150 W. 83 Street (Redeemer Presbyterian Church)

Address: West 83rd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues

Block: 1213

Lot: 54

Landmark Status: No

Summary of site plans and status

_____________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8/10/09

Redeemer Presbyterian Church has purchased the property at 150 W. 83 Street, currently an  underground parking garage, from Central Parking Systems.  The church plans to construct a new Worship and Community Center at this location.  Redeemer’s contractor, Sciame Construction, has erected a sidewalk bridge in front of the property and will soon  begin construction starting with brick restoration on the building’s facade.  Central Parking, the current occupant, will vacate the space on or before August 31, 2009.  Members of the Church have already held meetings with members of the community and will make a presentation to Community Board 7 if necessary.

Gertler and Wente Architects are designing the structure to fit in aesthetically with the surrounding residential brownstones.  The new building, which will be Redeemer’s first permanent location, will include a sanctuary, classrooms, a fellowship hall and a “third space” that will be used for community outreach.

Contact

Brian Stanton

Director of Finance and Operations

Redeemer Presbyterian Church

1359 Broadway – Suite 400

New York, NY 10018

(917) 206-1403

 

43-45 W. 86 Street (Chabad)

Address: 43-45 W. 86 Street Between Columbus and Central Park West

Block: 1200

Lot: 10

Landmark Status: Yes

Summary of Site Plans and Status

___________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8/10/09

Chabad of the West Side Synagogue and Pre-School seeks to renovate and reconfigure two existing residential brownstones to house a Jewish day school.  The brownstones, which are located in a landmark district, are still occupied by some tenants despite the fact that they have received eviction notices.  Chabad’s plans call for demolition of the buildings’ interiors and expansion into the rear-yard area.  The facdes of the buildings would be maintained.  Community Board 7 voted down Chabad’s plans to alter the buildings on June 2, 2009.

Contact

Chabad of the West Side

101 West 92nd Street,

New York, NY 10025

212-864-5010

 

57 Street and 11th Avenue (Avalon Bay)

Address: 57th St. at 11th Ave.

Block: N/A

Lot: N/A

Landmark Status: No

Summary of Site Plans and Status

__________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8/10/09

On December 10, 2008, rental developers Avalon Bay Communities presented preliminary plans for this site to Community Board 4.  Avalon Bay seeks to purchase this site from Bay Ridge Automotive Group to build a 44-story residential building.  The plans call for about 700 apartments, 20% of which would be affordable under the state’s 80/20 program.  The apartments would sit atop four stories of automotive showrooms and other commercial establishments.  There would be a total of about 50,000 square feet of retail space, possibly including a supermarket.  Bay Ridge’s 23 New York City operations would be consolidated at the site.  The plan is still in its early stages.

Contact

Fred Harris

Senior Vice President – Development

Avalon Bay Communities

275 7th Avenue, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10001

(212) 370-9269

 

721 Amsterdam Avenue (The Axton)

Address: 721 Amsterdam Ave.

Block: 1226

Lot: 1

Landmark Status: No

Summary of plans and status

__________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE 8/10/09

The Axton is a former Mitchell-Lama rental building located on Amsterdam Avenue at 95th Street.  Herrick Feinstein, LLP seeks approval for a two story enlargement for the base of the building which would include commercial space and a community facility.  The developers seek a modification of the West Side Urban Renewal Large Scale Residential Development Plan to allow for the plan to go forward.  The application for this modification is currently under review by the Department of City Planning.

Contact

Mark A. Levine

Herrick Feinstein LLP

Land Use and Zoning

(212) 592-1456

 

208 West 96 Street – formerly Strand Diner

Address: 208 West 96 Street
Block: 1243
Lot: 139
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The owner of the building has pre-filed a new building permit on 2/28/2008. The new building plans contain a cellar and 10-stories. The new construction will have a floor area of approximately 22,040 square feet. The plans are currently under review by the Department of Buildings.

Contact

Keitaro Nei
Arctangent Architecture + Design
148 Madison Avenue Suite 1601
New York, NY 10016
(T) 212-689-2688

Mitra Mehr
Mitra Mehr LLC
358 Fifth Avenue, Suite 306
New York, NY 10001
(T) 212-868-1919
(F) 212-868-1977

 

 

462 West 58 Street

Address: 462 West Street
Block: 1067
Lot: 57
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

There have been numerous complaints regarding the construction work being performed on Saturdays. Council member Brewer successfully ended weekend work on site. The owner, Alex Saltzman, will meet with Community Board 4 and Council member Brewer to work out the construction plans.

Contact

Joel Breikopf
58th Street Construction, LLC
200 Madison Ave, 20th FL
New York, NY 10016
212-683-0044

 

100 West 93 Street (Leader House)

Address: 100 West 93 Street
Block: 1223
Lot: 25
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 2/28/08
The City Planning Commission held hearings to review the retail space proposal in November 2007. However, the proposal is still under review. No formal vote on the proposal has been schedule to date.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/23/2008
As of January 2008, Manhattan Community Board 7 and the City Planning Commission has retail portion of the project under consideration while the community board 7 makes changes.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 11/07/07
On 11/07/07, Community Board 7 issues a conditional and unfavorable recommendation. Also, Community Board 7 DISAPPROVES the proposed Amendment to the Zoning Resolution as proposed by the Leader House Associates.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/18/2006
The Land Use Committee of Community Board 7 was presented with a plan by representatives of Leader House Associates. The minutes of that meeting are as follows:

Leader House 100 West 93rd Street – Amendment to Zoning Resolution

Representatives from Leader House Associates, their attorney and their architect, presented a plan for modification of the existing building (basement parking levels, main floor and an addition of commercial space up to the second floor that would include a roof terrace/garden) that would essentially change space allocated under the expired West Side Urban Renewal Area Plan (WSURA) as community/residential space. This proposal could be approved under a text change and Large Scale Redevelopment Plan modification. In the course of the presentation it became clear that this modification would affect other sites also transferred from city ownership to private developers.

There was considerable opposition and a number of specific questions raised the large number residents that attended the meeting and voiced their concerns. At issue was the extent and nature of the change as it affected the amenities presently in the building that would or have already been modified in the anticipation of the addition of commercial space enlarging the foot print of the building and the lower two floors.

The committee discussed many aspects of the proposed changes, not only at this site but as it would affect other buildings within the WSURA that are collectively a single zoning lot with respect to the transfer of development rights – e.g. that which applies to one applies to all to achieve agreement and approval. This proposal and modification would permit the individual owner and other developer/owners to undertake the same type of alteration without individual case-by-case-consideration. While the reinstatement of the approximately 2 million square feet of commercial space for these WSURA buildings was considered desirable in concept, almost every committee member had a question or issue with how this amendment might be interpreted or implemented. Consequently, no conclusion could be reached.

It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Chair of NYC Planning Commission explaining and alerting them of the CB7 concerns. It was further suggested that the residents of the building, who had much to say on this matter, convene to determine and resolve their own priorities, as the proposed modification would greatly affect their living accommodation and amenities.

This project was certified at City Planning Commission in August 2007. The Chairman of the City Planning Commission suggested changes to the project, particularly regarding the height of the retail space, all of which were included in the presentation. The ULURP process follows.

