Ziggy, by design studio Hou de Sousa, was installed in early October.
Public Design Installation “Ziggy” Adds Colorful New Perspective To Water Street Plaza
Downtown Alliance-Hosted Installation Now On View For Pedestrians
Ziggy, the Downtown Alliance’s newest public art installation, is now on view at 200 Water Street, where it is already delighting Lower Manhattan’s pedestrians and adding a touch of color and a fresh perspective to the neighborhood.
Created by design studio Hou de Sousa, Ziggy uses cords tied to a steel structure illuminated by colorful lights to create exciting views of the surrounding landscape. The installation welcomes visitors from all angles and simultaneously frames views of the surrounding context. The structural footprint features several “gateways” that are designed to serve as benches. The linear elements that define Ziggy’s volume and form are lightweight, visually transparent, and impervious to wind. As pedestrians enjoy the colorful display, they can see their surroundings from a new perspective.
Barclay and Isabella
“Ziggy is a bright, inviting addition to the Lower Manhattan landscape,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “It adds a touch of whimsy to the neighborhood and invites pedestrians to interact from a safe distance. As we spend more time outdoors and in open public spaces, installations like Ziggy help us reimagine how to use our space and make it fun.”
The studio describes Ziggy as “a kaleidoscopic spark of joy for our fellow New Yorkers. Showing the project Downtown is a dream come true.”
Pedestrians scope out Ziggy at night.
About the Alliance for Downtown New York The mission of the Alliance for Downtown New York is to provide service, advocacy, research, and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st century Central Business District for businesses, residents, and visitors. The Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID), serving an area roughly from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street. For more information visit downtownny.com
Downtown Alliance Opens Pearl Street As Part of City-Wide Open Streets
Beginning on Saturday, May 23, the Alliance for Downtown New York, the nonprofit business improvement district for Lower Manhattan, is partnering with the Department of Transportation to bring the Open Streets Program to an eight-block stretch of Pearl Street, between Cedar and State Streets from 11a-3p ET.
“As the city moves forward with the recovery, we need to ensure that people feel more comfortable in public places,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “We hope these first measures will help our neighbors make good use of this reclaimed roadway.”
Per the organization’s proposal to participate in this citywide program, the Alliance Operations team will place and remove temporary barricades along the stretch of road to designate the protected area as restricted to traffic. DOT will also provide signage that explains social distancing requirements and requests slower vehicular travel speeds. This effort is part of a City-wide program to make a total of 100 miles of roadway available for public use in the warmer weather. Pedestrians and bicyclists using the roadbed along Pearl Street must maintain social distancing of at least six feet and wear a face-covering in public.
No through traffic will be permitted while Open Streets are in effect. Vehicle traffic will be limited to local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service vehicles, utility vehicles, and emergency vehicles only. When Alternate Side Parking regulations are in effect, drivers must move their vehicles from the street and may return when ASP is over. These drivers and cyclists are advised to be extremely cautious and to drive 5 MPH or slower.
NOW OPEN- MORE DOWNTOWN DELICIOUSNESS MADE TO ORDER
La Parisienne
Diversify your home dining experiences by supporting the following Lower Manhattan restaurants recently reopened for takeout and delivery:
DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE EXPANDS CRITERIA FOR SMALL BUSINESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE EXPANDS CRITERIA FOR SMALL BUSINESS RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
The Alliance for Downtown New York is expanding criteria for the Small Business Rental Assistance Grant to offer immediate help to more storefront businesses currently providing vital services to residents and workers in Lower Manhattan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program, which launched earlier this month, is funded by the Alliance with support from Brookfield Properties, Silverstein Properties and The Howard Hughes Corporation to award a total of $800,000 in grants.
The expanded criteria include eligible businesses with gross annual revenues of up to $3 million and who employ up to 30 employees, and to storefronts within expanded geography that covers everything south of Chambers Street.
