City Fights Back Against Rats | Upper West Side Year In Review

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The year is coming to an end on the Upper West Side, and 2017 can certainly be described as eventful. There was no shortage of big news stories this year that are worth looking back at as we head into 2018.

Here's some of the year's best stories from the Upper West Side Patch:

City To Fight Upper West Side Rat Infestation With Targeted Program

The mayor's office has heard the cries of the Upper West Side and, starting immediately, will launch a targeted rat prevention program in the neighborhood, city officials announced during a Thursday press conference.

4-Alarm Blaze Hits Jacob's Pickles Building

Firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze in the same building as popular Upper West Side restaurant Jacob's Pickles, fire officials confirmed on social media. While firefighters responded to the scene the blaze was upgraded from a two-alarm response to a four-alarm response.

20 Pounds Of Opioids Seized From Central Park West Apartment, Feds Say

About 20 pounds of heroin and fentanyl were seized after federal, state and city law enforcement agencies raided an Central Park West apartment doubling as a drug mill, the New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor announced Monday.

PS 191 Moves Into New School Building On Upper West Side

One of the schools at the center of a heated rezoning battle on the Upper West Side is moving into a brand-new complex in the Riverside Center for the upcoming school year.

Christopher Columbus Statue Could Be Taken Down, Mayor Says

During a Democratic primary debate Mayor Bill de Blasio said that his commission to study New York City's "symbols of hate" will study the statue of Christopher Colmbus that stands more than 70-feet-tall at the center of Columbus Circle.

Plan To Replace UWS Garages With Senior Housing Wins Approval

A proposal to replace three parking garages with supportive housing for low-income families and seniors on the Upper West Side received the endorsement of Community Board 7 this week.

Lincoln Center Discontinues Summer Arts Festival

Lincoln Center is pulling the plug on its namesake summer festival — the Lincoln Center Festival — after a run of more than 20 years in an attempt to consolidate its programming offerings, officials at the performing arts center announced.

If your favorite story from 2017 didn't make the list, let us know what it was in the comments.

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