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Privatizing NYC Parks
- Bryant Park Fashion ShowClick here to see this incredible photo on the Bryant Park webpage then consider that the Parks Commissioner and the director of the 34th Street Partnership BID testified at the Intro # 160 hearing about street artists causing "congestion" in Parks. The 34th Street Partnership, which runs Bryant Park, was one of the BIDs that filed legal papers against street artists in 1995, claiming that all visual art was unworthy of First Amendment protection. To enter this corporate fashion show in a public NYC Park, you must have an invitation. Those invitations are reserved for the wealthiest and most influential people. 99.999% of actual New Yorkers will never get one. The show takes up the entire Park. for full information on Intro # 160 Click Here
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Friday, February 7- Friday, February 14 MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK ANNOUNCES VENUE PLANS FOR THE FALL 2003 COLLECTIONS
New Design Offers Complete Range of Show Space Options
December X, 2002 New York, NY) -Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week announced venue plans today for the Fall 2003 Collections, scheduled February 7-14, 2003. Four venues will be produced inside the Bryant Park Tents, including a new venue, the Atelier, designed to accommodate the needs of new, up-and-coming designers.
The Atelier, a 5,000 square foot all-white space will offer a 4' x 120' u-shaped runway, and will accommodate 260-seated guests and 120 standing. The Atelier will host 3-4 shows a day and cost $14,000. "We are excited about this new venue, said Fern Mallis, Executive Director of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. "It's size, scale and u-shaped runway were designed in response to the needs and concerns of many of the designers who wanted the opportunity to present their collection in a first class space with the same style, energy and production value that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is known for, but for a slightly smaller audience and rental fee."
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week's three additional venues in Bryant Park include the Tent, Pavilion and Studio. The Tent, which has not been a Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week venue since September, 2001 is the largest space at 13,500 square feet. An all black space with a traditional central or u-shaped runway, it seats 714-918 guests and costs $39,500. The Pavilion, the flexible "black box" with no fixed runway and movable multi-tiered guest risers, is 13,500 sq ft, seats 430-880 guests and rents for $36,500. The Studio, an all white space at 7,590 sq. ft, offers a smaller, more intimate feel. It has a 16" high runway, seats 430 guests and costs $26,000.
All Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week venues include a fully equipped backstage area with racks, mirrors, make-up lights, radios and headsets, European style lighting, designed to evenly illuminate the runway and capable of providing several unique looks, a sound system balanced to provide fully equalized coverage for music playback, an expert design team for lighting, sound, stage and production and many marketing and promotional benefits, including signage throughout the tents and beyond, inclusion in advertisements in the New York Times, Vogue and other special marketing benefits currently being developed. ---------------------------------------- Guidelines for Events in Bryant Park
To jump to a specific section, just click on the word below.
General Info | Application Guidelines | Sound Amplification | Food & Merchandising | Security & Sanitation | Lawn & Foliage | Contribution Levels | Insurance Requirements
Film/Video Permit Application | Photography Permit Application (requires Adobe Acrobat)
General Information All events are subject to the approval of Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (BPRC). All applicants must also file a special event permit application with Department of Parks and Recreation, 16 West 61st Street, Suite 615, New York, NY 10023. Please call 212-408-0226 for application, or visit the New York City Parks website.
It is the obligation of any event sponsor to obtain all applicable New York City permits for the event, including without limitation: Amplified Sound Permit, Street Activities Permit, Parking Permit, or Temporary Place of Assembly Permit (required for any structure holding more than 75 persons).
Bryant Park includes the Library Terrace, the area on the Fifth Avenue side of the New York Public Library (NYPL) between 40th and 42nd Streets. The Terrace is strickly controlled and some activities which may be appropriate on the Sixth Avenue side of the Park may not be permitted on the Library Terrace. The Terrace is a quiet zone, restricting sound amplification. The steps leading from the terrace to NYPL are controlled by NYPL. In order to use the Library steps or to discuss capturing any still, video or film image (in the foreground or background) of the NYPL, permission must be obtained from the NYPL: Alysia Abbott, 212-642-0147.
If an event is appropriate for the Park, audiences of up to 5,000 people can be accommodated in Bryant Park. ------------------------------------------------- Guidelines for Events in Bryant Park
To jump to a specific section, just click on the word below.
