Julie Menin said she has pledges of 37 votes, more than enough to secure her election as speaker of the City Council come January. ( Photo: Courtesy Julie Menin campaign) Julie Menin Declares Victory in City Council Speaker Race Upper East Side City Council Member Julie Menin said she has secured 37 votes, more than enough to be elected to speaker... News 01 Dec 2025 | 01:33
Locals have long enjoyed relaxing in the Elizabeth Street Garden and until recently thought they had achieved a last-minute reprieve to halt development plans. ( Photo: Marie Pohl) New Peril for Elizabeth Street Garden: Developers Sue the City The fate of the Elizabeth Street Garden, a community and sculpture garden in Little Italy, remains uncertain once again.... News 24 Nov 2025 | 05:36
The Elizabeth Street Garden in the summer of 2025. ( Photo: Marie Pohl) Elizabeth Street Garden Faces Death, Again: This Time by Mamdani In another break with his rivals, Zohran Mamdani said he intends to evict the beloved Elizabeth Street Garden from a city-owned... News 01 Nov 2025 | 10:57
Aerial view of Chatham & KImlau Squares showing proximity to Shearith Israel Cemetery #1. ( Photo: Google Maps, Straus News markup) Chatham Square Redesign Unveiled by DOT Located at the junction of five streets and multiple cultural histories, Chatham Square has been many things to many people... News 26 Oct 2025 | 10:16
Left: Looking up William Street from Pearl Street. Right: Looking west up Ann Street from Gold Street. ( Photos: Brian Berger) Council Member Marte Blasts Dept. of Transportation Study Delays In late August, not long before Council Member Christopher Marte declared his ambition to become the next Speaker of the... Home 15 Sep 2025 | 02:34
Christopher Marte announcing a new dog run to be built at Captain Jacob Joseph Park on Rutgers Street, June 5, 2025. ( Photo: Brian Berger) Marte Launches Campaign for City Council Speaker Frustrated by what he sees as an unwieldy abuse of power by city council speakers in the past, Council Member Christopher... News 13 Sep 2025 | 08:28
Governor Hochul, labor leaders, and other solons behind the banner at the NYC Labor Day Parade 2025. ( Photo: Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul) Labor Day Parade Shows Union Solidarity & Fractious Politics Many thousands of union members from over 200 different groups across many dozens of trades came to midtown Manhattan on... News 08 Sep 2025 | 12:31
One of two “Resonating Bodies” by British sculptor Tony Cragg. ( Photo: Brian Berger) Newly Raised Wagner Park Reopens, Lower Manhattanites Rejoice! More than two years after it was closed, in March 2023, as part of the Southern Battery Resiliency Project, a redesigned... News 04 Aug 2025 | 10:22
Manhattan Bridge Plaza crash memorial as of July 28. ( Photo: Brian Berger) Fatal Manhattan Bridge Crash Driver Indicted for Murder A week after a speeding car blasted off the Manhattan Bridge and killed two innocent bystanders, the wheels of justice have... News 29 Jul 2025 | 05:21
At the press conference June 23 where the stunning news that after years of battling the city, the Elizabeth Street Garden was announced. (left to right): Norman Siegel, Steven Hyman, Joseph Reiver, Christopher Marte. ( Photos: Marie Weigl) Elizabeth Street Garden Saved! Mayor Adams & Christopher Marte Strike Historic Housing Deal On the sweltering morning of Monday June 23, as Council Member Christopher Marte led a rally to protect city retiree benefits,... News 23 Jun 2025 | 05:55
Left: BP Mark Levine, CB1 Chair Tammy Meltzer, Council Members Keith Powers and Christopher Marte; Right: ticket vendors “guarding” the entrance to Battery Park and Castle Clinton at the Bowling Green subway stop. ( Photo: Brian Berger) City Council Members Marte & Powers Propose to Stop Tourist Ferry Ticket Scams Call it “the crackdown in Battery Park.” That’s the hope anyway, in the wake of legislation announced by Council Members... News 25 May 2025 | 08:45
An example of “daylighting” is shown in a video by Transportation Alternatives. Without cars parked next to the intersection, both the driver and the pedestrian have a better view of each other. ( Photo: Transportation Alternatives) Upcoming Daylighting Rally Demands ‘Proven Safety Solution’ A rally supporting intersection safety in New York City is coming to City Hall. Planned for Monday, April 21, at 9 a.m.,... News 04 Apr 2025 | 12:11
Council member Christopher Marte, front row center, leads supporters in a chant against artificial turf in New York City parks. Marte has introduced a bill that seeks to end the further usage of synthetic turf, referred to as the “Touch Grass” bill. ( Photo: Garrett Owen) ‘Artificial Turf Has Got to Go’ from City Parks, Say Marte and Supporters of New Rules Standing on the steps of City Hall on Feb. 27, District 1 Council member Christopher Marte, flanked by other Council members,... News 28 Feb 2025 | 04:45
The Black history event on Feb. 22 was co-hosted by Council Member Christopher Marte (far left) and Assembly Member Charles D. Fall (far right). In the middle are Senator Charles Schumer and Battery Park City Authority member Tony Kendall, an honoree. ( Photo: Brian Berger) Crowd Celebrates Black History Month at African Burial Ground National Monument More than 200 people spent a few hours at the African Burial Ground National Monument at 290 Broadway on Saturday, Feb. 22,... News 24 Feb 2025 | 06:28
Chinatown protests against congestion pricing, Dec. 17, 2024. ( Photo: Brian Berger) Chinatown Protests Congestion Pricing, Demands Gov. Hochul Cancel MTA “Cash Grab” Dozens of impassioned protestors gathered near the Manhattan Bridge on Dec. 17 to denounce Governor Kathy Hochul’s reinstatement... News 19 Dec 2024 | 01:18
