Tunnel run memory
Runners come out of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel last Sunday to honor firefighter Stephen Siller in the annual “Tunnel to Tower” 5K fundraising run. Siller, one of the 343 firemen killed on Sept. 11, 2001, ran through the tunnel that morning on his way to help people evacuate the Twin Towers.
Free boat rides
Children will get a chance to ride boats for free Sunday.
Six New York City sailing organizations are presenting Kids Day in New York Harbor on Oct. 3. Children and accompanying adults can take a boat ride into New York Harbor, choosing among four participating boats. Vessels range from Lil Toot, a 20-person baby tugboat, to the John J. Harvey, a 60-person fireboat.
Departure locations are at North Cove in Battery Park City and Piers 62 and 63 near W. 23rd St. Times vary, depending on the boat. The earliest departure time is 9 a.m., and the final ride begins at 3:30 p.m. Ride times also vary from 45 minutes to two hours. Each boat will leave from its pier, cruise into New York Harbor and return.
Kids Day will also host a free barbecue at the River Project on Pier 26 at North Moore St. from noon to 3 p.m.
To sign up for the event and for more information, visit www.projectcitykids.com. Onsite registration may be available if space permits.
Councilmember Alan Gerson secured a block grant for Kids Day and another free program, the Omega Teen Sailing Program 2004. The Manhattan Sailing Club is involved in both programs. Project City Kids, New York Harbor Sailing Foundation, the River Project, the Historic Sailing Yacht Ventura, the Adirondack and the John J. Harvey are all participating.
Moss loses committee race
In what some are calling a major upset, Democratic State Committeeman Larry Moss of Soho was unseated as chairperson of the State Committee’s Reform Caucus by Sylvia Friedman of Gramercy by a vote of 27-11.
Moss who is openly gay, has championed the cause of gay marriage. According to a source, of four openly gay and lesbian members who were known to have voted, two backed Friedman, one backed Moss and one abstained. Moss served three two-year terms as Reform Caucus chairperson.
Several sources said Moss’ leadership style rubbed committee members the wrong way.
The committee sets state policy for the Democratic Party.
Moss was made Issues vice chairperson of the Reform Caucus.
Law school continuance
New York Law School has shelved its plans to move its school to 15 Broad St. and the historic J.P. Morgan building at 23 Wall St., to which it hoped to add several additional stories.
Following more than a year of negotiations, it is back to the drawing board for the school, which currently owns and occupies four Worth St. buildings in Tribeca and an adjacent parking lot, but lacks dorm space for its 1,500 students.
“It is time for us to find better options,” said Richard A. Matasar, dean of the law school. “I just don’t know how that will turn out.” Matasar said the school was considering moving to a different office space, building a new school on a different property, or staying at Worth St. and expanding into the adjacent parking lot..
Owner Shaya Boymelgreen still has plans for the World War I landmark building on Wall St., which is not suitable for a residential conversion because of its lack of windows and layout.
“We have plans for the building that are undisclosed at this time,” said Bassie Deitsch, a spokesperson for Boymelgreen. The Brooklyn-based developer has no plans to build an addition at his 15 Broad St. tower, which has been converted into Philippe Starck-designed residential condos.
The law school hopes to have a decision for its school by the end of the year, which, according to Matasar, can afford to move or expand. “This is a fast changing market for all of us,” he said. “That’s one of the great things about New York real estate.”
C.B. 1 meetings
The upcoming week’s schedule of Community Board 1 committee meetings is below. Unless otherwise noted, all committee meetings will be held at 6 p.m.
On Tues., Oct. 5 the Battery Park City committee will meet at the Battery Park City Authority offices, One World Financial Center, 24th Floor to give an update regarding the proposed development for Battery Park City.
On Wed., Oct. 6 the waterfront committee will meet at the Department of City Planning, 22 Reade St., Spector Hall for a presentation of the East River Waterfront Plan.
On Thurs., Oct. 7 the Tribeca committee will meet at the board office located at 49 Chambers St., Room 709 for a presentation about the Tribeca Theater Festival; for a presentation about the ADA upgrade of the Chambers Street/West Broadway subway entrance; and to draft a resolution regarding a liquor license application for North River Tavern.
WWW Downtown Express
