December 2015 Forum

Understanding Mayor DeBlasio’s Up-Zoning Plan

Date: Wednesday December 2, 2015:
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Place:  Red Oak Apartments 135 West 106th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues       

An Expert Panel drawn from the Upper West Side will explain this complex plan and answer your questions.

Page Crowley, Co-Chair Land Use Committee, CB7
Richard Lewis, Chair Housing Committee, CB12
Hon. Walter South,  Land Use Committee, CB9
Hon. Brad Taylor, Land Use Committee, CB9
Simon Thorsen, Housing Committee, CB9
Landmark West Representatives

It is almost certain that everyone has heard something about the Mayor’s proposal for the extensive overhaul of the zoning rules and property taxes for the entire City of New York.  As you also have almost certainly heard there is significant debate about the details of this plan.  Unfortunately, it is difficult for even the most sophisticated New Yorkers to follow the debate because of the complexities of our real estate market.  On one side it is said that the goal is to increase the supply of housing that includes the mandatory inclusion of affordable housing to provide for an economically integrated city.  Other voices point out that the plan will increase density but at the expense of affordable units.  Fortunately, we have a resource to help us understand this complex issue, our Community Board members with decades of experience on this topic.  Members of 3 west side boards will join us to share their insights into and assessments of the proposal.  This panel has over a century of combined experience in zoning and housing.

For further information: call 917-338-6415 or email PWPolicyForum@gmail.com

NYC Architects

Stories about notable NYC Architects past and present that have shaped our city.

Stanford White
Treasures of New York: Stanford White

Cass Gilbert

Rafael Guastavino

Palaces for the People: The Soaring Vaults of Guastavino on Exhibit at Museum of City of New York

Costas Kondylis
Treasures of New York: Building Stories
NY Times: Costas Kondylis

Philip Johnson

Trump Tries to Convert 50's Style Into 90's Gold; Makeover Starts on Columbus Circle Hotel

Rafael Vinoli

Rafael Viñoly on 432 Park Avenue in New York

 

Robert Stern

Unfashionably Fashionable

NY Times: Robert A.M. Stern

NY Yimby: Robert Stern

 

Skidmore Owings and Merrill

Google: skidmore owings & merrill buildings in nyc

 

Robert Moses
The Legacy of Robert Moses
A Conflicted Portrait of Robert Moses,'The Builder for Democracy'
Robert Moses: Long Island's Master Builder

Commentary on Architecture
42 Star Projects Transforming Architecture in New York City
Too Rich, Too Thin, Too Tall?
Architecture in the Age of Gehry

Development Stories

Video stories about development and construction, see what it takes to build tall:

New York City MegaCities
Amazing Secrets about New York City - Full Documentary
Bridges Of New York City
Treasures of New York: Hearst Tower
Ultimate Skyscraper NYC Megastructures National Geographic Documentary

Super Skyscrapers the Billionaire Building
One World Trade Center • Super Skyscrapers
Super Skyscrapers - The Leadenhall Building, London 2014
Vintage Manhattan Skyline

NYC Subways

NYC subways opened October 27, 1904.  Below are some articles and videos about the NYC subway.  Scheduled to open by  December of 2016, the Second Avenue subway is running into some rough spots and delays. 
 
New York City Subway Opens
 
New York City Subways
 
New York City Transit - History and Chronology
 
Build It Bigger: Rebuilding New York City's Subway
 
16 things you didn’t know about the NYC subway
 
New York Subway 1905

New Subway Line Is Chugging Along

Good and Bad News on Second Avenue Subway

Inside New York City's East Side Access, the biggest transportation project in America

The Launch Box

Baby, Baby, Where Did Our Love (or Second Avenue Subway Money) Go?

Why New York Subway Lines Are Missing Countdown Clocks
 
Google: nyc subway construction projects

NYC Affordable Housing Primer

Get ready for our upcoming meetings.  The following links will give you a broad sense of the issues and what is at stake in the battle for affordable housing.

