Washington Square plan gains commission approval

Parks presented revised design that included additional seating alcoves. On April 16, 2009, Landmarks voted to approve modifications to the master plan for Washington Square Park’s renovation. The modifications include the construction of a performance stage and the alteration and retention of seating alcoves. At a March 17th hearing, residents, as well as Council Member Alan Gerson, urged Landmarks to deny the proposal, stating that the stage was too small and the alcoves were too … <Read More>


More controversy over Washington Sq.Park

Parks Department proposes performance stage and seating areas in Washington Square Park. On March 17, 2009, Landmarks heard testimony on the Parks Department’s proposed modifications to the master plan governing the renovation of Washington Square Park.

The modifications, both on the eastern side of the park, allow for the construction of a permanent performance stage and the retention and alteration of two seating alcoves. The performance stage would be built next to the park’s Garibaldi … <Read More>


Alessandro Olivieri: Continuing a Family Tradition of Public Service

It should come as no surprise that Alessandro Olivieri, General Counsel for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, decided to leave private practice for public service. When asked about the career change he made a decade ago, Olivieri credited some of his most important role models — his family members. Pointing to a commemorative piece on his office wall containing photographs of the Hudson River and his maternal grandmother, Frances “Franny” Reese, … <Read More>


Fulton Street BID for Brooklyn approved

Plan encompasses 195 businesses. On August 27, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved an application by the Department of Small Business Services to create a new Fulton Street Business Improvement District for 371 properties and 195 businesses in the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhoods of Brooklyn. Within the boundaries of the BID are the BAM Harvey Theater and several triangular parks.

The proposed BID allows for an annual assessment on businesses and residents to … <Read More>


Lynn Kelly on the Future of Coney Island

Ever since Lynn Kelly was appointed President of the Coney Island Development Corporation [CIDC] last year, she knew that time was of the essence. Her mission: restore Coney Island to its former prominence, and do it quickly, or lose the opportunity forever.

Kelly, a former Deputy Director of the City’s Art Commission, joined the New York City Economic Development Corporation in 2001. Over the next six years, she managed a portfolio of development projects and … <Read More>


Additional space for the Whitney Museum approved

Downtown satellite would anchor southern end of High Line. On August 11, 2008, the City Planning Commission approved the Whitney Museum’s plan to build a six-story, 175,000-sq.ft. building at 555 West Street in the West Village of Manhattan. The proposal includes 50,000 sq.ft. for new indoor exhibits, 97,400 sq.ft. for museum support facilities, and 27,600 sq.ft. for a maintenance and operational facility at the southern terminus of the High Line elevated park. The site is … <Read More>