Occupy Wall Street Could Lead to Restrictions on Private NYC Parks
- Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:42pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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At this time last month Zucotti Park, AKA Liberty Square, was an empty and somewhat dreary example of New York City’s 516 privately owned public spaces (POPS):
The square is now the grungy epicenter of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, a new label the private park’s owners are none too thrilled with. The park’s owners, Brookfield Properties, told the New York Observer that since the space has been taken over by protestors, it has become dirty and unsafe.
The Observer describes POPS as plazas, passageways and pocket parks carved out of giant new office and apartment buildings in exchange for development bonuses. According to the Real Estate Board president Stephen Spinola, representative of some of the city’s most powerful building managers and developers, the occupation has led to the consideration of new restrictions for the use of private parks by the public.
“Most of these places are told they need to be open 24 hours a day, which is why the cops are reluctant to push the protestors out,” said Spinola to the Observer.”If you ask me, I don’t know what’s wrong with saying the plazas should close at 1 o’clock, so there’s an added degree of security or even maintenance.”
Spinola says his group is considering pushing the Department of City Planning to create new rules for regulations of the city’s POPS, like provisions similar to city park rules that ban camping and set limited hours of operation.
The Atlantic notes that if Brookfield declares the protesters as trespassers, police can forcibly evict the group. While Brookfield has not yet publicly condemned the protest or called for it’s removal, Capital New York reports that “Brookfield has gently suggested to the city that it is past time to restore the space to its normal use, and has posted signs in the park objecting to the sleeping bags, tarps, and use of benches as beds throughout the space.”
A spokesman for Brookfield sent a statement to the Atlantic on October 6, saying that many protesters have refused to cooperate with the park rules and because of this the space has not been cleaned since September 16:
“For more than two weeks, protestors have been squatting in the park. Brookfield recognizes people’s right to peaceful protest; however, we also have an obligation to ensure that the park remains safe, clean, and accessible to everyone.”
In addition to the possible changes to POPS rules, Occupy Wall Street has lead to other negative consequences for New York City. The NYPD told the New York Daily News Friday that the Occupy Wall Street protests are costing taxpayers over $2 million in police overtime.
“I think the vast majority of people who protest were peaceful,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly told the Daily News.
“But there’s clearly a core group of self-styled anarchists – that’s what they call themselves – who want to have a confrontation with police.”
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Comments (64)
Coyote1953
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:25amI have no plans to visit NYC or any other city that endorses the mobs. Since those cities align with the angry mob, they don’t need my tourism dollars.
Sink New York, Boston, San Fran because you will never survive on support from those protesters.
Those anti-capitalists are just a small percentage of us capitalists.
Report Post »Boydster
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:55am“The New Rulers of the World” video, a must watch. It will move you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9sNi3R5UmM&feature=channel_video_title
Report Post »CookieMonster
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 7:27amI bet you some of the protesters are wearing those brands in the video…..
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:19amI just hope these thugs and punks don’t ruin it for the rest of us who would use the parks responsibly. Typically it does in some form or fashion. The minorty squeaky wheel gets the grease and we get the shaft.
Sick and tired of it all…the police under Bum-Berg should be doing something about it…but Bum-Berg at the early stages encouraged it…Seriously, why do people vote for weak administrators?
Report Post »DanWesson455
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 11:50amWhat is the City going to do? eminent domain the property? Build structures on them? Put Wrought Iron fences up to keep everyone out? The City is screwed and it is going to cost more and more to “Police” these Dip Wads.
Report Post »jnobfan
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 4:23amCouple of things.
Report Post »Blurring the lines between “Private property” and public property is a really bad idea.
Major weather event on Friday + Saturday should clean out the masses for a least a few days. The hardcores will be demanding all kinds of free stuff. Should be fun!!
Boydster
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:14amMaking sense on Occupy Wallstreet ? Could this guy’s message take fire? He does make sense, and he knows what George Soros is about, he wants to end the Federal Reserve. This guy is anti Soros, Feds, and the fiat currencies that are consuming this world and its middle class. Take a listen people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6D8daRU3hMU&feature=related
Report Post »Boydster
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 6:34amOn his youtube home page he asked the question what if Anonymous is the Government? His flag is very much like Beck’s symbol death to Tyranny logo. Both of which to me are confusing, as a life time professional artist. I‘m not sure I like a symbol that uses death as a victory statement symbol or like Bozasonic’s flag like symbol of the German cross with Euro stars surrounding it.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:23amThat is disgusting. The protestors did their thing – now get the hell out – so the place can be restored to its normal use – for Everybody.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:21amNow that Brrokfield got its green energy loan from Obama (courtesy the US taxpayers) I suspect they’ll get right on that eviction notice. Will Veep Bidens’s son have a hand in that?
This stinks worse than Solyndra!
