http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2015/01/150129-City-Chips-Away-at-Beaux-Arts-Heart-of-Manhattan.asp
Where does our man and REBNY pal Dan stand on this? No surprises. In typical fashion, he kinda takes the middle road in his statement by raising a "strawman" argument--and goes along with the deal. From the article:
“The current zoning doesn’t respect the needs of the city,” said the Hon. Daniel R. Garodnick, a New York City Council member whose district includes all of Midtown East, a 73-block area surrounding Grand Central. He regards the Vanderbilt Corridor proposal, in which the city stands to gain infrastructure improvements in exchange for increased FAR, as a decent alternative to “unfettered as-of-right development” (that does not require review or approval by City Planning), “which would be the other extreme.”
More from the above article:
These, of course, are not opinions shared by those in the preservation community (none of whom were represented in the MCNY program). Architect Peter Pennoyer, a longtime preservation activist and author of The Architecture of Warren & Wetmore (W.W. Norton), points out that Grand Central was conceived as the centerpiece of Terminal City, a visually unified urban planning scheme in which dozens of hotels, office buildings, and apartment houses were built atop the station’s railroad yards in the 1910s and 1920s. “It was an urban ensemble, a mythic place, arguably more important than Rockefeller Center,” he says.
About three-quarters of Terminal City’s original buildings, which extended north into the East 50’s and east to Lexington Avenue, disappeared during the post-World War II building frenzy. The Vanderbilt Avenue building (51 E. 42nd Street), the Roosevelt Hotel, and the Yale Club are among those that remain. Efforts to preserve them have been hampered, thus far, by a public that hasn’t loudly taken up the cause. Pennoyer believes that’s because Vanderbilt Corridor is not a residential district. “There’s no natural grass-roots constituency to get engaged,” he says. “Instead of thousands upon thousands of people in apartments getting upset about zoning changes and demolitions, you have a few real estate companies."
And this is what NY Times reporter Charles V. Bagli, who wrote the book on the ST/PCV real estate deal, OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY, warned against recently:
At a January 20 panel discussion titled “Is the Vanderbilt Corridor the Future of East Midtown?,” held at the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY), moderator Charles V. Bagli, a New York Times real estate reporter, raised the specter of Dubai-like towers potentially looming not just over Grand Central Station but even obliterating the nearby Chrysler Building, designed by William Van Alen and completed in 1930.
47 comments:
Jackie O is turning over in her grave. Vanderbilt Avenue has long been a respite for New Yorkers navigating our island amidst the crowded millions. It was a little stretch of breathing space. That rendering looks like a Dubai wannabe copycat me-too me-too cry for attention crossed with a Vegas casino shopping Mall. New money-Low class all the way.
The side by side rendering of the generic Dubai-like building next to the beautiful Grand Central architecture shows how unimpressive the new NYC buildings are.
It seems as if the only way to organize anything in this community is by working through the TA. In 4 years nothing else, no other means has emerged. So I'm wondering...how many people who visit here would be willing to vote during the next TA elections?
The problem in running as I see it is that there is probably low turnout each time and the people who do vote are probably those already active who support the people who are already there. In other words, it's hard entry for new faces. So again...how many who blog here would vote?
I've always found Vanderbilt "Avenue" to be an unattractive little stretch. There must be better ways to improve it. The architects of what they're calling One Vanderbilt made an elaborate presentation to CB6 some months ago. I suggest that anyone concerned about these things check the CB6 calendar for the schedule of committee meetings on this and other local issues (such as the 25th Street sanitation garage, liquor licenses). Don't be tardy to the party--you may find plenty of other people agree with you. That said, anyone concerned about these changes should be thinking about how to achieve architecture and a streetscape that meets the needs of this century and the next while maintaining visual appeal.
>>how many who blog here would vote?<<
I'd vote, but I would need to know a person's position, not just his or her name.
"I'd vote, but I would need to know a person's position, not just his or her name."
I agree with you, STR. Last time there was an election, I received a "ballot" to vote for one person and there was no info about her or whether or not she had any competition. I threw the ballot away. I would have voted, but I want to be an informed voter, not just a "directed" voter!
