That comment comes from one of the later books (I read them last about a year ago, maybe two). Mayor Amalfi attends a meeting at the Hobo King's as part of a complicated plot to draw out the Vegan Orbital Fort. He declines to identify himself or his city except for the above comment, whispered, to a mayor friendly towards him. Meaning, of course, "New York, New York." I like the look of those oversize engine pods. Gives it character. Actually, the silhoette reminds me oddly of the maintenance droids from "Silent Running."