Waiting for Hamilton: It’s already been two months since Andrew Hamilton took over as president of New York University. He’s been settling in at N.Y.U., but — as far as we can tell — hasn’t really reached out to the community and local leaders yet. Of course, The Villager is waiting to meet him, too, and help introduce him to the community. We remember that when John Sexton became N.Y.U. president, he held a meeting with the community at which he spoke, among other things, about respecting and protecting the Village’s historic “fabric.” Oh, well… . But that definitely would be a good idea — meeting with the community — and also protecting the Village’s fabric! “I’ve not met President Hamilton yet, but I hope to do so soon,” state Senator Brad Hoylman told us. “I understand he’s been busy with a listening tour, of sorts, with faculty and staff, and hope he expands that effort to include the wider Greenwich Village community. President Hamilton’s ascendancy is a chance for N.Y.U. to hit the ‘reset button’ on community relations, and I hope his administration will take full advantage of this opportunity.” Likewise, Councilmember Corey Johnson said he’s still waiting to meet Hamilton. “I haven’t heard from him,” he said. Sarah Sanchala, Assemblymember Deborah Glick’s chief of staff, reported, “Deborah sent a congrats and welcoming letter to the new N.Y.U. president after he started, and indicated a desire to meet when he is settled. We did receive a response that was appreciative and indicated it would happen soon after he did settle in.” John Blasco, Rosie Mendez’s communications director, similarly, said the councilmember — who is currently out of the country — had not met the new N.Y.U. chief yet, but is looking forward to it. Terri Cude, co-chairperson of Community Action Alliance on N.Y.U. 2031, said, “I have not heard from the new N.Y.U. president, and do not know of any non-N.Y.U. affiliates that have. We do hope that he will reach out to the community, and are eager to have conversations with him.” The university’s spokesperson said their new leader, who hails from England, definitely will be making the rounds. “As you know, Andy Hamilton has been in New York and at N.Y.U. less than seven weeks,” John Beckman said. “He’s looking forward to his future interactions with members of the local community.”
There goes the block: The Real Deal reports that investor Elliot Sohayegh is in contract to buy a “package” of four adjacent rental buildings along St. Mark’s Place for $44 million, or nearly $760 per square foot. The walk-ups at 28-34 St. Mark’s Place, between Second and Third Aves., include 80 residential rental units. Ground-floor retail tenants include Afghani restaurant Khyber Pass and dollar-slice pizza chain 2 Bros. In December, Mamoun’s Falafel signed a 10-year lease for 1,400 square feet at 30 St. Mark’s Place, and is relocating from 22 St. Mark’s Place. Asking rents for retail on the block are about $250 per square foot. Meanwhile, a market-rate apartment at one of the buildings rents for $3,200 per month on average, according to StreetEasy. About 40 percent of the apartments are market-rate units; the rest are rent-stabilized. The deal is expected to close in the next couple months, and the buyer-to-be is planning renovations, sources said. (Also very possibly included with the purchase will be the inebriated homeless crusty travelers who camp out next to the cheap pizza place each summer with their pit bulls, one of which tragically mauled Roberta Bayley’s late pug, Sidney, last year.) Elsewhere on the street, a landmarked townhouse at 4 St. Mark’s Place that was once owned by Alexander Hamilton hit the market in November for $11.9 million, the Real Deal reports.
East Side, West Side: In local Assembly races, Arthur Schwartz tells us that he has retained veteran political consultant Hank Scheinkopf to handle his messaging and communications for his challenge to Assemblymember Deborah Glick in the 66th A.D. Meanwhile, we hear that former City Councilmember Margarita Lopez will be the field coordinator for Alice Cancel’s campaign in the April 19 special election in the 65th A.D. In addition, Schwartz said he supports term limits in Albany — either two four-year terms or four two-year terms — and also campaign finance reform. “I want public financing, so longer terms would probably be better,” he said. “Not only would public financing make it easier to run for office, but the reporting requirements are heightened, and candidates have to account for every cent that they receive and spend,” Schwartz added. “Now, campaign accounts are piggy banks. Sheldon Silver paid his entire $2.5 million legal bill from his campaign account.” Glick, who has been in Albany for more than 25 years, did not respond to a request for comment on whether she supports term limits. However, she has previously said she does back campaign finance reform.
Un-Rosie future: The Coalition for a District Alternative is wasting no time in getting behind a candidate to succeed Councilmember Rosie Mendez, who will be term-limited out of the City Council after 2017. Even though the election is about a year and a half away, CoDA is endorsing a candidate next month. We’re hearing District Leader Carlina Rivera’s name — and maybe Chad Marlow — but no one else. Former Community Board 3 Chairperson Harvey Epstein, we hear, has been told that “it’s not his time.” “They pretty much cleared the field for Rivera. … She’s straight — it’s the only thing against her,” quipped our source, who is of the other persuasion. “It’ll be interesting to see if there’s someone north of 14th St. running.” Marlow, by the way, is no longer a CoDA member. We asked why, but he declined comment.
Patz case, Part II: Jury selection starts Mon, March 7, for a new trial of Pedro Hernandez in the Etan Patz case.
Winning shot: Congrats to one of our contributing photographers, Milo Hess, who won second place in the Panasonic Lumix Winter Photo Contest for his great shot of a shaggy dog licking snow off its muzzle during the blizzard that we ran a few weeks ago (which we actually mistakenly credited to Tequila Minsky. Sorry Milo!). His prize was a new camera, extra lens and memory card.
