February 4th - February 8th, 2008

Buildings Department Announced Tougher Construction Rules

February 4- The Buildings Department announced tough new rules in an attempt to make construction sites safer. The regulations require general contractors and concrete operators to register with the city. Also, special safety managers would be required at more construction sites. Patricia J. Lancaster, Buildings Department Commissioner, said," Registration will enable us to better ensure that operations are code compliant, that safety violations are attended to and fines paid, and that recalcitrant actors come into compliance before registration is renewed. The new regulations come after a construction worker fell 42 stories to his death last month. According to the NY Times, the death was the third since 2006 related to concrete operations on a high-rise construction site.

The Sports Museum of America Expands Before it Opens

February 4 -The Sports Museum of America, the City's first major sports museum, is expanding even before it opens. Crains NY Business reports the Museum signed a lease to add 10,000 square feet to its space at 26 Broadway at the corner of Beaver Street.  That's in addition to the 90,000 square feet it's taking on the first two floor of the building. The additional space on the 9^th floor will be used for offices. The museum will be the new home of the Heisman Trophy. It will house thousands of pictures and sports memorabilia. There will also be interactive exhibits.

Newsweek to Shift its Headquarters Downtown

February 7- A major publishing company has plans to move from midtown to Downtown. According to the New York Observer, Newsweek magazine has leased 200,000 square feet at 100 Church Street, making it the first major publisher to shift its headquarters to Lower Manhattan. The report says traditionally national media organizations have made Midtown their home. The Observer says downtown rents, which are substantially lower than rents in Midtown, was a factor in the deal. Last week, Rupert Murdoch announced he intends to move the Wall Street Journal from the World Financial Center to his offices in Midtown.

Future Plans for Fiterman Include Cafe

February 8 - Once Fiterman Hall is demolished and the new building is built, CUNY says it may put a café on the ground floor. Spokesman Michael Arena told The Downtown Express a café is in the works and it would be open to students and the public. CUNY will be making a design presentation to Community Board 1 on Monday on the entire Fiterman project.