Good morning. It’s sunny and surprisingly warm after an early fog. I am sitting outdoors at Grind the NYC Coffee Shop having a latte and writing the newsletter.
It might look idyllic, but the morning has been one big rush. I woke to a message from Senator Brad Hoylman that the historic Art Deco lobby of the landmarked McGraw Hill building had been demolished. I wrote the story, then his tweet got deleted, then the press release was removed from the site, then someone asked had we seen it with our own eyes to confirm! I hopped on a Citi Bike to meet the Senator at 330 W42st Street. He told me that the owner’s representative had called him at 8pm last night to say they had demolished the lobby. We asked if we could check but workers told us they were under strict instructions not to let us in. Read more…
What we’ve been reading
We miss hugs and handshakes. When will they return? (NY1)
Is Intrepid Museum getting too good a rent deal on the Hudson? (Patch)
Good news! Nursing home residents can get hugs again. (NBC)
Hudson Yard’s boss Stephen Ross is raising millions for mayoral fund. (Crain’s)
Did you see all those flags on W42nd St yesterday? (amNY)
Freeze Frame
Did you see those amazing clouds over the city last night? Lauren Scala was one of the many readers to capture the night sky.
She said (sang): “Sky is the limit and you know that you keep on, just keep on pressin’ on. Sky is the limit and you know that you can have what you want, be what you want. ~ James “D Train” Williams (but I’m singing the Biggie / 112 version)”