The individual grants will offer $10,000 each to small businesses as a single direct payment to be applied to April or May rent. Businesses must provide appropriate documentation and meet all the following requirements:
—Currently be open and providing an “essential” service as defined by Governor Cuomo in the PAUSE order of March 22, 2020
—Be located on the ground floor in Lower Manhattan below Chambers Street—Be an independent business with five or fewer locations in New York City
—Have fewer than 30 employees as of March 1, 2020
—Gross annual revenue below $3 million—Have a lease at their current location through December 31, 2020
—Provide proof of rent payment for April or May 2020 or potentially for later months if the landlord has given approval for rent deferral
Applications are available starting Thursday, May 21 at 9a ET on a first-come, first-served basis through June 4 at 11:59p ET or until funding has been exhausted. Required documentation includes 2019 4th Quarter 941, relevant lease agreement pages, and the main pages from the business’s most recently filed IRS business tax return, showing its annual gross revenues.
RESTAURANTS CATCH A BREAK FROM DELIVERY APP FEES, THANKS TO CITY COUNCIL MEASURE
Food-delivery apps will no longer be able to charge high fees to restaurants in the five boroughs, thanks to local legislation. On Wednesday the New York City Council passed Int.1908-b, a bill that caps third-party delivery fees at 15%.
The vote tally was 46-4 with zero abstentions.
Int.1908 was introduced last month in the Committee on Small Business by Queens council member Francisco Moya and co-signed by District 1’s Margaret Chin of Lower Manhattan, among others.
At a City Council hearing in April, Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin spoke in support of the bill.
“Our local restaurants, which already operate on razor-thin margins, are facing a once-in-a-generation crisis,” Lappin said. “They may be serving takeout and delivery, but are likely doing so at a loss just to keep their doors open and staff on payroll. These outsized fees are massively eating into what little profit restaurants are able to realize today. Charging a 30% fee, especially during an unprecedented crisis, is unconscionable.”
The new measure goes into effect seven days after being signed into law by the mayor.
The Alliance Will Award $800,000 In Cash Grants To Essential Lower Manhattan Small Businesses
Once again, its time for Downtowner’s to get up dust ourselves off and prepare for another resurgence. We are all struggling, not just Lower Manhattan by the entire globe.
Lucky for Lower Manhattan, we have been here one too many times, most recent was Super Storm Sandy. Our leaders know how to get us through the worst of times, and we always come out better than before.
Today, Downtown Silverstein Properties, Howard Hughes, Brookfield Properties, and The Alliance for Downtown New York is launching the Small Business Rental Assistance Grant program to offer immediate help to storefront businesses currently providing vital services to residents and essential workers in Lower Manhattan during the COVID-19 pandemic. With support from Brookfield Properties, Silverstein Properties and The Howard Hughes Corporation, the Downtown Alliance’s Small Business Rental Assistance Grant will give Lower Manhattan’s small businesses access to $800,000 in grants. The Small Business Rental Assistance Grant program is part of the Alliance’s ongoing small business relief efforts.
Silverstein Properties By Andrew Matusik Downtown Magazine Fall 2018
“The Alliance has long worked to nurture the growth of local retail, and that focus will continue to drive our recovery efforts,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “There is not one storefront business in New York City that has been spared by COVID-19. Every one of them is struggling. We are stepping up to do what we can to help our stores keep their lights on. We know there are a number of landlords trying to work with tenants, and we hope all property owners will be as flexible and creative as they can be at this challenging time.”
The Downtown Alliance is contributing $250,000 from redirected funds within its annual budget, and from outside its assessment collection, to support the Small Business Rental Assistance Grant program. Additional funding is being made available through neighborhood partners Brookfield Properties,Silverstein Properties, and The Howard Hughes Corporation. The individual grants will offer $10,000 each to small businesses as a single direct payment to be applied to April or May rent. Businesses must meet the following requirements and provide appropriate documentation:
Silverstein Properties By Andrew Matusik Downtown Magazine Fall 2018
Currently, be open and providing an “essential” service as defined by Governor Andrew Cuomo in the PAUSE order of March 22
Located on the ground floor within the BID’s boundaries
Be an independent business with five or fewer locations in New York City
Fewer than 20 employees as of March 1, 2020
Gross annual revenue below $1.5 million
Current lease at their current location through December 31, 2020
Provide proof of using this grant towards rent
Applications are available starting Friday, May 1 at 9a ET on a first-come, first-served basis, until May 15 or until funding has been exhausted. Required documentation will include: 2019 4th Quarter 941, relevant lease agreement pages, and the main pages from the business’s most recently filed IRS business tax return, showing its annual gross revenues.
