By Carol Tannenhauser
April 11, 2022
Weather: Generally clear. High of 58 degrees.
Notices
Our calendar has lots of local events!
News
The Bulletin photographs are a study in contrasts (in other words, we couldn’t decide). The first, by Jane Feldman, came with the deluge of cherry blossom photos we received on demand. We put up as many as we could, but they just keep coming. (Thanks!) The ever-growing thread Rag readers created is definitely worth a look. Judy Dresher’s photograph came with our request for Bulletin possibilities, sent by her husband Ben Orlove. Send your photos to info@westsiderag.com.
“Long-distance runner Oz Pearlman broke the record for most miles ever run around Central Park,” cbsny reported. “Pearlman ran 16 loops, which is about 116 miles! He set the mark late Friday night as part of a fundraiser for the people of Ukraine.” The New York Times had more details.
Speaking of Central Park, there’s a tidbit in the Wahpeton Daily News (darn pay wall!) in Wahpeton, North Dakota, proving once again that New York is the standard against which all else is measured. This story describes how “Chahinkapa Park in Wahpeton compares favorably” to Central Park. For example, “A historic carousel attracts riders of all ages in Central Park. So does the 1926 Prairie Rose Carousel, one of 150 restored antique carousels in the country in Chahinkapa Park…” and “The Beatles offered a concert in Central Park in February 1964. We are fortunate to listen to Kroshus and Krew and the Community Band outdoor concerts in Chahinkapa Park during Music in the Park.”
One more Central Park item: “New Zealand promoter Liberty Stage today announced that it is recreating one of the most famous music events in history, Simon & Garfunkel – The Concert in Central Park, according to Scoop Culture. “On the 40th Anniversary of the concert and release of the multi-platinum selling album, a group of acclaimed and award-winning New Zealand songwriters and artists will perform the music from that very special concert….arguably the first major rock event of the 1980s.”
Michael Minn is “a teaching assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois, teaching classes in geographic information systems. He also writes essays about NYC and the UWS. Here’s a link to some interesting reading. “At numerous points in her seminal work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, [urban activist] Jane Jacobs refers to Manhattan’s Upper West Side (UWS) as a “failed” neighborhood….This essay describes the history that led to the “failed” neighborhood of Jacobs’ time and the subsequent events that transformed the neighborhood into one of New York City’s most expensive residential areas.”
Finally, “Booo….. It’s back…..” wrote a reader referring to the crane at the site of the contested development at 50 West 66th Street. “After shutting down the site for over 2 1/2 years, Extell has begun preparations to resume construction. [They have] permits and can build at their own risk,” explained Chris Giordano, president of the 64-67 Streets Block Association. The risk is they’ll lose Landmark West’s zoning challenge, which was heard in the New York State Appellate Court on April 6. “You can read the reply brief from Landmark West’s lawyer here. You can read Extell’s brief here. And to review the history of Landmark West’s filings in this matter on behalf of the community click here. A decision is expected from the court within 3 to 4 weeks.”
A Ziessen Pesach and Happy Easter! And Ramadan Mubarak!
Wait till they build three more of these on the same street, as they have acquired all the ABC properties on those blocks
Are there any limits to how tall any of these buildings can be? If so, are the limits in feet or floors (with ceilings of each floor at a ridiculous height)?
16 loops around Central Park equals about 96 miles…still pretty impressive
The text in the CBS article (which is quoted in the WSR article here) says 16 loops, but the video in the CBS article says 19 loops (which is 116 miles, at 6.1 miles per loop).
The NYT has a wonderful article about this incredible achievement. 116 miles, as you said, Robert. Wish I had known this was happening, would have loved to cheer him on!
Added. Thanks!
Right? Isn’t the loop 6 miles? Which makes it…96 miles, like you said
If you include the hills, yes, super duper impressive.
Pesach Sameach!! Happy Easter!! A wonderful Ramadan!!
Thank you for the reminder, Added!
Re: “…Landmark West’s zoning challenge….”
Ahhh…Landmark West! Don’cha get TIRED of fighting losing battles?:
1. you tried to stop 200 Amsterdam ’cause it’s too-tall, and you even demanded that its 20 top floors be chopped-off…YOU LOST!
2. Then you spitefully urged that NOBODY buy an apartment there…didn’t work, and “200 Am” has lights on and has beautified the street with flowers and trees.
3. and, you also fussed about the development that became Waterline Square…which DID happen and which now offers distinctive modern architecture and a lovely POPS (Privately-Owned-Public-Space).
Give-it-a-rest!
Who funds Landmark West? They must have some wealthy benefactors. And apparently these benefactors don’t mind flushing their wealth down the toilet paying fancy lawyers to file harassing NIMBY lawsuits.