Archive for October 21st, 2009
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Envisioning a New Sidewalk Shed
October 21st, 2009

The city-sponsored design competition to improve the ubiquitous royal blue sidewalk shed has been narrowed down to three finalists out of 164 submissions. Jurists in the urbanSHED competition selected the Tripod MOD(ule), urbanCLOUD, and the Urban Umbrella. Click here to see a slide show.

“The winning solutions and the honorable mentions focus attention on how our streetscape can be improved by attention to the basics of architecture: light, air, materials, structure and form,” said Rick Bell, Executive Director of AIANY, which also sponsored the competition.

The jury made its decision based on the shed’s impacts on pedestrians’ experience, the use of both natural and electric light, and improvements to structural components.

The finalists will receive $5,000 to further develop their designs, and the ultimate winner will get $10,000. The Alliance for Downtown New York, another sponsor, will build a prototype of the winner’s design in lower Manhattan.

By Mike Muller on October 21, 2009, 6:13 pm
In category: Arts, Land Use | 2 Comments »

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Urban Grime as History
October 21st, 2009

Incorporating the aesthetics of the natural reclamation of urban abandonment was part of the intent of the High Line park that snakes its way above the streets of the Meat Packing district. But street art wasn’t considered an essential element of that urban fabric, and graffiti that once adorned the walls along the park was replaced by the city with a solid slate of gray. But the actions have a number of people up in arms, calling it the destruction of history. And some are particularly worried about the “Revs” and “Cost” piece further down the line that remains for the time being. It’s not just graffiti, however. Metal sculptures that were once welded to a rusting cavernous area — now flooded with blue light — have also gone missing. Meanwhile, the city has made steps toward acquiring the High Line past 30th Street.

By Mike Muller on October 21, 2009, 6:13 pm
In category: Arts, Crime & Safety, Parks | No Comments »

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No Rush For Special Session
October 21st, 2009

Legislative leaders made it clear to Gov. David Paterson at a leaders meeting this morning that they are skittish about proposed cuts to education and health care.

Paterson previously said he wanted the legislature back in special session to consider his deficit reduction package on Oct. 28 but now it seems he is willing to wait a bit longer. A special session could now take place in the next two weeks.

Paterson warned of the financial peril the state faces if the deficit is not reduced by December and asked to address a joint session of the legislature at some future date.

“We are on board with you,” Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson told Paterson but insisted he wanted to make sure the people of New York state are “on board” with the cuts that need to be made. He was referring to the public hearings his conference has scheduled throughout the state this month.

“We have to act quickly,” said Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, adding that “Hearings are not going to improve cash flow.” Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on October 21, 2009, 11:41 am
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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Diaz Slams Monserrate Panel
October 21st, 2009

Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. issued a statement this morning slamming the Senate panel charged with punishing Sen. Hiram Monserrate. Diaz says he believes the panel is designed to let Democrats and Republicans “settle the score” with Monserrate for the embarrassment he put both conferences through during the Senate coup.

“First, it is disappointing to hear Senate Conference President John Sampson saying that he is putting together an independent and impartial Senate Committee to investigate Senator Hiram Monserrate and at the same time sending a message to the committee members by stating As a father and as a husband, I am not only angry, I am also pissed off. That statement alone may be interpreted as a direct order to the committee to get Monserrate. Read the rest of this entry »

By David King on October 21, 2009, 11:10 am
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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