General Info | Application Guidelines | Sound Amplification | Food & Merchandising | Security & Sanitation | Lawn & Foliage | Contribution Levels | Insurance Requirements
Film/Video Permit Application | Photography Permit Application (requires Adobe Acrobat)
General Information All events are subject to the approval of Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (BPRC). All applicants must also file a special event permit application with Department of Parks and Recreation, 16 West 61st Street, Suite 615, New York, NY 10023. Please call 212-408-0226 for application, or visit the New York City Parks website.
It is the obligation of any event sponsor to obtain all applicable New York City permits for the event, including without limitation: Amplified Sound Permit, Street Activities Permit, Parking Permit, or Temporary Place of Assembly Permit (required for any structure holding more than 75 persons).
Bryant Park includes the Library Terrace, the area on the Fifth Avenue side of the New York Public Library (NYPL) between 40th and 42nd Streets. The Terrace is strickly controlled and some activities which may be appropriate on the Sixth Avenue side of the Park may not be permitted on the Library Terrace. The Terrace is a quiet zone, restricting sound amplification. The steps leading from the terrace to NYPL are controlled by NYPL. In order to use the Library steps or to discuss capturing any still, video or film image (in the foreground or background) of the NYPL, permission must be obtained from the NYPL: Alysia Abbott, 212-642-0147.
If an event is appropriate for the Park, audiences of up to 5,000 people can be accommodated in Bryant Park.
Application Guidelines A complete schedule of the entire production of the event, including load-in through load-out activities must be provided to BPRC with the application. Information about the event must be provided with application, including all corporate sponsors, and exactly how the Park is planned to be used. Detailed drawings indicating the location of and flow of the event activities/sites, all equipment, and all material to be placed in and around the Park are required with application (use the Map of Park). Updates of the schedule and drawings should must be submitted, and the final schedule and drawings must be provided at least one week prior to the event. BPRC prefers that events take place on paved areas, rather than the lawn.
Only one event with amplified voice or music (or raindate for each such event) is usually scheduled per day or per weekend.
No personal or commercial vehicles may be driven or parked on Park property at any time.
The entire park cannot be closed to the public at any time and events that charge admission are not appropriate in the Park.
The Park stage (when available) is not movable or alterable.
The content, size and location of all commercial signs, including banners, handouts, giveaways, and other advertising must be approved in advance by BPRC.
Sound Amplification The level of the amplification of voice or music is within the absolute discretion of BPRC.
Food and Merchandise The selling of food or other merchandise in the Park is not allowed. For events involving the provision of food, the event coordinator may wish to use the catering department of Ark Restaurants Corporation (which operates Bryant Park Grill) or Culinart (which operates all six freestanding food kiosks in the Park)
Ark Catering: Walter C. Rauscher, 212-206-8815
Culinart (Philip Stone Catering): Peter Rocco, 646-996-0707
Security and Sanitation Any additional security and sanitation costs incurred by BPRC as result of an event must be paid by the event producers. Events that anticipate attendance over 2,000 people, are required to provide additional toilets and security (approximately one toilet unit and one security officer for every 500 additional people).
Commercially sponsored events are required to have a commercial carter remove all refuse attributable to the event, including and especially any and all cardboard. Evidence that the services of a carter have been secured must be provided to BPRC at least one week prior to the event.
Lawn and Foliage Tents and other structures in the Park must be approved by BPRC. In order to prevent any damage to the lawn, BPRC determines if and when an event may occur wholely or partially, including audiences, on the lawn. BPRC may close the lawn prior to or during any event without notice if there are unsafe conditions, for example, if grass is wet. In addition, the lawn is closed for at least one month, twice each year, for seasonal renovation beginning about March 1 and September 25.
No materials may be placed in any garden, planter, or plantbed. Staking into the ground is prohibited without express authorization and supervision of BPRC.
Contribution Levels Commercially Sponsored Events Sponsors of commercial events are asked to make a contribution to BPRC to support Park operations. The amount of the contribution is determined by BPRC through careful review of a written proposal for park use. Important factors to consider are the duration of the event, schedule of event production, number of people the event affects, and intrusiveness on the Park and neighboring properties. An event that (i) requires the erection of a tent of over 1,500 square feet, (ii) requires the closing of a portion of the Park to the public when it would otherwise be open to the public, or (iii) requires the opening of any portion of the Park for private use when it would otherwise be closed, would necessitate a very significant contribution to BPRC.