Contact

Leader House Associates, LLP
70 East 55th Street, 7 Flr
New York, NY 10022
212-527-9905

 

West End Avenue

Address: 508-510 West End Avenue (blk 1232, lots 64,63)
732-734 West End Avenue (blk 1243, lots 163, 63)
272-280 West 86 Street (blk 1245, lot 73)
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 4/14/08
Council Member Gale A. Brewer demonstrated in front of 732/734 West End Avenue today in opposition to the demolition of the brownstones. Council Member Brewer supports renovation instead of demolition.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 4/8/08
According to the Department of Buildings, the owner of 732/734 West End Avenue (Alan Sackman) has applied for a demolition permit and has met all of the criteria.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/25/08
In response to the individual landmark status request for 272 to 280 West 86 Street, the Landmarks Preservation Commission determined the properties do not meet the criteria for designation and will not be recommended to the full Commission for further consideration.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/13/08
Council Member Brewer released a statement regarding the West End Avenue brownstones. A copy of the statement is provided below:

March 13, 2008 – Since August 2007 I have been fighting to save a large number of historic brownstones located in my community. These brownstones are clustered on or near West End Avenue: They are numbers 487, 508, 510, 732, and 734 West End Avenue; and 272, 274, 276, and 280 West 86 Street.

On December 17, 2007, I sent a letter to the chair and commissioners the Department of Buildings, City Planning Commission, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission detailing the threat of demolition faced by these nine (9) historic brownstones, and citing the terrible precedent and various impacts of their destruction.

Among my concerns are these: (1) the obvious threat to the historic integrity of the neighborhood; (2) the permanent degradation of the quality of life for area residents, caused by the loss of the buildings that define the neighborhood’s character, and by the imposition of massive structures intended to replace them; (3) a permanent and significant reduction in the available light, air, and other natural amenities caused by the large bulk and scale of the replacement buildings; (4) the terrible precedent set when developers can destroy a healthy, vibrant neighborhood not for its improvement but merely to maximize profit. These concerns are discussed below.

Make no mistake: This proposal for a massive removal of buildings, in a thriving and deeply established neighborhood, violates every premise of responsible development and urban planning. It poses a threat not only to the traditional, and revered, physical fabric of our neighborhood, but it poses basic and also profound questions for citizens and for government:

Why should responsible officials of city agencies allow the physical, historic, and aesthetic character of the Upper West Side to be systematically destroyed?

These brownstone treasures define the physical character that makes our community so desirable to live in, and sought-after as a setting for private life. They are an icon of dignified and elegant urban life. These brownstones are a living and irreplaceable legacy of the West Side and the city’s architectural and human heritage. They exemplify the definition of good design, materials, and planning. They are the essence of New York’s residential environment, the private face of the city’s fabric that we turn to the world. These brownstones represent the sense of self, place, and memory. We, who live here, consider these brownstones the nature of our city, our neighborhood, and our own personal history as New Yorkers.

The city should have learned its lesson from those failed and catastrophic schemes meant to deal with “urban blight.” We need to remember the deeply destructive results of the 1950’s and 1960’s, and be wary when developers, public or private, propose to destroy a neighborhood in order to save it.

The rationale for the destruction of our neighborhood’s physical character is not to redeem it, or enhance the life of our residents. It is merely to reward the callousness and greed of developers. These brownstones do not constitute a threat to any condition of health or physical safety. Nor are they nests of crime, or “blight.” Quite the opposite: they are integral to a thriving neighborhood with more than a hundred years of tradition. They are as viable, desirable, and pleasing to live in, and around, as they were during New York’s Gilded Age.

What is the benefit to the West Side from the systematic destruction of its most distinctive buildings? What burdens are to be imposed on us as a result?

First, for smart planning, there are many red flags: the overcrowded transit system and the water and sewer infrastructure on the West Side is limited, and no increases in capacity are planned. The number of hook-ups is increasing by the tens-of-thousands annually on the West Side, under the assumption that demand can be added without limit while critical resources remain static.

Second, what is the community benefit by removing these building’s historic, aesthetic, and design amenity; and simply replace them with new and undistinguished buildings of vastly larger scale, bulk, density? These new buildings will care nothing for their setting, their neighbors, and their impact.

The destruction of these buildings means that we will lose more of what makes our community a living and physical entity. We will be left with the degradation that results when our brownstones are replaced with cheap, architecturally faceless buildings. Our neighborhood is already littered with such buildings, each the legacy of yet another demolition of our historic and physical character.

Are we a city that will simply acquiesce to these things; to countenance the destruction of the physical fabric of one of our most valuable neighborhoods? This will remove, forever, the light, air and views afforded to residential neighborhoods by their harmonious, small-scale structures.

On February 20, 2008, the owner of 732 and 734 West End Avenue filed for a Demolition Permit. However, the applicant has not submitted any demolition plans. To be approved for a Demolition Permit, demolition plans must be submitted. If the Demolition Permit is approved and permitted, the applicant may begin demolition work on site.

I appeal to the city, and to all concerned citizens, to stop this horrific destruction of the West Side’s character, and community fabric. We must not allow others who care nothing for our community, neighbors, or traditions, destroy the very essence of what we call home.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/12/08
In response to the Request for Evaluation, 732 and 734 West End Avenue do not meet the criteria for designation and will not be recommended to the full Commission for further consideration as a New York City landmark.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/4/08
Council Member Brewer sent a letter to the Commissioner of Landmark Preservation Commission requesting an immediate review of landmark status for the Gilbert townhouses, located at 272, 274, 276 and 278 West 86 Street.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 2/22/08
In response to my letter to the City Planning Commission regarding development along West End Avenue, the City Planning Commission states that the current R10A zoning accurately reflects the area’s predominantly 14-17 story apartment house character. The City Planning Commission believes that the current zoning is appropriate.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 2/11/08
According to the Department of Buildings, a hold has been placed on the following properties in order to monitor the application for any permits. The following outlines the permits associated with each property.

487 West End: Interior renovation of existing basement apartment and addition recreation room in the cellar. – Partially permitted in December 2007
508 West End Ave: Demolition permit in process (NOT permitted) – December 2007
510 West End Ave: Demolition permit in process (NOT permitted) – December 2007
732 West End Ave: New building permit in process (NOT permitted) – January 2008
734 West End Ave: New building permit pre-filed in August 2007, no movement since
272 West 86 Street: No open permits
274 West 86 Street: New building plans DISAPPROVED in November 2007
276 West 86 Street: Demolition plans APPROVED, NOT permitted, August 2007
278 West 86 Street: No open permits
280 West 86 Street: Demolition plans APPROVED, NOT permitted, August 2007

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/29/08
According to the Department of Buildings, a “New Building” permit was issued for 732 West End Avenue. At this time, NO demolition permit has been for this address has been filed.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 12/27/07
In the December 12, 2007 edition of the West Side Spirit, an article titled “Brownstones on the Brink,” highlights the efforts by Council Member Gale A. Brewer and the West End Preservation Society to protect the neighborhood character along the West End Avenue corridor. The article also highlights other brownstones within the community which are also threatened by development.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 12/20/07
According to the New York City Department of Buildings, the owner of 508-510 West End Avenue has filed an application for a demolition permit.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 12/17/07
Council Member Gale A. Brewer sent a letter to the Landmark Preservation Commission, Department of Buildings and City Planning Commission to bring attention to possible alterations or demolitions to this and other brownstones within the district. The following is an excerpt from the body of the letter sent:

I write to bring your attention to several buildings within my district: 487, 508, 510, 732 and 734 West End Avenue, and 272-280 West 86 Street. The owner of 487 West End Ave also owns 307 West 83 Street. There are rumors of demolition or alteration proposals for these buildings. Local residents are concerned about these buildings and have asked me to officially inform your agencies that there is significant community opposition to any future plans that may include the demolition or alterations of these structures.

I feel strongly that the administration must quickly meet with Community Board 7, elected officials, and community members to discuss how to maintain the integrity of our community. As I write this letter, eleven brownstones in a twelve-block area could be permanently destroyed.