Zoning for Quality and Affordability

Mandatory Inclusionary Housing                        

City pushing mandatory affordable housing plan

‘Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning’: The Dullest, Most Important Phrase in New York

Is Rent Control Good Policy?

Yes to Housing in Our Backyards

The NY Times Is Wrong On Affordable Housing

Op-Ed: Preservation Can Contribute To Affordability

How NYC Can Solve Its Affordable Housing Crisis 

The U.S. Cities With the Highest Levels of Income Segregation

There is no such thing as a city that has run out of room

Unlocking the Apartment 'Warehouse'

Open the Door to an Inclusive NYC

Lego City

NYCHA 75th Anniversary Special [WPIX]  

Google: mandatory inclusionary zoning

Meeting: Wednesday October 28, 2015

First Fall 2015 Forum
Date: Wednesday October 28th, 2015
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM  
Place: Red Oak Apartments
           135 West 106th Street
           Between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues

           All Are Welcome.

Our Forums are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. For further information: call 917-338-6415 or email PWPolicyForum@gmail.com

Is Progress Being Made in Our State
A Report on the Legislative Achievements of the 2015 State Assembly

State Senator and ranking Dem. State Senate Housing Committee, Adriano Espaillat

It is sometimes easy to miss the real and significant achievements of our legislators in Albany. The business of government in a democracy is slow and tedious and not as fast paced and dramatic and as our 24 hour news cycle finds attractive. Senator Espaillat will outline the many achievements that the State of New York has made in the last year on such diverse issues as rent stabilization, 421a property tax relief, NYCHA maintenance funding, criminal justice reform for incarcerated minors, imposition of legally required procedures at colleges and universities to prosecute sexual assaults, among many other issues. It is important to look back at the legislative year and take an honest assessment of what has been achieved and what waits to be completed.

Preserving Community Health Care Systems in Manhattan
An Assessment on the Progress Made by Presbyterian Hospital with Community Leaders

State Senator Adriano Espaillat & City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez

This year the PW Policy Forum will explore the policies concerning the changing landscape presented to local hospitals, clinics, and doctors in the provision of health care. The Affordable Care Act has introduced many challenges and opportunities to extend the quality and reach of health care services. Hospital consolidations and closures place pressures on the remaining providers to pick up many new patients. Presbyterian Hospital has been challenged by these local leaders to begin to address these issues aggressively to preserve and improve local health care services.

October 14, 2015 Event Date and Location Change

To accommodate Mayor De Blasio's first town hall meeting on his successful efforts to reduce increases for rents in rent stabilized apartments that will be held on Wed. Oct 14th at 6:30 PM at Gregorio Luperon H. S. in Washington Heights.  Senator Espaillat and Councilman Rodriguez have graciously agreed to reschedule their appearance at the Policy Forum for Wednesday Oct. 28th at 6:30 PM.  For additional information see the NY Times article regarding Mayor De Blasio's event.
 
We hope you will join us at the Park West Policy Forum on Wednesday, October 28th from 6:30 pm - 9 pm at the Red Oak Apartments,  135 West 106th Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
 
Our keynote speaker is NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat who will give us a candid assessment of the 2015 session of the NYS Legislature, the accomplishments and the many things that wait to be accomplished.

Our second topic is the first in PW Policy Forum's exploration of the changing landscape of health care in New York City.  Senator Adriano Espaillat and NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez will address the state of the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital emergency room as outlined in Senator Espaillat's report on the inadequacies of that emergency room, and a report on the progress in reaching the goals set in that report. 

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday October 28th, please note the change in location for this event.  As always, please feel free to share this announcement with your friends and neighbors. 