Brookfield Place New York
“Brookfield is committed to Lower Manhattan and to doing what we can to help build bridges for its small businesses – such a big part of what makes Downtown a great place – to survive and recover,” said Ric Clark, Chairman of the Brookfield Property Group and Chairman of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “We’re proud to be joined by Silverstein Properties and the Howard Hughes Corporation in supporting this Alliance for Downtown New York initiative. Lower Manhattan has come back again and again from steep challenges. We know it will again.”
Howard Hughes Seaport District New York
“Lower Manhattan is one of the greatest neighborhoods in the world, thanks in large part to its dynamic mix of restaurants, shops, bars, and other small businesses,” said Larry A. Silverstein, Chairman, Silverstein Properties. “Downtown’s businesses have been through a lot over the past two decades, but we are resilient, and will once again come back better and stronger than ever. Until that time, we need to stand together, which makes me grateful for this opportunity to directly support our most treasured local establishments.”
Silverstein Properties by Joe Woolhead
“Our city’s vibrant neighborhood businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,” says Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region, The Howard Hughes Corporation. “The Howard Hughes Corporation is proud to support the Downtown Alliance’s newly created grant program to help essential small businesses hard-hit by COVID-19. Lower Manhattan has been through the toughest of times and has always found a way to rise again. These grants will ensure these important local businesses are ready and able to drive New York City’s post-pandemic economic recovery.”
Brookfield Place New York
The Small Business Rental Assistance Grant is part of a continuing effort by the Alliance to support businesses that are being adversely impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The Alliance is actively working to help Lower Manhattan’s business community weather this painful temporary shut-down: educating local business owners about available funding opportunities, convening working groups, communicating which businesses are open to residents, and spotlighting essential workers who are making a difference. Efforts will continue throughout the recovery phase with dedicated marketing programs and initiatives to help turn the lights back on across the neighborhood.
About the Alliance for Downtown New York
The mission of the Alliance for Downtown New York is to provide service, advocacy, research, and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st century Central Business District for businesses, residents, and visitors. The Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID), serving an area roughly from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street. For more information visit downtownny.com
We wanted to take the time to share some of the many who have displayed generosity and kindness during this pandemic. From celebrity hairstylists Patrick Kyle, Iron Chef Marc Forgione, Elisabeth Holder of Laudrèe USA, Harry’s Italian, and Da Claudio Restaurant, to Howard Hughes Seaport. You will read their words and see their photos as we salute their selfless acts.
Last Thursday was a day Patrick Kyle will never forget.
My buddy, Jordan @jordanehni (Infectious Disease Director @mountsinai_bethisrael ) was looking for barbers and hairstylists to volunteer to give health care workers much-needed haircuts. After discussing protective measures, I agreed to participate. Over 400 people entered a raffle for the cuts. Six were chosen to meet me in the “Wellness Room” for haircuts. I had full PPE (scrubs, mask, gloves and face shield). Clients were given a fresh mask and robe as they walked into the room. I felt completely safe. The love and appreciation I received will stay with me forever. Little did they know I felt normal for the first time in weeks getting to do something I love — servicing my clients
Celebrity hairstylist Patrick Kyle @patrickkyle_ generously donated six haircuts to front line employees at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Patrick is a freelance hairstylist whose credits include Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and New York Fashion Week.
