New York is awakening with a collective sigh of relief this morning as London has been chosen to host the Olympics in 2012. So instead of renting out our apartments for the month in August 2012, we'll just be sweltering as usual.
Since the Olympics will not be the dominant story for the next seven years, here's a few prediction for NYC-2012:
- Despite a burst in the real estate market bubble in 2006, rampant development will continue into 2012 with Trump Red Hook soaring 120 floors into the sky.
- The Fashion Industry will abandon Bryant Park for a more downtown feel, opening the tents for the first time in the shadow of the 'Freedom Tower' in the space that is currently ground zero.
- Gentrification (in other words the artists and the gays) will continue it's outward sprawl with Flushing being the new 'it' spot.
- Funding for the High Line will be revived but at a price. The High Line will be the home of Manhattan's first Wal-Mart.
- Central Park will have a gate put around it and the Conservancy will model it as a 'member's only' area, similar to Gramercy Park.
- Mayor Bloomberg, in his fourth term, will be trying to convince us and the world that we really, really want to host the 2020 Olympics.
