Latest news with #SolovievGroup
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A filmmaker asked, 'What does being American mean to you?' These Mainers answered.
May 27—"What does being American mean to you? What does democracy mean to you? What does freedom mean to you?" Filmmaker Daniella Vale traveled across the United States to ask those questions, visiting 26 states and interviewing 52 people. Five of them were Mainers, and their answers and faces are now part of an immersive installation in Manhattan. "Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us" is a free exhibit at Freedom Plaza near the United Nations in New York City. The artists took over 6 acres on a site that could someday be a casino but is currently undeveloped. A self-guided walking tour winds through a field of 41 huge screens. Some play video clips of interviews with people in Maine and across the country. More than half are massive photographs of Americans in their home states, so visitors can see Flora Magaya on a pier in Portland in her lobstering gear and Alessia McCobb in her field at Sound Pine Farm in Brunswick. Magaya, 19, traveled to New York City to find her portrait standing 15 feet tall and 20 feet wide. "I was able to learn so much about what other people are doing across the country and what it means for them to be American," Magaya said of the exhibit. "My experience is very individualized, and for them, it's the same. But we're all hardworking Americans. It just broadened my perspective." This project began out of a desire to recognize the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is next year. The Soloviev Group, the real estate firm that wants to develop a casino on that site, decided to use the space in the meantime for an early birthday celebration for America. Vale, who is based in New York, said her idea for the project came from her own experiences traveling the world for her work. "New Yorkers can very much be in their bubble," she said. "It's so important that we really try to grasp just how vast and diverse of a country we have." So Vale and her team loaded up their van and started driving. They were on the road last year during election season — a particularly divisive time. But they found common ground everywhere they went. "It was really interesting to get those answers from all these different people, because what we started to see were themes," Vale said. "When I said, 'What does it mean to be American?' It was this idea that it means justice, it means equality, it means freedom, it means being able to do what I want to do." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Path of Liberty at Freedom Plaza (@pathoflibertynyc) Vale had never been to Maine before she visited for this project. The crew spent a day with Lift All Boats at Luke's Lobster in Portland, an apprenticeship program meant to give young people of color the opportunity to learn about a heritage industry that can be hard to enter. Magaya has worked in the program for a couple of summers because she likes being outside and wanted to learn something new. Now, she is studying architecture and engineering at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. "At the time when filming was happening, I didn't really think much of it," Magaya said. "To fast forward and to see my big picture somewhere in Manhattan, that's really awesome." Her portrait is paired with an audio clip from her interview: "When you live in Maine, you hear about lobstering a lot. They talk about it with such reverence, like, 'My father passed this down to me.' Which is great and you know, I love that for them. But since you're not a part of it, you never really think, 'Oh, this is like a job I can do.' But I know that we're in a certain moment in time. They want to open doors in these types of industries. I started actually being interested in boating and just having a whole new world open to me. I love the atmosphere, I love working hard, just being outdoors, being in nature. I'm appreciative of the lobstermen who have come before me. It's their work that I will be continuing." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Path of Liberty at Freedom Plaza (@pathoflibertynyc) The crew also visited Sound Pine Farm in Brunswick. McCobb, 32, recalled talking to Vale about her farm and the community that supported her CSA program. A month later, she also attended the opening. The pictures of different landscapes, including Sound Pine Farm, stood striking against the skyscrapers of New York City. "It's hard for me to understand how people could vote a particular way or make the choices they do, but I think it's always good to be put into this situation where you're staring at a huge example of someone else's different experience and be reminded that there are so many forces at work that contribute to our understanding of this country and why we make the choices we do," McCobb said. The installation created an image of America that is full of both optimism and obstacles. "The message that was conveyed to me was, America is so vast and holds so much promise," McCobb said. "But are we able to attain that? Are we all able to attain that equally?" The five Mainers in the exhibit are: — Earl Bigelow, of Watersongmusic in Bowdoinham — Ben Coniff, CIO of Luke's Lobster — Esperanza Kunieki, apprentice with Lift All Boats — Flora Magaya, apprentice with Lift All Boats — Alessia McCobb, co-owner of Soundpine Farm ------ IF YOU GO "Path of Liberty" will be open through the summer. The installation is free to visit, but requires reservations. For more information, visit Get a glimpse of the exhibit and watch video clips of interviews on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @pathoflibertynyc. Copy the Story Link