People who would vote can show their commitment by being people who file complaints with DHCR for the fraudulent overcharges. I would vote for anyone who filed a DHCR complaint as that shows me their position and their commitment to fixing the problems.
STR- "know positions". Sure. That would be the whole point. The thing is...there ought to be ways that people can make their issues and positions known to the community and I think your site could provide one such means...if you'd be up for it.
Anyone who will be running can have their say on this blog, for sure.
Connecting the dots
The mission of Paul Weiss, as stated, is not in any way to benefit the people of New York Cty. It is solely to benefit the businesses. Tenants are not a consideration unless there is money to extract from them for business deals.
4 development
successful real estate development is more than just planning and negotiation, construction and renovation.
at paul, Weiss, it is our ambition to transform the most
complex and large-scale projects into value-added business opportunities for our
clients.
representing lenders, investors,
developers and governmental entities from around the globe, we have mastered every aspect of development including land assemblage, land acquisition, joint venture structuring and equity financing, construction and permanent financing, project development agreements, leasing
and management of project space.
http://www.paulweiss.com/media/999335/skyline07.pdf
This is why the deal does not benefit the PCVST tenants and has already come at a great cost to us.
Connecting the dots cont'd
Stephen L Green aka S L Green is the developer of this Vanderbilt & 42nd street fiasco
SL Green is a client of Paul Weiss
SL Green is a "client" of lobbyist PR firm Berlin Rosen
Dan Garodnick is a "client" of Berlin Rosen and in business with Paul Weiss. Little fluff PR piece with quote from Dan on the Stuyvesant Town Tenant Association REBNY lawyer relationship and how she is so smart she makes mortgage securities understandable to a room full of 300 PCV ST dimwits.
http://commercialobserver.com/2015/01/coveted-counsel-real-estate-lawyer-meredith-kane-talks-about-her-deals-reshaping-the-city/
Stephen L Green (SL Green) and Meredith Kane (Paul Weiss) and Dan Garodnick have been passing money "donations" back and forth for years.
http://allevents.in/new%20york/cocktail-reception-in-support-of-daniel-r-garodnick/319794018042429#
The same absence of community involvement at Vanderbilt and PCVST on business deals that have in common Paul Weiss law firm, Meredith Kane and the NYC City Council seat, Dan Garodnick.
1 31! I filed complaints , long ago. Nothing came of it. Dhcr will just (after 13 months of waiting) report that charges are valid. Omfh! It's hysterical. VALID. Now what???????????????
How many properties did Tishman transfer to CW Capital in their financial manipulations that reap them billions and put all their debts on others.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204903804577078773430358632
A few years ago I went to a meet-and-greet at the Community/Senior Center and made a point of talking to and questioning the candidates. Another year I went to a TA event at the Oval to do the same thing with that year's would-be board members. Not a lot of other people showed up at the Oval.
I don't know. There's been so much dissatisfaction with the TA expressed here, I can only stay that when the time comes I hope to see several candidates identify themselves here and make a pitch for votes.
RE and REBNY needs to be thoroughly investigated. The money, bribes, and law-writing in NY is ranked worse in the country.
"Among the charges against Silver is that he arranged special real-estate-tax breaks in exchange for large sums funneled through a friend’s law firm.
New York spends five times more than any other state on this type of corporate welfare.
If we took all, most or even some of the billions in state-funded crony-capitalism programs and turned it into across-the-board tax relief, the economy would boom and legislators’ ability to transfer wealth to favored constituencies would diminish markedly."
http://nypost.com/2015/02/01/how-we-can-start-disinfecting-albany/
No more corporate and wealthy welfare programs. The rich get welfare the poor get welfare and these hedge fun and RE developers are robbing us middle class of our homes and money.
We weep for NYC because there is no one championing us and RE is corrupting the weak pols holding NY office. Weak of character. Weak levels of conviction. No warriors or champions for the people.
A bastion of mediocrity
"Many insiders at the Capitol were commenting last week on the lackluster nature of Silver’s potential replacements — given that none, including Heastie, was known to have drafted major legislation, not to mention fought for genuine reforms.
What’s more surprising is that the same view was privately shared by Silver as he discussed possible successors several months ago — on the premise that he would one day voluntarily retire.
