic behind this. They are helping no one – in their efforts to help these ill people, they are hurting them. Giving them cookies or a scarf is a band aid and does not solve the problem. I think it helps satisfy their do-gooder needs. But they are actually being selfish.

These disturbed people need real help. There are laws that allow them to be removed and helped. I do not know why they are not enforced. Again – these are very clear cut cases – you can leave the marginal ones behind for the moment.

I know Mayor Adams added a few psych beds to help them. This is a good start but far from enough.

25
Reply
Otis
Otis
1 year ago
Reply to  Leon

Actually, Mike Tyson’s quote is “everyone has a fight plan until they’re punched in the nose”.

1
Reply
Sam Katz
Sam Katz
1 year ago
Reply to  Leon

That’s not what Mike Tyson said. Tyson’s quote is, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” It had nothing to do with crime, but was about sports Monday morning quarter-backing. But I agree with you about forcing people into assistance. Unfortunately, the laws are the opposite — even people’s families cannot force them off the streets and into hospitals. It’s a disaster.

6
Reply
Mark Moore
Mark Moore
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam Katz

Punched in the mouth. He said mouth, not face.

1
Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago

I think you missed the bagels at BROADWAY BAGEL, 2658 BDWAY, SE corner of Bdway and West 86th, Fresh, delicious, large, and made on the premises.

4
Reply
missingbagelson146
missingbagelson146
1 year ago
Reply to  Cheryl

Tal Bagels is by far the best bagel shop on the UWS. And much better customer service than Absolute.

1
Reply
pauly
pauly
1 year ago
Reply to  Cheryl

You’re either referring to Bdway & W101st or Broad Nosh (W86th & Bdway). Either way, a good choice

0
Reply
Linda
Linda
1 year ago

Broadway Bagel at 101st and Bway! Seriously good bagels. Even just a toasted plain with butter is excellent. Enjoy!

3
Reply
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
Reply to  Linda

Let’s keep this to ourselves. Otherwise, those long lines around the corner. Thanks.

2
Reply
Cheryl
Cheryl
1 year ago

I have had a loose bicycle tire shoved at me and have been kicked in my leg. My elderly husband was crossing Bdwy at a green light when a bicyclist who ran a red light punched him in the back of the neck, passed him, and then turned around and yelled, “Get the f— out of my way!” The most incredible thing that happened when I reported to 311 that there was a woman living in a large box on the plaza in the middle of Bdwy and West 86th St. I was told to call 911, then 311 told me to call 911, which referred me again to 311. At that point, I begged the lady who answered to please notify someone because “This person is somebody’s child. Wouldn’t you want someone to help your daughter, if she were in such trouble?” Her reply, “Oh, alright. I’ll fill out the form.” Two days later, I read in the paper that this woman was arrested for assisting someone move a dead body to an empty building at the South Street Seaport.

15
Reply
Amelia
Amelia
1 year ago
Reply to  Cheryl

So what is an action that we can take re motorized bikes, etc.? There are certainly enough people who are threatened by street crime.

2
Reply
Jen
Jen
1 year ago
Reply to  Amelia

Vote for someone who will fight against it.

6
Reply
Liz G
Liz G
1 year ago

My friends will tell you I’m probably the least alarmist person they know, but I agree there is a mental health crisis that’s not reflected in current crime data, and that manifests in random violence (https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-critical-condition-after-shoved-moving-nyc-subway/story?id=104114516) As a 43 year old who was born here, I grew up being taught some street safety basics that I think have fallen by the wayside, and this is exacerbating the situation, even with people who have been here 20 years… after the linked incident, I told my 19 year old cousin who’s on her second year at Columbia (from Southern California) to just be aware of her surroundings and to exit the situation (cross the street, leave the subway car asap, etc) if anyone is acting “off”, and I was shocked that no one had ever told her this and she really had to think it over. I told her not to let fear stop her from doing anything she wanted to do, but to pay very close attention to her surroundings. Not to be bleak, but the city needs a mental health infrastructure that just isn’t there to handle this.

26
Reply
Marco
Marco
1 year ago

Why are our local elected leaders ignoring and/or refusing to co-sponsor Bob Holden’s Bill to license and register e-vehicles?? Why is this common sense measure to protect constituents from physical injury or death by lawless, unregistered, unlicensed and un-insured riders not a top priority for Council members Brewer and Abreu?? Do they not hear the groundswell of voters in their districts who have been severely injured or otherwise terrorized by e-bikers and mopeds who ride the streets with complete disregard for traffic laws! And the NYPD does absolutely nothing to rein them in when they fly through red lights or ride on the sidewalks. Including ignoring regulations on the books!!
The first priority of government is the safety of its citizens!! I’ve never seen something as dangerous ignored or rejected by council members and the Mayor alike!!

22
Reply
UWS Dad
UWS Dad
1 year ago
Reply to  Marco

The majority of these mopeds are already illegal, NYPD just refuses to enforce the laws already on the books

9
Reply
Paul
Paul
1 year ago

Scaffolding going down, imagine that!

1
Reply
Anne
Anne
1 year ago

I think they have to put “mechanical voids” in those really tall buildings to make them not sway in severe wind.

0
Reply
Mark Moore
Mark Moore
1 year ago
Reply to  Anne

No it’s so they can legally break the height exemption for their buildings.

9
Reply
Anne
Anne
1 year ago

I definitely take no joy in it, but I work in a trauma center and I see how well the skull works as a “helmet”…

1
Reply
UWS Dad
UWS Dad
1 year ago

My favorite bagels are Tal Bagels on Broadway in the low 90s. Very big and doughy!

2
Reply
Gary
Gary
1 year ago

Absolute has the best bagels in the world!!

0
Reply
Joyce
Joyce
1 year ago

Bikes: Every day I am surprised by a bike running a light! Or traveling against the direction of traffic. It feels like every one does as he/she wishes! With no accountability! It is reckless behavior and I have been told no politician wants to touch this issue with a ten foot poll.
I was born in Manhattan and have lived here my entire life. I have never experienced this reckless behavior! Anything goes!

8
Reply
Concerned small business owner
Concerned small business owner
1 year ago

If everyone is concerned about the lack of safety and accountability the e-bikes and motorized scooters are presenting, then you should vote for someone who supports having them registered so something can be done. For City Council, that is Diane di Stasio. Gale Brewer does not support having them registered so the danger WILL continue if a new law is not passed.

Up to you.

5
Reply
D U
D U
1 year ago

Broad Nosh Bagels on 86 and broadway has the second best bagels after Absolute.

0
Reply
Bill Williams
Bill Williams
1 year ago

1. Paul Krugman scurries around the streets of the UWS like a scared little mouse. If crime isnt an issue I wonder what he is so frightened of?

2. If you think Absolute Bagels are decent let alone worth waiting in a line for then you have never had a good bagel let alone a great one.

1
Reply
ASJ
ASJ
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill Williams

Bill,
I think Krugman still has another home in the Caribbean.
He may also still have a place in Princeton.

0
Reply
Janice
Janice
1 year ago

Krugman also said recently that we aren’t really experiencing any inflation, so I question his ability to interpret numbers regarding crime.

0
Reply

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