Employees entered a raffle, and six lucky winners received a haircut and styling, snacks, music, and aromatherapy treatment as a part of a larger wellness plan to help keep COVID-19 frontline workers rejuvenated for the long journey ahead. We are all missing access to basic services, and we are grateful to Patrick for volunteering his time and truly connecting with our healthcare heroes.
Winners: Millie Rosario, emergency department tech; Dr. Arielle Sasson, first-year resident; Marco Makkar, emergency department registrar; Dr. Anthoney Lim, medical director of the pediatrics ER. #selfcare#frontlines#COVID19#msbibettertogether#wellnesswednesday
Patrick Kyle at Mount Sinai Beth IsraelMount Sinai Beth IsraelMount Sinai Beth IsraelMount Sinai Beth IsraelMount Sinai Beth Israel
So grateful for the true heroes that work tirelessly behind the front lines!
“After delivering 100 more dinners (thanks to YOUR generosity) it was so heartwarming to hear the #clapforourcarers for all essential workers risking their lives to keep us safe! THANK YOU! We are especially proud of our small but mighty team that is currently working together to ensure we bring our entire team back when this is over! It is a reminder that we are collectively #strongertogether#spiritofsolidarity is alive and well!” #DaClaudioNYChttps://www.instagram.com/nyphospital/
Da Claudio delivering to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital
One of our favorite sweet spots in New York, was right there front and center, taking the time to give. “We keep sharing the love with all the health workers who are doing an amazing job taking care of our families, friends, and communities.”
When New York City shut down, brothers Frank and Salvatore Buglione decided with their co-owners at the restaurant group HPH NYC –
‘WE JUST PULL UP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DROP OFF FOOD’: WHY HARRY’S ITALIAN DECIDED TO STAY OPEN
to keep both their Harry’s Italian locations open. “You always hate to see any restaurant go completely dark,” HPH partner Paul Lamas told the Downtown Alliance. “We wanted to try and keep some of our key employees, key staff working. Everybody wanted to work. We really wanted to do something to help the community.”
Beyond their neighborhood regulars, HPH and the Bugliones identified plenty of other mouths to feed in Manhattan. They tapped a number of their food purveyors and liquor vendors to see who’d be willing to chip in — the restaurant would match any donation — to serve first responders (e.g. NYPD’s 1st Precinct, Engine 4 and Ladder 15 on South Street, NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital). “We’re not here looking to make money or make this any publicity stunt,” Salvatore told the Alliance. “We do our best work when people are not looking. We just keep dropping off food — we don’t even ask any questions. We just pull up to the emergency room and drop off food.
“I always feel we do the easy part,” Salvatore added. “Okay, we’re dropping off some food. It’s more about what these hospital workers are going through. They’re dealing with patients every day.”
The Bugliones work 18- and 19-hour days to do what they’re doing. At around 7 or 8 each morning, they turn on the ovens and wait for the orders to come in. Before they know it, Salvatore said, “we turn around and it’s 11 o’clock at night.” They’re not even tired, he said. “It’s unbelievable: You don’t realize 15 hours went by and you’re still strong.”
Harry’s Italian by Downtown Alliance
Lower Manhattan property owners came together on the evening of March 19, 2020, to offer a symbol of hope and strength in the midst of the global health and financial crisis.
“This is a moment to band together, show pride in a tough time, and light up the Lower Manhattan skyline with hope,” said Jessica Lappin, President of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “Whether it’s red, white and blue or with a single white beacon, buildings across Lower Manhattan will light themselves in honor of our determination to endure and recover.”
“In this time of need, we as New Yorkers and Americans are looking for symbols of hope—both in our communities and across the country,” said Saul Scherl, President of the New York Tri-State Region of The Howard Hughes Corporation. “We wanted to unite our community and light up the buildings of Lower Manhattan together to show our solidarity, our resiliency, and our persistent hope for the future.”
Stay tuned for more generosity from New Yorkers taking the time to give back during this unprecedented time.
