This morning there was a rally to save the historic Underground Railroad site in Chelsea, which like everything else in this city is being threatened by a building owner's "remodeling" project. Students, activists, local officials and preservationists held the rally and teach-in at the building's site, the Hopper-Gibbons House at 339 West 29th Street, which was a hiding place for runaway slaves. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is actively considering designating it a protected landmark, but meanwhile the current owner continues to receive building permits. One local told the NY Times last year, “Being one of the few African-Americans on the block, I have an emotional connection to this history. You have a lot of cultural history in New York that money seems to want to push out of the way.” more ›

The Real Deal (via Brownstoner) is reporting that, according to a recent court ruling, the city is taking two Williamsburg properties via eminent domain for Bushwick Inlet Park. The properties are located along the East River between North 9th and 10th streets. According to one real estate expert, the city will only pay about $100 per square foot, compared to the $200 per square foot it could garner on the open market, even though the owners are entitled to the fair market value. The Real Deal doesn't delve into why. more ›

A number of buildings with a possible connection to Brooklyn's abolitionist past and the Underground Railroad may be razed to make way for a public park and an underground parking garage. The commuter daily amNewYork reported yesterday that the Duffield Houses are slated for replacement by a public park along the lines of Manhattan's Bryant Park, mixed-use residential and commercial development, and the expansion of local colleges. Opponents to the plan include Lewis Greenstein, who owns the building at 233 Duffield St., which was built in 1847 and allegedly played a role in helping escaped slaves make their way to Canada. (Good coverage of the issue at Duffield St. Underground.) more ›

Yesterday, Mayor Bloomberg announced a project to commemorate abolitionist activity that occurred in Brooklyn in the 1800s. He named a panel made up of community leaders, academics, and historians to aid the city and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership in asking for and reviewing commemoration proposals. more ›

• Today on the Gothamist Newsmap: a possible abduction on West 16th St. and Mermaid Ave. in Brooklyn, a shooting at Grenada Place in the Bronx, and a homicide in Manhattan on 2nd Ave. near 124th St.
• Lower East Side parents post an open letter to a political graffiti artist making a statement at the expense of children and teachers.
• Between the rock and a hard place of fines for allowing smoking and frequent noise complaints from neighbors, many bar staff are throwing up their hands and saying "smoke 'em if you got 'em".
• It's up in the air whether this will either impress or annoy you, but a short film about a NYC bike messenger should definitely entertain.
• The Post catches civilian users of NYPD placards and the cheaters' excuses are pretty lame.
• The Brooklyn Daily Eagle looks at the story of a home with possible ties to the Underground Railroad going on the market and a somewhat twisty chain of ownership.
• The 22nd Annual Stickball Championship is being contested this weekend in the Bronx.

At my window sad and lonely, by Brainware3000. more ›

That Donald Trump. Just last week, there was all this attention about his hotel planned for Soho hitting a snag - well, actually many, many human remains - when a graveyard was found. The Department of Buildings issued a stop-work order and community groups criticizing the 45-floor Trump Soho Hotel rejoiced for the moment. And then Tara Conner happened. more ›

Sue Sena, S.W.i.S.H. Founder more ›