The Battle For Gotham Part 15

1 Robert Caro's meticulously researched book Robert Caro's meticulously researched book The Power Broker The Power Broker outlines in detail both the positive and the negative views of Moses. outlines in detail both the positive and the negative views of Moses.

2 A visit to some public housing sites today reveals a very interesting social phenomenon. Residents bring their own chairs and A visit to some public housing sites today reveals a very interesting social phenomenon. Residents bring their own chairs and sit in front of the fence sit in front of the fence on the sidewalk, often at a point where green gra.s.s behind the fence could easily accommodate a bench and the fence be removed. on the sidewalk, often at a point where green gra.s.s behind the fence could easily accommodate a bench and the fence be removed.

3 Rogers started her work with the Central Park Task Force in 1975, was appointed Central Park administrator in 1980, founded the Central Park Conservancy with the a.s.sistance of parks commissioner Gordon Davis in 1980, and left as president at the end of 1995. Rogers started her work with the Central Park Task Force in 1975, was appointed Central Park administrator in 1980, founded the Central Park Conservancy with the a.s.sistance of parks commissioner Gordon Davis in 1980, and left as president at the end of 1995.

4 Betsy Barlow Rogers, "Robert Moses and the Transformation of Central Park." Betsy Barlow Rogers, "Robert Moses and the Transformation of Central Park."

5 See "The Mess We Have Made," chap. 2 in my book, See "The Mess We Have Made," chap. 2 in my book, Cities Back from the Edge Cities Back from the Edge.

6 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 560.

7 It was recently made into a park. It was recently made into a park.

8 Ibid., 707. Ibid., 707.

9 Joel Schwartz, Joel Schwartz, The New York Approach: Robert Moses, Urban Liberals, and Redevelopment of the Inner City The New York Approach: Robert Moses, Urban Liberals, and Redevelopment of the Inner City, 31.

10 The 1949 Housing Act was an umbrella for several programs, including FHA mortgage insurance, rural home finance, and t.i.tle III for public housing. t.i.tle I, probably the best known, created a write-down program for residential redevelopment that amounted to a onetime capital grant to which the federal government contributed two-thirds. It required prompt disposal of redevelopment tracks to private sponsors, helping Taft claim that it was written to subsidize private, middle-rent housing, as distinguished from public housing (ibid., 132). The 1949 Housing Act was an umbrella for several programs, including FHA mortgage insurance, rural home finance, and t.i.tle III for public housing. t.i.tle I, probably the best known, created a write-down program for residential redevelopment that amounted to a onetime capital grant to which the federal government contributed two-thirds. It required prompt disposal of redevelopment tracks to private sponsors, helping Taft claim that it was written to subsidize private, middle-rent housing, as distinguished from public housing (ibid., 132).

11 Joseph D. McGoldrick, former Columbia University government professor, city comptroller, and slum-clearance advocate, "as early as 1944, had observed that slum clearance projects were not doing what was expected of them," writing, "Such projects have had no regenerative effect on the areas in which they are in place," notes Peter L. Laurence ("Death and Life of Urban Design"). Joseph D. McGoldrick, former Columbia University government professor, city comptroller, and slum-clearance advocate, "as early as 1944, had observed that slum clearance projects were not doing what was expected of them," writing, "Such projects have had no regenerative effect on the areas in which they are in place," notes Peter L. Laurence ("Death and Life of Urban Design").

12 Over twelve years New York got seventy million dollars. Chicago came in second with thirty million dollars. Over twelve years New York got seventy million dollars. Chicago came in second with thirty million dollars.

13 Schwartz, Schwartz, New York Approach New York Approach, 295-296.

14 Gay Talese, "Anger Lingering As Bridge Goes Up," Gay Talese, "Anger Lingering As Bridge Goes Up," New York Times New York Times, June 19, 1964.

15 Schwartz, Schwartz, New York Approach New York Approach, 294.

16 Policies were eventually developed to fight arson but not to fight fires when they were occurring. Policies were eventually developed to fight arson but not to fight fires when they were occurring.

