Monday, July 8, 2024
Sunny. High 88 degrees.
Expect on-and-off rain later this week, as precipitation is in the forecast from Wednesday through Saturday.
Notices
Our calendar has lots of local events. Click on the link or the lady in the upper righthand corner to check.
Bastille Day is on Sunday, July 14, commemorating the storming of the Bastille, a royal fortress and prison, on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution. While we generally try to avoid shouting out the Upper East Side (kidding), the annual and always fun Bastille Day 2024 Celebration will take place on that day from noon to 5 p.m. along Madison Avenue from East 59th to 63rd streets.
Upper West Side News
By Gus Saltonstall
An “affordable housing lottery” has launched for a five-story building on West 80th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues.
There are 17 units available through the lottery that range from studios to one bedrooms at 165 West 80th Street.
To qualify you need to make 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), which ranges from $73,319 to $149,160. Lottery winners will then have the option to purchase the units at $173,801 to $184,990, with a monthly payment then expected to only be $994 to $1,003.
Eligible buyers should have five percent of the purchase price available for a down payment.
Apartment amenities include air conditioning, hardwood floors, an outdoor space, and smart controls for heating and cooling.
You have until August 27 to apply.
You can find out more and check out the application process — HERE.
An Upper West Side restaurant was just named among the 18 best sushi spots in New York City.
The Infatuation, a popular New York-based restaurant recommendation website, recently put together a list of the best sushi joints in the five boroughs.
In some neighborhood pride, Sushi Kaito at 244 West 72nd Street, between West End and Broadway, earned a place on the list.
“There’s plenty of good sushi on the Upper West Side, but we love the 13-course omakase at Kaito ($98),” The Infatuation wrote. “Every two or three rounds of nigiri will be broken up by a cooked dish like tempura-fried hake in a mushroom broth, and maybe a smoked goldeneye snapper collar if you’re lucky.”
Sushi Kaito offers up tamago, fatty tuna, sweet shrimp, Mexican sea urchin, torched Japanese salmon, tuna hand rolls, barracuda, and more.
The restaurant does not currently have a working website, but it is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. You can read the full Infatuation review — HERE.
Upper West Side Rep. Jerry Nadler has joined several senior House Democrats in calling for President Joe Biden to abandon his reelection bid.
Nadler made his position known “during a private call convened by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Sunday afternoon, according to several people participating,” Politico reported. “Among those forcefully calling for Biden to stand down during the nearly two-hour call were Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), and Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.).” They join five House Democrats who have already publicly called on Biden to step down following his June 27 debate performance and ABC News interview, according to the Daily News.
The Extell Development super-tall at 50 West 66th Street continues to make headlines, landing a $1.2 billion loan to refinance the building, reported the Commercial Observer.
The 69-story residential property announced in May that it had officially competed construction on its top floor, which makes it the tallest building on the Upper West Side. The building will hold 127 condominium units starting at $4.6 million.
Here’s what the Commercial Observer reported.
“Extell Development secured $620 million to refinance the deal, an amount that was confirmed by property records and first reported by PincusCo.
But the $620 million doesn’t reflect the mezzanine loan component and the future funding component tied to construction, which brings the official refinancing amount up to a whopping $1.2 billion, according to a source close to the deal.”
West Side Rag made a troubling discovery Saturday morning on an Upper West Side street corner.
Here was the crime scene on the corner of West 73rd Street and Columbus Avenue.
It is unclear what led to the discarded Popup Bagels.
Here are a few of the responses to a social media post about the bagel crime.
“Some birds are about the have the bet day of their lives.”
“I’d like to report a murder.”
“I’d be screaming like Charlotte Pickles on the sidewalk if that happened to me, thoughts and prayers.”
“5 minute rule…”
Even Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine got involved in the responses.
“We are going to have to stiffen penalties for bagelcide,” Levine wrote. To which, somebody responded — “SCHMEAR CAMPAIGN.”
- Read More: ‘Rescuers’ Save a Quarter of a Million Meals for People in Need on the UWS as Food Insecurity Grows
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Re the affordable housing why do we keep doing this kind of unsustainable stuff?