“Have you looked at them?” Silver asked with a chuckle, a well-known Albany figure recalled.
“Which one of them do you think could do the job better? Tell me,’’ Silver continued, this time breaking out in complete laughter.
The influential Albany figure said, “It was clear that Shelly was saying what people are saying today — that it really is a mediocre crew.’’
http://nypost.com/2015/02/02/why-sheldon-silver-cant-resign-as-assembly-speaker-yet/
10:20 What I see from the "dissatisfaction with the TA expressed here" is tenants trying to stop the harm inflicted -- tenants who would never join a group that is doing so many bad things -- tenants who never would have hired a REBNY lawyer. I hope your hope "to see several candidates identify themselves here and make a pitch for votes" goes unfulfilled. Because it is not about joining a group of TAboard people doing bad things to try and change their ways -- it seems more about getting tenants to stop being victims of a very bad group who are allowing Rob Speyer's REBNY to run a wild scheme in PCVST. I hope those dissastisfied with the TA board who have shown us a lot of bad things being done to us do not reveal who they are becasue we don;t need that. And I hope they are not being harassed by MR / TAboard / CW CR / DG BH / PW M / REBNY for helping us. Keep your anonymity and keep up the good work!
To 8:51: Only someone from Paul-Weiss, Brookfield or Moelis would not want to see changes in the Board of the TA. How do you think that any of us here have any chance at all of helping ourselves if we can't act as an organized group? And like it or not (and I don't) nothing other than the TA exists to help. No efforts at STR or at any other sites have come remotely close to producing any movement toward organized action. Also consider...are you or I, STR or anyone here quoted anywhere in the press? No! We just wind up talking to ourselves which limits our ability to make any impact and affect public opinion. You may not like the coverage the TA has been getting in the press but in fact the TA does at least get coverage. And what is wrong with changing the TA by getting inside it? I was an active member years ago when the TA had a board that really represented folks here. It could be like that again. Sorry...I just can't see that there's much in what you say that's going to help.
8:51 Huh?
It's not only the students that need to be trained how to be considerate of neighbors, many parents let kids jump =- run - slam - bounce balls inSIDE the apartments - no rugs, little rugs. DO YOU NOT KNOW THERE ARE 14 PLAYGROUNDS FOR YOUR KIDS TO RUN, jump and play. Rude, inconsiderate people as well as the NYU dorm situation. ADDRESS IT CWC and CR.
>>Also consider...are you or I, STR or anyone here quoted anywhere in the press? No!<<
Actually, yes. "Bikini-Gate," which involved this blog, was quoted world-wide! I have the stats for it, which were incredible.
The TA does, however, have access to the press. As does Garodnick. But what has this access done us? Where's the beef, aside from press clippings someone can save?
Shelly's neighborhood gang is a criminal enterprise of NYC's (including de Blasio's "best and brightest") along with the RE, REBNY, and REBNY PAC money moving millions, billions into their pockets in this intricate Shelly Silver web of deceit. No bus ride persuades an already bought decision. No more begging. From here forward it should only be "demanding" from our electeds.
This article details the difficult and hard work by Preet and the NY AG (who the jury is out on how badly the AG is betraying us with REBNY / Kane - it is either bad or really really bad) before him who took out Shelly's chief of staff's husband Rapfogel for his greedy crimes.
It is an astonishing must read although the punishments for these greedy people does not match the crimes or damage they did to the people. It directly ties Shelly's Assembly's votes and how they failed the people of NYC every year especially 2011.
It goes from deep money RE corruption - through a few "non-profits" that seem more like laundering - through a child's summer camp - to the darkest sinister crevice of hell that rivals Rome's Catholic church scandals -- if you read through the last paragraph of the article.
"Runes represents Litwin — the state's single largest political contributor, who's dropped $10 million in various campaign kitties since 2005 — in negotiations over state laws affecting rent regulations and tax subsidies.
The complaint alleges that unidentified Glenwood lobbyists met Silver to discuss pivotal real-estate legislation in 2011, when the Goldberg firm's payments to Silver soon soared from a mere $800 one year to $240,994. Silver then suddenly became "considerably more favorable" to real-estate interests on the bill "than expected," according to the Bharara complaint.
