MARCH 6, 2005 --

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg held a press conference, the morning of March 3, at Mickey Mantle's restaurant, Central Park South, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Walking to the restaurant from the still-unfinished Columbus Circle at Eighth Avenue and Central Park South, LPR used two more rolls, taking photos of Gates yet-to-be-dismantled.

As the press conference got underway, Mayor Bloomberg said that he would take questions on "The Gates," indicating he would take questions on other matters,
later.

He did, however, make a velied reference to politics when, hearing a baby crying at the news conference, he offered to hold the baby, saying it might help his poll
numbers.

A poll had just shown Mr. Bloomberg trailing Democratic mayoral hopeful Fernando Ferrer, former Bronx borough president.

The mayor announced that "The Gates" had brought $254 million to New York City, including $8 million in tax revenue.

Mr. Bloomberg did not mention increased
revenue to the city by way of parking fines and car seizures by marshals.

LPR did not ask about such revenue, choosing instead to inquire why some Gates weren't left standing around the Harlem Meer, at the northeast corner of the park, along with the Gates standing at the southern end of the park after February 27.

LPR also asked how long Gates would
remain up at the southern end.

The mayor, joined by Vince Davenport, project chief engineer, explained that dismantling began at the north end for logistical reasons and because that is where installation began.

The mayor also indicated that people would be able to see The Gates at the south end of the park through the first week-end in March.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe told the press conference that some 22 percent of the project had been dismantled, so far.

LPR toured the outside of the park, March 4, finding Gates removed from Central Park West at 110th Street, across 110th Street to Fifth Avenue and down Fifth Avenue to Mt. Sinai Hospital, above 97th Street.

Gates were visible from that point on Fifth Avenue to Central Park South, along Central Park South to Central Park West and up Central Park West to about 67th Street (Tavern on the Green).

With the exception of a few gates near the 72nd Street entrance to the park, across from The Dakota apartment building on
Central Park West, there were no Gates along Central Park West above 67th Street.

One Gates monitor told LPR, March 5, that the mayor wanted Gates to remain
on the east side to be seen by museum-goers and tourists. He added that removal would resume March 7 near Columbus Circle.

Bill Liederman, Mickey Mantle's proprietor told the press conference that his business had doubled on most days during the 16 days of The Gates, and had tripled on some days.

Also at the press conference were small
business-people, restruarant servers -- and a hansom cab driver named Paul Harvey -- who also attested to the bounty brought to business by The Gates.

After the press conference, LPR chatted briefly with Parks Commissioner Benepe, who called The Gates "a success beyond our imagination."