Summer in Manhattan

Summer in Manhattan – and indeed throughout New York – can be so much fun. And especially now, following the coronavirus pandemic with stay-at-home orders and entertainment industries all but completely shut down, people need to have a great summer in New York City.

In fact, it’s almost like the late writer Dorothy Parker had just come out of the pandemic herself when she said in the 19th century: “London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful. Always it believes that something good is about to come off, and it must hurry to meet it.” And if there’s even been more of an apt time for hope then it’s now.

Which is why it’s so wonderful to see that there is excitement in Lower Manhattan with the changes being made to the waterfront areas.  The Bungalow is a new outdoor area offering food, entertainment and more.  While it acts as one of the city’s best ice skating rinks in winter, in the summer from now it will become a beachy oasis, inspired by Montauk retreats.

Brookfield Properties’ Senior Marketing VP, Sara Fay explained:

“We created The Bungalow to serve as a retreat for those seeking a public space in the city to relax and enjoy being around one another after so much time apart. The concept was inspired by the atmosphere of a summer day in Montauk, spent under the sun with a refreshing cocktail and delicious food. The Bungalow celebrates life in the city and creates a welcoming and fun experience for office workers returning to Lower Manhattan, tourists exploring the waterfront and everyday New Yorkers seeking out a new adventure.”

In related news, Summer Streets will be returning to NYC next month.  The event has been taking place for 13 years (apart from last year when it had to cancel due to coronavirus restrictions). All the fun activities (in Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Park Avenue, Lafayette Street, Center streets) will be free for New Yorkers and appropriate for all ages and abilities.

The event runs from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge, along Park Avenue and Lafayette and Center streets. The fun begins Saturday, Aug. 7 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will also be held the following Saturday. The activities for the 2021 event have yet to be announced, but all will be free for New Yorkers and “designed for people of all ages and ability levels to share the streets respectfully.”

In years past, Summer Streets activities have included mini golf, an obstacle course and even a zip line.

Brooklyn Bridge: Before and After Renovations

Renovations are being undertaken on the Brooklyn Bridge later this year.  Thousands of dollars have been earmarked for Navillus and MLJ construction companies to work on the two towers, replace walls and facades and generally improve the entire area.  Over the last century-and-a-quarter the Bridge has – naturally – experienced substantial wear and tear.  There is also much graffiti.

Photographer Mozes Victor Konig, Tel Aviv native said the following:

“Even though of course I know that this work is important, somehow I feel that it will be a shame to bid farewell to the graffiti.  As such, I plan on doing a before and after shot of the area.”

Local photographer Michelle Kamuchi echoed Konig’s words:

“Who can not smile when they see ‘LOVE, LOVE, LOVE’ emblazoned on the middle of the bridge. Is the plan to remove thatas well?” she asked.

On the flip side, a few years ago, an observation was made about the

“large swaths of the promenade covered in graffiti…. A picture drawn on a steel beam shows a man’s private parts. In another section of the beam, a visitor crudely boasts of having urinated on the span.”

It seems there is definitely room for improvement.  But still, we like Mozes Victor Konig’s idea about the before and after shots.  Watch this space!