(Runes was listed on Cuomo's schedule as one of the two Glenwood lobbyists that met with him to talk about the same legislation at that time.)"
The last paragraph
"OHEL is notorious for allegedly covering up child sex abuse and for running a sex offender program structured in a way that allowed sex offenders to walk out of that program without completing it and go back into haredi and Orthodox society still completely dangerous while OHEL did not report them to police or the DA or warn the community.
Perhaps Silver's downfall will finally lead to OHEL's."
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2015/02/will-its-close-ties-to-indicted-pol-sheldon-silver-bring-ohel-down-123.html
STR...Actually, you could ask what good does getting press (publicity really) do anybody? In my observation it works out about 50-50. I've seen the TA mentioned, quoted in Crain's, Bloomberg, DNAInfo and other places. It takes focus, persistence and a good message to make a good impact. I have not seen the current TA Board acting with all 3 at once in the last 3 years. Only your site has taken off as an alternative to the TA Facebook page. And there seems to be no real alternative for organizing other than the TA. For sure, pessimism is no alternative. So when the time for TA Board elections comes, I do hope to see people interested in running explaining themselves at your site.
And to 8:51 again...who says candidates would only be current bloggers? And what's wrong with anyone deciding to run making themselves known here. I have to say...that 8:51 post...very strange.
I'm MR and if my post is strange it is because I thought it very strange and very disturbing when a group of MR neighbors invited me to their meeting to do what I can only describe as stalk and harass RS tenants. Their pitch to me was full of trashing the RS neighbors. They are trying to divide us.
Judy Rapfogel Is Woman in the Middle of Two N.Y. Scandals
Sheldon Silver's Chief of Staff Is Also Willie's Wife
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/213710/judy-rapfogel-is-woman-in-the-middle-of-two-ny-sca/#ixzz3QhldNLfl
More to come.....
http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2014/10/more-arrests-possible-in-rapfogel-scandal-former-board-members-may-be-targetsag-says-234.html
"I'm MR and if my post is strange it is because I thought it very strange and very disturbing when a group of MR neighbors invited me to their meeting to do what I can only describe as stalk and harass RS tenants. Their pitch to me was full of trashing the RS neighbors. They are trying to divide us."
What you say is very disturbing. Can you provide some details, please? You don't have to "out" anybody, but please tell us what was the nature of the stalking and harassing of RS tenants. If you are being truthful (and I think you are) this has to be a new low for even this property. We know CW/CR would kill the RS tenants in their beds if they could, but MR tenants? Why would they do this unless they feel that maybe RS tenants would impede a possible conversion?
RE has the dirtiest of corrupt criminals. A revitalized real estate business sector profits the business and the 1% with no benefit to the 99% working class.
Is Developer #2, in Preet's case with Shelly Silver, Ratner of Atlantic Yards development that still has not made good on their promises to De Blasio in exchange for his blessing the development despite his Brooklyn neighbor's opposition?
"Once the three men connected over the site’s future commercial possibilities, their bonds strengthened. As was the case with Taub (mesothelioma kickbacker), family favors were the norm. Rapfogel’s eldest son, Michael, a lawyer, went to work for Ratner.
The NY Times summed up the happy coincidence of interests:
"In 2006, the Public Authorities Control Board, over which Mr. Silver has significant control, approved Mr. Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn. Intervention by Mr. Silver and others enabled the project to retain a lucrative tax break, even as that break was actually being phased out.
In 2008, Forest City Ratner, which compared to other developers makes few political contributions, gave $58,420 to the Democratic Assembly Housekeeping Committee, which is controlled by Mr. Silver.
That same year, Mr. Ratner helped raise $1 million for Met Council and was honored at a luncheon given by Mr. Rapfogel and Mr. Silver. “Bruce is responsible for much of the development and growth that’s gone on in Brooklyn and in Manhattan,” Mr. Silver said at the event. “He is a major force in New York City for the good.”
