Results tagged “boatbasin”

City Comptroller William Thompson Jr. sharply criticized the Parks Department after his office examined the 79th Street Boat Basin's financial statements, finding many discrepancies and possible criminal activity. Thompson said, "During the course of the audit, a number of red flags were raised. The number and magnitude of these red flags raised the question of whether fraud occurred at the Boat Basin.”

We are sad to hear that Pier I Cafe at Riverside Park South (around 70th Street, underneath the West Side Highway) was closed by the Department of Health. A reader visited the cafe on Sunday, only to find "a note saying they're probably closed for the season because the city said the bathrooms they had weren't good enough." The cafe had an open kitchen and bar, and the bathrooms were built in a temporary building, kind of a step-up from porta-potties.

Run, Santa, Run, by David Reeves.

We can't believe it. There apparently was a manatee swimming up the Hudson since Saturday, and we had no idea. Observers spotted him at 23rd Street, then at 125th Street. We suppose he continued north, though it would have been cool if he turned around to venture over the Boat Basin and give us a shout. Gothamist will have to head to the New York Aquarium for our manatee fix, instead.

- Last night, police were investigating the death of a Midtown apartment building doorman who was found murdered near his subway station in Queens, apparently on the way home. Today, it was announced that two suspects were arrested in the murder of Arshad Mahmood. One theory is that one of the suspects thought Mahmood was having an affair with his wife. Mahmood usually drove to work until his license was suspended, so he took the train to work; his brother told Newsday, "He felt very very comfortable in the train. He was a New Yorker. But we have to ask ourselves what if he were driving instead."

New York City Welcomes Peaceful Political Activists. Gothamist suspects political activists would be happy and more apt to be peaceful if they got some space closer to Penn Station or at the Great Lawn.

Newsday looks at the life of 79th Street marina houseboats owners. Many of the boat owners live there because it's cheaper than living in a Manhattan apartment, even after city docking fees and electricity and whatever the cost of the boat is. Originally, the boat basin was planned by Robert Moses to be a place for recreational boat owners to dock their boats during the season. Interestingly, it was never meant to be a permanent housing solution: Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe tells Newsday, "Over the years, people just started living on their boats. Now there's no room for recreational craft. It was an accident. Before we realized it, we had lost the ability to offer a recreational resource." But there are some downsides, like living far away from the subway and groceries stores. Also, during storms, some boats will dock near the Intrepid, which can shield them from winds.

Deck at Chelsea Pier 59 and Rise at the Battery Park Ritz-Carlton both get "4 sunsets," and others noted are Alma in Brooklyn, the Boat Basin at West 79th Street and the Hudson, Water's Edge in Queens. The Post also notes what the signature drink is at each.