In the late 1980s and early 1990s, NYC's Washington Heights neighborhood was considered the epicenter of America's crack cocaine epidemic. Amid gang wars, street riots and growing tensions between citizens and police - the community needed a safe space, a political hub, a cultural center and a home-away-from-home. Coogan's Way is the story of how a small bar and restaurant that welcomed all races, religions and interests became a force for good in their community. And how decades later, when the owners were faced with the challenges of a rapidly-changing NYC real estate market, their diverse and dynamic clientele fought for this beloved institution. Coogan's Way is the first feature-length documentary from former BBC News journalist and Catholic University of America media studies professor Glenn Østen Anderson. Glenn was born on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and is a graduate of the Film MFA program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He previously directed the award-winning documentary short film To Remember which was seen in more than 160 countries on the BBC World News TV channel.