When I read about these corrupt bastards, I can’t help but be reminded of how criminality is embedded in the capitalist system. They keep saying that a true recovery in the USA hinges on a revitalized real estate sector. But it is exactly that sector that led to the 2008 meltdown, just as it did in Spain."
http://louisproyect.org/2015/01/23/sheldon-silver-caught-with-his-hands-in-the-cookie-jar/
"In any case, speaking from a purely reformist perspective, I am tickled pink at the prospects of Sheldon Silver, Dr. Robert Taub and Bruce Ratner going to prison. I hope they put them in cells next to Bernie Madoff as a reminder that connections made through a Jewish old boy’s network are okay just as long as they don’t victimize people who don’t belong to the club, especially Puerto Ricans on the Lower East Side."
I'm really curious. What could any MRs hope to gain by stalking and harassing RSers. That's nuts. Seriously...how could that possibly benefit any MRs?
The other developer in the Shelly case Ratner?
Atlantic Yards, Bruce Ratner, De Blasio having a 50th birthday party with another developer (his 53rd was with developer Robbie Speyer) and the value of De Blasio's word
"The basketball arena is finished, but none of the affordable apartments have been completed. The first residential building, with 181 subsidized units, is scheduled to go up next summer.
Meanwhile, some opponents and critics of Atlantic Yards say de Blasio has done little to fulfill the pledge he made in the 2006 public hearing – that he would make sure the community benefits agreement is fulfilled. In fact, in June 2011 Bruce Ratner, CEO of Forest City Ratner, had co-chaired a 50th birthday fundraiser for de Blasio.
“He just says things like, ‘Government must make sure there is accountability,’” said Norman Oder, a journalist who has chronicled the project on his blog, The Atlantic Yards Report. “And I’m thinking, what is he? Chopped liver? I mean he’s government as well. He has a bully pulpit.”
Letitia James, a city councilwoman from Brooklyn who opposed the project, has tried to rally other public officials to support measures like a special board to oversee the project, but she said de Blasio has given her little support.
“So many elected officials gave to that project and were instrumental in getting it financed,” said James, now a Democratic candidate for de Blasio’s job, the public advocate’s office. “Not one has made any comment with regard to the fact that New Yorkers and taxpayers were basically duped. And that includes the current public advocate, Bill de Blasio, and others.”
http://www.wnyc.org/story/316327-de-blasios-support-atlantic-yards-helped-old-ally/
Sure and Shelly is a "man of integrity". Its beginning to look like that may have been a PR statement made for ulterior motives.
I read the blog, I did weep for NYC, then I got angry and saw how RE controls the political puppets. Is Ratner the other developer in bed with Shelly?
"Rapfogel’s wife, Judy Rapfogel, is Silver’s chief of staff. After her husband’s arrest, Judy Rapfogel claimed she had no knowledge of her husband’s criminal malfeasance, and she remained on Silver’s staff.
Silver and William Rapfogel lived in the same neighborhood and went to the same shul, the Bialystoker Synagogue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The two men often sat together in the sanctuary on Shabbat morning...
Rapfogel’s eldest son, Michael Rapfogel, works for real estate developer Bruce Ratner, who has been on the receiving end of numerous favorable decisions by the Public Authorities Control Board, over which Silver has significant control. In 2006, Silver’s intervention helped secure a lucrative tax break for Ratner’s Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn, even though that tax break actually was being phased out, The New York Times reported.
The criminal complaint filed this week against Silver by the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Silver was “on retainer to a mammoth real estate developer” while his office was passing legislation affecting that developer’s business, meeting with lobbyists paid for by the developer and “deliberately keeping secret from the public any information about this lucrative side-deal, in violation of the law.” The complaint does not identify the real estate developer by name."
http://www.jta.org/2015/01/22/news-opinion/united-states/silvers-arrest-a-2nd-strike-for-n-y-orthodox-power-brokers
Preet Bharara
“As today’s charges make clear, the show-me-the-money culture of Albany has been perpetuated and promoted at the very top of the political food chain,” Bharara said.
“And as the charges also show, the greedy art of secret self-reward was practiced with particular cleverness and cynicism by the speaker himself,” he said. “Politicians are supposed to be on the people’s payroll, not on secret retainer to wealthy special interests they do favors for.”
http://www.jta.org/2015/01/22/news-opinion/united-states/silvers-arrest-a-2nd-strike-for-n-y-orthodox-power-brokers
What? I'm MR and never got an invite to that. In fact, we fully support our RS neighbors and want them to stay RS. You are lying.
