Results tagged “tweedcourthouse”

Back in March of 2003, Mayor Bloomberg opened up the City Hall Academy at the Tweed Courthouse. The school offered two-weeks "residencies" for students, giving them an "inter-disciplinary approach" to learn about NYC and its history. Mayor Bloomberg, who made education reform one of the cornerstone of his mayoral platform (it's a big part of his "national" persona, too!), had said, "The opening of City Hall Academy demonstrates our commitment to excellence, achievement, and innovation in the public school system. City Hall Academy will provide New York City children and their teachers a unique opportunity to study and participate in the cultural and historical fabric of the City.”

The safety problems on one of the city's most prominent landmarks went unnoticed until a city Buildings Department manager gazed at Tweed while walking to his office on Chambers St. in lower Manhattan.

Continue reading "Tweed Courthouse - True to Form"

Lights at the historic Tweed Courthouse, which houses the Education Department headquarters, were still blazing at 3:50 a.m.

Public access to City Hall Park is about to get better. The Parks Department has agreed to reopen a part of the park that has been closed since the Giuliani Administration. The section of park in question includes the grassy areas to the east and west of Tweed Courthouse. The area directly around City Hall will still remain closed for security purposes.

Wow. Just wow. The Daily News today digs up some stupendous salaries being paid by the Department of Education to a slew of "private contractors" who have been brought in to help save the DoE money. Before we get to the actual money, here's how DoE spokesman David Cantor describes the costs to the News: "For a one-time charge of $17 million, we're implementing internal restructuring that will cut at least $200 million annually from our administrative budget to give to schools."

- "Is that a gun under your robes your honor, or are you just happy to see me?"

">know how to shop effectively. Despite having 1.1 million students to purchase books for, the Daily News is reporting that the DoE is paying on average roughly $1.76 more per book than a shopper "who choose the lowest-priced book on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble's Web site."

First, hee.

Besides enjoying the architecture of Civic Center (aka the area where City Hall is), Gothamist suggests you check out British sculptor Julian Opie's installation in City Hall Park, Animals, Buildings, Cars and People. Some highlights: There are two LED sculptures on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse; two full-size car sculptures; three glass scultupres of women; animals sculpted of wood; a group of plywood bulidings; and aluminum signs of white sheep grazing. Here's a PDF of a map and list of his artwork.

Laser beam pointers

The Mayor and the Public Art Fund have brought a little Roy Lichtenstein to city buildings, with Roy Lichtenstein at City Hall. Element #E, which has flourishes of brushstrokes, is the centerpiece, shown for the first time in it's full size, 50 foot glory; it's on display at the Tweed Courthouse, aka City Hall Academy. The other pieces are Brushstroke Group and Endless Drip (in City Hall Park) and a bronze bust, Woman: Sunlight, Moonlight in the lobby of City Hall. You can check out different Roy Lichtenstein sculptures on display in city buildings by calling 311 and making an appointment.

- Let�s share our architectural treasures and foster a spirit of learning and appreciation.

Who will rent apartments in the buliding remains to be seen, but the Department of Education sold its old downtown Brooklyn Board of Ed headquarters to developer David Walentas for $45 million. Walentas will then convert the building into condos in the $500,000-$1 million range.

Anyone who has walked around City Hall has seen the beautiful Tweed Courthouse, recently restored to it's glory. Mayor Bloomberg has decided to put a school in there, as well as the Department of Education's headquarters. The school is to be called City Hall Academy, though I've heard Tweed Academy as well, and students at the third grade level from two Manhattan schools will be visiting for two week intervals. The plan is still confusing to me, but makes sense since it's from Bloomby. The official press release on the opening of City Hall Academy. Bloomberg's original press release last year stating his intentions about the Tweed Courthouse.