https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/anxiety-rises-as-deadline-looms-to-pick-penn-master-planner-ME5723691 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-05T14:27:05-04:00 Anxiety Rises as Deadline Looms to Pick Penn Master Planner https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/another-penn-station-photo_4-10573195_20260402181802.jpg Amtrak set a May 4 deadline for the three contenders who are vying to be the master developer of Penn Station to submit their bids. The winner will be revealed in June. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/grand-penn-community-alliance_4-10578929_20260402185941.jpg One early artist rendition from the Grand Penn Partnership featured a park- like setting outside a new Penn Station that did not have Madison Square Garden atop the nation’s busiest rail terminal. But Amtrak imposed a blackout on releasing any new proposals. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/astm-proposes-a-grand-entrance-to-pen_4-10578932_20260402185941.jpg One early rendering by ASTM featured a grand entrance on Eighth Ave, with Madison Square Garden remaining atop the terminal. Amtrac imposed a blackout on releasing any new information before bids are submitted on May 4. https://www.westsidespirit.com/battery-park-brouhaha-as-security-fence-keeps-public-from-waterfront-JB5726496 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-05T20:14:05-04:00 Battery Park Brouhaha as Security Fence Keeps Public from Waterfront https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/battery-park-brouhaha-fench-view-stat_4-10584493_20260405201406.png The Battery Bark Brouhaha and the fence that’s causing it. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/battery-park-brouhahaha-fence-2_4-10584487_20260405200141.jpg The Battery Park Brouhaha is about fences, ferries, security and public access. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/battery-park-brouhaha-fence-3_4-10584490_20260405200143.jpg The East Coast Memorial, two wall clad in yellow wood as the Battery Park Brouhaha rages nearby. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/crime-watch/central-park-attempted-rape-verdict-guilty-on-all-counts-JD5731487 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T01:02:07-04:00 Central Park Attempted Rape Verdict: Guilty on All Counts https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/central-park-atemmpted-rape-verdict-s_4-10584561_20260405222920.png Central Park attempted rape suspect as seen and sketched in summer 2024. https://www.westsidespirit.com/robbery-in-chelsea-forcible-touching-on-penn-station-platform-HD5731584 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T03:56:45-04:00 Robbery in Chelsea; Forcible Touching on Penn Station Platform https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/robbery-chelsea-forcible-touching-pen_4-10584612_20260406034931.png Wanted for robbery in Chelsea; Forcibe. Touching in Penn Station (inset). https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/forcible-touching-penn-station_4-10584615_20260406035025.jpg Wanted to Forcible Touching in Penn Station, March 26. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/brooklyn-bridge-access-to-get-world-cup-glow-up-mamdani-KC5730419 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T08:04:15-04:00 Brooklyn Bridge Access to Get World Cup Glow Up: Mamdani https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-access-mamdani_4-10584588_20260406021801.jpg Mayor Mamdani at Pier 17 announcing Brooklyn Bridge access improvements to eliminate the bottleneck on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge on, March 27. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-glow-up-dot-render_4-10584602_20260406025438.jpg DOT rendering of Brooklyn Bridge access plan; note absence of scooters, mopeds, speeding e-bikes, etc. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-glow-up-centre-street_4-10584601_20260406025438.jpg Exitin the Brooklyn Bridge onto Centre Street during Summer Streets, August 2025. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-access-mamdani-2_4-10584587_20260406021801.jpg Mayor Mamdani in DOT cap at Pier 17 announcing Brooklyn Bridge access glow up, March 27. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-glow-up-dot-bike-lane_4-10584595_20260406024542.jpg Brooklyn Bridge on July morning 2025: DOT workers on bike lane left, pedestrian path right. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/brooklyn-bridge-glow-up-dot-vending_4-10584598_20260406024542.jpg Brooklyn Bridge vendor ignoring the NO VENDING signs while DOT workers clean up behind her. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/amtrak-says-no-final-decisions-on-penn-station-before-public-weighs-in-AD5731604 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T12:49:54-04:00 Amtrak Says ‘No Final Decisions’ on Penn Station Before Public Weighs In https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/bigstock-entrance-to-penn-station-in_4-10584450_20260405164822.jpg Andy Byford who is overseeing the Penn Station redevelopment project for Amtrak, says he will seek public input for the plans, but only after it has selected one of the three develpers vying for the multi-billion dollar contract. Elected officials want to see the request for proposals sooner. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/easter-parade-draws-thousands-to-promenade-outside-st-patrick-s-BF5733627 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T15:56:55-04:00 Easter Parade Draws Thousands to Promenade Outside St. Patrick’s https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/mon-and-daughter-at-easter-parade_4-10588457_20260406152331.jpg Mom and daughter model their Easter bonnets and outfits at the annual parade outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/melissa-ventor_4-10585261_20260406151159.jpg Easter eggs adorned Melissa Vento’s bonnet, while pushed her son in a stroller through the crowd of revelers. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/vintage-clothing-person_4-10588542_20260406154014.jpg “New York is the vintage clothing capital of the world,” said this reveler at the Easter Parade dressed in vintage clothing. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/adrienne-weidert_4-10588350_20260406151201.jpg Adrienne Weidert came with an umbrellas but said she did not want to risk her straw bonnet if the rain was heavy. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/police-at-easter-parade_4-10588605_20260406154756.jpg Sgt. Liuzzo and P.O. Barnes at the counterterrorism unit kept guard even at the Easter Parade. “An event like this, you never know. That’s why we’re here,” said Liuzzo. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/casey-sobel_4-10588353_20260406151203.jpg Casey Sobel comes every year and this year came decked out as a tea pot. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/roddy-caravella-and-gretchen-fenston_4-10588348_20260406151206.jpg Roddy Caravella and Gretchen Fenston embraced the 1930s era. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/two-women-with-chihuahuas_4-10588358_20260406151208.jpg Two friends decked out their chihuahuas in outfits that matched their own. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/umbrella-man_4-10588347_20260406151210.jpg Despite the rain that started during the Easter Parade, the local umbrella salesman said business was only “so so.” Many of the revelers came prepared with their own umbrellas. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/despite-city-sweeps-homeless-return-to-uws-block-FA5736340 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T16:28:41-04:00 Despite City Sweeps, Homeless Return to UWS Block https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0109_4-10588683_20260406171747.jpg Ethan at his “home” the day before a city sweep. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0108_4-10588680_20260406162654.jpg Ethan had a humble abode set up on Broadway and 78th Street before April 1 https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0110_4-10588669_20260406162557.jpg The day before the sweep, April 1 https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0163_4-10588664_20260406161643.jpg The day after Ethan, or Freckles as he is known, was back at his old spot. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-0159_4-10588661_20260406171749.jpg Freckles said he simply clears his stuff off the sidewalk when he knows the city is conducting a sweep, and then moves right back in by the next day. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/beneath-a-canopy-of-petals-spring-s-most-elegant-moment-arrives-YF5733313 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T16:28:43-04:00 Beneath a Canopy of Petals Spring’s Most Elegant Moment Arrives https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-14_4-10585283_20260406115707.jpg The Pilgrim on East 72nd Street Central Park is surrounded by pink blossoms this time of year. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-13_4-10585276_20260406115554.jpg Striking a pose with cherry blossoms while a friend snaps away. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-12_4-10585273_20260406115456.jpg Dog named Doo Yoo sports his own blossom. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-11_4-10585253_20260406115147.jpg Child admires cherry blossoms. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-10_4-10585250_20260406115038.jpg Linzy Lin, Long Island City dressed as a “blossom goddess” https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-9_4-10585246_20260406114916.jpg Crowds in NYC Central Park in awe of the Cherry Blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-8_4-10585193_20260406114813.jpg Ladies celebrating blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-7_4-10585182_20260406114705.jpg Lady admiring blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-6_4-10585179_20260406114601.jpg Young woman posing for friend. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-5_4-10585176_20260406114457.jpg Heather Stein in Central Park taking in the beauty & serenity of the blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-4_4-10585167_20260406114206.jpg Jessie Sui (known by her tens-of-thousands of social media followers as “Snap Toks”) experiencing the blossoms for the first time https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-3_4-10585163_20260406114058.jpg Cherry Blossom Tree on UES along the Reservoir https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/img-9019_4-10585172_20260406114327.jpg Alex Boodram and Chelsea Soo Hon from Queens came out to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms in Central Park https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-2_4-10585160_20260406113917.jpg The Bridle Path entrance at East 90th Street and 5th Avenue (Engineers’ Gate) Everyone out to enjoy the Cherry Blossoms https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/roadway-dining-is-back-for-season-dot-now-wants-year-round-NA5736438 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T17:24:52-04:00 Roadway Dining is Back For Season, DOT Now Wants Year-Round https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-04-06-at-4-34-34-pm_4-10588657_20260406163652.png Roadside outdoor dining is back for the season, albeit at a severely diminished scale. Under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the DOT has signaled that they support a shift back to looser all year-round rules, as does Council Speaker Julie Menin. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screen-shot-2025-04-24-at-5-33-17-pm_4-10588806_20260406164312.webp In order to mark a shift in seasonal enforcement, the DOT says that the City Council must pass a Speaker Menin-promised bill to change the rules. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/new-york-home-game-baseball-2026-here-s-how-to-get-there-XX5734088 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T17:33:49-04:00 New York Home Game Baseball 2026–Here’s How to Get There https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-16_4-10586101_20260406124608.jpg Fans arrive for opening day at Citifield. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/screenshot-2026-04-06-at-12-54-13-pm_4-10586126_20260406125513.png Lucky Yankees Fans rode the 1917 Low-Vs to Yankee Stadium on the April 3 2026 Season Opener. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-18_4-10586123_20260406125041.jpg Lucky Yankees Fans rode the 1917 Low-Vs to Yankee Stadium on the April 3 2026 Season Opener. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-17_4-10586118_20260406124925.jpg Hard to believe, but these 1917-era Low-V cars were running six years before there was a Yankee Stadium; for the previous 10 years, the Yankees shared the long-gone Polo Grounds with the then-New York Giants. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed_4-10586115_20260406124817.jpg NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow was snapped aboard the NYY Opener Low-V train to Yankee Stadium; some Yankee notables also rode along. Straus News Manhattan queried Crichlow if he was the Yankees opening pitcher that day. His answer? “No, not today.” https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed_4-10586112_20260406124714.jpg Nostalgia train of “Redbirds” runs from 34 St-Hudson Yards to Mets-Willets Pt on Thursday, Mar 26, 2026, opening day of the New York Mets’ baseball season. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/unnamed-15_4-10586098_20260406124505.jpg Lucky Yankee fans rode in style in 1917 subway cars nonstop from Grand Central to Yankee Stadium. Some waited on the uptown platform at the Manhattan station for an hour for a chance to ride on this train. https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/fire-breaks-out-in-luxury-hotel-on-w-51st-st-no-injuries-BA5736892 hourly The Spirit - Westsider en 2026-04-06T17:35:43-04:00 Fire Breaks Out In Luxury Hotel on W. 51st St., No Injuries https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/tempimagejhh40e_4-10588978_20260406175230.jpg Firefighters responded to a blaze at The Michelangelo, a luxury hotel on W. 51st St., on the morning of April 6. https://www.westsidespirit.com/binrepository/tempimageeqxtzi_4-10588823_20260406175233.jpg The fire was contained within an hour, after 120 FDNY and EMS personnel responded to the scene.