To gain his approval for Northwell’s proposed hospital makeover (rendering above), Borough President Levine said the healthcare organization offered two new commitments: the creation of a local mental-health outpatient facility, and the convening of a community-focused “construction task force.” ( Rendering via Northwell Health) Boro Prez Levine Conditionally Approves $2-Billion Lenox Hill Hospital Expansion Borough President Mark Levine has conditionally endorsed Northwell Health’s $2-billion plan to overhaul the Upper East Side’s... News 17 May 2025 | 11:13
The recreation center, opened in 1908, has an outdoor pool that is home to a beloved Keith Haring mural. The Parks Dept. has promised to “preserve” the mural if the demolition goes through. ( Photo: Parks Dept. ) Parks Dept. Hopes to Use $51M to Demolish/Remake Rec. Center; Preservationists Infuriated The NYC Parks Department is one step closer to formalizing a plan to demolish the historic Tony Dapolito Recreation Center... Home 16 May 2025 | 07:57
Kayden Hern, who served as the poet laureate of Gov. Kahty Hochul’s administration, reciting a moving poem entitled “In My Mind” at an April 25 ribbon-cutting event for the new Davis Center. ( Photo: Patricia Burmicky) ‘A Restoration’: $160 Million Davis Center Opens at Harlem Meer The Davis Center, a remarkable multi-use recreational space positioned next to the Harlem Meer, is officially accepting visitors.... News 28 Apr 2025 | 05:32
The Queer Urban Orchestra, one of the only dedicated ensembles of its kind in the US, will be putting on a notable performance at the St. Paul & St. Andrew Church on May 10. ( Photo: courtesy Queer Urban Orchestra ) The Queer Urban Orchestra Has Created a Safe Space for Remarkable NYC Musicians If you’re looking for an evening of enriching musical entertainment, you couldn’t possibly do better than attending a performance... News 26 Apr 2025 | 06:14
Local advocates rallied at City Hall on April 8 to demand greater transparency around arts education funding. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Advocates Urge City to Spend More on Arts Ed. for Public Schools, as Cuts Loom Local arts advocates hosted educators and students at an April 8 rally on the steps of Manhattan’s City Hall, in order to... Home 18 Apr 2025 | 07:32
Car-Free Earth Day will be held on April 26, the NYC Department of Transportation announced, formally kicking off 2025’s “Open Streets” programming. ( Photo: NYC DOT ) ‘Car-Free Earth Day’ to Kick Off Open Streets Across Manhattan The NYC Department of Transportation will kick off its Open Streets season on April 26, for its ninth annual Car-Free Earth... News 04 Apr 2025 | 01:53
A judge on Feb. 24 lifted a restraining order that temporarily blocked Mount Sinai from closing Beth Israel Hospital, which has served patients in downtown Manhattan since the 1800s. Community advocates quickly succeeded in getting an appeals court to reimpose a temporary stay, teeing up more legal wrangling. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Appeal Halts Beth Israel Closure After Lower Court Ok’d It An appeals-court ruling has once again halted Mount Sinai’s plan to close Beth Israel Hospital, this time only days before... News 03 Mar 2025 | 12:26
City Councilmember Gale Brewer has released a map of 65 faulty streetlights in her district. A few of the 65 were outright missing. The data was gathered in a volunteer survey. ( Photo: Gale Brewer) Volunteers Identify 65 Faulty or Missing UWS Streetlights Volunteers working on behalf of City Councilmember Gale Brewer have identified 65 nonfunctional streetlights on the Upper... Home 25 Feb 2025 | 03:17
The NYC Parks Department has maintained that it must demolish the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, pictured above, because of structural issues. The agency said it will reconstitute its outdoor pool and save the Keith Haring mural. ( Photo: Village Preservation ) Parks Dept.: We Must Demolish Tony Dapolito Rec. Center, but Will Rebuild the Pool & Mural It appears that the Parks Department has not budged on its plan to demolish the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center,... News 17 Feb 2025 | 12:18
The Ritz Bar pictured in 2024. A group of men—three of whom were just convicted—targeted patrons for robbery there in 2022, killing one. ( Photo: Google Maps ) Three Men Convicted for Robberies of Local Gay Bar Patrons That Left 2 Dead Three men—Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert Demaio, and Jacob Barroso—have been convicted by a jury for drugging and robbing gay bar... News 14 Feb 2025 | 06:31
Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and her fellow Aging Committee members listening to a report from Greg Olsen, Acting Director of the NYS Office for the Aging, on Feb. 4. ( Photo: Courtesy of Rebecca Seawright) Rebecca Seawright Vows to Serve Seniors As New State Assembly Aging Chair Upper East Side State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright became the chair of that body’s Aging Committee last month, a role... News 14 Feb 2025 | 10:43
Anthony Saccavino, 59, pictured addressing the FDNY before he actively retired. He’s pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges stemming from his time heading the Bureau of Fire Prevention. ( Photo: FDNY/Flickr ) Former FDNY Chief Pleads Guilty to Fed Bribery Charges A former high-ranking FDNY official, Anthony Saccavino, has pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges stemming from a pay-to-play... News 10 Feb 2025 | 03:46
Applications are now being accepted for a DOT program that will allow delivery drivers–such as the one pictured above–to trade in unregulated e-bikes for safe, UL-approved ones. ( Photo: Department of Transportation ) DOT Begins Rollout of $2 Million E-Bike Trade-In Program for Delivery Workers The DOT has begun accepting applications for an e-bike swap program open to delivery workers, as part of the Adams administration’s... News 28 Jan 2025 | 05:44
Reverend Amanda Ashcraft, of Middle Collegiate Church, condemned President Donald Trump’s directive to allow ICE to conducting sweeps at houses of worship. Such raids had previously been barred by executive order. ( Photo: Jack Ahern ) Faith Leaders Vow to Maintain Sanctuary For Undocumented New Yorkers A group of faith leaders & local NYC politicians gathered at a church in the East Village and promised to provide sanctuary... News 24 Jan 2025 | 11:03
Mt. Sinai sold two properties–317 and 321 E. 17th St.–around the corner from Beth Israel Hospital on First Ave. for $34 million on Dec. 16, 2024, city records reveal. Pictured above: 317 E. 17th St. ( Photo: Google Maps ) Mt. Sinai Sells Two Properties Near Beth Israel For Combined $34 Million Mt. Sinai–which is trying to lift a restraining order preventing it from closing Beth Israel Hospital on E. 16th St.–has... News 07 Jan 2025 | 09:05
Road War: NYPD Now Handing Out Criminal Summonses to Bikers for Traffic Violations