The Alliance for Downtown New York is installing three new pieces by New York City native Richard Pasquarelli as part of the organization’s successful Re:Construction public art program that turns construction sites into urban canvases, the first of which was unveiled this week.

“Now Lower Manhattan’s 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and six million annual visitors can enjoy the fantastic work of Richard Pasquarelli as part of our program to recast construction sites as canvases for innovative public art and architecture,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Downtown Alliance. “Think of Re:Construction as an intervention to create a cheerful and welcoming environment in the midst of an urban renewal. We’re so pleased to have Richard onboard.”

Re:Construction is a public art program produced by the Downtown Alliance and funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. Engaging, thoughtful and whimsical, the temporary artworks are creating colorful landmarks and brightened streetscapes as they help mitigate the impact of Downtown’s numerous building projects. The program began in 2007 and has produced 16 pieces, seven of which are up for viewing. BravinLee programs consulted on the three new installments for the Downtown Alliance.

“The project’s three masterful designs create an]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=325 Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=325 The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners today ratified a series of agreements to ensure full restoration of the entire World Trade Center site. Alliance for Downtown New York Chairman Robert R. Douglass and President Elizabeth H. Berger issued the following statement on the Board’s authorization:

“This is fantastic news for Lower Manhattan, the city and the nation. With full financing of the site’s office towers solidified, completion of Towers 2, 3 and 4 is now ensured. The Memorial is set to open by the 10th anniversary of the attacks and the World Trade Center has already emerged as an attractive place to do business for top international companies. Recent deals signed by the Daily News, American Media and Healthfirst are proof positive that Lower Manhattan is the city’s hottest business address. Today’s vote will create an even bigger reason for local, national and international companies to move Downtown. We applaud the Port Authority, Silverstein Properties, Governor Paterson, Governor Christie, Speaker Silver and Mayor Bloomberg for today’s important achievement.”

“Downtown had a blockbuster month of leasing, topping the five-year monthly average by 63%,” CBRE says in its MarketView Downtown Manhattan Snapshot for August 2010. The report analyzes commercial real estate market activity in Manhattan in July. The report also notes:

• July was the first time that Downtown outperformed its five-year monthly leasing average since August 2009.
• Downtown produced the most substantial positive absorption in a single month since January 2008 and experienced the largest one-month decline in availability rate since April 2007.
• The average asking rent edged up during the month, due to the leasing of lower-priced space.
• Downtown activity remained ahead of 2009 levels, although it continued to lag 2008 leasing by about 8 percent for the year to date.
• Activity levels exceeded the month’s historical leasing average, even without HealthFirst’s deal at 100 Church Street.

As the Alliance for Downtown New York noted in a report last month, year-to-date leasing activity south of Chambers Street jumped 28 percent from 2009 to approximately 1.4 million square feet]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=321 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:05:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=321 The River To River Festival, New York City’s largest free summer arts program, concludes its free movie nights on the Elevated Acre series tonight with the 1984 classic, The Muppets Take Manhattan. The Alliance for Downtown New York is serving as the series’ presenting partner for the first time.

“With summer river breezes at sunset, sweeping views of the East River bridges and New York Harbor and a unique vantage point, the Elevated Acre could be the best place to watch a movie in Manhattan, said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “And I can’t think of a better finale to the season than The Muppets Take Manhattan. The music is beautiful and timeless, and it’s a true New York City classic for all ages.”

Frank Oz directs this 1984 ode to Broadway in which the Muppets travel to New York intent on finding a producer for their musical, Manhattan Melodies. It will be preceded by a short film by Jay Hufford.

Showtime is at 8 PM, though you can pick up free tickets - distributed two per person - at the street-level Water Street entrance to the Elevated Acre on a first-come, first-served basis starting]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=323 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=323 For one night last September in New York City (and 12 other cities around the world), designers, celebrities, models and fashion editors participated in exciting, one-of-a-kind events in stores open to the public after hours. Customers relished the street-party atmosphere, while retailers saw a surge of new shoppers and increased sales.

Fashion’s Night Out returns to New York City on Friday, September 10, from 6 to 11 PM.

Last year, more than 800 participating stores across the five boroughs feted thousands of shoppers who supported the fashion and retail industries—and this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better. Fashion’s Night Out is a collaboration among American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York.

Throughout the months leading up to the big night, visit www.fashionsnightout.com, where you can sign up for updates and stay informed.

