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W. 13131313thSt.GazetteVoice of the W. 13th St. 100 Block Association, Inc., 118 W. 13th St., New York, N.Y. 10011

Issue No. 3 October 1997

NEXT MEETING

Katherine House

118 West 13th St.

Tuesday, October 14, 8:00 P.M.

Guest: A representative from the Traffic Enforce-

ment Bureau will address problems caused by ille-

gal truck and bus traffic on block.

Presidents Message:Two Block Associations?

BY GARY TOMEI

What is a block association? One would think its a

rhetorical question; however, it seems that some

people just dont get it.

In fall 1996, I had been a resi-

dent of the block for more than three

years. During that period no one

notified me of any existing blockassociation. Nevertheless, the block

had problems, the most dramatic being rat infesta-tion. Others included a recent increase in traffic

congestion and noise, the neglect of our trees and

flowers, and burned-out street lamps.

The West 13th Street 100 Block Association

was started in September 1996 by our neighbors in

response to these problems. When our first meeting

notice was posted, I received a call from a block

resident claiming that there already was a block as-

sociation and that she was its vice-president. I was

surprised and delighted and suggested that she meet

with all of the interested neighbors and discuss our

common problems. Unfortunately, I have not heard

from her since.

In the last year, we have grown by leaps and

bounds. We now represent more than 1000 people

including tenants, co-op owners, brownstone own-

ers, businesses, and such institutions as the Kathe-

rine House and the City & Country School.

Last spring, another block resident emerged

calling herself the president of Friends of West

(Continued on Page 2)

Compare for yourself! Which is the real block association?

W. 13th St. 100 Block

Association

Friends of W. 13th St.

Does it hold frequent publicized meet-

ings at which people can express their

views and concerns?

YES NO

Does it hold annual publicized elec-

tion of officers?YES NO

Does it reflect the majority opinion of

people on the block?

YES NO

Does it serve the entire block? YES NO

Does it accurately report the facts and

issues?YES NO

Does it maintain continuing dialog and

communication with the local police?YES NO

Does it maintain continuing dialog and

communication with its constituents?YES NO

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13th Street, Inc., claiming that this is the original

block association and further that she will fight to

destroy the W. 13th St. 100 Block Assn.

We of the W. 13th St. 100 Block Assn do not

desire to engage in a battle. Our aim is the better-

ment of the block, not the aggrandizement of power.

Both I and another officer of our Block Associationhave approached this person about joining forces.

She has, however, responded to neither of us.

We are perfectly willing to work with this indi-

vidual in one block association with duly elected

officers, regular meetings, open discussion of is-

sues, and proper financial accounting. Our detractor

unfortunately seems to believe that the democratic

process is for lesser beings as she and only she

knows what is good for the block.

All this would be, and perhaps is, comical, ex-

cept that we are concerned that the residents of this

block have become confused as who is the true

voice of our block of West 13thStreet.

Friends of West 13th Street collected money

from unsuspecting residents who believed they were

contributing to the W. 13th St. 100 Block Assn.

This is money that our organization needs to buy

sidewalk planters for the east end of the block, to

beautify the block in other ways, to print and mail

The Gazette, and for other beneficial works.

Further confusion arises when this individual

(Friends of West 13th Street) goes before Commu-

nity Board 2, as well as governmental agencies stat-

ing that she represents the people of the block. Ob-

viously, this is a misrepresentation that undermines

our Block Associations credibility with the Com-

munity Board and the governmental agencies we are

trying to influence on your behalf. There cannot be

two block associations representing the people of

this block. The Community Board and the residents

of Greenwich Village will take neither organization

seriously.We therefore ask you to lend your support to

solely to the West Thirteenth Street Block Associa-

tion, and we invite you to participate with us in

maintaining our charming historic block.

Return of alternate-side-of-the-streetparking regulations

At our May meeting, the Block Association unani-

mously voted to request that the City's Department

of Transportation (DOT) reinstate alternate-side-of-

the-street parking regulations on our block to in-

crease the flow of traffic and decrease attendant

noise pollution.

Accordingly, the Block Association put this re-

quest in writing to DOT. DOT okayed the change

subject to the approval of Community Board 2

(CB2). Several representatives of the Block Asso-

ciation attended a meeting of CB2's Traffic Com-

mittee where the committee unanimously voted to

reinstate the requested parking regulations. The

full Board met soon thereafter, unanimously ap-proving the Traffic Committee's vote. We expect

the return of alternate side of the street parking

regulations to occur sometime in the near future.

Old Village store moves to 106

Last month, in a storefront that had been vacant for

several years, Sieglers used furniture store became

a neighbor. Before moving to our block, Sieglers

had been on West 11th Street for over 100 years

The vacant site had attracted vagrants and accumu-

lated litter. Therefore, the Block Association welcomes this newest commercial addition and wishes

it success.

City & Country fair

Our Block Association participated in the annual

childrens street fair sponsored by the City & Coun-

try School on May 10. We distributed copies of the

Gazette, signed up new members, and gave away

plants (impa-

tiens) to anybuilding owner or

superintendent on

the block who

promised to plant

them where they

could be seen

from the street.

Block resident

Victoria Lamb

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provided the banner for our table.

In the photo at the right, Nancy Deckinger and

Larry Fruchter staff the table behind the Associa-

tions banner. In the photo on page 3, Bill Boren-

stein displays impatiens to Dorothy Graham while

Alan Jacobs prepares literature for the table.

Beautification

The W. 13th Street

100 Block Association

has put in a new tree at

134, and has been work-

ing with the coops at

105 W. 13th and the

John Adams, as well as

the City, to place new

tree planters at the east

end of the block. These planters should be in bynext spring or summer.

