The Tourist Take

Approximately 47 million visitors flocked to the Big Apple in 2008 spending a whopping $30 billion. Those numbers are up from 46M/$28.9B in 2007 and 43.8M/$24.7B in 2006. Foreign visitors spend about 4 times as much as American citizens. We are the #1 tourist destination in the nation but the good times aren’t expected to last forever. Shifting dollar values and other factors will see to that.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: This piece was written today about an older New York City news headline. NYCo site delays prevented its publication before now. In an effort to entertain and educate this blog’s devoted viewers, 100’s of older headlines will be posted in chronological order until this blog is discussing current events again. Though some stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others. This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Cutting The Apple To The Core

The city’s budget gap has grown from $2.3 billion to $4 billion for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. That means significant budget cuts and layoffs loom. It means fewer government jobs, which is generally a good thing. It means fewer services for residents, which is generally a bad thing. Mayor Bloomberg said, “We just don’t know what the future is going to hold.” A New York City political insider believes he knows. He said that the recently term-limit-extended mayor is up for re-election in November 2009. He thinks we can expect to see reasonable cuts up to early 2010. However, in fiscal year 2011 (beginning on July 1, 2010) a “huge disaster” is coming because of a projected $5 billion dollar deficit. Nobody can know the city’s financial future for sure or how it will impact all of us. Maybe a memorable quote in 1982’s Rocky III will ring true for New Yorkers in the years to come. In the movie, Mr. T’s character, “Clubber Lang” was asked to make a fight prediction. His quote? “PAIN.”

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments! Note: This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Strutting Gotham Streets

Pedestrians beware! Walking, not driving may be hazardous to your health when crossing New York City’s top five deadliest thoroughfares. Third Avenue and Broadway, both in Manhattan are the two deadliest streets in the Big Apple. Between 2005-2007, each was the location where ten people died. The Grand Central Parkway in Queens and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island each had nine deaths. Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue claimed eight victims during the same time period. Walk with caution and confidence or you may be “chalked up” as just another statistic.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments! Note: This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Green And Blue In Our Red Apple

There are 105 additional green and blue recycling bins throughout the five boroughs helping the city get a “do over” with its waste. The cost for this program which began in April 2007 is minimal. The message and goal is significant though. So New Yorkers, be “color coordinated” when next out in public. It's the good neighborly thing to do.

Tour Buses Obscure The Sights

“On a clear day, you can see” … well, thanks to many tour bus industry owners, you may not even be able to see across the street! There are eleven major tour bus companies in the Big Apple. All were required to retrofit their vehicles by January 1, 2007. A recent report from the Department of Environmental Protection concluded that only one company (Gray Line New York City Tours) of the eleven tour companies performed any emission upgrades "by the deadline" … and that was only on 19 of their 206 vehicles! To date, six companies have taken initial steps for vehicle conversion, three have taken no steps whatsoever and one has gone out of business. Double-decker tour buses can emit up to six times the pollution of city buses and other buses up to 25 times. All bus companies continue to operate without fines or any serious threat of license revocation. The DEP states it’s compiling a new report that will likely show better conversion compliance. Imagine the numbers it might have shown if city-imposed deadlines were actually enforced! However, it would seem in this instance that the concern for the greening of our city is less important than the "green dollars" tourism brings.

OK To Geronimo

Superman may now return to Gotham! It’s apparently alright to “leap over tall buildings in a single bound,” in New York City. City-approved permits may now be obtained by parachutists looking to jump off Big Apple buildings. The building owner’s permission is also required. During the Great Depression, many people jumped off buildings because of their financial losses and uncertainty about the future. I wonder if the recent stock market plunge will cause others to “take the plunge,” permit or not, parachute or not.

Lock Your Pedals To The Metal

As NYC becomes more "bicycle-friendly," there’s a definite need for more security stations to protect rider’s bikes. At present, the city has 5,000 U-shaped bike racks for that purpose. Most appear to be underutilized. Perhaps they’re not even noticed because of their simple design. Well, there’s a "bike rack bike contest" that's underway in the boroughs to change that. The goal is to come up with a unique design for many new “lock-down locations troughout the Big Apple. The contest winner will receive a check from New York City for $10,000. Once selected, our “greening” city will install 1,000 additional racks by next July in the new style at a cost of $275 each. The nine design finalists are currently on display at Astor Place in Manhattan. Why not ride over and lock them over?