JESSICA LAPPIN President of Alliance for Downtown New York, which manages the country’s largest Business Improvement District. Instituted a solar-powered recycling program, created Lower Manhattan HQ, an innovation hub and collaboration center, and secured $100 million in resiliency funding for Lower Manhattan.
President Jessica Lappin; Brookfiled Place; Jessica Lappin headshot
1. Name three women that inspire you, and tell us why.
The women who inspire me are: my mom for breaking down doors on Wall Street and starting her own successful business in a field where women were practically nonexistent; RBG because she’s a badass and expanded legal rights for all women; And, my sister-in-law who’s a single mom of three and works her butt off to be an awesome mom.
2. What has been the secret to your success?
Hard work, organization, and preparation; and a loving and supportive family, especially my husband.
3. If you were going to pass on one piece of advice to a young woman, what would it be?
Don’t let the haters get to you. You’ve got to set your sights on a goal, make a plan, and keep pushing until you get there. Setbacks will happen, that’s part of the process, but you’ve got to keep pushing forward even through tough times.
4. In the fight for equality, what area do you think needs the most attention?
Equal pay for equal work and an Equal Rights Amendment to our constitution.
5. What are you most proud of in your career?
I have been blessed with a career that’s consistently fulfilled my need to give back to this great city, and I’m proud of the work I have done on the ground to improve the lives of every day New Yorkers.
6. Where do you get your confidence?
My parents always told me I could be anything I wanted to be, and I believed them. I try to instill that same confidence in my children.
Private-sector employment in Lower Manhattan has swelled to 251,224 private-sector employees, rebounding past immediate pre-9/11 levels and fulfilling the promise to return as a vibrant and essential commercial district for the nation, according to the Alliance for Downtown New York’s Q1 2019 Lower Manhattan Real Estate Market Report.
The employment was largely driven by strong leasing activity across industries. In total there were 2M square feet of deals in Lower Manhattan, which helped the district outperform all other submarkets during one of the busiest quarters in seven years.
The report was released as part of a press conference held this afternoon at 7WTC with special guest Senator Chuck Schumer joining a number of local representatives including: Larry A. Silverstein, Chairman, Silverstein Properties, Eric Engelhardt, Sr. Managing Director, The Durst Organization, Jessica Lappin, President, Alliance for Downtown NY, Dan Gardner, CEO, Code and Theory (current tenant of One WTC) and Ellis Rubinstein, President, New York Academy of Sciences (first tenant at 7 WTC in 2005).
“This milestone is important for both practical and symbolic reasons,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “Practically, it proves that the rebuilding effort has diversified our city’s economy in a meaningful way while generating thousands of jobs in growth industries. Symbolically, it shows that our determination and spirit can never be broken. While our work is not yet done, this data speaks to our phenomenal growth and importance as an engine of opportunity for the city, state, and nation.”
“Anyone who doubts this city, ends up losing. Anyone who bets on this city, ends up winning,” stated Sen. Chuck Schumer. “For Downtown and all of New York..the best is yet to come.”
Photo by Joe Woolhead
“After 9/11, we all agreed that our primary responsibility was to commemorate those we lost,” said Larry A. Silverstein, Chairman, Silverstein Properties. “At the same time, we had to restore the commerce that has defined the lower tip of Manhattan throughout the City’s history. At the end of the day, our vision was to create a better version of New York. That vision is now a reality. The bottom line is that Downtown New York – a place many had written off – is now the City’s hottest neighborhood.”
“As the home of New York’s largest TAMI Community and 9,000 workers, One World Trade Center is proud of its role in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan,” said Douglas Durst, Chairman of The Durst Organization. “We look forward to working with our partners to bring more exciting tenants, retailers and arts & culture to this fast-growing and dynamic community.”
The district’s retail and hospitality markets continued to thrive with 20 new restaurants, shops and hotels opening in the first quarter. The new retailers included the highly anticipated Crown Shy, a seasonal neighborhood restaurant by Chef James Kent and Jeff Katz, and The Artezen Hotel, which brought 89 new rooms to the district.
