Local Legend: Manhattan Beep Has Upper West Side Roots

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — As borough president, Gale Brewer represents all of Manhattan. But her roots are on the Upper West Side, where she served as a longtime staffer to area representatives before eventually being elected to serve the neighborhood in the City Council.

Brewer is one of New York City's most active politicians whose daily schedule of events is an absolute marvel. She bounces around the borough of Manhattan hitting policy breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, rallies, pres conferences and ending up at galas or evening community board meetings.

As borough president, Brewer has also passed a number of laws including reforms to deed registration, the removal of criminal history questions from job applications and requiring street numbers to be affixed to buildings. In an ever-changing borough, Brewer has led community planning efforts in neighborhoods such as East Midtown, East Harlem and the South Street Seaport.

Despite her involvement all over Manhattan, Brewer still knows everybody who takes the M104 on the Upper West Side, enjoys the sights of Riverside Park and visits Lincoln Center on the regular.

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Patch talked to Brewer as part of our Local Legends series, where we interview iconic New Yorkers about the neighborhoods they call home.

Here's what she had to say about the Upper West Side.

What makes The Upper West Side one of New York’s best neighborhoods?

Its parks, the great schools, the quiet neighborhoods, and generations committed to civic organizations and engagement.

Describe the Upper West Side in three words.

Progressive, tolerant and diverse.

What food does the Upper West Side do best? Where do you find it?

Prepared food! Zabar’s, Fairway, West Side Market, Mani Market—why choose?!

Describe your perfect day on the Upper West Side.

Start with a diner breakfast, ride down Broadway on the 104 bus (where I know everybody!), have a beer at Pier 1 on a warm summer day, take a walk in Riverside Park along the Hudson River, take in an evening of free muic at Lincoln Center’s Out-of-Doors events, and watch a basketball game at Bennerson Park at the Amsterdam Houses.

What's one misconception people have about the Upper West Side, and why are they wrong?

That the old UWS and new UWS aren’t compatible—but they are!

Which Upper West Side spot do you wish still existed?

So many! H+H Bagels, RCI electronics, Grossinger’s Bakery, Lincoln Plaza Cinema, Mikell’s Jazz Club, and all the beloved Mitchell-Lama Buildings.