Tenants indicate that they have heard that leases will not be renewed and that an application will be filed with DHCR to allow demolishing of both brownstones, 508 and 510 West End Avenue. If the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal approves the application, both buildings can be demolished and others can be put up in their place. Both buildings have 4 flights and 10 residential units.

The current rent stabilized tenants of 508 and 510 West End Avenue are not prepared to leave their apartments. Members of the West End Preservation Society support the tenants, and advocate keeping and maintaining the two brownstones as they exist today.

The brownstones were recently purchased by Sackman Enterprises.

____________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8/04/09

Council Member Brewer, other elected officials and Community Board 7 support the creation of a West End Avenue Historic District by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.  A Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing is expected to be scheduled in fall 2009.  However, the buildings at 732-734 West End Avenue are unfortunately being demolished by the owner.  A community advisory group is monitoring the demolition.  Council Member Brewer has written Landmarks Commissioner Robert B. Tierney regarding the preservation of West End Avenue’s Historic Brownstones.  The text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Commissioner Tierney:

I write to request the immediate review of landmark status for the historically significant Gilbert townhouses, located at 272, 274, 276 and 278 West 86 Street between West End Avenue and Broadway.  These four townhouses were designed by renowned 19th Century architect Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert (CPH Gilbert) and built in 1895 and considered to be renowned and prolific examples of the architecture of this time period.  The townhouses are built in the French Neo-Renaissance style with detailed stone facades, featuring unique rounded bays, petite balconies and intricate floral swags atop tall windows.

On December 17, 2007, I wrote a letter to you expressing my concern for the possible demolition of eleven (11) historic brownstones.  To this date, the owners of six (6) historic brownstones on West End Avenue and West 86 Street have applied for demolition permits with the Department of Buildings.  As of August 2007, two (2) demolition permits have been approved, specifically for 276 West 86 Street, one of the Gilbert townhouses, and 280 West 86 Street.

Thank you for you attention on this very important matter.  If you have any additional questions, please contact me at (212) 873-0282.

Sincerely,

Gale A. Brewer

Contact

West End Preservation Society
Erika Peterson
514 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10024
epetersen.weps@gmail.com

Alan Sackman
Sackman Enterprises (Managing Agent)
Frontier Realty LLC
165 West 73rd Street
New York, NY 10023

 

96 Street Subway Station (Broadway-Seventh Avenue)

UPDATE: 4/17/08

Work Activities for Mon 4/16/08 to Fri 4/18/08

1.Excavation for the elevator pit at the N/B and S/B Platform – Night
2.Remove/install traffic controller at SE corner of 96th Street – Day
3.Temporary street light at 94th and 97th Streets – Day
4.Excavate for light conduit at 97th Street- Day

Work Activities for Mon 4/21/08 to Fri 4/25/08

1.Excavation for the elevator pit at the N/B and S/B Platform – Night
2.Power/Lighting/Conduit & Boxes in rooms at 94th Street – Day
3.Remove/install traffic controller at SE corner of 96th Street – Day
4.Electrical work in the rooms at 94th street – Days
5.Temporary street light at 94th and 97th Streets – Day
6.Excavate for light conduit at 97th Street – Day
7.DOT Inspection
8.Tree Planting – Day

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 4/8/2008
96th Street Station Rehabilitation Project – Construction Activity Look-Ahead

Work Activities for Wed 4/9/08 to Fri 4/11/08

1. Street work at 95th & 94th Streets – east side – Day
2. Excavation for the elevator pit on the N/B and S/B Platform – Night
3. Excavate for light conduit @ 97th Street – several locations- Day
4. Install pressure relief manhole between 95th and 96th Streets – east side – Day
5. Install lighting fixture on stair S-2 for reopening. – Day
6. Work on the street lights at 96th Street – Day

Work Activities for Mon 4/14/08 to Fri 4/18/08

1. Excavation for the elevator pit on the N/B and S/B Platform – Night
2. Replace traffic controller at 96th Street – southeast corner – Day
3. Electrical work within station at 94th Street – Day
4. Install temporary street lights at 94th and 97th Streets – Day
5. Excavate for light conduit @ 97th street – several locations – Day

Work Activities for Sat 4/19/08 to Mon 4/21/08 under G.O. on track B-1 S/B local

1. Demo Elevator Pit and Beam pocket
2. Strip form work from B-1 platform edge
3. Lead abatement of track ceiling
4. Install light fixture on platform edge

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 3/17/2008

NYC Department of Environmental Protection will be temporarily disrupting water service to the east side of Broadway between 90th and 96th Streets on Monday, March 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It is expected that this will be the first of four water service disruptions for the relocation of a water main.

Below please find the two-week construction look-ahead schedule:

Activities from Mon 3/17/08 to Fri 3/21/08

1. Street work at 94th & 96th street west side – Day
2. Power/Lighting/Conduit & Boxes in rooms at 94th street – Day
3. Demo existing beam pockets in existing stair S-1 – Day
4. Water main on Broadway between 96th and 96th – Day
5. Column base footing excavation SB/NB platform – Night Work

Activities from Wed 3/19/08 to Fri 3/21/08

1. Water Main on Broadway @ 94th & 96th Street – Day
2. Demo for Plumbing Pipe at 94th Street – Day
3. Demo Existing Beam Pockets in Existing Stair S-1 – Day
4. Pour Road Base & Sidewalk on Broadway West Side betw 94th and 96th Streets – Day
5. Excavate for Column Footings Local / Express tracks – Night Work

_______________________________________________________________

The 96 Street Broadway Seventh Avenue IRT Station began renovation in fall 2007.

According to a report of Community Board 7,

A team of Lois Tendler, Adrienne Taub, and Shirley Moy of New York City Transit, Landscape Architect Kim Matthews, of Matthews & Nielsen, architect Nat Barranco, of Urbahn Associates, and Neil Lucie & Neil Porto, of Daniel Frankfurt Partners, Consultants, made a presentation on the proposed renovation of the 96th Street 1, 2, 3 station.

Key features include:

The Broadway Mall between 95th & 96th Street will largely be taken up with a new modern head-house entrance, allowing access to both platforms, as well as handicapped elevator access. The entrances on the sides of Broadway @ 96th Street will be closed. A major renovation of the mall itself will include landscaping, new sitting areas, and a Parks Department concession, selling newspapers, coffee, etc. To accommodate the station house, the mall will be expanded slightly east & west. To maintain three moving lanes of traffic, a piece of the sidewalk on both sides of Broadway between West 95th & 96th Streets will be “shaved”, narrowing them slightly. This would also necessitate the removal of 25 trees. NYC Transit will replace these trees & then some – with the addition of 173 trees throughout the area. The southern (94th St.) end of the station will also receive modernization & renovation. A major benefit of the station modernization would be the end of having to go down two levels and back up one level to reach your platform.

Contact

Lois Tendler
Director MTA NYC Transit Government and Community Relations
2 Broadway, D 17.140
New York, NY 10004

 

DEP Water Tunnel No. 3 Construction (W. 60- W. 69 Streets on Amsterdam Avenue)

Project by: New York City Department of Environmental Protection

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 2/7/08

The only visible, street level work with Water Tunnel No. 3 in District 6 is located at West 60 Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

There is drilling and placing concrete as part of the construction of the city water tunnel No. 3. The west side portion of the Manhattan Tunnel travels north under Central Park West. The work will take place on the east side of CPW, about 100 yards north of 68th Street, as well as along Amsterdam Avenue in the West 60’s.

Water Tunnel No. 3 is managed by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and the work on it is being done by Tunnel Laborers of Local 147 Tunnel Workers.

