According to one of my favorite novelists, Colson Whitehead,
“No matter how long you have been here, you are a New Yorker
the first time you say, ‘That used to be Munsey’s’ or
‘That used to be the Tic Toc Lounge.'” I have a friend
who says New Yorkers are born all over the world every minute…it
just takes time to get home. Now I was born here, but I
appreciate the viewpoint, especially as the landscape of our City
changes what seems like oh so quickly.
Buildings and neighborhoods can reach a moment when they no
longer function for their original purpose, and no longer function
well for any current purpose, at least without significant
investment. It takes grit and commitment to reshape these buildings
and neighborhoods.
Bravo to our client team at
the New York City Economic Development Corporation
and the City, and to the Port Authority, on starting the
process to transform the Red Hook waterfront into a more workable
port and much-needed housing and parks! Here are more details. Soon you will be saying, I remember
when it was…
When we think of great cities, we think of art and culture and
sports and restaurants – but cities are great because the
trains run, fresh food arrives, there are jobs, affordable housing,
parks, and greenery … My property professor in law school said,
“If there’s a subject matter that interests you, there is
a lawyer involved.” I was lucky to help on a number of
public/private projects, ostensibly real estate developments, but
just as much about job creation, patent generation, housing
affordability, local, small business growth…
Here are then and now images from some of my favorite
public/private projects:
THEN dockets in the Clock Tower Building
NOW the Jack Shainman Gallery
THEN and NOW the Essex Street
Market
THEN the Smallpox Hospital
NOW the Cornell Tech Campus
When Empire State of Mind comes on at a ribbon cutting,
I get teary-eyed. “These streets will make you feel brand
new.” And I remember when sheep grazed on the Sheep
Meadow.
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