Monday is all about looking forward. What meetings do we have this week? What public hearings are scheduled? What progress are we hoping to make on any particular project? But this week, why not kick things off with a look back? To the Upper West Side of days past!
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| Columbus Circle in 1892. Caption by NYTimes; Photo by Museum of the City of New York. |
As we reported in November, 2011 marked 200 years of life on the NYC grid. Last week, the New York Times ran a great piece, complemented by wonderful historic images, of the development of our city’s underlying grid. The Times’ article announces a exhibition put on by the Museum of the City of New York entitled “The Greatest Grid: The Master Plan of Manhattan, 1811-2011“.
Where once were farmhouses now automobiles reign supreme and apartment blocks tower over sidewalks. Most interesting for this West Side office were the images of Columbus Circle (above) and Riverside Drive (below). It’s hard to believe there was a time when the Circle was not a gilded homage to all things Trump and a destination of hyper commerce! And as for Riverside Drive … farmland and Hudson River views for miles and miles!
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| Houses at Riverside Drive and 94th Street in 1890. Caption by NYTimes; Photo by the Museum of the City of New York. |
Happy Monday to all!