17 The Wallaces quote a 1976 BBC-TV special, The Wallaces quote a 1976 BBC-TV special, The Bronx Is Burning The Bronx Is Burning, during which a fire chief notes that forty-four thousand people were covered per engine company in the South Bronx as compared to seventeen thousand on Staten Island.

18 See See The Living City The Living City, in which I deal with "Planned Shrinkage" at length.

19 Loren Hinkle, "Closing Summary." Loren Hinkle, "Closing Summary."

20 The expressway was built between 1948 and 1963. The expressway was built between 1948 and 1963.

21 This was only one mile out of the 130 that went through the city between 1948 and 1963 and destroyed twenty-seven neighborhoods. This was only one mile out of the 130 that went through the city between 1948 and 1963 and destroyed twenty-seven neighborhoods.

22 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 1080.

23 Ibid., 218. Ibid., 218.

24 Eventually, Mumford was a very strong critic of Moses's highway building. Eventually, Mumford was a very strong critic of Moses's highway building.

25 Quoted in Joseph P. Cusker, "The World of Tomorrow: Science, Culture, and Commentary at the New York World's Fair," 4. Quoted in Joseph P. Cusker, "The World of Tomorrow: Science, Culture, and Commentary at the New York World's Fair," 4.

26 Walter Lippmann, "Today and Tomorrow," 51. Walter Lippmann, "Today and Tomorrow," 51.

27 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker.

28 Jason Epstein, "Way Uptown," 53. Jason Epstein, "Way Uptown," 53.

29 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 706.

30 Richard O. Baumbach Jr. and William E. Borah, Richard O. Baumbach Jr. and William E. Borah, The Second Battle of New Orleans: A History of the Vieux Carre Riverfront-Expressway Controversy The Second Battle of New Orleans: A History of the Vieux Carre Riverfront-Expressway Controversy.

31 Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans.

32 Bob Young, "Highway to h.e.l.l," Bob Young, "Highway to h.e.l.l," Willamette Week Willamette Week, March 9, 2005.

33 Lisa Schreibman, "Looking for Land? Try Tearing Down a Highway," 10. Lisa Schreibman, "Looking for Land? Try Tearing Down a Highway," 10.

34 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 940.

35 Lewis Mumford, Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City The Highway and the City, 220; Schwartz, New York Approach New York Approach , xvii. , xvii.

36 Isaacs tried to ban discrimination in housing and advocated giving neighborhoods a voice in local improvements. Isaacs tried to ban discrimination in housing and advocated giving neighborhoods a voice in local improvements.

37 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 15.

38 Ten subway lines and the Long Island Railroad converge here. Ten subway lines and the Long Island Railroad converge here.

39 Robert Goodman, Robert Goodman, After the Planners After the Planners, 28.

40 Jacobs, Jacobs, Death and Life Death and Life, 209.

41 This continues nationwide under the Federal Hope VI program that replaces low-income public housing units with a smaller total number of mixed-income units, resulting in an even smaller number of replacement units for the lost public housing. This continues nationwide under the Federal Hope VI program that replaces low-income public housing units with a smaller total number of mixed-income units, resulting in an even smaller number of replacement units for the lost public housing.

42 Marshall Berman, Marshall Berman, All That Is Solid Melts into Air All That Is Solid Melts into Air.

43 Mindy Thompson Fullilove, M.D., Mindy Thompson Fullilove, M.D., Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America and What We Can Do About It Root Shock: How Tearing Up City Neighborhoods Hurts America and What We Can Do About It, 224.

CHAPTER 6.

1 The full name did not always fit the width of the The full name did not always fit the width of the New York Post New York Post column size, so for single-column stories it was Roberta B. Gratz. column size, so for single-column stories it was Roberta B. Gratz.

2 Ninety-six percent of New York City manufacturers are locally owned small businesses that employ fewer than one hundred people. Ninety-six percent of New York City manufacturers are locally owned small businesses that employ fewer than one hundred people.

3 Donald's father retired in 1976, and his older brother, Bill, who had joined the business five years after Donald, retired in 1995. Donald's father retired in 1976, and his older brother, Bill, who had joined the business five years after Donald, retired in 1995.

