6 Different Factions That Are Pissed At Citi Bike
The Soho Alliance
Maybe the most organized resistance against the new Citi Bike stations, the Soho Alliance released a very strongly worded press release, essentially accusing the Department of Transportation (and Citibank, which is sponsoring the program) of sneakily installing stations in Petrosino Square in the dead of night, all in the name of destroying “public art:”
Formerly a refuge for homeless and derelicts, the park recently underwent a beautiful restoration via a $2 million grant that the residents fought hard for and won. As part of the beautification of the park, one area at the tip of the park was specifically dedicated to public art shows. Several works have been exhibited.
However, fearful of a planned demonstration and civil disobedience by local artists and activists, last Friday at midnight a DOT crew furtively installed one of the largest CitiBike stations in New York City in the parkland specifically reserved for public art exhibitions.
Friends of Petrosino Square’s founder also said, “Sneaky midnight raids by CitiBank and DOT to destroy public art is an obscenity. This CitiBike scheme seems like it was concocted at a dinner party in Bloomberg’s townhouse. We want our art space, not advertising for Citibank.” Yeesh.