Community Board 1 is supporting Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's call for an independent budget review of the rebuilding effort at the World Trade Center site.
The city and the site's leaseholder, Larry Silverstein, have offered conflicting estimates about who is in a better position to finance the construction of Towers 3 and 4 on the east side of the site along Church Street.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called for the Port Authority to take over construction of those two buildings, based on the city's analysis that the developer does not have enough insurance money remaining to complete them.
Silverstein argues that rents from the Freedom Tower and Tower 2 will make up for any shortfall.
"It appears the city and Silverstein have widely divergent views of the economics surrounding the WTC site and that both sides may be prepared for a protracted battle," said Julie Menin, chairwoman of Community Board 1. "This is unacceptable. We can no longer have such a delay."
The Independent Budget Office, a publicly funded, nonpartisan agency that conducts economic and policy analysis, is expected to complete a review before the March 14 deadline that Governor George Pataki has set for the Port Authority and Silverstein Properties to reach an agreement on the rebuilding plans.
Registration for the 2006-07 school year at Lower Manhattan's three public elementary schools begins March 13. To register, bring your child, an original birth certificate or passport, immunization records, and a current Con Edison bill for proof of address.
Registration at P.S. 234 will be March 13-24 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The school will not offer Pre-K.
Registration at P.S. 89 will be March 13-17 from 9 to 11 a.m. Pre-K applications to P.S. 89 can be picked up at the school beginning March 20 and must be returned by March 28. Selection will be by lottery in April.
Registration at P.S. 150 is March 13-17 and is by appointment only. Pre-K availability is limited.
For more information, call P.S. 89 at 212-571-5659, P.S. 234 at 212-233-6034, or P.S. 150 at 212-732-4392.
There will be an evening of free poetry and drinks on March 29 at the Downtown Information Center, 25 Broad Street. A trio of New York City poets—Eugene Schlanger, Jackie Sheeler and Angelo Verga—will give readings beginning at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by DoDo Café. RSVP to Wall Street Rising at 212-425-4636.
Renovation of the Wall Street subway station at Broadway and Wall Street begins this month. The 41-month-long project will mean delays and shutdowns late nights and weekends, but the station will remain open for weekday service, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said last month.
The project will include replacement of the blue tiles in the station with the original white ones and an art installation.
The New York County Lawyers' Association will host a silent auction on March 8 at 6 p.m. at 14 Vesey St. Items on the block will include gift certificates for restaurants and goods, spirits, tickets to sporting and theater events and household items.
Proceeds benefit a summer minority judicial internship program. The evening will include a tribute to the late Coretta Scott King. RSVP to dlamb@nycla.org
A basic boating course, sponsored by the North River Sail and Power Squadron, begins March 28. The eight-week course will be held Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Murray Bergtraum High School, 411 Pearl St.
The course covers basic navigation, charting, rules of the road and safety. There is a $75 charge for course materials. For information, go to www.northriversquadron.org, email nruspsp@aol.com or call 212-217-2900.
The Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, which maintains the parks and gardens in Battery Park City, is seeking volunteers to work alongside its horticulturists one day a week.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to commit Wednesday mornings for the entire season, from May through October. For an application, call 212-267-9700 ext. 364. Deadline for submission is April 5.
World Cares Center, an organization that provides disaster recovery education and support services, is holding a World Trade Center Health Week March 6–10 that will address post-Sept. 11 health and environmental concerns. There will be speakers from the Sierra Club, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, and Bellevue clinics. Programs are free and will be held at 11 Broadway, 11th fl. To make a reservation, call Laura Horowitz, 646-289-3098. For a schedule, go to www.worldcares.org.
