Matt Weber (Street photography), Color, Men of New York, Old New York, Urban Landscape

89th Street Community Garden 1985

My dad fought against Ed Koch who suddenly wanted to build townhouses on this abandoned lot, where a few industrious upper west siders had been growing tomatoes. The real estate values had finally begun to climb after many years of stagnation. My dad was able to convince the city to leave one sliver of the garden alone, and now the garden known for its flowers is a place of relaxation for many, with occasional plays and music being performed there.

©Matt Webercommunity-garden-upper-west-side Garden-2-1985 copy AGP-Garden-x2-1985 copy

Matt Weber (Street photography), America, Cars & Buses, Old New York, Urban Landscape

“The Concorde Lands” 1985

One day I dropped someone off at JFK and decided to go to nearby Gateway park and just sit there and wait. British Airways and Air France were the only companies flying Concordes and I knew I might be waiting for a long time. It looked so different, and really was a beautiful bird as it landed…I don’y fly but I would’ve liked to have gone for a ride on that plane. I think a one way ticket to London was at least $5,000 but maybe it was $10k, I forget.

©Matt WeberConcorde-Lands-JFK-1985 copy