The Department of Forestry will be trimming

our trees this month. We planted flowers in all the

tree boxes on the block.

All graffiti has been removed from lampposts,

signs, and mailboxes, as well as the 13th Street side

of Rite-Aid. Please report any new graffiti to us for

removal.

We have been gathering information on an-

tique-style lampposts to replace the standard issue.

Please advise us of any further suggestions you

might have.

Fire alarm box replaced; crime

We have had the damaged fire alarm box replaced

at the northwest corner of 6th Ave. and 13th St.

Members of the executive board periodically

attend the Sixth Precinct Police Community Council

meetings, attend seminars on crime, and meet indi-

vidually with various officers of the Sixth Precinct

We acknowledge the wonderful cooperation we re-

ceive from the Sixth Precinct. They are most help-

ful and vigilant.

As reported in the New York Times, Residents

are exhibiting a greater willingness to become in-

volved in anticrime initiatives and to work directly

and indirectly with the police. This community in-volvement appears to be the key to success in fight-

ing crime. Crime isnt simply a police problem

this is a community problem.

Fourteenth Street Armory

Lights, Camera, Action

Sidney Lumet is currently directing Sharon Stone in

a remake of the 1980 John Cassavetes film, Gloria

at the Armory. Film-

ing will continuethrough December.

Last month, the

movies executive

producer and repre-

sentatives of the

Mayor and Governor

met with a local um-

brella group, the Armory Action Association

(AAA). The AAA received assurances that the

movie production will not disrupt the quietude of

the neighborhoodOur block extended an open invitation to all

film participants to sample the diverse food estab-

lishments on our mini-Restaurant Row.

Coming Soon -- A New Owner

The State' s process for the sale of the Armory is

moving forward. After publishing its formal Re-

quest for Proposals, the Empire State Development

Corporation (ESDC) narrowed the field of purchas-

ers down to four finalists. It is in theprocess of re-

viewing these developers' financial qualifications

and architectural plans.

Later this month, the AAA will meet with the

ESDC and representatives of each of the four devel-

opers to better understand each project and to evalu-

ate the effects they might have on the surrounding

neighborhood.

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Illegal bus and truck traffic

Regulations honored more in the breach than in

the observance

Our block is experiencing an increase in illegal bus

and truck traffic. Tour buses (e.g., MHT Tours) and

trucks (e.g., Bradley's) are using our block as a

thoroughfare.As mentioned in our meeting notice, a

representative of the city's Traffic Enforcement

Bureau will address our group. Anyone wishing to

voice a concern on this frustrating issue is welcome

to attend the next meeting.

We have pushed for legislation prohibiting tour

buses from our street. This bill, actively supported

by Councilmember Tom Duane, is nearing a vote in

City Council

Rite-Aid and litterThe Block Association has asked the management

of the John Adams to require Rite Aid (its tenant) to

keep the 13th Street sidewalk and gutter clean. The

area is usually littered with debris, garbage, and

Rite-Aid fliers. In addition to asking that Rite-Aid

clean the sidewalk throughout the day, we have also

asked that they stop their aggressive distribution of

fliers, which contributes to the problem. A represen-

tative from Rite Aid told us that the flier distribu-

tion might cease in January, after the store has been

open for a year.

Reno Sweeney, fondly

The famous nightspot Reno Sweeney resided where

the Zinno Restaurant is now on 13th Street. Big

name musicians would perform an a regular basis

and that was the draw.

One weeknightlate, about 1:00 A.M.my

phone rang waking me up. It was a business friend

of mine whom I had strategically helped establish

his own business in our mens clothing industry. Ihad not heard from

him in about 1-

years, and I was a bit

perplexed by that be-

cause he had never

thanked me for my

instrumental help.

The purpose of his

call was to ask if I

would join him at Reno Sweeney for a drink in

about 30 minutes. My head was not quite clear, bu

I said yes. My wife asked me why I was going. I

answered that the oddity of the time suggested that

this was not a lets get together, this was some-

thing else and I was curious what it could be. So, I

hitched up my pants and strolled over to Renos.

The place was bustling and Blossom Deariewas the headliner. My friend, Tom, already had a

table, and was seated with a dark-complected, rug-

ged but supple, very well dressed fellow. Tom in

troduced me to Tony; the nature of the telephone

call became evident when he told me that Tony was

the mens clothing buyer at Sears, Roebuck. (Back

then it was Sears, Roebuck and they had a catalog.)

Within months I was shipping mega suits and

sport coats to Sears distribution center. Many

thanks to Tom and Tony, and fond memories of

Reno Sweeney.

BILL BORENSTEIN

Hollywood on the Canarsie Line

While Sidney Lumet filmed Sharon Stone on 14th

St. (see above),

Gregory Hines made

a surprise appearance

on our block when he

joined featured artist

Barbara Duffy in adazzling tap perform-

ance on Sept. 28.

Zinnos jazz/tap Sun-

day brunch provided

the venue, while the

Bob Kindred Trio

provided the innovative jazz for foot-tapping and

tap-dancing. Is this a great block or what? . .

Francis Ford Coppola hosted a wine tasting last

spring featuring the wines of his Coppola/Neibaum

Vineyard. The affair was held at Maria Elenas, 133W. 13th Street.

Alan Jacobs produced this newsletter, with con-

tributions from Gary Tomei, Nancy Deckinger, Bill

Borenstein, Harriet Brand, and Daphne Uviller.

The Annual Meeting of the Block Association will

be held in late January. Election of officers will oc-

cur. Notification of exact date will follow.