Among this year’s participants are a number of Downtown New York establishments, including:

Banana Republic, 3 WFC: Join us for a celebration of style. Shop the newest arrivals and receive shopping incentives full-priced merchandise all night long. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, while supplies last. One night only – only at select Banana Republic NYC stores.]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=322 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=322 Alliance for Downtown New York President Elizabeth H. Berger today issued the following statement after the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that underpinning for the Corbin Building and the foundation for the Fulton Street Transit Center Building are complete, marking a major milestone in the $1.4 billion project.

“Once completed, the Fulton Transit Center will be a world-class transit hub serving a world-class central business district. And it’s just one piece of the amazing transformation we’re experiencing in Lower Manhattan. From real progress at the World Trade Center site to the upcoming openings of the East River Waterfront Esplanade and Frank Gehry’s Beekman Tower, the district will continue to meet the demands of its 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and more than six million annual visitors and remain a destination of choice for the city’s premier commercial and retail tenants. Thanks to MTA Chairman Jay Walder and his Capital Construction team for their steadfast commitment to this project.”

The Transit Center will connect five subway stations, ten subway lines and the PATH train, improving access for more than 300,000 daily customers. The overall project, funded primarily with federal funds, remains on schedule and will be completed in 2014. You can learn more about]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=320 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=320 Alliance for Downtown New York President Elizabeth H. Berger issued the following statement today after New York State Governor David A. Paterson signed an extension of the Lower Manhattan Energy Program through 2013 into law:

"The Alliance for Downtown New York applauds the passage of the Lower Manhattan Energy Program extension [A.11041/S.7327] that will provide low-cost energy benefits to 1,456 Lower Manhattan businesses. These substantial savings reduce the overall cost of doing business in Lower Manhattan, making office space more competitive with job centers in New Jersey and other suburban districts—especially critical to New York City following a recession. Thanks to Speaker Silver, Senator Padavan, Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson for helping to ensure that Lower Manhattan remains a 24/7 world-class business district and destination of choice for prospective tenants.”

The Alliance for Downtown New York today welcomed the city’s first “pop-up café”—an innovative, temporary new curbside seating platform—to Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan. While anyone can enjoy the space, the platform was installed by adjacent restaurants Fika and Bombay’s, which will maintain and remove the platform later this year at their own expense. The program’s effectiveness will be evaluated to help determine if similar spaces should be created elsewhere in the city.

“As we know from the success of Stone Street, the addition of outdoor seating creates an exciting new destination for Downtown’s 300,000 workers, 55,000 residents and six million annual visitors,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “The Department of Transportation’s new pop-up café platform is an especially creative way to add seating along a street with narrow sidewalks. We hope everyone will come enjoy this great new addition to the neighborhood.”

Thursday, Downtown Alliance Senior Vice President for Planning and Economic Development Nicole LaRusso joined DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz and Community Board 1 Financial District Chairman Ro Sheffe at a news conference to officially unveil the space. Also making an appearance was cycling enthusiast]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=317 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=317

The River To River Festival, New York City’s largest free summer arts program, continues its free movie nights on the Elevated Acre series this Thursday with the Oscar-winning 1954 classic, The Country Girl. The Alliance for Downtown New York is serving as the series’ presenting partner for the first time.

“With summer river breezes at sunset, sweeping views of the East River bridges and New York Harbor and a unique vantage point, the Elevated Acre could be the best place to watch a movie in Manhattan, said Elizabeth H. Berger, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “This August we have a fantastic lineup of NYC classics for all ages, with everything from Woody Allen to the Muppets to Grace Kelly. So grab a blanket and a boxed dinner and come down to Water Street!”

All show times are 8 PM. Adapted from the Clifford Odets play and starring Grace Kelly, William Holden and Bing Crosby in his greatest performance, The Country Girl tells the story of an alcoholic has-been Broadway actor struggling with the one last chance he's been given to resurrect his career. It will be preceded by short films by Alexandra Lerman.

Free tickets]]> http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=316 Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:05:00 +0000 http://www.downtownny.com/news/?nid=316

The Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. took part in last night’s 1st Precinct National Night Out event in Battery Park City. The event was cosponsored by the 1st Precinct Community Council.

National Night Out is an opportunity for members of the community to meet with local law enforcement officers and elected officials. Many local community organizations – including the Downtown Alliance – offer material on their events and programming.

You can view photos of the event at the Downtown Alliance’s Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/downtownny/sets/72157624527814539/.