Contact

Emily Lloyd

Commissioner

NYC Department of Environmental Protection

59-17 Junction Blvd.

Flushing, NY 11373

718-595-6565

 

150 Amsterdam Avenue (former American Red Cross)

Address: 150 Amsterdam Avenue

Block: 1158
Lot: 129

Landmark Status: No

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 2/28/08

The development is still in the pre-certification phase. The City Planning Commission is working with the developer to complete its zoning map amendment application.

_______________________________________________________________

The American Red Cross property at West 66th Street was sold to a developer who is building a 41-story rental building. The rest of this strip (i.e. north to West 70th Street) is owned by a single developer, who is beginning construction of a series of buildings along the Avenue. A third developer has completed construction of a 30-story tower on West End Avenue at West 70th Street.

In 2006 the New York City Opera was in talks with the developer to possibly relocate to the base of 150 Amsterdam, but the deal did not go through.

The American Red Cross site (lot 129) was sold to A & R Kalimian Realty for $72 million. The plans include a 45-story, 80/20 rental building, which includes a community facility as part of the structure.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 8/04/09

On April 22nd, 2009 the City Council voted to support the project with caveats.  In addition, Council Member Brewer supports affordable housing at this site and has written Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Raphael Cestero regarding this issue.  The text of her letter is below.

Dear Commissioner Cestero:

Congratulations on your appointment as Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. I am writing in regard to an important development project in my district at 150 Amsterdam Avenue.  In 2007, the property was bought by A & R Kalimian Realty for the purpose of residential rental development, and as construction reaches its final stages, I would like to discuss the possibility of including affordable housing units.

As you may know, this building was originally owned and operated by the American Red Cross.  It was then sold to A & R Kalimian, a firm that is presently building a 41-story rental tower with community space on the first two floors. The building is going through the ULURP process because the new owners are seeking a re-zoning of the ground floor from community space to retail.

Needless to say, residents of the West Side are in need of affordable housing and this building could provide an opportunity to work toward the goals of the Mayor’s New Housing Marketplace Plan. A member of my staff will be calling your office to schedule a meeting.

I appreciate your attention to this issue, and I hope that we can work together to make affordable housing at this location a reality.

Sincerely,

Gale A. Brewer

Contact

A&R Kalimian Realty
79 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(212) 751-8050

Brenda Levin, Consultant
365 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 840-1812

 

319 West 94 Street (The St. Louis)

Address: 319 West 94 Street
Block: 1253
Lot: 10
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 10/23/2007
The New York City Board of Standards and Appeals granted the variance to permit a nine-story and cellar not-for-profit institution with sleeping accommodations and accessory supportive social service space.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 10/2/2007
Community Board 7/Manhattan voted to approve the application for variances with respect to street wall height, set back and sky exposure plane; rear yard; and reconstruction. The board also approved the application provided that a Memorandum of Understanding is fully executed and enforceable prior to the Board of Standards and Appeals Hearing on October 23, 2007. Failure to do so will result in a disapproval of this application by Community Board 7/Manhattan.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 9/4/2007
Community Board 7/Manhattan approves the Lantern Group’s application to the Board of Standards & Appeals for variance for the addition of 2 1⁄2 as-of-right floors without the rear-yard setback requirement to allow conversion of the 149-unit commercial SRO into 140-units of permanent, affordable housing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/25/2007
In late 2007, some residents from the community have filed a law suit to stop the proposal for conversion.
According to Community Board 7:

St. Louis Hall, 319 West 94th St., is a commercial SRO building, which the Lantern Group has a lease on and is seeking to buy and develop into 149 units of permanent affordable housing. The housing would be available to low income single adults, including the 54 existing tenants (whose rents would remain the same if below $500 and would be reduced to $500, if currently higher); 31 units for low income single adults selected by lottery and meeting HDC and HPD guidelines; and 60 units set aside for DHS-referred single adults, aged 50 and over, living with mental illness and capable of independent living in permanent housing.

Fountain House would provide off-site Fountain House Clubhouse services programs to supplement on-site supportive services. Clients would be expected to use public transportation to travel to and from Fountain House. Funding for the DHS referrals would come from the most recent NY/NY agreement, a NYS/NYC program which has funded two previous agreements to house the homeless/mentally ill. The current NY/NY agreement also addresses the needs of the homeless with other special needs.

Eric Galloway, the president of the Lantern Group, presented to Community Board 7 and the elected officials schematic plans that include adding one and a half stories to the top of the building in order to make the project financially feasible. The additional height requires a variance and approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals. The BSA held an initial hearing in August 2007, and will reconvene on this matter in September 2007 after Community Board 7 votes on the matter.

The proposal includes a newly appointed Community Advisory Board; proposed site safety programs and plans; schedule of on and off-site supportive social service staffing; and schedule for addressing present concerns of current residents.

Contact

Eric Galloway, President
The Lantern Group
690 Eighth Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212-398-3073

 

 

340 Amsterdam Avenue, between 76 and 77 Street (Amsterdam Inn)

Address: 340 Amsterdam Avenue between 76 & 77 Street

Landmark Status: No

Block: 1168

Lot: 29

Summary of the site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The beloved Amsterdam Inn at Amsterdam and 76 Street is not going to be turned into a condominium with the rest of the block. Related Companies has bought up most of the block, but the Amsterdam Inn and the Westside Brewing Company refused to sell.

According to the New York Observer’s February 19, 2007 article by Chris Shott, “the developer plans to erect a high-rise residential tower, featuring all-new ground-level retail” and a “second-floor Equinox gym…The entire 18-story complex would have spanned the entire block were it not for the holdouts on the southern corner.” Read the article.

Contact

Amsterdam Inn

340 Amsterdam Avenue

Phone: 212-579-7500

Fax: 212-579-6127
Email: amsterdaminn@nyinns.com

SAJ Hamilton Corp

262 W 73 Street APT B2
New York, NY 10023-8807

 

120 West 86 Street (Stonehenge West)

Address: 120 West 86 Street

Landmark Status: No

Block: 1216

Lot: 140

Summary of the site plans and status

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According to the New York Post (January 18, 2006):

Stonehenge West was bought in November 2004 by Ofer Yardeni and Joel Seiden of Stonehenge Partners, Inc. for $16.5 million. They then renovated some of the apartments and the lobby, and sold the building, with 47 units, to Jane Goldman for $28 million in 2005. Twenty apartments are vacant or free market, and Goldman will use them as rentals. The Goldman family will continue to operate this property as a rental. There are also 13,028 feet of air rights if the owner wants to add a penthouse to the roof.

This magnificent twelve story elevator building was built in 1912 and contains 47 residential units comprising 50,000 square feet. The property is located on the south side of 86th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues in the heart of the Upper West Side, just one block from Central Park. This building is situated on one of the few “two-way” streets in Manhattan and has excellent transportation accessibility with a major subway station located on the corner at 86th Street and Broadway that makes both local and express stops along the entire West Side.”

 

Pier 97 (at 57 Street in Hudson River Park)

Address: Pier 97 (at 57 Street in Hudson River Park)
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 12/15/2007

The Sanitation Department has delayed the relocation of the garage to the end of 2008.

Pier 97 is currently the site of a Sanitation Department garage and salt pile. Since a deal was made to make the Pier a part of the new Hudson River Park, the City has been ordered to move off of the Pier by 2008. The city had been slated to move in 2003, and now has been ordered to pay the Hudson River Park Trust $21,500,000.