Bloomberg
13-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
NYC's 9 West Landlord Pitches Equity Bet for a Manhattan Casino
Soloviev Group, the real estate developer that owns a major office tower at 9 West 57th St. in Manhattan, is proposing a way for New York City residents to benefit from its potential casino project. Soloviev and Mohegan aim to invite New York City residents to contribute as much as 12% of any initial public equity they plan to raise for their proposed gaming facility along the East River, giving everyday people an opportunity to become stakeholders in their casino project, according to a statement Tuesday. The firms also intend to provide allocations to eligible New York pension funds.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Soloviev Group to Offer Shareholder Opportunity to New York City Residents for the Innovative Freedom Plaza Project
NEW YORK, May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Soloviev Group, in partnership with Mohegan, today announced an exciting forward-looking initiative that will offer eligible local residents a unique opportunity to become stakeholders in the proposed gaming facility at Freedom Plaza, a transformative civic and cultural destination that includes two world-class hotels, destination spa, a diverse mix of food and beverage venues, and meeting and entertainment facilities. As part of the competitive bidding process set to begin in June 2025 for one of up to three Downstate gaming licenses, this dynamic, mixed-use hub in Midtown Manhattan, aims to deliver a thriving center for affordable housing, job creation, open space, and community reinvestment along First Avenue between East 38th and East 41st streets. Sharing both its financial returns and positive future impact, up to 12% of any initial public equity raised for the proposed gaming facility will be designated for residents of New York City. Soloviev and Mohegan also intend to provide investment allocations to eligible New York state and city employee-related pension funds on a preferential basis relative to other institutional investors, ensuring broad community participation and benefit. If Soloviev and Mohegan are awarded a gaming license, the capital raise would begin no earlier than 2027. "Soloviev, in partnership with Mohegan, is committed to fostering prosperous long-term relationships with residents, community organizations, and businesses both locally and throughout New York," said Michael Hershman, Chief Executive Officer of the Soloviev Group. "Our visionary Freedom Plaza project exemplifies these goals, and we would be thrilled to offer a financial interest to these stakeholders." Empowering the local community through direct financial participation is a vital aspect of the Soloviev and Mohegan vision. If awarded a gaming license, Soloviev and Mohegan plan to develop a culturally robust experience with a substantial affordable housing complex, an inviting nearly five-acre waterfront park, world-class hospitality and dining, and integrated entertainment. The Freedom Plaza project will add thousands of union jobs, support local businesses, provide attractive residential opportunities, strengthen the community, and boost tourism. It will also play a key role in advancing the New York City workforce, driving meaningful economic development along the East River, and helping to transform the area for the betterment of all New Yorkers. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Soloviev GroupUnwavering in its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, the Soloviev Group brings four generations of successful development across community-focused verticals, including hospitality, residential and commercial development, agriculture, energy, logistics and philanthropy. The firm's most recent project, Freedom Plaza, will encompass more than six acres on Manhattan's East Side from 38th to 41st Street east of First Avenue and is committed to helping New York City thrive. The mixed-use development will feature 4.7 acres of publicly accessible green space; two world-class hotels by global resort leaders Mohegan and Banyan Tree Group, featuring the option of modern gaming for those 21-and-over; locally oriented retail and an array of shopping and dining options; a museum dedicated to democracy and community center; and two residential towers with housing that working people can afford. For more information, visit About MoheganMohegan is the owner, developer, and manager of premier entertainment resorts in the United States and Canada. Mohegan's U.S. operations include resorts in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and Canadian operations are based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The brand's iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, provides cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan's loyal fan base and meets the digital needs of North American customers. Mohegan is owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA. For more information on Mohegan and its properties, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Soloviev Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