Doesn’t NYS Love NYC?

Over the years, the “I Love New York” campaigns bringing visitors to New York State have been extremely productive. New York City is by far the most popular tourist destination in New York. Despite this vital fact to the state’s economy, Sean Cunningham, 23, didn’t think it necessary to include a single shot of NYC in a 60-second movie in New York State’s commercial contest. Stunningly, his movie was chosen as the contest winner! Judges chose among 15 finalists to select this Big Apple-absent film. Maybe it’s time NYC reminds the judges who the real star is here. Maybe it’s time to revive the 51st state campaign.

Black Eyes In The Big Apple

The eyes of a New York woman

Are eyes that can hold a man

She swept me off of my feet

Made my world seem so complete

I'll never have to look for more

I found what I've been lookin' for

Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

Deep in the eyes of a New York woman

Deep in the eyes of a New York woman
----- B.J. Thomas

Relationships between men and women are not always as lovely as those written about in a love song. 4,000 women entered emergency rooms in 2005 as victims of abuse. Not surprisingly to most who study the issue, hospital visits by black and Latino women, and in the borough of The Bronx, led the way. This crime is more common in poorer neighborhoods than more well-to-do ones. The problem is undoubtedly pervasive throughout the city as many cases probably go unreported. City officials urge abused women to get help. If you’re being abused, or know someone who is, call 311 or a toll-free hot line, 800-621-HOPE today. And ladies, when the pain subsides, consider the possibility of criminal persecution against the men who raise their fists against women. Let’s kick the bums out of New York City and make them residents of upstate New York … in prison.

Bites Into The Big Apple

Street surfaces typically last 15-20 years in NYC. For many of our thoroughfares, time is up. New York City streets are on the bumpy road to hell. If you’re a city driver, you’ve undoubtedly felt this sad truth on your backside already. In fact, only 66.4% of our streets were rated “good” in the fiscal year ending June 30th. That’s downhill from 79.8% in 2003. The Department of Transportation expects to pave 1,000 “lane miles” this year. That's up from 950 miles last year, but we need more repairs than that to improve the situation here. For the foreseeable future, we’re all in for a really rough ride. Buy yourself a good seat donut and better shocks.

Monroe The New Yorker

Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe was a New Yorker. So says Manhattan Federal Judge Colleen McMahon in a dispute between Monroe’s estate and the heirs of photographer Sam Shaw. He took famous shots of Marilyn including the famous one of her in a billowing dress over a New York City subway grate. Because she died a New Yorker, the judge ruled in favor of the heirs to the Sam Shaw archives. They're now entitled to copyright royalties from images of the dead celebrity. The judge used Marilyn's last income tax filing address and the fact that she kept a Manhattan pad as primary evidence in the ruling. Monroe reportedly told a friend that her trips to California were purely for business. I guess that made New York "Fun City" to Ms. Monroe. Thanks, judge! Marilyn’s an “official” Big Apple beauty, now!

NYC Baseball Is The World Serious

NYU adjunct professor, John Tepper Marlin, prepared a report to show how much money New York City businesses will lose if New York’s two baseball teams fail to make the post-season this year. The following figures represent the amounts for each team at each level of play. For the Yankees elimination, $26 million for the AL Division Series, $54 million for the AL Championship Series and $61 million for the World Series. Should the Mets not play “October baseball,” $21 million for the NL Division Series, $45 million for the NL Championship Series and $81 million for the World Series. Marlin was chief economist for three former city comptrollers so he knows something about money. But, how can he be talking cash at a time like this? Neither team is a lock to get in! He may know money but he obviously knows nothing about the heart of Big Apple baseball fans. Should either team fail to make it, money lost will mean nothing to their faithful. We’re talking the end of the world, here.