First Fall 2015 Forum

First Fall 2015 Forum

Date Wednesday October 14th, 2015:
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Place: Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 225 W 99 St., corner of 99th Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side) All Are Welcome.  For further information: call (917) 338-6415 or email PWPolicyForum@gmail.com

Is Progress Being Made in Our State

A Report on the Legislative Achievements of the 2015 State Assembly

State Senator and ranking Dem. State Senate Housing Committee, Adriano Espaillat

It is sometimes easy to miss the real and significant achievements of our legislators in Albany. The business of government in a democracy is slow and tedious and not as fast paced and dramatic and as our 24 hour news cycle finds attractive. Senator Espaillat will outline the many achievements that the State of New York has made in the last year on such diverse issues as rent stabilization, 421a property tax relief, NYCHA maintenance funding, criminal justice reform for incarcerated minors, imposition of legally required procedures at colleges and universities to prosecute sexual assaults, among many other issues. It is important to look back at the legislative year and take an honest assessment of what has been achieved and what waits to be completed.

Preserving Community Health Care Systems in Manhattan

An Assessment on the Progress Made by Presbyterian Hospital with Community Leaders

State Senator AdrianoEspaillat & City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez

This year the PW Policy Forum will explore the policies concerning the changing landscape presented to local hospitals, clinics, and doctors in the provision of health care. The Affordable Care Act has introduced many challenges and opportunities to extend the quality and reach of health care services. Hospital consolidations and closures place pressures on the remaining providers to pick up many new patients. Presbyterian Hospital has been challenged by these local leaders to begin to address these issues aggressively to preserve and improve local health care services.

Primary Day: Thursday September 10, 2015

Some important web links for Primary Day.

BOENYC List of Candidates

Poll Site Locator

Poll Site List New York County

Table Finder

Where were you on July 13, 1977?

The Blackout of 1977 did it have to happen? 
Watch the PBS video at the link below.

 
PBS: American Experience: Blackout

For additional videos and archived news:

ABC News: July 14, 1977: Looters Ransack NYC Stores
ABC News Radio: WABC New York Blackout 7 13 1977
PIX11: The 1977 New York Blackout Anniversary: Looking back on the night that terrified Gotham
YouTube: NY77: The Coolest Year In Hell
Daily News: PAY DAY THE BLACKOUT, 1977
Slate The Eye: Was the 1977 New York City Blackout a Catalyst for Hip-Hop’s Growth?

Google: blackout+nyc+1977  

EVENT CANCELLATION: June 2015 Forum

 June 2015 Forum: The Night of the Two Chairmen

We are all following, with great interest, the unfolding events in Albany revolving around the extension of the New York City Rent Laws and 421a. Our two speakers Assemblymen O’Donnell and Wright are in the thick of the battle that has now forced the Assembly session into Sudden Death Overtime.  Consequently, both men regret that they cannot appear this Wednesday for the Forum Event because their involvement in negotiations and voting in Albany takes precedence.  I am sure, that as disappointed as we all are, we understand and appreciate their efforts as conscientious lawmakers. Fortunately they have gladly rescheduled for our September 24^th Forum, our first of the Fall Series.  So please accept our apologies and put Keith and Danny in your schedules for the September Forum.

RESCHEDULED:

Date Wednesday September 24th, 2015:

Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Next Meeting Date: Wednesday June 24, 2015

The Night of Two Chairmen

Reforming the New York State Prison System:

A Report on the Status of Reforms before the State Assembly

State Assembly Member and Chairman of the NYS Assembly Committee on Corrections, Danny O'Donnell

Renewing the Rent Stabilization and Section 412a:

A Report on the status of the debate on extending rent stabilization and 421a tax abatements before the State Assembly

State Assembly Member and Chairman of the NY Assembly Committee on Housing, Keith Wright

Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Saint Michaels Episcopal Church, corner of 99 Street and Amsterdam Avenue (in the heart of Manhattan’s  Upper West Side)  All Are Welcome.  

Our Forums are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month.   
For further information: call 917-338-6415 or email PWPolicyForum@gmail.com