Film/Video/Photo Shoots All individuals, schools, producers, organizations and corporations that would like to use the Park for film, video, television, and photo shoots must apply for a permit and will be asked to make a contribution to BPRC to support Park operations. Television and feature films shot in the Park are asked to give screen credit to BPRC. In addition, a copy of the film, television show, or publication featuring the shots from the Park must be provided to BPRC for archival purposes. ----------------------------------- AND WHO RUNS THE SHOW? To no one's surprise, the Rockefellers! ---------------------------------------------- http://www.bryantpark.org/html/bprc.htm Bryant Park Restoration Corporation (BPRC) is a not-for-profit, private management company established by Daniel A. Biederman and Andrew Heiskell, with support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, private contributors, and a cooperating business improvement district of neighboring property owners. It was formed after a need was seen to restore historic Bryant Park, which had suffered a severe decline in conditions in the 1970s. A 15-year agreement signed in 1988 entrusted management and improvements to the BPRC, which reopened the park in 1991 with a budget six times the level under prior city management. It is the largest effort in the nation to apply private management backed by private funding to a public park, and it has been a success with public, press, and nearby institutions. Mr. Biederman continues to run the organization. BPRC shares its management team with the 34th Street Partnership. The two companies share a management philosophy:
Our Mission To eliminate crime, litter, graffiti, and unsightly conditions within our borders. To recruit the best tenants and merchants to open up new businesses in our districts, and to aid current merchants in making the best presentation to customers. To aid troubled and poor citizens, to the benefit of both them and our neighborhoods. To build street and park improvements of undisputed quality. To establish a diverse and stable revenue stream to allow for the top-notch maintenance of these improvements. Our Methods To run our operations using the best techniques of private business. To make all decisions on the merits, especially in hiring only the best people at all levels of our staff. To pay market prices. To pay attention to details. To learn from the best regional, national, and international models. To devote significant resources to research and development and quality control. To promote our area and our work with newsletters and other information. Above all, to set and adhere to high standards. BPRC Board of Directors Chairman Michael Fuchs Chairman Emeritus Andrew Heiskell
Executive Director Daniel A. Biederman
Treasurer Mark Melas
Secretary Shelley Fischel
Directors Daniel A. Biederman, Douglas Durst, Michael Fuchs, Andrew Heiskell, Stan Herman, George Kelling, Dr. Paul LeClerc, Frederic S. Papert, Marshall Rose, Michael Zavelle
Ex Officio Adrian Benepe, Kyle Merker
BPMC Board of Directors Co-Chairmen Douglas Winshall and L. Robert Lieb President Daniel A. Biederman
Treasurer Michael Melas
Secretary Shelley Fischel
Directors Robert H. Arnow, John H.K. Belt, Daniel A. Biederman, Douglas Winshall, William G. Cohen, Shelley Fischel, Herbert Kronish, L. Robert Lieb, Frank McLoughlin, Mark Melas, William H. Nickerson, Clyde E. Rankin III, Peter Resnick, Marshall Rose, Marc Seeherman, Larry A. Silverstein
Ex Officio
Michael R. Bloomberg, William Thompson, C. Virginia Fields, Christine Quinn, Kyle Merker -------------------------------- Daniel A. Biederman Dan Biederman, co-founder of Grand Central Partnership, 34th Street Partnership, and Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, currently serves as the President of the latter two of those downtown management organizations and as an advisor to other downtown redevelopment / management efforts.
Bryant Park Restoration Corporation, founded in 1980 by Mr. Biederman and Andrew Heiskell, former Chairman of Time Inc. and then Chairman of the New York Public Library, with the assistance of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, is one of the largest efforts in the nation to apply private management backed by private funding to a public park. The park reopened in 1991 with a budget six times the level under prior city management, and has been a huge success with public, press, and nearby institutions. Crime in the critical nine-acre area managed by BPRC has been reduced by 100% since the Corporation's founding. Today's Bryant Park is favorably compared with the great parks of London and Paris, and was the 1996 winner of the Urban Land Institute Excellence Award for public projects, as well as many other awards from design, real estate, and redevelopment groups.
Grand Central Partnership, founded by Mr. Biederman and Peter L. Malkin, a real estate attorney, investor, and developer, is the largest Business Improvement District in the United States. It covers over 72 million square feet of commercial space, and collects $10 million a year for supplementary public services and capital improvements. The Partnership acts as the public space management arm of some of the City's largest real estate holdings, providing security, cleanliness, social services, tourist information, public events, and retail improvement programs in a 50-block area surrounding Grand Central Terminal. Crime is down 73% since the Partnership began operations, the streets are spotless, and hundreds of homeless people have been helped into jobs and apartments. A new streetscape is almost complete, with the proceeds from two public debt issues totaling $35 million. The Partnership also won an Urban Land Institute Excellence Award in 1991, as well as many other prizes from design, real estate, and redevelopment groups.
