April 27th - May 2nd, 2007

Park Approved for Peck Slip

May 2^nd: The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved a design for a park at Peck Slip, the Tribeca Trib reported. The final approval marks the completion of what the Trib describes as a delicate compromise between residents who argued for a green park and others who advocated for a stone "piazza" design.

The park will be constructed in the portion of the slip that is currently used for parking, running from Water to South Streets. The redesign calls for a slightly boat-shaped plaza with a small pool of water at the plaza's "prow," according to the report. The opposition to planting additional greenery in the park has left the redesign with no grass at all, which has sparked criticism by some.

New Nine-Story Condo Planned for Tribeca Parking Lots

May 2^nd: A year after the idea to convert two Tribeca parking lots into residential space was introduced to Community Board 1's Tribeca Committee, developer David Moore is planning to build a nine-story residential building on the corner of West Broadway and North Moore Street, according to a report in the Tribeca Trib. The building will contain only one apartment per floor up to the sixth floor, with a three-story penthouse taking up the remaining top floors.

Because the site falls within an area of Tribeca that is still zoned for manufacturing use, Moore will first have to go before the city's Board of Standards and Appeals to request a residential variance, according to the Trib's report. In order to do this, the developer must demonstrate that the lot presents a hardship under its current zoning.

Signs of Progress Clear at World Trade Center Site

April 30^th: One year after a new development deal was reached by developer Larry Silverstein and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, construction at Ground Zero is well underway, the Associated Press reported. After months of back-and-forth battling over logistics, finances, and timetables, the steel columns of the Freedom Tower -- the largest of the five new buildings -- now peek above street level.

Construction was stalled due to disagreements between Silverstein and the Port Authority over the lease he signed shortly before the towers were destroyed. Though Silverstein had the rights to build five office towers to replace the destroyed complex, the Port Authority argued that he did not have the funds to complete the projects in the necessary time frame.

New York Water Taxi Sets Sail

April 30^th: New York Water Taxi hosted its inaugural run of direct ferry service between Yonkers and Lower Manhattan this week, the New York Sun reported. The ferry will run directly from Yonkers to the World Financial Center's Battery Park City Terminal. Free trips are currently being offered to all first-time riders.

75 Wall Street to House Luxury Residences

April 27^th:   According to a report in Hotel News Resource, the Haikimian Group has revealed details regarding its 75 Wall Street luxury condominium. The building reportedly towers some 42 stories above Lower Manhattan and acts as a "modern-day gateway to New York's famed financial district," as the report put it.

The building, which was originally home to JP Morgan Chase's former downtown headquarters, will now be used for a mix of luxury residences and hotel condominiums. Once the project is completed next year, 75 Wall Street will be the largest residential and multi-use project south of Canal Street with 50 residential condos and 250 hotel suits.

Residents will be able to enjoy various luxuries compliments of the building's integrated hotel services as well as various indoor and outdoor lifestyle amenities on its 42^nd-floor roof deck. Features include a solarium and lounge, sandy "beach," hot tub, hammocks, barbeque grills, and indoor/outdoor fireplaces, according to the report in Hotel News Resource. Occupancy is scheduled for summer 2008.