POPS stars = You

Posted October 21, 2011 By Yolanne Almanzar

This week, we went on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show to urge New Yorkers to rate the city’s privately owned public spaces – “POPS” for short. The responses are now flooding in, with more than 70 reports so far, ranging from praise (“green and pretty”) to big thumbs-down (“very uninviting and a little creepy”).

As you continue to make your way around the city keep letting us know what you see, and make sure to fill out the feedback form. We’ll be sampling your responses here from now until our survey ends on November 9, when The New York World will produce a followup report and go back on WNYC to share what we’ve found. Here are some of the comments you’ve sent in:

55 Water Street

“No one knows about the Elevated Acre (a/k/a, 55 Water St). Its hard to find, hardly anyone there every time I’ve been there, but its beautiful & comfortable enough with an amazing view & the security people are nice enough.”

– Sanie (Oct. 19 2011)

Atlantic Terminal

“This space is great for mid-day or lunch time strolls for individuals or families. The ability to sit and eat/snack outdoors while enjoying nice weather is an added perk.”

– AM (Oct. 19 2011)

Broadway Atrium 85 Broad Street

“I’ve tried several times to walk through this lobby (to avoid having to detour around it) and have been stopped and instructed to provide ID, which I regard as an inappropriate infringement. I’ve also asked if, in future, I would be permitted to walk through with a bicycle, and have been told No…Do I not have the right to walk through (with or without a bicycle), unimpeded?”

– Charles (Oct. 19 2011)

Gilman Hall

“This area was closed off from street access until after I complained to the Buildings Department. It is not particularly inviting but there is nothing to stop anyone from entering…This space…allowed hugely out-of-proportion-to-the-neighborhood buildings to be built. It is an example of one of the poorest zoning decisions made in this city since WWII, a very poor tradeoff that only enriched developers.”

– Meryl (Oct. 19 2011)

Claridge House

– Julia (Oct. 19 2011)

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<h1>POPS stars = You</h1>This week, we went on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show to urge New Yorkers to <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/blogs/scrapbook/2011/oct/19/pops-report-tell-us-about-new-york-citys-privately-owned-public-spaces/');" href="http://www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/blogs/scrapbook/2011/oct/19/pops-report-tell-us-about-new-york-citys-privately-owned-public-spaces/">rate the city’s privately owned public spaces</a> – “POPS” for short. The responses are now flooding in, with more than 70 reports so far, ranging from praise (“green and pretty”) to big thumbs-down (“very uninviting and a little creepy”).
As you continue to make your way around the city <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.thenewyorkworld.com/2011/10/19/publicspace/');" title="Rate New York City’s privately owned public spaces" href="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/2011/10/19/publicspace/">keep letting us know</a> what you see, and make sure to fill out the feedback form. We’ll be sampling your responses here from now until our survey ends on November 9, when The New York World will produce a followup report and go back on WNYC to share what we’ve found. Here are some of the comments you’ve sent in:
<h3>55 Water Street</h3>
<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/E13.jpg');" href="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/E13.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-579" title="55 Water Street" src="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/E13.jpg" alt="55 Water Street" width="250" height="250" /></a>
<blockquote>“No one knows about the Elevated Acre (a/k/a, 55 Water St). Its hard to find, hardly anyone there every time I’ve been there, but its beautiful & comfortable enough with an amazing view & the security people are nice enough.”</blockquote>
– Sanie (Oct. 19 2011) 
 
 
 
<h3>Atlantic Terminal</h3>
<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.thenewyorkworld.com/2011/10/19/publicspace/');" href="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/2011/10/19/publicspace/"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-651" title="Atlantic Terminal (a4)" src="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/atlantic-terminal.png" alt="Map of Atlantic Terminal" width="250" height="250" /></a>
<blockquote>“This space is great for mid-day or lunch time strolls for individuals or families. The ability to sit and eat/snack outdoors while enjoying nice weather is an added perk.”</blockquote>
– AM (Oct. 19 2011)

<h3><del datetime="2011-11-07T17:42:07+00:00">Broadway Atrium</del> <ins datetime="2011-11-07T17:42:07+00:00">85 Broad Street</ins></h3>
<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/B7.png');" href="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/B7.png"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-579" title="85 Broad Street" src="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/B7.png" alt="85 Broad Street" width="250" height="250" /></a>
<blockquote>“I’ve tried several times to walk through this lobby (to avoid having to detour around it) and have been stopped and instructed to provide ID, which I regard as an inappropriate infringement. I’ve also asked if, in future, I would be permitted to walk through with a bicycle, and have been told No…Do I not have the right to walk through (with or without a bicycle), unimpeded?”</blockquote>
– Charles (Oct. 19 2011) 
 
 
<h3>Gilman Hall</h3>
<a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/J1.jpg');" href="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/J1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-579" title="Citicorp at Court Square" src="http://www.thenewyorkworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/J1.jpg" alt="Citicorp at Court Square" width="250" height="250" /></a>
<blockquote>“This area was closed off from street access until after I complained to the Buildings Department. It is not particularly inviting but there is nothing to stop anyone from entering…This space…allowed hugely out-of-proportion-to-the-neighborhood buildings to be built. It is an example of one of the poorest zoning decisions made in this city since WWII, a very poor tradeoff that only enriched developers.”</blockquote>
– Meryl (Oct. 19 2011)
<h3>Claridge House</h3>
– Julia (Oct. 19 2011)

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POPS stars = You

55 Water Street

Atlantic Terminal

Broadway Atrium 85 Broad Street

Gilman Hall

Claridge House

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POPS stars = You

55 Water Street

Atlantic Terminal

Broadway Atrium 85 Broad Street

Gilman Hall

Claridge House

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