The agreement, signed October 28 by representatives of the Department of Sanitation, the Hudson River Park Trust and Friends of Hudson River Park, a community-based advocacy group, requires the Sanitation Department to move off Pier 97 at 57th Street by May 1, 2008, and deliver the Pier to the Trust for the 5-mile riverfront park currently under construction.

When the Sanitation Department moves, the Pier will become part of the Hudson River Park, and the Sanitation Department will move across the street to their new garage.

Contact

John Doherty, Commissioner
New York City Dept. of Sanitation
125 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
(646) 885-4974

Connie Fishman, President
Hudson River Park Trust
Pier 40
New York, NY 10014
(212) 627-2020

Al Butzal, Executive Director
Friends of Hudson River Park
311 West 43 Street, Room 300
New York, NY 10036
(212) 757-0891 x 203

 

West 69 Street Transfer Bridge Ferry Landing (Hudson River)

Location: In the Hudson River, the tall structure at West 69 Street and adjacent to Riverside Park is the Transfer Bridge Ferry Landing.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following quotes are from a January 12, 2005 memo from Mike Bradley of the Riverside South Planning Corporation regarding the West 69 Street Transfer Bridge Ferry Landing:

“The design contract cost of $250,000 was funded by the Riverside South developer, Hudson Waterfront Associates. There is currently $1.5 million in construction funding available to the Parks Department, $1 million from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program and $500,000 from the State Environmental Protection Fund. Other than $20,000 from the Port Authority for dredging studies, no local agency responsible for ferry service has committed any funding to date, nor has Parks.

… the project is perhaps $1.5 million short, although a smaller amount would allow the structure to be used as a ferry or water taxi landing without fully restoring the historic (National Register) pier. the cost might be still less if funding is allocated by Jerry Nadler in the federal highway reauthorization bill to be taken up soon in Congress (there was $4.6 million for various water taxi landing infrastructure, including at W. 69 Street, in the 2004 bill which was not passed into law). There is no current provision for architectural lighting (such as the Port Authority has recently installed at the Holland tunnel Vent Shaft and at the George Washington Bridge), which we estimate at $100,000 and would love to be able to include in the final scope of work.

The barge…in the plans is a typical railroad barge such as the one at West 23 Street, which has the advantage of requiring less dredging than a typical water taxi-type float; the permitting issues involved are more difficult, however, and it may be that Parks will end up proposing a small landing float.

New York Water Taxi and Parks have submitted a permit application to the Army Corps and DEC to install a water taxi landing at the end of Pier 1, 700′ from the short with no shelter. When the transfer bridge is ready for use as a water taxi/ferry landing, NY Water Taxi will move its float from Pier I to 69 Street. NY Waterway has also said that it would stop at 69 Street to and from a Yonkers-midtown commuter route.”

Contact

Paul Elston, President
Riverside South Planning Corp.
99 Park Avenue Suite 2200
New York, NY 10016

 

15 West 63 Street (Park Laurel)

Address: 15 West 63 Street

Landmark Status: No

Block: 1116

Lot: 7502

Summary of the Site Plans and Status

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Sales began for the Park Laurel in May 1999. This 40-story building was concieved 20 years earlier. It replaced the five-story McBurney school building when it was built in July 1999. It was developed by Vornado Realty Trust, based in Saddle Brook, N.J. The Y.M.C.A. has ownership of the lower 10 stories, which it uses for its programs as well as 65 units of low and moderate income tenants, the proceeds of which are being used to enhance the other Y.M.C.A. building. Floors 14-40 are luxury condominiums. The spaces have been occupied since 2000.

Contact

Deborah Bagatta-Bowles, Executive Director
West Side YMCA
5 West 63 Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 875-4137

 

160 Columbus / 1992 Broadway (Reebok Sports Club)

Address: 160 Columbus/1992 Broadway (Reebok Sports Club)
Block: 1139
Lot: 7503
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MP Sports Club Upper Westside LLC, on behalf of Reebok-Sports Club/NY, Ltd., applied to reopen and amend the resolution of the New York City Board of Standards and Appeals to extend the term of the special permit for the Reebok Sports Club at this address for an additional term of ten (10) years. This application was filed on May 8, 2006, and was granted.

Contact

Cassandra Atlas, Paralegal
Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankin, LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 100036-2714
212-715-9100

Jill Bauman, Manager
160 Columbus Avenue
New York, NY 10023
212-362-6800

 

 

610 West 56 Street (‘Terminal 5′ music venue)

Address: 610 West 56 Street
Block: 1103
Lot: 39
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE 12/5/07: The establishment has submitted an application for a cabaret license.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/9/07
The Business Licenses and Permits Committee of Manhattan Community Board 4 voted to recommend DENIAL of a new on premises liquor license for the owners of the venue, Manhattan Music Society, d/b/a The Manhattan Music Group (MMG), unless the operators incorporate certain conditions into their application. Some of the conditions include limited patron use of the roof must end by dusk, notification of scheduled events must be given to the NYPD’s Midtown North Precinct of Community Affairs and Cabaret Division, and all events, music and beverage sales will conclude by 12:30 AM.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 2/7/07
The full board meeting of Manhattan Community Board 4 voted to APPROVE the Business Licenses and Permits Committee recommendations.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 2/14/07
Manhattan Community Board 4 wrote at letter to the New York State Liquor Authority conditionally supporting the liquor license application of Manhattan Music Society, Inc (Terminal 5).

Follow the link below to view the letter sent to the New York State Liquor Authority containing the complete set of conditions: http://www.manhattancb4.org/agendas/2007_2/2%20BLP%20Manhattan%20Music%20Group%20Inc..pdf

A new music venue plans to open in midtown in October.

The following is an August 14, 2007 article from The Real Deal:

Big music venue coming to W. 56th
One of the city’s largest live music venues to open in a decade is coming to the Midtown West space that housed Club Exit. The Bowery Presents, a New York-based promotion company, signed a 25-year lease for 40,000 square feet at 610 West 56th Street, between 11th and 12th avenues, and will open as Terminal 5 in early October. The initial line-up at the multilevel venue, which accommodates 3,000 people, includes the Shins with Vetiver and the Decemberists.

The space near 11th Avenue sat vacant for a year following Club Exit’s closure a year ago and a failed deal with the Copacabana nightclub about nine months ago, after that club was bumped out of its West 34th Street venue. “It’s not the kind of space for everybody. It’s all the way west by the Department of Sanitation,” said Alex Picken, president of Picken Real Estate and Nightlife Brokerage, who represented the landlord.

Bowery Presents, which manages and operates live music venues, including the Mercury Lounge on East Houston Street and the Bowery Ballroom on Delancey Street, will also open the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Patti Smith and her band will play at its Sept. 4 grand opening.

The Bowery Presents signed the lease for 610 West 56th Street about six months ago at less than $40 a foot, but only obtained a liquor license a few days ago, Picken said.

The New York State Liquor Authority’s moratorium on granting new liquor licenses at the end of last year lengthened the search for a tenant, he said. Unlike the series of club tenants, including Black, before it, Terminal 5 “will be a success because it’s live music,” Picken said, and will cater to a wide range of age groups. Each of the three floors will feature a bar. “Opening Terminal 5 allows us to continue providing better venues for bands and the best live experience for fans,” said Michael Swier, a Bowery Presents partner.

The new space will rival long-time venues like the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street and the Beacon Theatre in the West 70s. Picken negotiated two other deals for smaller Manhattan clubs in the last year – Highline Ballroom on West 16th Street and Rebel on West 30th Street, which are each about 10,000 square feet. By Lauren Elkies.

