A crane in the Financial District collapsed and is leaning on the building at 80 Maiden Lane. Streets are closed and buildings are being evacuated. According to a reader, who said the crane was put up this morning, "It sounded like something falling down a very large metal trash chute. Like the sound you would hear if something was thrown into an empty dumpster but that sound lasted much longer. Once I heard the sound I immediately thought of the crane and knew it couldn't be good..." more ›

Over a hundred firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire at 80 Pine Street in Lower Manhattan last night. The fire broke out on the 29th floor, where money management firm Tullett & Tokyo has offices. It's unclear what started the fire, but around 12:30AM, flames were "shooting out of the windows" according to WABC 7. Glass fell onto Maiden Lane, narrowly missing pedestrians. The FDNY closed down the street and was able to put out... more ›

Even though Governor Pataki may have agreed to not to fill all seats at state agencies, there are many things for the Democrats to be upset about. For instance, the Empire State Development Corporation, headed by Pataki flunky Charles Gargano, selling 185,000 square feet at 633 Third Avenue - aka Governor Pataki's NYC offices - for $100 million without letting other state officials know. Democratic Assemblyman Richard Brodsky tells the Daily News that the $100 million sale is "at best, bizarre and, at worst, illegal," saying that the ESDC should have gotten the space appraised. more ›

Back in September Robert Smithson's Floating Island was followed by a replica of the Gates gates (attached to an outboard motor.) Shoving off from DUMBO, with it's saffron flag waving in the wind, it sailed free on the water chasing the island. From November 18 through December 22, the boat with its makeshift saffron sail will be on display along with a film that documents the adventure. As the press release states, "It's about artists on the fringe, overly regulated public space, and firm opinions on a lot of bad public art." more ›