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Where Have You Gone, Andy Byford? Penn Station Turns Its Lonely Eyes to You

1 day ago | otdowntown.com | Michael Oreskes

It is coming on two years since Andy Byford, the much-loved "Train Daddy" of New York City Transit, touted the "golden opportunity" to not just rebuild Penn Station but revamp the chaos of how trains move in and out of it. Byford stressed back then that he was speaking from his (considerable) experience as a transit operator and not on behalf of his current employer, Amtrak, which happens to own Penn Station. But if asked, Byford said, he would be happy to have a look at the situation.
NYPD Now Handing Out Criminal Fines to Bikers for Traffic Violations

4 days ago | otdowntown.com | Keith Kelly

The NYPD has quietly begun to write criminal violations, as oppossed to traffic tickets, for e-bikers and pedal bikers alike that it catches violating traffic regulations such as running red lights and driving the wrong way down one way streets and on sidewalks. The move is sure to be applauded by pedestrians who have been complaining to community boards, city council members and at NYPD's monthly community council meetings for years.
Andy Byford to the Rescue?

5 days ago | otdowntown.com | Michael Oreskes

It is coming on two years since Andy Byford, the much-loved "Train Daddy" of New York City Transit, touted the "golden opportunity" to not just rebuild Penn Station but revamp the chaos of how trains move in and out of it. Byford stressed back then that he was speaking from his (considerable) experience as a transit operator and not on behalf of his current employer, Amtrak, which happens to own Penn Station. But if asked, Byford said, he would be happy to have a look at the situation.
32,000+ Cyclists Use Pedal Power (Mostly) in 5 Boro Bike Tour

1 week ago | otdowntown.com | Brian Berger

More than 32,000 cyclists gleefully traversed 40-odd miles of New York City, from the Tribeca to St. George, Staten Island, during the 42nd Annual TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday May 4. Weather for the event was decent, with overcast skies keeping temperatures in the mid-60s but no rain and little wind.
Sikhs & Persians Proudly Parade in Midtown

1 week ago | otdowntown.com | Brian Berger

It's one thing to extol diversity from a distance-lots of people, especially politicians, do that. But it's quite another to actually embrace diversity in the streets, particularly when the press isn't paying much attention, as was recently the case with two of Manhattan's most colorful yet lesser-known parades. On Saturday April 26, thousands of brightly clad celebrants came to Madison Avenue for the 37th annual Sikh Day Parade.
Adams Unveils $115.1 Billion Budget, Adds Funds for Police and Fifth Ave of Future Plan

1 week ago | otdowntown.com | Keith Kelly

Mayor Eric Adams released his final budget proposal for next year, on May 1, calling for more money for police, education and housing while predicting that the city's tax coffers would slow to one percent in the coming fiscal year. "This budget is a testament to our commitment to making New York City safer, more affordable, and the best place to raise a family," Adams said.
Bicyclist Run Over by Tequila Truck in SOHO Dies

1 week ago | otdowntown.com | Keith Kelly

A bicyclist was struck and killed in Soho on May 1 when he fell from his bike and was struck by the rear wheels of a tequila delivery truck on Broome St.An accident video viewed by Straus News showed the driver of a parked car opened his door into traffic and the biker, unable to stop, collided with the door and rolled a short distance away where he was subsequently struck by the rear wheels of a tequila delivery truck.
Wegmans Gets an UWS Sibling; Menin Gets a UES Competitor

2 weeks ago | otdowntown.com | Arlene Kayatt

Hard to imagine that there would be any real surprises coming out of the local City Council District 4 and 5 races. But there was. In the District 4 race to succeed Keith Powers, the six candidates-Vanessa Aronson, Faith Bondy, Lukas Florczak, Virginia Maloney, Rachel Storch, Ben Wetzler-were amazingly collegial. No nastiness. No allegations. No petition challenges, which means that all candidates will be on the June 24 primary ballot. Ready to be ranked.
Beloved Harlem Grandma Momma Zee Killed in Crossfire

2 weeks ago | otdowntown.com | Keith Kelly

A beloved grandmother and community figure was gunned down on a Harlem street when she went to investigate the source of a commotion outside of her apartment on Lenox Ave. and was caught in the crossfire between two men. A memorial of candles and flowers was growing outside the home of the victim, Excenia Mette, 61, who was one of the first black woman to open a bodega in Harlem in the 1980s.
Workers Told June 20 Will Be Last Day at Roosevelt Hotel; Bids to Buy Starting to Roll In

2 weeks ago | otdowntown.com | Keith Kelly

The Roosevelt Hotel has already announced plans to lay off nearly 100 employees in mid-June as the city no longer needs what was called "the new Ellis Island" during the height on the migrant crisis. The Pakistan government which has owned the 101-year-old hotel for over a decade, have begun to solicit bids for what is expected to be a tear down and rebuild a new supertall tower on the site.