“Lottery winners will then have the option to purchase the units at $173,801 to $184,990, with a monthly payment then expected to only be $994 to $1,003.”
This building was built in 1910. There’s no building whose actual costs are this low. Even with some kind of tax break, this building will require maintenance not covered by such low fees and the owners will beg for help.
This is an old and run down building that should have been replaced decades ago. It cost the city millions of taxpayer dollars to upgrade this building so 17 lucky (and likely well connected) people can live there for a song. Taxpayers will continue to support this building as the low maintenance the residents will pay can’t possibly support it.
The term “affordable housing” is an Orwellian term. A better description would be “subsidized housing”.
the great majority of housing in NYC is subsidized in one way or another. Start with the Mortgage Interest Tax Credit, which is the largest housing subsidy in the US, by far. Also government insured mortgages, which lower costs. then there is the entire property tax structure in NYC,. which gives benefits to single family homes and condos, all of which are funded through the surplus on property taxes on commercial buildings in NYC, mainly in Manhattan.
there are various other tax breaks that go to developers and can be considered subsidies.
There are a few afforable buildings on the block and they make the block more inclusive than it otherwise would be.
For those who are wondering, Nadler just turned 77. Pot. Kettle. Black.
Regarding the “affordable housing.” Sell the apartments for market value. Then use the many millions of dollars brought in to provide housing for many more people.
Guess who is going to buy these apartments – medical residents with temporarily low incomes and rich parents to provide a down payment, and trust fund babies who also don’t earn a lot but have millions in family money. The true “working class” will not get them.
Please tell me whose dumb idea this was so that I can vote against them.
Is it not a question of evidence of senescence rather than absolute age? We now know reliably that President Biden has exhibited “senior moments” at intervals in the past four years. Should he be reinstalled in a most challenging job for another four? (Plus the voters get to weigh in on Mr Nadler’s fitness and cognition every two years.)
Of course Joe Biden should continue to be President. No one has stood up to challenges as skillfully as he has. “Senior moments” are no reason to dump him now. If his health falters? This is why the office of Vice President was created. Kamala Harris has been mentored for 3.5 years by the best president in recent history, coming into her own in recent times as a champion for freedom of choice. She is fully prepared to step in if need be, as she has been since 2021.
I wonder if this is how Popup Bagels disposes of their unsold bagels at closing time? Looks like too many bagels left inside the bag, that didn’t touch the street, to be abandoned by a customer especially considering what Popup Bagels charges.
Even Zuckers put a sign saying hot bagels baked all day long because they are losing business
Yet Jerry Nadler will not step down so that Brad Hoylman-Sigal can be anointed to Congress
And has said in recent times that he sees no problem in serving until he’s 86. Double standard?
Biden has to leave the race. It’s too risky. He can have another blanking out episode or worse in the days before the election and that will be that, it’ll be too late to do anything about it. Harris polls the highest among the remaining Democrats and who knows, might light a fire under some people who weren’t enthusiastic about Biden because of his age or whatever. I don’t see how the Democrats can continue with Biden.
It is painful to listen to Biden speak. He does not inspire anyone nor does he project confidence and lucidity. He needs to bow out gracefully.
Harris is a lightweight and has zero accomplishments as VP. She is not very respected or well liked. If she is the nominee Trump will crush her in a debate.
Unfortunately, I believe Trump will be our next president.
Zero accomplishments? She’s traveled to many countries representing the US in her time as VP.
Formerly a district attorney and attorney general, as a US Senator she ferociously grilled opponents in Congressional hearings. Women all across the country, plus countless men, have taken heart as she tirelessly champions reproductive rights. We like her and you should too!
Harris has been a senator as well as vice president. There’s no reason to believe Trump would beat her in a debate. Unless you’re OK with his constant lies.
He’s gotta go: https://nypost.com/2024/07/09/opinion/the-media-conspiracy-of-collusion-over-bidens-health-is-a-national-disgrace/
With Congress’ abysmally low approval rating, why do people look to Congress for Presidential candidates? The President is an executive position and lends itself more to governors, mayors, business execs, and military leaders.