Report Post »patriotwoman
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:06amIf Brookfield Properties owns the park, then it’s private property. What are you waiting for Brookfield? Hire a security force and throw these bums out. There’s no need to be PC about this. You own the park, take it back. Millions of people will be cheering you on.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:18amSomething just occured to me. If these protests could lead to restrictions on the usage of private parks, what is to stop the city or state governments from seizing them under the “eminent domain” rules the government have used in the past to auto seize key properties and such?
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:29amI bet that Brookfield would WANT the property taken — they only made it a park as part of a money-making development project. The park is not making them any coin — they have to maintain the space, so it is an income drain.
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:02amNever let a crisis go to waste. And I agree with the NYT comment please be a sweetie and wipe the seatee but throw it away when you are done.
Report Post »SERUM
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:38pmAt least they‘re using the NYTimes for it’s intended purpose…and PLEASE throw it in a dumpster when your finished…ewwh!
Report Post »mad_hatter
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 1:31amThere are a few more things they won’t show you one prime time, such as protesters marching with a soviet flag: http://www.americanparchment.com/video/2011/oct/ows_prime_time.html.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:16am@ Mad_Hatter:
good information.
The protest was complete bust in my city – barely 80 people – lasting less than three hours.
Seems such a pathetic show of hand – since ACORN and SEIU is headquartered here.
But I guess the ACORN and SEIU head-miscreants might have thought if they made themselves visible, they could get arrested – since state and federal authorities had raided their headquarters and ACORN was discovered to have over 600 bank accounts – co-mingling money.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:38pmRestrictions?! But Nancy Pelosi was so proud of these zany kids. Now NYC is going to make them go home at night? What a buzz kill. Wait – I know. Now we can protest one more thing.
Report Post »herekittykitty
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:32pmWhat are they afraid of? If they can charge them with trespassing, why don’t they just do it? Sheer maddness all the way around.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 12:34amThat would make sense, why would NYC do that? They are mostly progressives, they don’t want to step on the unions toes. They might not like it because it disrupts their comfort zones but they probably won‘t stand up to the unions and all of Sorus’s groups. When they get hit in the old pocket book though they cry like babies. It’s kind of funny when you think about it.
Report Post »Pigpen
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:23pmAh yes, a great victory, the end of private parks. For those of you Blazers who are not “in the know”, the private park was a great symbol of WASP power and elitism in NYC. It must be so gratifying to the Democrats up from the ghetto to be able to take a swipe at what must be a pathetic last stand of the WASP old guard in New York. Well, if the private park is the ONLY bourgeois casualty of this nonsense, then I guess those of us who are Bourgeois & Proud of It can declare the victory.
Report Post »...............R..U..Kidding...Me
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:23pmnot as long as obama bloomberg is in charge.
It doesn’t seem he has any restriction on how the parks are used, or taken care of, of fining litterbugs for trashing the place…etc.
vote bloomberg out next time. Gosh NYers. You people got to wise up and stop your socialistcrap.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 2:22amBloomberg changed the charter himself – to stay in power – past the term by law.
Report Post »mcgrawactor1
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:55pmThese people live like beasts and think they are being morally superior. Not even animals poop where they sleep. Not even animals, deficate where they mate. Seriously. I like the firehose idea. turn it on them en masse!! By the weekend, I hear the weather is going to turn in NYC. What will these trust fund, spoiled brats do when the skies open up and ruin their party? Oh, please send the rain to cleanse the park of this filth. This is such a distraction from the real issues. The Solyndra Scandal, the “Jobs” tax bill, the rampant corruption in gov’t…and even the best of us can’t avert eyes from the trainwreck that is this fake, faux, false sit-in. Don’t lose focus. We must defeat Obama in 2012.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:11pmmcgrawactor1, you sure are pretty. r u really a girl?
Love the fire hose idea. It’s been tried successfully before:
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPeCQzHu5w
ThomasNast
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:30pmI see FLEA BAGGERS!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:50pmnote to mob 4+1 gets
Report Post »1 get a shower
2get a shave [ some of the women also ]
3get a haircut
4get a job
or +1 get out of town
ThomasNast
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:25pmThe term for them is FLEA BAGGERS
Please address them as such.
It needs to catch on!
Report Post »marine249
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:50pmTHOMASNAST
yes sir or mamm
Report Post »Dalady
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:49pmAt least the hippies at Woodstock got to sleep in soft mud. These occupiers are sleeping on concrete. I’m ready for some cold icy rain.
Report Post »smartgirl
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:35pmWake up, NYC, your excessive political correctness isn‘t working out and it won’t get easier to deal with this situation as time goes on. These aren’t disaffected youths; these are tools of organized thugs. If you think this is a spontaneous gathering you’re smoking the same stuff these occupiers are smoking. Catered food, healthcare, their own newspaper. WAKE UP!!! Is Herman Cain the only person in the public arena willing to speak the truth about this?
Report Post »ReadItToday
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:30pmLooks like they might be headed to the White House next. Has anyone else seen this
Report Post »http://OsamaObamaBIDENbiNLAden.blogspot.com/
Sirfoldallot
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:28pmThis is not a peacefull dem. this is a ” Homestead , sit in if u will “, WTH.
