One More Hotel for Tribeca Tribeca may soon be getting another hotel-this one on the bustling southeast corner of Broadway and Canal Street. Owners of 416 Broadway are currently seeking city approval to convert the nine-story loft building into a 100-room Ramada Inn. "We're excited about it," said Jeremy Chan, son of the building' owner, Alice Chan, and the hotel's project manager. The family also owns a boutique hotel at Canal and Lafayette Streets. Chan said there is always room for more. "The Holiday Inn on Lafayette is always booked," he said. "And not to be negative, but they are pretty run down." The Renaissance Revival-style building, erected in 1899, is in the Tribeca East Historical District. The city's Landmarks Preservation Commission gave its approval last month for plans to renovate the facade and clear out the current ground-floor retail stands. Replacing them will be a glass storefront that will house the hotel's lobby and restaurant. "We would like it to be a little bit better than what Ramada is calling for, a little more upscale," said Raymond Chan, the project's architect. He said the plan is to begin converting the building in the fall. There are currently more than a half-dozen businesses located on the building's upper floors, including a tattoo artist, an architect, and the offices of a rock 'n' roll magazine. Tenants, who did not want to be identified, told the Trib that their leases were not renewed last year and that they were aware that change was coming to the building. They did not know, however, that their spaces are to become hotel rooms. "I'd probably book a room here sometime," said one tenant. "If it was cheap." Hudson River Swims Who says there are no swimming holes in the big city? There are four public swims in the Hudson River in July. For long-distance swimmers there's the 24th annual Manhattan Island Marathon on July 9, a 28.5-mile race around the island starting at 9:15 a.m. at South Cove in Battery Park City and ending in the same spot. Swimmers who aren't quite ready for that circuit can join the 2.4-mile Race for the River on July 16, kicking off at Pier 62 at 23rd Street and ending at Battery Park City's North Cove. And starting at 2:15 that afternoon is a half-mile swim from South Cove to the North Cove. Finally, the Park to Park One Miler is on July 31, beginning at 3:45 p.m. at South Cove and ending at Tribeca's Pier 26. For more information or to register, call 888-NYC-SWIM or go to www.nycswim.org. Island Getaway It's as near a secluded island as you'll find in New York City waters, and it's only minutes from Lower Manhattan. Each Saturday through Sept. 3 Governors Island is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for exploration. On weekdays there are guided tours of the island's historical fortifications, arsenal buildings and residences dating back to the early 1800s. Weekday ferry tickets to the island are $15 at the New Water Taxi booth at Wall Street and South Street, or online at www.nywatertaxi.com. Saturdays, tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children at the Governors Island ferry slip. For more information call 212-440-2202 or visit www.govisland.com. Drumming and Dancing Battery Park City's Wagner Park will pulse with West African and Middle Eastern rhythms every Friday night in July and August as master drummers lead weekly drumming circles from 6:30-8:30 p.m. You can bring your own drums, whistles or bells to these Sunset Jams or borrow one from the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy. If you want to move your feet, join the Cajun and Zydeco Family Dance, with The Doc Marshalls, on July 16, from 6:30-8 p.m., at Esplanade Plaza. Or swing on the plaza at the Dancing Through The Decades Family Dance on Aug. 13, 6:30-8 p.m. It features the big-band music of Felix and All the Cats, and public dancing of the Charleston, Lindy Hop, Twist and Hustle. For more information on the events call 212-267-9700 or go to www.bpcparks.org. Knitting Lessons It may be a little warm out for a sweater, but it's not too soon to get started on one for the winter. Knitting lessons, for amateurs and the accomplished alike, are held twice a month, on alternate Thursdays, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Klach Coffee Bar, 9 Maiden Lane. The classes are $10 per hour. Call 212-227-7276. Summer Sing-Along The Downtown Glee Club, a male chorus based in Lower Manhattan for more than 75 years, is hosting a sing-along on Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at Trinity Church, Wall Street and Broadway. And this time, women are allowed. For information call Jerry Osterberg at 516-248-7549 or email osterbergg@aol.com.