An Early Celebration of America's 250th Birthday
Good morning. It's Thursday. Today we'll find out about an immersive art exhibition on a site that could become a casino. We'll also get details on 180 layoffs at Columbia University that were prompted by the Trump administration's cuts to federal research grants. Someday the giant video screens on a six-plus-acre site near the United Nations may be replaced by gambling tables and slot machines. But the deadline for applying for a casino license is weeks away, so for now the screens are being turned on. Tonight they will begin showing an immersive installation called 'Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us.' It looks ahead to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is next year. Michael Hershman, the chief executive of the Soloviev Group, the real estate firm that hopes to build a casino on the site, did not want to wait. 'I'm disappointed that I don't see more activity planning for events celebrating our birthday,' he said. 'I see planning for the FIFA World Cup, but I don't see much for our 250th birthday.' And, as someone who said that he had 'always believed that New York City is the center of the universe,' he mentioned a local angle: 'People may not remember, but New York City was the first capital of the United States.' (It was.) There may be fewer applicants than had been talked about when state regulators announced the timetable. Last month Las Vegas Sands, one of the largest casino operators in the world, dropped its bid for a casino on the site of Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. Other prospective applicants include Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, who wants to open a casino at Citi Field in Queens with Hard Rock International; the Hudson Yards developer Related Companies, which has proposed a casino on the Far West Side of Manhattan with Wynn Resorts; SL Green Realty, which wants to open one in Times Square with Caesars Entertainment; and Bally's Corporation, which is looking to build one in the Bronx on a site that was once home to the Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. On Wednesday another bid, for a casino on Coney Island, advanced a step when the city's Planning Commission approved its land-use application and sent it to the City Council. The Hudson Yards bid is also awaiting action by the Council, which has already given Cohen's application a green light. The Bally's proposal is still being reviewed by the Planning Commission. There will be more regulatory hurdles after the bids come in. For each application, a community advisory committee will be set up to hold public hearings. The state's five-member Gaming Facility Location Board is overseeing the process and will make recommendations to the state Gaming Commission, which will make the final decisions. Hershman said he had not made campaign contributions to officials involved in the selection process — six officials including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams — as some of the other potential applicants have done. A report issued in March by the city clerk's office indicated that some of the would-be casino operators had spent millions on lobbying. 'Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us' is being underwritten by Soloviev's charitable arm. Hershman said the idea behind the installation transcended local pride. 'I want to remind people about the freedoms we have here in this country,' he said. And so he sent a team around the country to interview people, looking for stories of 'what's right about America and what's wrong.' Videos of the interviews will fill the screens, and the installation will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The exhibition was designed by C&G Partners and directed by the filmmaker Daniella Vale. The performer Lenny Kravitz will be on hand for the opening, Hershman said. 'He, like me, wants to have a civil conversation about values without creating enemies,' Hershman said. 'Too many people are talking past one another — 'If you don't agree with me, you're an enemy.' His philosophy is similar to mine, inclusion.' Hershman said that he met Kravitz after a concert several years ago, and that when he asked if Kravitz 'would do something like this, his answer was, 'Hell, yes.'' Expect partly sunny skies with a high in the mid-70s. In the evening, there will be rain with occasional downpours and a low of 57 degrees. In effect until May 26 (Memorial Day). The latest New York news Amid Trump's crackdown on Columbia, nearly 180 employees are laid off 'We understand this news will be hard,' Claire Shipman, Columbia University's acting president, wrote as the effects of the Trump administration's cuts to Columbia deepened. Shipman said that nearly 180 employees were being laid off. Their salaries had been covered by federal research grants. Columbia had been paying them temporarily as departments developed plans to weather the cuts. Shipman also said that Columbia was seeking other sources of funding. A Trump administration antisemitism task force in March cut $400 million in funding to the university because of what it said was Columbia's failure to protect Jewish students from harassment, and demanded that Columbia make changes in how it functions. Columbia complied with an initial round of demands; Shipman said in a note on Tuesday that the university was continuing to negotiate for the return of the grants. On Wednesday afternoon, pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied part of the main library at Columbia in an apparent attempt to rekindle the protest movement of last spring. Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a protest movement on campus, said in a Substack post that it had wanted to 'show that as long as Columbia funds and profits from imperialist violence, the people will continue to disrupt Columbia's profits and legitimacy.' By evening, Shipman had authorized the police to enter the campus. The protesters in the library were refusing to identify themselves and disperse, she said in a statement, and a large crowd of people outside was creating a safety hazard. Soon after the police arrived, about 30 protesters were escorted out of the building and loaded into police buses by officers in riot gear. Like diamonds Dear Diary: In 1954, when I was 11, I traveled from Washington, D.C., to New York City to visit my camp friend, Judy, for a week. Thrillingly, my parents let me travel alone on the train. It was part of a planned 'historical adventure.' Another part involved returning alone by airplane. Judy's widowed father met me at Grand Central. I waited for him near the lost-and-found window. I remember looking up at the sky mural on the ceiling and feeling at home in the universe. Judy lived in a huge, old-fashioned apartment across from Central Park, with maybe 12-foot ceilings and tall windows hung with dark red velvet curtains. She had cats and an older brother who played the violin. Her father seemed old to me. He also seemed confident, which is probably why my parents trusted him to host me. He took us to museums and the public library and let us explore on our own via the subway. The family had gotten tickets to 'Peter Pan' on Broadway, with Mary Martin as Peter. On the day of the show, a big storm with high winds materialized. I was afraid we would miss the show, but Judy's father was undeterred. We walked and then ran together to the theater in the rain, without umbrellas. As we did, gusting winds shattered a window above us, and glass showered down onto our heads like diamonds. The play was magical, and the characters flew on wires. The next day I flew home on American Airlines. It was a very bumpy ride. — Ruth Henderson Illustrated by Agnes Lee. Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here. Glad we could get together here. See you tomorrow. — J.B. P.S. Here's today's Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. You can find all our puzzles here. Stefanos Chen, Dana Rubinstein, Natasha Cornelissen and Ed Shanahan contributed to New York Today. You can reach the team at nytoday@ Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Path of Liberty: That Which Unites Us to Debut in New York City on May 15, 2025
Complimentary Tickets Now Available for New Public Art Installation Presented by The Soloviev Foundation NEW YORK CITY, NY / / May 1, 2025 / Path of Liberty: That Which Unites US, a large-scale public art installation from The Soloviev Foundation, opens to the public on May 15, 2025 at Freedom Plaza on Manhattan's East Side. This immersive outdoor experience explores 250 years of American ideals through striking visuals and compelling personal stories. Spanning six acres between 38th and 41st Streets on First Avenue, the exhibit invites audiences to reflect on liberty, equality, and unity through the lives of everyday Americans. The experience was designed by creative studio C&G Partners and directed by filmmaker Daniella Vale. "This project brings together history, art, and humanity in a powerful way," said Stefan Soloviev, Principal of The Soloviev Foundation. "It's about connection-to our values and to each other." Guests can explore the installation Thursday through Saturday evenings from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, free of charge. Reservations are available at with walk-ups welcome. The installation remains illuminated Sunday to Wednesday for perimeter viewing. The installation features 41 screens showcasing large-format portraits, audio stories, and a short film produced in collaboration with the Museum of the American Revolution and Donna Lawrence Productions. It highlights a cross-section of American life-from farmers and firefighters to educators, veterans, and activists. "Path of Liberty is more than a visual experience. It's a call to reflect on the values that define us," said Michael Hershman, CEO of Soloviev Group. Path of Liberty continues the Soloviev Foundation's commitment to fostering community, empathy, and civic dialogue through the arts. ABOUT PATH OF LIBERTY: THAT WHICH UNITES US This six-acre outdoor installation at Manhattan's Freedom Plaza combines large-scale portraits, immersive landscapes, and interactive media to explore the founding principles of the United States. Made possible by The Soloviev Foundation, it offers a deeper understanding of the country's past, present, and future. Visit or follow @pathoflibertynyc on Instagram and Facebook for more information. ABOUT THE SOLOVIEV FOUNDATION The Soloviev Foundation is the charitable giving arm of the Soloviev Group, supporting humanitarian, environmental, and educational causes. For more information, visit Contact: Lori Levin llevin@ 212-805-3013 SOURCE: DuJour Media View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
