"Our great, global cities are turning into vast gated citadels where the elite reproduces itself." [FT]
There's nothing organic about this global hyper-gentrification. [CL]
Rally this Sunday to stop another 7-Eleven from invading the East Village. [No 7-11]
Stop the high-end privatization of Washington Square Park. [WSP]
Success! "The potential demolition of PS 199 on 70th street and PS 191 on 61st has been averted." [WSR]
Check out Dirty Looks: On Location, "a series queer interventions in New York City spaces." [DL]
June 23: Say goodbye to the founder of City Reliquary as he moves to Hawaii--it's a Luau! [CR]
Andrew Berman celebrated by Vanity Fair for being "savvy and pugnacious enough to recognize that there is no respite for the preservationist, ever, from those who would make the Village 'bigger, glassier, newer.'" [VF]
A crummy chain shoestore invades Coney Island. [ATZ]
Go inside the poor, gutted Amato Opera House. My heart still hurts for this one. [BB]
That 14th Street building with the McDonald's is way more interesting than you imagined. [EVG]
Enjoy the great Saul Leiter's color photos of old NYC. [IP]
Appreciating the St. Regis cab call sign. [NYN]
St. Vincent's Hospital skinned for the super-rich. [TRD]
Andrew Berman is a great hero, and inspiring in his passion to save what's left.
ReplyDeleteThe FT piece was interesting, but I dispute this passage as evidence: "To get enough space for their kids, they were leaving for the suburbs. When they’d told the headmaster at the children’s school, he had looked sad and said: 'Everyone is leaving.' Paris is pricing out even the upper middle-class."
ReplyDeleteI don't deny that rents in desirable cities is going up at a ridiculous pace. But all people are complicit in this. Most people don't want to give up what they are used to. Example: Expensive furniture, autos, restaurants, private schools for their children. At least I know that Americans have grown so entitled to consumption that they're willing to accrue massive debt to be "upper middle class." My point is, there is no way they cannot afford their rent if they want to live somewhere. It's all of the status symbols and conspicuous consumption that go with the chic location. In NYC, even with high rent, one can afford a comfortable lifestyle. Craigslist is a veritable Turkish bazaar of decent wares. Not everything needs to be new and brand name. I'm not saying a pauper can move into Central Park West, but a middle class earner won't be "priced out" unless that person is a profligate spender.
Consumers dupe themselves into insane status purchases (Apple! NYU!) then march on Wall Street when it's time to pay the piper. I'm not perfect and admit I've rationalized my own silly extravagances - but they're my fault, not Washington's or Wall Street's. Companies are well aware of the fauxhemian tastes of consumers and happily play along. This "plutocratization" cannot happen without the complicity of the middle class.
Finally, note that the couple in question moved "to get enough space for their kids." This is always a reason. It's tough to raise a kid in a big city. Nevertheless it's done by millions every day - even without an iPad.
My eyes were drawn immediately to a very attractive woman riding a bike. Then I looked closer....
ReplyDeleteIf I can be the devil's advocate, a friend of mine shops at Rainbow, which carries women's clothes, not just shoes, because her weight fluctuates and she needs affordable larger sized clothes. It's not everyone's cup of tea, certainly the SATC wannabes would not shop at Rainbow, but I expect that store will serve the community that lives in and around Coney, not the hoards of (probably) more affluent tourists.
ReplyDeleteI was a resident in one of the former St. Vincent's buildings. I sensed from the start what would happen. So, the neighborhood lost a valued institution that served them on a daily basis so that the Rudin family and a few people could own or rent some square footage. Its frustrating to have sensed it all along. The Rudins knew what they wanted and the patiently planned all, getting all the right people on their side. And the rest of us, no.
ReplyDeleteDear Ken @10:20...there's nothing left. Hurts me to say that, so I'm not saying it lightly.
ReplyDeletepat 11:03, rainbow still exists? thatwas around like 60 yrs ago or so. it was a lower end store. but a chain neverther less. rainbows were smaller, no where near the monster mega chains. you didnt see 60 foot bill boards. they kept it real. never was inside, but i remember them in area like 14st, also brooklyn.
ReplyDelete