Contact

Mark Thompson
Capalino+Company, represents venue owners
The Woolworth Building
233 Broadway, Suite 850
New York, NY 10279
212-616-5810

 

162 West 83 Street (Crunch Fitness)

Address: 162 West 83 Street

Block: 1213

Lot: 58

Landmark status: No

Summary of site plans and status

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AGT Crunch New York LLC aka Crunch Fitness occupies approximately 18,279 square feet on the cellar, ground, and second floors of a two-story commercial building. The applicant is presenting to the Board of Standards and Appeals for a special permit for a term not to exceed 10 years.

Contact

Ellen Hay
Land Use Consultant
Non-Lawyer
Wachtel & Maysr
110 East 59 Street
New York, NY 10022
(212) 909-9617

 

300 Central Park West (West 90 Street) The El Dorado

Address: 300 Central Park West
Block: 1204
Lot: 29
Landmark Status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

UPDATE: 9/4/2007

Community Board 7/Manhattan approves the proposed rooftop addition at 300 CPW

On the firm of Wachtel & Maysr, LLP filed an application for a special permit to enlarge the subterranean garage of the El Dorado from an 80 car garage to a 120 car garage. On 7 February, 2007, the City Planning Commission granted the permit, finding it necessary to the residents and their visitors to have an expanded garage, as there is insufficient parking on the street, there is no environmental impact, and there is adequate space in the building.

Contact

Wachtel & Maysr, LLP
110 East 59 Street
New York, NY 10022
(T) 212-909-9513
(F) 212-909-9429

 

 

165 West 80 Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues)

Address: 165 West 80 Street
Block: 1211
Lot: 7
Landmark status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
165 West 80 Street is currently managed by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development through its central management system. The tenants opted to go to court to remain in central management. The attorneys at the NYC Department of Law are representing the City of New York.

Contact

Warren Shaw
NYC Department of Law
100 Church Street
New York, NY 10007
212-788-1154

Anne-Marie A. Hendrickson
Associate Commissioner
Department of Housing Preservation and Development
100 Gold Street
New York, NY 10038
212-863-7304

 

The Apthorp (2207 Broadway/ 390 West End Avenue) at 79 Street

Address: 2207 Broadway/ 390 West End Avenue at 79 Street
Block: 1170
Lot: 1
Landmark Status: Yes
Summary of Site Plans and Status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update: 3/4/2008

Community Board 7/Manhattan disapproved the proposed design concepts on the basis that the designs were not historically accurate.

The famous and landmarked Apthorp was built nearly a century ago by the Astor family as an apartment building, was sold in November 2006 for more than $425 million, to Mann Realty (Maurice Mann), which is in partnership with Africa Israel, Ltd. on this purchase.

The Tenants Association continues to organize.

Contact

Johnathan Spinner
Mann Realty
1776 Broadway, 23 Floor
(T)212-977-0000
(F)212-977-0087

Paul Nickolatos,Co-Chair
Apthorp Tenants Association
390 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10024

 

150 West 83 Street (Redeemer Presbyterian Church)

Address: 150 West 83 Street
Block: 1213
Lot: 54
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Redeemer Presbyterian Church was founded in 1989 and currently rents three facilities in which it gives four Sunday services per week. The Church bought 150 West 83 Street in December 2006 and it plans to renovate the space into a worship and community center. They plan to close on the property in November or December of 2007, and expect the work (they are trying to keep the outside of the structure intact but renovate the inside) to be completed in the first part of 2010, according Brian Stanton, the Senior Director of Finance and Operations for the Church. The space (formerly a garage) will be converted into a community center with Sunday worship.

As of December 2006, the Redeemer Presbyterian Church was also called the Upper West Side Worship and Community Center.

Contact

Brian Stanton
Senior Director for Finance and Operations
Redeemer Presbyterian Church
1359 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10018
(212) 808-4460 x188

 

160, 166, 190, 200, 208 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 67-69 Street (Lincoln Square Synagogue)

Addresses: 201-209 West 66 Street (160, 166, 190, 200, 208 Amsterdam Avenue)

Prior to Demolition:
Block 1158/Lot 10: Citibank
Block 1158/Lot 12: ACP Retail Building
Block 1158/Lot 34: West End Synagogue
Block 1158/Lots 133 & 134: Lincoln Square Synagogue

Future:
Block 1158/Lot 10: Citibank (unchanged)
Block 1158/Lot 12: ACP building (remaining southern 2/3 of Lot 12)
Block 1158/Tentative Lot 18: New Lincoln Square Synagogue (northern 1/3 of Lot 12)
Block 1158/Lot 34: West End Synagogue (unchanged)
Block 1158/Lot 133 & 134: ACP Building

Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 1/31/09

As of January 31, 2008, American Continental Properties (ACP) intends to pursue retail development for the southern 2/3 rd’s of 166 Amsterdam. ACP does not intend to purse residential development at this time.

As of summer 2007, demolition has been completed and the site is now prepped for construction.

American Continental Properties (ACP) is researching what they can build on the southern 2/3rd of 166 Amsterdam (Lots 133 and 134), the site which they control. The site is as-of-right, which means that a 45-story tower can be built. The northern 1/3 of 166 Amsterdam is the future home of the Lincoln Square Synagogue, proposed to be a 5-story building, adjacent to the West End Synagogue, which remains.

Lot 12 was the former ACP building and the northern 1/3 will go to the Synagogue. Lots 133 and 134 belongs to ACP. Lot 12 is between 67 and 69 Streets and 134 is between 69 and 70 streets, both on the west side of Amsterdam.

Contact

George M. Fontas
Capalino+Company
850 Third Avenue, 19 Floor
New York, NY 10022
(T) 212-822-2248

Scott Liebman
Lincoln Square Synagogue
(T) 212-713-2000

Tom Fraehmke
American Continental Properties
400 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
(T) 212-826-9700

 

175 West 89 Street (Claremont Riding Academy)

Address: 175 West 89 Street
Block: 1220
Lot: 7570
Landmark Status: Yes
Summary of site plan and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 4/4/08

Community Board 7/Manhattan approved the modification of previously approved plans for 5th floor penthouse addition. The community board believes that the proposed design is reasonably appropriate to the historic character of the building, and of the historic district.

The Claremont Riding Academy was opened in 1892 as a livery stable and was converted in 1928 to a riding school. It served the neighborhood for many years until it was sold by Paul Novogrod, then-current owner, to the current owners. However, it is landmarked, and cannot be developed.

Claremont Riding Academy closed on April 29, 2007. In a letter to supporters of the Claremont Stables, Council Member Gale Brewer and Borough President Scott Stringer express their hopes that the new owner of the building will help “preserve horseback riding in Central Park.”

Click to read the entire letter.

 

263 West 54 Street (Tripple Inn)

Address: 263 West 54 Street

Block: 1026
Lot: 102
Landmark Status: No

Summary of site plans and status

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An article in the New York Post (Tuesday, May 29, 2007) stated the following:

“Our roving tipster who calls himself “John Q Public” reports “men working with sledgehammers bashing away at the interior of the old Tripple Inn at 263 West 54 Street.

The development site, which also includes an empty lot and an office building on West 55 Street, formerly owned by Hearst, “can support” a new office tower of 975,000 square feet, according to Boston’s first-quarter SEC filing. That’s even bigger than we predicted when we first reported the joint venture’s purchases of the properties for around $200 million in January and March.”

