At today’s public meeting before the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, representatives of the West Park Presbyterian Church faced pointed questioning from commissioners on the core claims underlying their hardship application to demolish the 135-year-old UWS landmark. The exchange laid bare what independent experts have long argued: that the alleged hardship presented to the Commission was not inevitable but manufactured – the product of a series of deliberate decisions by the church designed to clear the path to a $33.4 million sale to luxury developer Alchemy Properties.
Commissioners pressed the applicant on why the church owners never attempted to market approximately 80,000 square feet of transferable air rights, whose transferability became greater after December 2024, despite the Commission’s own precedent requiring active marketing before citing lack of buyers as evidence of hardship, with a commissioner noting directly that prior hardship determinations have taken a negative view of applicants who failed to do so.
Commissioners acknowledged that, in 2024, the joint non-profit created by the church with The Center at West Park was validating the intention of financial sustainability and maintenance of the building. Commissioners noted it as a successful model two blocks away at St. Paul and St. Andrew, where a similar arrangement helped leverage a $5 million renovation grant, questioning why that model was never pursued with a different partner rather than abandoned entirely. They also questioned whether the owners ever pursued additional sources of funding including public or private grants, or even other…
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The United States paid solemn tribute to six American service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, as the nation continues to confront rising tensions with the Iranian regime following the launch of a major U.S. military operation.
A dignified transfer ceremony was held at Dover Air Force Base, where the remains of the fallen soldiers were returned to American soil. The ceremony brought together grieving families, military officials, and national leaders, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The six soldiers were members of the United States Army Reserve serving as logistics specialists supporting American forces stationed in the Middle East. Their deaths occurred on March 1 when an Iranian drone struck a U.S. military facility in Kuwait.
The attack came just one day after the United States launched a major military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure known as Operation Epic Fury.
The fallen service members represent some of the first American casualties in the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran.
Dignified Transfer Ceremony At Dover Air Force Base
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Street Renaming Petition To Honor Mario D’Agostino
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Mario was an honorable man, who changed people’s lives with his beautiful mind, strong work ethic, positive outlook on life and investing in his favorite part of New York City, the Bronx.
Brenda Jimenez Wins Four Silver & Bronze Stevie ® Awards For Women In Business In 2020
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The NYC Department for the Aging (NYC Aging) hosted its second annual Talent Connect Hiring Hall on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Brooklyn Public Library – Central Branch, bringing together older adult jobseekers, employers, workforce training providers, and community partners to expand access to employment opportunities.
Building on the momentum of last year’s inaugural event, the Hiring Hall connected 800 older jobseekers directly with employers, workforce training providers, and community partners. Attendees participated in on-the-spot interviews, spoke with hiring managers, explored career pathways, and accessed workforce training and supportive services.
The event highlights NYC Aging’s commitment to connecting experienced workers with meaningful employment opportunities across New York City.
“New York City’s older adults are a workforce to be tapped. The experience, resilience, and depth of knowledge they bring to any employer is unmatched, said NYC Aging Commissioner Dr. Lisa Scott-McKenzie. “Talent Connect exists to make sure that talent finds its match, and that no one is sidelined simply because of their age. Events like this one are how we turn that commitment into action — connecting real people with real opportunity, in real time.”
“Age should never limit opportunity or the ability to contribute,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “We are proud to work alongside NYC Aging to create direct pathways to jobs for older New Yorkers, whose experience and innovation have the power to revitalize our workforce and city.”
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SPORT NEWS
Today, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura announced $50 million in new capital investments in 10 parks through the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2027. The initiative reconstructs parks in neighborhoods that have historically been neglected.
The investments will improve parks in all five boroughs, expanding access to safe, welcoming public spaces. The announcement coincides with new studies from the City University of New York (CUNY) highlighting the mental health and social benefits of improved park space for New Yorkers.
“For many New Yorkers, the park is their backyard — a place where they can play a game of pick-up basketball, hold a picnic on the grass or kick a ball with their kids. These New Yorkers know the difference between a park in disarray and a park that city government has invested in,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “That is why, today, we are proud to announce $50 million worth of capital investments to ten parks across the city — investments that will allow more than 100,000 New Yorkers in all five boroughs to experience a healthier, cleaner and more accessible city.”
“All New Yorkers deserve access to clean, safe and high-quality parks — and through our Community Parks Initiative (CPI), we’re proud to announce the next 10 parks that will receive key investments in underserved neighborhoods. These renovations will benefit more than 100,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Along with this new investment, NYC Parks has reimagined and reconstructed 70 CPI…
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