More friends for Hudson River Park
On Monday, Friends of Hudson River Park announced six new members to its board of directors.
“We are proud to add such a variety of strong non-profit, real estate and financial management experts to our already impressive board,” said A. J. Pietrantone, executive director for the organization. “As we sharpen our focus on the Park’s long-term financial stability, the ongoing support of our leadership team will be critical to ensuring future success and sustainability.”
The new appointees include Deborra-lee Jackman, entertainment professional and philanthropist; Scott Lawin, managing director and chief operating officer, Moore Capital Management, LP; Mitchell Rudin, president and chief executive officer, U.S. commercial operations for Brookfield Properties; Diana Taylor, managing director, Wolfensohn Fund Management, LP, and chair, Hudson River Park Trust; Alexandra Tosi, executive director, Gilbert Tweed Associates; and Paul Ullman, principal, Asset Based Lending, LLC, and board member, Hudson River Park Trust.
“We’re thrilled to be working alongside these new members and the entire Board of the Friends to ensure the future growth of the Park,” said Madelyn Wils, president and CEO of Hudson River Park Trust. “Their active participation is a key component of completing the transformation of one of New York’s great open spaces.”
Friends of Hudson River Park is a not-for-profit charged with ensuring the completion, care and enhancement of Hudson River Park. The organization works in partnership with the Hudson River Park Trust.
Squadron’s annual community convention
New York State Senator Daniel Squadron will be hosting his annual 25th Senate District community convention on Sun., April 22. Last year Squadron held the convention in Brooklyn, but this year it will be held in Lower Manhattan at the High School of Economics and Finance, located at 100 Trinity Place (between Cedar Street and Thames Street).
Sen. Squadron has arranged for MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhotato to deliver a keynote address. Lhotato will share his thoughts on NYC’s transit system and ways that riders can become involved to help the system better serve their needs now and in the future.
Last year’s community convention resulted in over 250 community members sharing their thoughts on everything from school overcrowding to tenants rights. Sen. Squadron uses the forum to solicit ideas from residents in his district and carries their concerns to the Senate floor in Albany.
To RSVP for this year’s convention, call 212-298-5565 or send an email to squadron@nysenate.gov.
Appellate Court favors Gluck in I.P.N. case
Tenants at Independence Plaza received bad news last Tuesday when a state Appellate Court ruled in favor of the Tribeca apartment building’s developer, Laurence Gluck. The ruling upheld a decision by a federal court judge almost year ago, that said Gluck did not break the law when he deregulated the building and removed it from the Mitchell- Llama, rent stabilized housing program in 2004 while simultaneously receiving J-51 tax credits.
The tenants association thought they had won the battle against Stellar Management, the company where Gluck serves as CEO, when in August 2010 a state Supreme Court judge ruled that the 1,328 units had been illegally deregulated.
However Gluck appealed that ruling on the basis that the city Department of Finance was responsible for the mistake that led to the J-51 tax credits being issued after the building had been removed from the Mitchell-Llama program. Gluck repaid the amount resulting from the J-51 tax credits, including interest, dating back to June 2004.
Seth Miller, the attorney representing I.P.N.’s tenant association said last Tuesday that he would file an appeal.
“It’s a setback,” said Miller, “but we’re hoping it’s only a temporary setback. We’re disappointed with the ruling, but we will make a request for permission to do a further appeal.”
Miller has roughly 30 days to file the paperwork and begin the appeal process.
Holiday Inn announces tall order
Lower Manhattan’s skyline is growing everyday and will soon host the city’s largest skyscraper, One World Trade Center. However on Monday, the value-oriented, brand hotel chain, Holiday Inn, announced plans to build its tallest building ever.
The 50-story, 400-room hotel will be located at 99 Washington Street and will be designed by architect Gene Kaufman. Once completed, it will be the world’s tallest Holiday Inn. It’s slated to open in October 2012.
