The Opera of Jane Jacobs Verses Robert Moses

[John Lowrie]

Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses butted heads on more than a few occasions. Moses generally got what he wanted in these showdowns. However in the battle over Greenwich Village Jacobs held her ground and won. Moses wanted to destroy fourteen blocks of the Village in order to run highways through the center. His plans were ultimately foiled. This defeat for Moses really brought out the sore loser side in him. He was very animated in defeat. He is quoted in his frustration saying when referring to who opposed the plan, “Nobody, nobody, nobody but a bunch of, a bunch of mothers.” 

I find this story interesting because up until this point I had not read a story of a Jane Jacobs triumph over Robert Moses. After reading I believe that Robert Moses was so accustomed to winning that just the fact that Jane Jacobs opposed him and won this round caused Moses to become as a child that does not get their way. I found it fascinating how he handled defeat.

http://observer.com/2015/05/power-couple-the-feud-between-jane-jaco...;