A Bowery Bum’s Dream

There’s a grape winery opening in the Big Apple. Wine lovers need not trek to Napa Valley any more. Connoisseurs and collectors may purchase their own oak barrel of vintage wine made right on the spot … in Manhattan! There’ll be 200 casks for sale with prices ranging from $5,000 to $1,500. Price varies depending on the quality of the grapes that are imported from around the country. City Winery owner, Michael Dorf said, “This is for cultural aficionados, sophisticated New Yorkers who want to spend their money in a very special way.” Vintage Brooklyn Bums (non-aficionados) will likely stick with their tasty “egg creams” instead.

Where Rock Belongs

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum is in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland, Ohio? It’s true, but there’s good news on the way. The famous music museum is opening a 25,000-square-foot satellite museum in New York City’s SoHo district in November. Party on Big Apple!

Foreclosures Building In Big Apple

Compared to July 2007, foreclosures are up 67% citywide (215%-Staten Island, 81%-Queens, 63%-Brooklyn, 16%-The Bronx and 7.6%-Manhattan). So far in 2008, the total number of homes lost in NYC is 2,216. Despite the losses, New York City is still doing better than most large cities in the U.S. With only a 30% homeowner base, New York City is somewhat fortunate during these tough economic times. Things might be worse here if fewer people rented. Many experts agree that many current foreclosures were often caused by overly-lenient mortgage companies who approved overly-enthusiastic home buyers. Buyers took chances and gambled with adjustable rates on their interest payments. Some lost. Whatever the reasons, it’s hoped that the economy will improve soon. Those in power should initiate reasonable measures to help our home-owning neighbors now. Also, they must act to prevent future lenders and buyers from falling into the same mortgage traps again.

Life’s A Big Baked Apple Beach

The 18th annual beach report prepared by The Natural Resources Defense Council is in with the tide. Their top beach rating is 4 stars. Rockaway in Queens and Coney Island in Brooklyn each had beaches with 2 and 3 stars while Orchard Beach in the Bronx received only 1 star. Overall, our local shores had the second highest increase of "contamination closings" in the nation. Their report concluded that storm water runoff was the cause of contamination 70% of the time while raw sewage was the culprit another 19%. Common sense suggests that local sun worshippers check out local health conditions at their favorite beach before slipping on the Flip-Flops.

City Construction Costs Climbing

Building in the Big Apple is getting more and more expensive. Prices have risen 32% in just the past three years alone. Blame that on the costs and availability of materials, higher labor rates and the general expense of building in congested areas like New York. What’s more, an office building here will cost twice as much as in Chicago, three times as much as in Atlanta. Don’t expect costs to go down anytime within the next few years either. These higher building costs greatly affect not only office buildings and skyscrapers but large public projects too. Ground Zero, the PATH Transit Hub, the Javits Convention Center’s expansion and the MTA’s Fulton Street Transit Center have all been delayed or scaled down to save money. Mayor Bloomberg is looking to increase bid competition for public-works projects to lower costs. That may help a bit, but increased building in India and China, coupled with less available steel worldwide, may be a building not even our Superman-like mayor can vault.

NYC Is ATM For Politicians

In this year’s presidential race, 17 of the top 100 donors live in New York City. Each contributed $150,000 or more to races and party committees. 13 of the 17 are listed as decisively Democrat. The Big Apple has always been where the big bucks are. Smart politicians know how to rub elbows with the rich and leave with more than a souvenir t-shirt.

Jacob Javits Convention Center Can’t Compete Without Change

New York City surely doesn’t have the same lure it once had for business expositions and conventioneers. Other cities have responded far better than the Big Apple. They’ve dropped us way down on the list of places for successful meetings and commerce. As a result, the city and local businesses have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in sales and taxes.

Roughly 21 years after it first opened, the Javits Center, seemingly still sits apart from the rest of Manhattan. Worse still, it’s now in dire need of major structural repairs. From the entire roof which must be replaced, to the black glass panels which will be swapped for clear ones, much renovation is required. Foolishly perhaps, plans for major expansion of this facility and to create significant commercial development for the West side have all but been killed by Governor Spitzer in Albany. To become America’s Convention Center once again, NYC needs a great building to house promoters and a surrounding neighborhood that complements and properly supports a convention center. We’ll also need a visionary leader to step forward and make things happen. We can’t wait another 21 years.