4 The study was conducted by the Planning Center of the Munic.i.p.al Art Society in collaboration with the Industrial Technology a.s.sistance Corporation. The study was conducted by the Planning Center of the Munic.i.p.al Art Society in collaboration with the Industrial Technology a.s.sistance Corporation.

5 I am indebted to Stephen Zacks for his excellent article, "Made in the USA." I am indebted to Stephen Zacks for his excellent article, "Made in the USA."

6 "In Professor's Model, Diversity = Productivity," "In Professor's Model, Diversity = Productivity," Science Times Science Times, January 8, 2008, F2.

7 Sara P. Garretson, "The Changing Face of Manufacturing in New York City," 2. Sara P. Garretson, "The Changing Face of Manufacturing in New York City," 2.

8 John A. Loomis, "Manufacturing Communities-Learning from Mixed Use," 4. John A. Loomis, "Manufacturing Communities-Learning from Mixed Use," 4.

9 In the 5-4 decision, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor dissented, bemoaning the possibility of "replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory." In the 5-4 decision, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor dissented, bemoaning the possibility of "replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz-Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory."

10 I am indebted to the New York Industrial Retention Network for the basic manufacturing and Long Island City information in this chapter. I am indebted to the New York Industrial Retention Network for the basic manufacturing and Long Island City information in this chapter.

11 Catherine Rampell, "How Industries Survive Change, If They Do," Catherine Rampell, "How Industries Survive Change, If They Do," New York Times New York Times, November 15, 2008.

12 Adam Friedman, "Rezone Long Island City to Save Jobs," Adam Friedman, "Rezone Long Island City to Save Jobs," Newsday Newsday, January 5, 2001.

13 Robert Fitch, "Explaining New York City's Aberrant Economy," 110. Robert Fitch, "Explaining New York City's Aberrant Economy," 110.

14 Edgar M. Hoover and Louise P. Lerdau, Edgar M. Hoover and Louise P. Lerdau, One-Tenth of a Nation One-Tenth of a Nation.

15 A 2008 report of the city's Economic Development Corporation revealed that more than 100 businesses slashed 4,111 local jobs despite getting more than $91 million in tax breaks and incentives from the city. More than 500 companies received a.s.sistance since 1998 "to support investment, job retention and growth," of which 35 required a minimum job-creation requirement. Eight of the 35 failed to create the jobs, but only one company lost any benefits. A 2008 report of the city's Economic Development Corporation revealed that more than 100 businesses slashed 4,111 local jobs despite getting more than $91 million in tax breaks and incentives from the city. More than 500 companies received a.s.sistance since 1998 "to support investment, job retention and growth," of which 35 required a minimum job-creation requirement. Eight of the 35 failed to create the jobs, but only one company lost any benefits.

16 Jacobs, Jacobs, The Economy of Cities The Economy of Cities, 88-89.

17 Ibid., 50-51. Ibid., 50-51.

18 Sandy Ikeda, Sandy Ikeda, What We See: Advancing the Observations of Jane Jacobs What We See: Advancing the Observations of Jane Jacobs.

19 Jacobs, Jacobs, The Economy of Cities The Economy of Cities, 63.

20 William Yardley wrote a very insightful article, "In Portland, Cultivating a Culture of Two Wheels," in the William Yardley wrote a very insightful article, "In Portland, Cultivating a Culture of Two Wheels," in the New York Times New York Times, November 5, 2007, detailing the growth of this "new work."

21 See the Greenpoint Manufacturing story in my book, See the Greenpoint Manufacturing story in my book, Cities Back from the Edge Cities Back from the Edge, 52.

22 A Chicago study showed that local individual businesses produce bigger economic benefits, 70 percent more of a local economic impact per square foot than chain stores. A Chicago study showed that local individual businesses produce bigger economic benefits, 70 percent more of a local economic impact per square foot than chain stores.

23 A 2008 report issued by the office of Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer indicated that property tax breaks meant to stem an exodus of high-paying jobs to suburbia three decades ago have gone mostly to fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and national chain stores. A 2008 report issued by the office of Manhattan Borough president Scott Stringer indicated that property tax breaks meant to stem an exodus of high-paying jobs to suburbia three decades ago have gone mostly to fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and national chain stores.