Management here also rents out One BR apartments to families with 3 kids. Our own floor has this. There are 6 people (a nanny) living in a one bedroom here. It's hard to fight the argument of too many NYU students in a one br when everyone does this. There is one bathroom for 6 people.
Vanderbilt is destroyed. REBNY has NYC in a chokehold. Garodnick is a problem.
Brooklyn knows all to well the truth behind the lie
"rezoning, building affordable housing for a new generation" or in another words (written by same authors) "new stabilizers"
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/nyregion/an-obstacle-to-mayor-de-blasios-affordable-housing-plan-neighborhood-resistance.html?contentCollection=nyregion&action=click&module=NextInCollection®ion=Footer&pgtype=article
An Obstacle to Mayor de Blasio’s Affordable Housing Plan: Neighborhood Resistance
By VIVIAN YEE and MIREYA NAVARROFEB. 3, 2015
Just not buying it.
Did he pretty much admit affordability in Stuy-Town is a foregone conclusion, forever gone? How much time do the rest of us have before Glen and Garodnick and NYU kick all the RS out and how many more MR do you think there are in the market who will pay those rents for apartments in buildings without 24hr doormen?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/nyregion/new-york-mayor-bill-de-blasios-state-of-the-city-address.html
New Yorkers really need Preet to thoroughly investigate Cuomo and his RE deals. de Blasio's proposal for Sunnyside Yards is exactly what NY needs and within seconds Cuomo shot it down. To me, that says de Blasio's idea for Sunnyside Yards is a good idea for New Yorkers! Cuomo shot it down and already "promised" it to Robbie Speyer and Tishman already filed for permits. REBNY owns Cuomo.
http://queens.brownstoner.com/2014/11/permits-filed-for-tishman-speyers-mega-development-in-long-island-city/
http://nypost.com/2015/02/03/cuomo-sunnyside-yards-not-available-for-de-blasio-housing-plan/
Our residential community was registered as a commercial enterprise last month
http://www.trademarkia.com/the-ice-at-stuy-town-86479442.html
note the batting cages!
8:51/11:43 - must be a troll. either that or the idea of really voting out the slate that's on the TA board now is unsettling to someone. Think about it. The whole Brookfield deal would disappear.
No one harasses RS tenants on property except --YOU KNOW WHO. That's a lying troll. WTF.
That is a really good point Feb 3 at 6:26. It is a scam costing tenants and profiting developers that needs to disappear. Maybe its not a troll at 8:51 / 11:43. Look at how fast with name calling, a denial, defensive, guilty-sounding this is:
"Anonymous said...
What? I'm MR and never got an invite to that. In fact, we fully support our RS neighbors and want them to stay RS. You are lying.
February 3, 2015 at 2:27 PM"
Unless February 3, 2015 at 2:27 PM knows everyone who lives here and what happens to everyone who lives here and what everyone who lives here does -- they cannot possibly make their claim. Now I believe there are wannabe buyers harassing RS and I hope there is a way to stop this scam against working class tenants here.
How would or could you know this 7:28? You couldn't possibly know this but you do seem to want people or someone to think it. I don't believe you can make your claim or anyone could make such a claim as you are because it is impossible to know EVERYTHING going on between 30,000 people. It seems more like you are trying really hard to dispel something from being revealed. Which makes me want to dig deeper.
Management harasses us by withholding heat. They want us to move or die.
This thread is hijacked.
Anyone else pick up on trolls attempting to hijack STR threads to distract attention away from Garodnick and TA malfeasance?
A constant stream of extraneous comments press various emotional hot button issues they hope will inflame Old RS against New RS generation warfare. Another phony theme repeatedly hyped is that only Brookfield can save us from imminent bulldozer apocalypse.
Garodnick and the TA need to divide and pit tenants against tenants. Don't be suckered into their false narratives. We are all victims of their Brookfield scam.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/nyregion/law-professor-opposes-grand-central-tower-plan.html?ref=nyregion
Thanks for the NYTimes article on Vanderbilt / Grand Central.
S L Green owns many of the REBNY political puppets and are getting away with murdering NYC.
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