Rinse them off, put them in the toaster and they’ll be fine!!!!!
Re: Dems pres candidate, I am so sick of the “X deserves it, we owe it to X, and by the way, let’s play not to lose” routine. We need someone who will light a fire under the voters and WIN.
Nah., we need someone who’s been there and done that – even if they can’t remember what that was. The democracy and the republic Depend on it.
Just a question to the readers, I have walked down Broadway several times in the past few weeks, and the unhoused man who lived between 84/85th Streets on Broadway is gone. He has been a topic of passing conversation on this board for years. Does anyone know what happened to him? He was there for at least, the past two decades. ,
“To qualify you need to make 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), which ranges from $73,319 to $149,160. Lottery winners will then have the option to purchase the units at $173,801 to $184,990, with a monthly payment then expected to only be $994 to $1,003.”
This is NOT affordable housing! It’s affordable for trust-fund babies and their wealthy parents or wealthy foreigners that will use it only a few times a year, but not us working class schmos that deserve it much more.
I’m just a hair under 25 years old and I work a 9-5 job in advertising. I make just under the income bracket, and currently have $14k saved for an (eventual) down payment on something (God willing). In 4-5 years, I would qualify for this apartment as a pretty solidly middle-income New Yorker. Or, if I had a spouse that made roughly my salary and had roughly the same amount saved, we could qualify for it now.
I complain a lot about income brackets being ridiculous, but this one actually feels pretty correct to me if you’re targeting middle income people.
$73,319 is low income these days
You have to like the person who will do the best job
correction: You don’t have to like the person
who will do the best job
That’s about $400 worth of Pop Up Bagels. $12.50 at any other bagel shop. Oh, but there’s cream cheese 🙄
Your math skills resemble the shape of a bagel.
The only bagel crime I’m aware of is cinnamon raisin.
Goyishe bagel
This is outrageous! Nadler only wants rich people to live in our neck of the woods? Remember that guy who ran for mayor many years ago under the slogan The Rent Is Too Damn High? He was right then and is right now!
Since reply button still does not work…
Dawn said;
“To qualify you need to make 120 percent of the area median income (AMI), which ranges from $73,319 to $149,160. Lottery winners will then have the option to purchase the units at $173,801 to $184,990, with a monthly payment then expected to only be $994 to $1,003.”
This is NOT affordable housing! It’s affordable for trust-fund babies and their wealthy parents or wealthy foreigners that will use it only a few times a year, but not us working class schmos that deserve it much more.”
Clty has had no end of problems with these HDFC co-op buildings, especially properties with smaller number of units such as rowhouses and five or six floor apartment buildings.
Basically what happens far to often is so called “shareholders” do not have income that can support the building. This leads to mismanagement, maintenance issues and host of other problems that come when income does not support a property.
Under B de B city actually moved to take over several HDFC buildings including (IIRC) some on UWS or Harlem.
Just as free market co-op wouldn’t allow persons to buy into building if their income cannot support paying their share of maintenance and other fees, same is true (or it should be) for city properties.
These buildings are not “low income” or whatever housing. Once board is in place and units sold HDFC buildings are on their own. Same as any other co-op money for running and maintaining building must come from fees paid by shareholders.
I rent in an HDFC building and it’s excellent. Most have lived here for decades, and the co-op rents a few units (mine included) out to help with maintenance costs. My co-op board is very, very gracious and generous and keeps our rent below market rate while still keeping up maintenance in the building beautifully. I am grateful beyond words that the program exists so that myself and my neighbors have consistent, safe, community-oriented housing.
Cara, thank you for correcting all the anti-affordable housing propaganda we see above.
There’s a lot of BS about the affordable units available in the building on W 80th. I don’t know if this is the best way to expand affordable housing, but the “usual suspects” among WSR commenters will trash any affordable project, no matter how it is set up.
re: the charge that the units will be bought by “trust fund babies” or “rich foreigners”: in addition to income caps for the units, there are asset restrictions, approx 280K in assets. Over that you are not eligible.
If you currently or previously owned a property, you are not eligible. It is for first time buyers.
Further, there are resale restrictions, to avoid flipping.