24 A 1992 Waterfront Plan adopted by the Planning Commission and a community-developed plan a.s.sisted by the Planning Department forbid big box stores in the protected harbor. A 1992 Waterfront Plan adopted by the Planning Commission and a community-developed plan a.s.sisted by the Planning Department forbid big box stores in the protected harbor.

25 "Ikea a Mixed Blessing for Red Hook," "Ikea a Mixed Blessing for Red Hook," Crain's New York Business Crain's New York Business, 5.

26 A study released at the same time Ikea opened indicates the city needs at least seven more like the one lost to stay compet.i.tive as a port. "Industry experts say it would cost about $1 billion just to replace the 730-foot-long former graving dock that was converted into a parking lot," the A study released at the same time Ikea opened indicates the city needs at least seven more like the one lost to stay compet.i.tive as a port. "Industry experts say it would cost about $1 billion just to replace the 730-foot-long former graving dock that was converted into a parking lot," the New York Post New York Post reported ("Idea Berth Pangs," June 23, 2008). The reported ("Idea Berth Pangs," June 23, 2008). The Post Post also noted that the study estimates the port will lose $50 million to $150 million in revenues to compet.i.tive ports over the next five years because it doesn't have enough docks to meet repair and maintenance needs. also noted that the study estimates the port will lose $50 million to $150 million in revenues to compet.i.tive ports over the next five years because it doesn't have enough docks to meet repair and maintenance needs.

CHAPTER 7.

1 Recent new owners have totally restored the building, even putting back a brownstone stoop that had been removed before we owned it. At that time, the idea of restoring a stoop was unthinkable. The skills were hardly available. Recent new owners have totally restored the building, even putting back a brownstone stoop that had been removed before we owned it. At that time, the idea of restoring a stoop was unthinkable. The skills were hardly available.

2 White and Willensky, White and Willensky, AIA Guide AIA Guide, 367.

3 "Brownstoning-the How-To," "Brownstoning-the How-To," New York Post Magazine New York Post Magazine, 6.

4 Morris Brothers closed in 2008. Morris Brothers closed in 2008.

5 Caro, Caro, Power Broker Power Broker, 1014.

6 Paul Goldberger, "West Side Fixer-Upper: New Ideas for Lincoln Center That Don't Involve Dynamite." Paul Goldberger, "West Side Fixer-Upper: New Ideas for Lincoln Center That Don't Involve Dynamite."

7 Martin Filler, "After 50 Years, Lincoln Center Still Offers Plenty to Criticize," 37. Martin Filler, "After 50 Years, Lincoln Center Still Offers Plenty to Criticize," 37.

8 Ibid. Ibid.

CHAPTER 8.

1 That book was completed under editors Jane Isay and Bob Bender at Simon & Schuster. That book was completed under editors Jane Isay and Bob Bender at Simon & Schuster.

2 John Oakes of the John Oakes of the New York Times New York Times wrote occasional brilliant op-ed pieces, as did Sidney Schanberg, but they were lonely voices. Peter Freiberg reported regularly on the battle for the wrote occasional brilliant op-ed pieces, as did Sidney Schanberg, but they were lonely voices. Peter Freiberg reported regularly on the battle for the New York Post New York Post.

3 I am enormously grateful to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation for support of transcribing those tapes. I am enormously grateful to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation for support of transcribing those tapes.

4 That was Marshall McLuhan's term for the automobile. That was Marshall McLuhan's term for the automobile.

5 In May 1968 new regulations went into effect that required more stringent studies of highways before they were adopted. In May 1968 new regulations went into effect that required more stringent studies of highways before they were adopted.

6 For the argument that the federal government was paying the bill, see the next chapter. For the argument that the federal government was paying the bill, see the next chapter.

7 For an a.n.a.lysis of Starr's Planned Shrinkage policy, see my book For an a.n.a.lysis of Starr's Planned Shrinkage policy, see my book The Living City The Living City, 176-177.

CHAPTER 9.