 

Amsterdam Houses/Amsterdam Addition

Amsterdam Houses
40 – 94, Amsterdam Avenue
205, 249 West 61 Street
216, 217, 241, 242, 248, 249, 250 West 62 Street
216, 217, 228, 242, 250 West 63 Street
210-218, 243 West 64 Street
247, 250 West 61 Street Drive

Amsterdam Addition
240 West 65 Street

Block: 1154
Lot: Many
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

According to the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the State Historic Preservation Office, as of August 2007 the Amsterdam Houses and Amsterdam Addition complex are National Register Eligible. According to to the New York State Historic Preservation Office, if put on the State or National Register of Historic Places Amsterdam Houses and Addition would result in:

1. Registered properties and properties determined eligible for the Registers receive a measure of protection from the effects of federal and/or state agency sponsored, licensed or assisted projects through a notice, review, and consultation process.

2. Owners of depreciable, certified historic properties may take a 20 percent federal income tax credit for the costs of substantial rehabilitation as provided for under the Tax Reform Act of 1986.

3. Municipal and not-for-profit owners of listed historic properties may apply for matching state historic preservation grants.

The single block between 61 and 64 Streets consists of 13 apartment houses. Community Works is currently working with Council Member Brewer on a program to tell the untold stories of Amsterdam Houses, involving public school students. The project will culminate in a public art exhibition which will include contemporary photographic portraits by renowned documentary photographer Ruth Morgan; archival photographs; commentary by contributing writers; and poetry and prose by local youth. the exhibition will also feature a visual art component created by youth and elders of the community, and will open in 2008 and tour city-wide.

In July 2007, Council Member Gale A. Brewer addressed the Amsterdam Houses community at the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, alongside other elected officials, at the 60th Annual Amsterdam Reunion Tribute Program and Brunch. Read the Press Release for more information about the event and the Amsterdam Houses and Amsterdam Addition complex.

The Resource Evaluation report of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, regarding the Amsterdam Houses property, between Amsterdam and West End Avenues, and between West 61-64 Streets, dated January 4, 2007, provides a Statement of Significance.

The following is an excerpt from this statement:

Amsterdam Houses represent the response by the state and local government to provide affordable housing for low-income families and returning World War II veterans. The complex was financed by a $7.7 million loan from the New York State Division of Housing though a subsidy agreement with the city. New York State was progressive at the time in that it was one of the few states with its own public housing construction programs. While the New York State Housing Law passed in 1926 encouraging the formation of local housing authorities, it had little impact locally until 1934 when NYCHA was established.

The racial and ethnic diversity of the original residents of Amsterdam Houses reflects the thinking of key planners, architects, housing reformers, and laws of post- World War II New York. NYCHA’s selection of original residents was a response to the state mandate that state-aided public housing projects bar discrimination based on race, color, creed, or religion, as well as to both state and federal laws that were passed giving returning veterans preference in public housing.

The plan and design of Amsterdam Houses reflect the progressive thinking of its prominent design team: architects Grosvenor Atterbury, Arthur C. Holden, and Harvey Wiley Corbett, and landscape architects gilmore D. Clarke and Michael Rapuano. Amsterdam Houses is notable for its open, classically-inspired plan with a central landscaped axis oriented toward the Hudson River and for the warmth and subtle articulation of its brickwork. The complex stands as one of the last publicly-funded housing developments of the post-World War II era to align with the city grid as opposed to the slightly later “tower in the park” schemes that relied on larger-scale super blocks.

The complex has undergone minor alterations including the slight widening of paths and the replacement of original windows. Despite these changes,the complex is remarkably intact to its 1948 completion date. Amsterdam Houses retain integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.

The following is quoted from a LANDMARK WEST! lecture invitation about the Amsterdam Houses in September 2006:

In 2005, LANDMARK WEST! added Amsterdam Houses to their landmark designation “wish list” as a noteworthy example of early, well-designed, racially and ethnically integrated public housing.

Built in 1947 and designed by Grosvenor Atterbury, Harvey Wiley Corbett, and Arthur C. Holden, the Amsterdam Houses on Amsterdam Avenue between 61 and 64 Streets is an example of the design that characterized New York City Public Housing projects constructed after World War II. Originally the home to many returning veterans, this complex is a reminder of the vision that guided public housing development in the first half of the twentieth century.

Contact

Margarita Curet, President
Amsterdam Houses Tenant Association
216 West 62 Street, Apt 4C
New York, NY 10023
(T) 212-262-2381

Patricia Ryan, President
Amsterdam Addition Tenant Association
545 Eigth Ave., Suite 401
New York, NY 10018
(T) 212-592-3208

Kathy Howe
NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau
Peebles Island
P.O. Box 189
Waterford, NY 12188
(T) 518-237-8643 x 3266

 

315 West 61 Street (Senior Residence)

Address: 315 West 61 Street
Block:
Lot:
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Senior Residence in the Lincoln Center Area managed by Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.

From a flyer for Senior Residences:

In 2007, 120 newly constructed studio apartments for seniors opened at this address. Applicants must be 62 years old at the time of application. The apartments are studios with household size limited to one person.

Seniors are required to meet income guidelines and additional selection criteria to qualify. Eligible seniors residing in Manhattan Community Board 7 receives preference for 50% of the units. Eligible seniors who are mobility impaired will receive preference for 5% of the units and visual or hearing impaired will receive preference for 2% of the units. Eligible seniors who are NYC municipal employees will receive preference for 5% of the units. Only one application per household. No subletting is allowed.

Applications can be requested by sending a self-addressed envelope to: 315 West 61 Street Senior Residence c/o Council Management, 80 Maiden Lane, 21st floor, New York, NY 10038

This building is part of the Riverside South development.

Contact

William Rapfogel, President & CEO [or]
Mary Anne Pasquariello, Resident Director
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
80 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038
(T) 212-453-9500

 

33 West End Avenue

Address: 33 West End Avenue
Block: 1171
Lot: 165
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is an 80/20 building, developed by Atlantic Development Group, LLC. The building was occupied in 2007. This building is part of the Riverside South development.

Contact

Peter Fine
Managing Principal
Atlantic Development Group, LLC
331 West 57 Street, Suite 007
New York, NY 10019
(T) 212-620-0500

 

36 West 93 Street (Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School expansion)

Address: 36 West 93 Street
Block: 1206
Lot: 20
Summary of site and plans
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 5/01/07
On 5/1/07, the Parks and Preservation Committee of Community Board 7 APPROVED the proposed additions to the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School.
_____________________________________________________________________

The Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School was founded in 1764, and ties between it and the University were severed in 1864. It is now a non-profit institution, and 36 West was built in 1994. In February 2007, the school submitted an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The architectural firm Gruzen Samton LLP designed an enlargement to the current building, for an additional 14,850 gross square feet. The existing structure’s base height is four stories tall at the street line. Twenty feet in from the street, the current building is five stories high. (This tiered effect allows for the sky exposure plane.)

The planned enlargement will be built on top of the existing structure, and will add two or three stories, depending on the part of the building. The wedding-cake shaped building will have two stories of curved glass added to the front-most section facing north, on 93 Street. On top of the existing fifth floor, there ar two additional stories planned. Finally, there is a small penthouse on top of the additional two floors, set approximately 35 feet from the street.

The following are the notes from the April 12, 2007 meeting of the Parks and Preservation Committee of Community Board 7:

36 West 93rd Street, aka 33 West 92nd Street, Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School.

Application to enlarge the existing school building, including building out of setbacks and addition of two floors.

Howard S. Weiss, of the law firm Davidoff Malito & Hutcher, LPP introduced the project, then turned the presentation over to the architects, Cathy Draskalakis and Peter Samton, of Gruzen Samton Architects. School Headmaster Richard Soghoian was also present.

This application is before the Parks and Preservation Committee for review of the appropriateness of its design as part of the application for a Certificate of Appropriateness from LPC. It will also be presented to the Land Use Committee because a zoning variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals will be required for the following reasons:

-The addition encroaches slightly into the sky exposure plane. Height waiver required.

