NYC Council Down with Mogul Malkin Up with Skyscraper

NEW YORK - The New York City Council voted in favor of a new skyscraper to be built near the Empire State Building, according to the NY Daily News. Anthony Malkin, real estate mogul and co-owner of the Empire State Building, had asked the Council on Monday to diminish the planned 1,200-foot height of the new skyscraper by about 400 feet. He claimed it would "obstruct views of the symbolic [Empire State] building, reports NY1.

Several others agreed with Malkin's opposition to the 15 Penn Plaza skyscraper. The local Community Board voted against it, 36-to-1. And representatives from the National Trust for Historic Preservation opposed the project as well, according to NY1. 66% of tourists in a Penn Schoen Berland survey, did not approve of the new skyscraper, either, reports the Gothamist.

Still, the Council voted in favor of the project. We do not know why as of yet.

We do know that Mayor Bloomberg was in favor of the project. He made the announcement Tuesday and stated "the 1,200 foot tower known as 15 Penn Plaza would be a boon to the area," according to NY1.

We also know that New York City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, and Empire State Building co-owner, mogul Malkin, had an embittered battle over the peace-loving, Mother Teresa. Quinn wanted Malkin to light the Empire State Building's peak, blue and white, for Mother Teresa's birthday tomorrow. Mogul Malkin adamantly refused. He insisted "the landmark has a standing policy that allows recognition of religious holidays, but not individuals representing a faith," according to the NY Post.

Try as she may, and she did, Quinn could not change Malkin's mind. Why should mogul Malkin do anything for Quinn or Mother Teresa? After all, he did hit No. 18 on the list of the 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate, according to the New York Observer.He's so powerful; he doesn't need anybody. Maybe that's not right? Maybe he could have used a friend on the City Council as the vote was 8 in favor, 0 against, with 2 abstained for 15 Penn Plaza, according to the NY Daily News.

We also know that the proposed project, 15 Penn Plaza, is Vornado Realty and Trust's baby. And Vornado's Chairman, Steve Roth, has a big stake in the Moynihan Penn Station project and holds the lease on the World Trade Center, reports the NY Daily News. (Mr. Roth is #4 of the Top 100) The New York City Council just might have some interest in these projects, one would think.

So, though we do not know, exactly, why the City Council voted in favor of the 15 Penn Plaza skyscraper that many opposed, we do know a few issues they may have considered.

As for mogul Malkin, the views of his Empire State Building will not only be obstructed by the New York City Council's vote for the skyscraper, they will also be dim at night. He has chosen to dim the peak's lights until October 31^st for migrating birds, according to the Village Voice.The birds fly toward light at night similar to moths.

So, no lights on for Mother Teresa but lights out for the birds.

Sources:

Celeste Katz, Big Day on Tap for City Council: Updated X 2, NY Daily News

Ty Milbum, City Council Holds Hearing On Proposal For 15 Penn Plaza, NY

Java Saxena, Tourists Don't Like 15 Penn Plaza Either, Gothamist

NY1 News, Bloomberg Voices Support For Penn Plaza Tower, NY1

David K, Empire State Dim Bulb, NY Post

The Power 100,The New York Observer

Leslie Minora, The Empire State Building Will Turn Off Its Lights for Migrating Birds, Village Voice