AGBC News Episode 2: Sullenberger Sails the Hudson, Tappan Zee Falls, and NYC Tourism Reaches New Heights
Top stories, moments in history, and upcoming events for the week of January 17, 2019. Listen below, learn more on our podcast page, and be sure to subscribe 👍
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With an explosion, a splash, and cheers, one more piece of the old Tappan Zee Bridge dropped into the Hudson on Tuesday. Debris from the old Tappan Zee has been placed underwater along the Long Island coast to create artificial reef habitats for sealife.
Ford's "Chariot" van service is shutting down February 1st, 2019.
Record Tourism in NYC — The city's marketing corporation, NYC & Company, released the 2018 year-end tourism figures showing a record 65.2 million visitors to New York City. Of the 13.5 million international visitors, UK, China, Canada, and Brazil represented about 1 million visitors each. The 2018 figure was 2.4 million more than 2017, and NYC & Company is predicting 67 million visitors will visit New York City in 2019. Times Square is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city and in the world, attracting 380,000 visitors each day.
It's the 10th anniversary of Captain Sullenberger's skilled landing of USAir Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, an event that would become known as the Miracle on the Hudson. For the 10th anniversary, Captain Sullenberger shared his memories on Twitter. Today, the fuselage of the Airbus A320 is on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum. Air traffic control audio from the FAA and New York TRACON.
It was one year ago on January 17th that two suspects were captured doing a burnout in Times Square and striking a police officer as they tried to flee. In June 2018, the driver, Arfhy Santos received a $500 fine and nine months in prison for first-degree reckless endangerment and driving without a license.
The news wasn't so different one year ago, when Governor Cuomo Pledged State Funds to Re-Open Statue of Liberty on January 21 of 2018 during another federal government shutdown. New York state has been paying the national government $65,000 per day to keep Ellis Island and the statue open to visitors — a total of about $1.69 million so far.
Park of the day
Park Avenue Malls at 59th Street — The third section of three total Park Avenue Malls, this section begins just across 59th Street from the second section, but was completed two years later. It's the longest section, stretching from 59th to 97th Street, adding a bit of green between the north and south-bound lanes of Park Avenue. At the northernmost tip of the malls, train tracks re-emerge between Park Avenue that take trains north out of Grand Central Terminal.
Power to the People Exhibition at the Arsenal in Central Park at 63rd Street on the east side. Curated by NYC Parks' Ebony Society, this selection of art and historic photographs shows how New York City's parks have featured in public demonstrations and protests over the years. The exhibition is free and open to the public from January 17 to February 28. Call 212 360 8163 with any questions.
Concert Calendar
Handguns are playing the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn on Thursday, January 17th, starting at 6pm.
Huntertones are playing the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg on Thursday, January 17th, starting at 6pm.
Tishmal and Glitch Cake are playing the Delancey on the Lower East Side on Thursday, January 17th, starting at 6:30pm.
Dizzy Bats are playing The Meatlocker in Montclair, NJ on Thursday, January 17th, starting at 7pm.
Panic At The Disco is playing the Prudential Center Newark on Friday, January 18th, doors at 7pm.
The Glitch Mob are playing Schimanski in Williamsburg on Friday, January 18th at 10pm
Weather
The historic highs and lows for January 17th
Record High: 63°F in 1990
Record Low: -2°F in 1977
Weather for the week ahead: Mixed precipitation tomorrow through next Wednesday, with high temperatures peaking at 48°F on Sunday.
Intro and outro music: "Start the Day" by Lee Rosevere