Report Post »Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:25pmI knew it would end up looking like a circus. The Left never disappoints. Their protests always end up resembling Animal House. These people are disgusting, living like animals and behaving worse than one. Defecating on a cop car! Only two creatures on earth do that, birds and bird brains.
Report Post »wisehiney
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:19pmIt is so amusing to watch the liberal cities and states try to deal with their self imposed garbage. Your best people will continue to escape with their money to the good life here in NC.
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:05pmNot very wise of Bloomberg to say they can stay there indefinitely…….what a humongous mess….maybe Obama’s regime told him that it would be best for the Dems (and him) if he did that — all these wonderful demonstrations against their perceived “enemy” would help them – that’s why Pelosi & pals have gave them their blessing. Well, I don’t….think…so. Pray it all backfires on them like everything else these evil, irrational, foolish, treasonous ppl think of.
Report Post »CottonMPG
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:23pmIf they are privately owned why is the city allowed to force the owners to keep them open 24hrs a day? The owners should be allowed to decide whether the group squatting all over their property are permitted to stay or be politely asked to leave by the police who can trespass them if they refuse. If you are considerate enough to share your property with everyone you should have that property protected from abuse.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:27pm@Cotton — agree with you there.
@Momprayn — indeed, Mr Obama probably told the mayor tow the party line or things will get very rough for him in NYC.
Report Post »Nita Lane
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:30pmCouldn’t have said it better myself! This is Obama’s makings…it just started over seas, remember? How a ruler will fall!
Report Post »booger71
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:39pmTaquoshi
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:17pm
Unfortunately, the Tides Foundation is probably supporting this.
Report Post »———————————-
Not probably
deano24
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 12:39am@momprayn. Didn‘t you read that Bloomberg’s girlfriend is on the board of members that owns the park property? Joe Biden’s son is named in a suit.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/23/AR2008082302200.html
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on October 12, 2011 at 2:26amCottonMPG
Report Post »The developers who build parks like this do so in exchange for huge tax breaks based on the understanding that they will be open to the public. True private parks that are completely privately funded are free to put up a fence and let in or keep out whoever they want.
CatB
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:57pmThey should go in with fire hoses .. just to cut down on the STENCH .. perhaps Tide will donate some detergent!
@Nancy Pelosi .. TEA Party people BATHE! Occupy people are astroturf and smell like REAL TURF!
TEA!
Cain/Rubio 2012
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:08pmDont think i would take my grand children for a walk anywhere near those perverts
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:12pmDont take your eye off your dog in that area. The women will sodomize if given the chance
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:17pmUnfortunately, the Tides Foundation is probably supporting this.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:17pm@ DEALER@678………the sad thing is, if we don’t stop these idiots and their Communist masters, oneday your grand children and my fute ones as well, may be stinky hippies just like the ones on Wall St.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:28pm@CatB — this is one time I wish a small hurricane or storm could come by, say right over them, with thunder and lightning and all that stuff.
Report Post »ThomasNast
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 11:28pmAbsolutely it’s ASTROTURF
And there’s a great new name for them..
FLEA BAGGERS
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:49pmRestrictions??…..So, i wont’ be able to go to a NYC park, pee and poop wherever I want, dress like a smelly hippie and have raunchy sex with total strangers?………it’s sad when my freedoms are taken away from me…..pffftttt..
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:53pmResist the Nazi Police State!
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:55pmNot to worry, I‘m sure you’ll be free to sit alone, staring at your computer monitor @20 hours per day to follow Glenn Beck around like a puppy-dog-disciple for the foreseeable future.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:59pmYes .. next thing you can’t cr*p on police cars either.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:04pm24 hours. We’re dedicated.
Report Post »Shasta
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:08pmJust like the patriot V-Child alludes to, this could be the spark that ignites this into violent revolution. If not this, something will.
Report Post »Nita Lane
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 10:33pmnothing to add to your post Tex..what a good reality eye opener.. THX! I’ll never go to that place again..how long will it take to fumigate that place of RATS??
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 3:06amV-MAN MACE
Posted on October 10, 2011 at 9:53pm
Resist the Nazi Police State!
hmmmmm. Lets see now. Nazi’s with the Muslims slaughtered millions in the final solution.
Communism murdered over 100 million souls in the last 100 years
The protesters are communists, socialists and anarchists who are marching for the destruction of My country and defending a Muslim who was arrested on conspiracy to Murder innocent Americans.(see Boston protests)
Your position is simply foolish and quite frankly a testament to your utter ignorance of historical evidence and common sense.
Do us all a favor tell your people to hire someone smarter to post out here. We need more of a challenge.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on October 11, 2011 at 11:11amSteve
The fact that you have to respond to my one sentence comment with a page of nonsense is indicative of its effectiveness.
Keep it up, Steve!
You’re special.
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