Waterfalls

Apparently waterfalls are good for business. At least that's what the Bloomberg administration says.

The Olafur Eliasson-designed set of four waterfalls that landed on New York City's harbor this past summer--the public art viewed by its critics as bulky, water-spewing scaffolding that acted as a giant defoliator to trees under the Brooklyn Bridge--cost $15 million to build, funded through the Public Art Fund.

But it's all worth it, the city said today. The project brought an additional $69 million into the city economy, the Bloomberg administration tallied, as residents and tourists poured cash into ferry boat operators, hotels and cultural institutions--cash that otherwise would not have been poured.  read more »

Earlier today, Michael Bloomberg defended the pledge he reportedly made to help Dean Skelos keep the narrow majority Republicans hold in the State Senate.

“Because I have said repeatedly I will help those who help this city,” Bloomberg said when he was asked why he made the promise during a Q&A with reporters in Lower Manhattan after unveiling the Waterfalls. “The Republicans in the State Senate were willing to vote for congestion pricing, and the Democrats were not. And there’s been a whole bunch of things where they have been there to help us," he added. "If the Democrats help us, I’ll support them as well.  read more »

Nearly 30 television cameras and countless reporters have gathered to hear Michael Bloomberg launch his latest public art project, aptly named "The New York City Waterfalls," here at Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan.

One reporter who covers City Hall regularly wondered aloud how to get Bloomberg's attention during the Q&A.

It's one of the largest crowds I've seen gather to hear Bloomberg, proving he can still get lots of attention without it necessarily being based on ruminations about his political future or frustrations with Albany.

All the new faces in the crowd seem to be foreign press.