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To Be Crystal Clear: Trump Only Wants Tavern His Way
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 1, 2011
Modified Feb 1, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 1, 2011
Modified Feb 1, 2011
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does not have a contract for the Tavern on the Green, but that doesn't mean he isn't loving the attention his out-of-the-blue proposal for the space has gotten him. In his latest bit of PR he's gone and chatted up the Post's food and real estate man Steve Cuozzo on his plan for the space, including dreams of a "good looking" replacement for the now gone Crystal Room.
First off, the press-happy Apprentice host insists the Tavern offer isn't a publicity stunt—he says "it took six months" to come to a deal. But since he has your attention, he wants to be clear that he would only take over the restaurant, which nobody has asked him to take over, if he were allowed to restore the Crystal Room, which was added to the restaurant by Warner LeRoy in the 70s and which the city tore down last year. He's already even talked to design firms about it! Considering his famously bland buildings, we have to admit to being a little nervous hearing Trump wax on about making things look good and "in keeping with the original brick structures."
Anyway, if Trump can't have the Crystal Room—or something of similar size—he isn't interested. As Local 6 leader Peter Ward put it to Cuozzo, "Donald has told me repeatedly that below a certain number of square feet, it doesn't make sense for him," and without the Room, that number will be hard to meet.
So where does this leave us? Exactly where we were before Trump made his offer. The Tavern space is currently being used to house some food trucks and a visitors center and will be for the near future. After that, the city will most likely have to put out another request for proposals for the space. And if Trump wants it, well, he'll have to apply like everyone else. No matter what he says, it simply shouldn't be his for the taking.
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donald trump
Local 6
Peter Ward
steve cuozzo
tavern on the green
Garth Johnston
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