Only one real problem with this line of thought-and it isn't the question of whether Mike Bloomberg will carry Related's water, he's been doing that for eight years. In fact, as we have remarked before, when Mike takes time out from his busy schedule-and shows a personal concern for Related honcho Jeff Blau's ability to get into an exclusive Co-op-then you know that the ties run deep.
As the Observer pointed out last May: "The Observer's Max Abelson reports that Michael Bloomberg personally called the head of the co-op board at 820 Fifth Avenue in an attempt to get him to approve the application of his friend Jeff Blau. The board did not budge. Citing an unnamed source Abelson writes: 'That source said Mayor Michael Bloomberg placed a call to 89-year-old Jayne Wrightsman, the building’s feared, persnickety gatekeeper, who lives one floor below the Hovnanian family...'"
So, while we know that blue blood is thicker than water, it must be pointed out, that there has already been living wage deals hammered out in the council-and the deal over at 126th Street in Melissa Mark-Viverito's district with hotel workers is one such arrangement that has already passed the legislature's approval. But that doesn't mean that Bloomberg won't be pushing for his buddies.
But it does mean, however, that the council shouldn't be upholding any form of Related exceptionalism. And the Kingsbridge Armory offers it an opportunity to let a new paradigm for development be established-and to uphold the parameters of the city's own RFP (the one that precludes a competing supermarket) at the same time. Will a new day dawn here? Still much work to do.