34th Street Partnership, founded in 1989 by Mr. Biederman with property-owners Peter Malkin and Bernard Mendik, covers a critical area with over 36 million square feet of commercial space, including Pennsylvania Station, Madison Square Garden, the Herald Square shopping district, and the Empire State Building. In January of 1992, the Partnership opened a $6 million annual program of security, sanitation, social services, tourist information, public events, and debt service on a major capital improvement bond of $30 million for to the district's street, sidewalks, and plazas. Crime has already been reduced by close to 70%, the streets are spotless, and dozens of retailers have been helped to upgrade their facades and merchandising. Mr. Biederman applied the lessons of Bryant Park to the reconstruction of Herald and Greeley Squares, two traffic islands that form a bow-tie at 34th Street & Broadway. Once poorly maintained drug havens, the areas have been transformed into small parks that utilize the same successful elements as Bryant Park - from movable chairs and lavish gardens to diligent security and sanitation forces. The Partnership received this year's Special Achievement award from the International Downtown Association for the renovation of the Squares.
Over the last several years, Mr. Biederman has advised public and private parties on, among other things, the art of downtown management, economic development, and rehabilitation in New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, Miami Beach, London, and a host of other neighborhoods and cities. In December of 1995, he served on a twelve member advisory panel convened in Oklahoma City by the Urban Land Institute to explore strategies for the economic recovery of the downtown area in the aftermath of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Mr. Biederman has written, lectured, and taught extensively in the field of urban management. His publications include articles in Urban Land and the Harvard Business Review.
Mr. Biederman is a magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University, with an A.B. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs in 1975. He also earned an M.B.A. with Distinction from Harvard University's Graduate School of Business Administration in 1977.
Mr. Biederman is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Urban Land Institute, and the International Downtown Association, and is a member of the board of directors of the CUNY Graduate Center Foundation, and the Chappaqua (NY) Schools Foundation. Married for 18 years, his wife Susan Duke Biederman is an attorney and author in the field of visual arts. They have a fourteen-year-old son, Robert, and an eight-year-old daughter, Brooke.
To a Directory of Mr.Lederman's Essays
Robert Lederman is an artist, writer and activist and is also the President of the street artist advocacy group, A.R.T.I.S.T.
Click here for an archive of A.R.T.I.S.T. related news articles on the Freedom Forum websiteHis essays and Op-Eds have appeared in hundreds of alternative publications as well as the Daily News, Penthouse, Africa Sun Times, Street News and The Shadow.
Lederman was falsely arrested 41 times for his anti-Giuliani activities and was never convicted of any of the charges. As a result of the arrests, he's won four Federal lawsuits and overturned three laws.
He is best known for having created hundreds of paintings of Mayor Giuliani as a Hitler like dictator which were carried in demonstrations throughout the eight years of the Giuliani administration. Images of his paintings and articles about his arrests and lawsuits have appeared on all of the major television networks hundreds of times as well as frequently appearing in the NY Times, Daily News, NY Post, Newsday, Newsweek, People, The Washington Post, LA Times and NY Magazine.Robert Lederman,
President of A.R.T.I.S.T.
(Artists' Response To Illegal State Tactics)
robert.lederman@worldnet.att.net
For a detailed exposition on the West Nile issue
http://www.nospray.org/
For an article on the Manhattan Institute go to
http://www.konformist.com/2000/rudyg.htmIf you would like to help oppose the spraying,
please write to the
No Spray Coalition
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Peck Slip Station
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or call the No Spray hotline at (718) 670-7110.Any funds you can send to help continue the lawsuit
and this work are greatly appreciated.Important Note:
Mr. Lederman has explained that his articles posted here are not to be taken as official statements by the No-Spray Coalition of which he is a member or of the "No-Spray" lawsuit in which he is a plaintiff.Blue Collar Pundit Essays
Searching for the Breach in
Alice’s Looking Glass WorldMy America
Oh Say, Can You See?
FREEDOM!
War isn't Hell!
God is Starting to Scare Me!
It's All Part of the Plan!
Turning the World Wide Web Into
a Tower of Politically Sanitized BabelAnd by clicking here, you'll see an old suggestion (May 2003) of how Democrats could/should have protested the Republican convention and G.W. Bush.
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