This is our monthly recap of recent NYC news you might have missed during the last few weeks. As usual, our list is heavy on real estate and gentrification, food, shopping, plus other tidbits. We identify our sources, too. No spins, no leaks, no lies, no fake news here.
How Low Can You Go – The NYPD reports major crime in NYC is the lowest since the 1950s. The number of murders in New York City this year is still on track to land below 300, along with substantial drops in felony assaults, burglaries, robberies and car thefts. According to the NYPD, there have been 284 homicides in the five boroughs this year through Christmas Eve, compared with 329 for the same period in 2016. That’s a 13.7 percent decrease, and a far cry from the early ’90s, when the city suffered through more than 2,000 murders a year. (New York Post)
Goodbye, Trump – Say hello to The Dominick, the independent hotel formerly known as the Trump SoHo New York, under new management not named Trump. As the only Five-Diamond property in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, the 46-story, 391-room hotel offers both luxury accommodations and sweeping views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, along with a world-class spa, outdoor pool, three food and beverage venues, and banquet and event space, The Dominick, at 246 Spring St., joins only two other premier hotels in New York City that have been accepted into membership of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection.
Just Do It – Niketown has decided to run away from its lease with the Trump-owned building on 57th St. between Fifth and Madison and do a marathon sprint to a new location a few blocks downtown on Fifth Avenue. The decision to bail, with five years left on the lease, may or may not have anyting to do with politics, but it does have everything to do with foot traffic,, which has been hampered by Niketown’s proximity to Trump Tower. (Crain’s)
- The Niketown location used to be the location of Bonwit Teller, the high-end department store Trump tore down in 1980, during construction of Trump Tower, which adjoins the site. It was a controversial tear-down, since Trump destroyed the widely-regarded Art Deco facade. Read the New York Times “obituary” of Bonwit Teller.
Artless – The Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, a temple of the art house movie scene in New York for 30 years, is at the end of its lease and is scheduled to close in January. It’s just the latest death in the art house movie theater family. Boo to the landlord, Milstein Properties, which is now free to turn this basement space in a high-rise residential building into a gym or speakeasy, or something more suitable to the neighborhood. But what’s more suitable in Lincoln Center than an art house movie theater? (Deadline Hollywood)
No More Charity – Donald J. Trump’s charitable foundation is shutting down, in the wake of a lawsuit by the NYState Attorney-General. The Charities Division watchdog division accuses the foundation of violating a rule against “self-dealing”, which bars nonprofit leaders from funneling their charity’s money to themselves, their businesses or their families. However, the foundation cannot legally dissolve until the A-G finishes the investigation (NBC News)
No More Food Carts -As one of her last gasps before leaving office, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was unable to push through legislation to increase the number of permits for sidewalk cooking carts by 600 over the next seven years. Despite being an excellent job source for immigrants, and a launch pad for budding entrepeneurs, sources said a lobbying campaign by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office, the restaurant industry, the Real Estate Board of New York and numerous business improvement districts persuaded a majority of the Committee on Consumer Affairs to oppose the legislation. (Crain’s)
Sun Power – NYC has signed a contract with Progress Solar Solutions to replace 530 diesel-powered light towers with solar-electric ones. The mobile equipment is used to illuminate events and aid law enforcement. The newer towers are supposed to have zero emissions, as well as be easier to use and quieter. (NY Daily News)
SEE ALSO NYC News You May Have Missed in November.
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