-The rear yard addition is too high at 92nd Street. Setback waiver required.

The existing school building extends through-block from 93rd to 92nd Street and houses the lower school and the fifth and sixth grades. Currently, the seventh and eighth graders are housed in the high school building further east on the block. One of the primary goals of the renovation is to increase the space in the lower school building to accommodate the seventh and eighth grade students as well, thereby enabling the school to create a separate middle school division (5th-8th grades). The school will also be able to increase its enrollment by 20-40 students.

Along both the south side of 93rd Street and the north side of 92nd street, there is great variation in building types and heights, rather than the mid-block brownstone rows typical on other many other Central Park West to Columbus blocks on the Upper west Side. On 93rd Street, the school sits between a turn-of-the twentieth century six-story apartment building to the east and a one-story garage structure to the west. On 92nd Street, the school is situated between a turn-of-the twentieth century seven-story tenement building to the east and a pre-war fifteen-story apartment building to the west.

The proposed expansion of the school building includes adding two stories to the existing five story structure (four stories plus setback penthouse) at the 93rd Street side of the building, and adding one story plus a double-height studio space to the two story structure at the 92nd Street side of the building.

The existing school building, built in 1994, is clad in reddish-brown masonry, with large windows, and a strong blue metal horizontal band defining each floor. The proposed new addition will be metal clad. To visually reduce the impact of the new volume on top of the existing structure, a “transition zone” in a darker color will be created before shifting to a metal clad exterior. Illustrations of both copper and lead-coated zinc options were shown. The committee far preferred the darker, greyer zinc option. A clock near the top of the building on the northern end of the west façade (visible from Columbus Avenue walking east) is also proposed.

Several neighbors attended and voiced their concerns: Beth Gannon, 325 CPW; Robert Doyle, resident of 6-story apt. bldg on 93rd St. to east of the school; a female resident of 333 CPW; Jim Weinshap, 325 CPW. Concern was expressed about the proposed addition not being in keeping with the character of the block; its being too tall, blocking the views of the historic buildings along CPW; the choice and color of the metal; the street and sidewalk congestion caused by the school, which they felt would be exacerbated by the expansion.

The committee in general did not feel the design was inappropriate to this particular context.

Resolution to approve application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the enlargement of existing school building, including building out of setbacks and addition of two floors, provide the metal cladding is the greyish zinc metal (not the green copper).

Committee vote: 6-0-1-0.

Contact

Dr. Richard J. Soghoian
Headmaster
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
5 West 93rd Street
New York NY, 10025
(T) 212-749-6200

 

118 West 76 Street

Address: 118 West 76 Street
Block: 1147
Lot: 41
Landmark Status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The building is vacant and was neglected, and tagged with graffiti. Council Member Gale A. Brewer has been in contact with the owners many times to mandate that they maintain the front well of the building free of debris, rodents, and graffiti. In response the owners have hired maintenance staff to clean the property. The owners continue to be current on the property taxes of this vacant brownstone.

New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation report calls Thom and Wilson ‘the most prolific architectural firm represented in the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.’ Their work is described as ‘highly inventive in design and generally executed in the neo-Grec and Renaissance Revival styles incorporating elements from a number of historic sources.’ Their most well-known commission is the landmark Harlem Courthouse on East 121 Street.

This building is the easternmost of a row of five designed by Thom and Wilson in 1890-1.

Contact

Jean Rudiano
6613 Forest Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 11385

 

2 Columbus Circle (Museum of Art and Design)

Address: 2 Columbus Circle
Landmark status: No

Block No: 1030
Lot No: 1

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

In June 2002, the City of New York, which had owned the building since 1980, selected the Museum of Art and Design (MAD) to redevelop the site. Despite persistent attempts by local advocacy groups to landmark the modernist structure, MAD proceeded with planned renovations. The Museum will upgrade the building so that it is ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act) as well as update the building’s structure and replace the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. The development will more than triple the space of the museum, from 17,000 square feet to 54,000 square feet. The Museum’s exhibition space will increase fourfold.

According to the museum’s website:

“Plans for the redevelopment of the building, which has been vacant since 1998, grew out of a thorough analysis of the condition of the building’s structure, electrical systems, and exterior cladding. The building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems need to be replaced. The Museum will also upgrade the building’s infrastructure and circulation, climate control system, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) measures in order to transform the structure into a state-of-the art facility that serves its visitors, students, and families. The pre-cast cladding and stone on the façade is in serious disrepair and will be replaced,.”

The museum has done a major renovation that includes cutting the floor to integrate the galleries vertically, as well as trying to open up the museum to natural light and to views.

The building is designed by Architect Brad Cloepfil and his Portland, Oregon based firm Allied Works Architecture.

The museum is scheduled to open in September 2008. The dining facilities will be include restaurants open for lunch and dinner, operated by P.J. Clarke’s.

Contact

Holly Hotchner
Director
Museum of Arts & Design
40 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212)956-3535
holly.hotchner@madmuseum.org

 

525 West 55 Street between Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues

Address: 525 West 55 Street
Block: 1084
Lot: 9
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 4/8/2008
The President of the Harborview Terrace Tenant Association, Maria Guzman, has called a meeting to discuss the development project. The New York City Housing Authority will be presenting at this meeting. The meeting is being held on Tuesday, April 8 at 530 west 55 street at 630 PM.

The developer plans to construct a family building and a senior center building. This is contingent upon financing through the sale of inclusionary zoning rights. Community Board 4 believes this would result in more bulk, less moderate-income units and more money for the developer to give to the New York City Housing Authority.

The NYCHA development plan will include the following:

148 senior citizen apartments in a 14-story building on West 56 Street

200 family apartments in a 15-story facing West 55 Street

226 apartments of the 348 dwelling units would be affordable to low, moderate and middle income families (61 to 165% of the Area Medium Income)

47 on-site parking spaces, including 37 reserved for NYCHA residents

The development will dispose:

33,000 square feet of land (the housing developments 37 space parking and basketball court)

Transfer 72,000 square feet of unused, excessive development rights from the existing Harborview Terrace development
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 11/21/2007
Atlantic Development Group, LLC and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty (Met Council) were chosen by NYCHA and HPD to build mixed income residential units on Harborview Terrace site. The proposal will provide a total of 259 units in two buildings. One building would include 113 units for seniors with income up to 80% AMI. The other would contain 146 units for mixed income between 80% – 165% of AMI. Met Council will be involved in the marketing and management of the senior building, as well as providing supportive services for seniors.

As part of the Hudson Yards rezoning, the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) is planning a new building on the Harborview Towers parking lot. The proposed building includes 161 affordable units, including 48 below-130-AMI; and 98 market-rate. 210 rental total, 155 are permanently affordable, between 161-165% of AMI. The purchase price is proposed to be $12 million (the original proposal for purchase was $5 million). The project is a collaboration between the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and NYCHA. The building is being built over the railroad cut; the winning developer is Atlantic Development, collaborating with Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty.

The senior housing on-site will be 60-80% AMI, or $29,000 per year.

The buildings will be 12-15 stories high.

This project must go through ULURP. Council Member Gale A. Brewer is proposing changes, including more affordable units, and fewer market rate units.

NYCHA and HPD are scheduled to appear before Community Board 4 on September 18th, 2007 to discuss the site.

Contact

Maria Guzman, President
Harborview Terrace Tenant Association
520 West 56 Street, Apt. 8D
New York, NY 10019

David Gilchrist, Deputy Director
Project FIND
160 West 71st Street, Suite 2F
New York, NY 10023
(T) 212-874-0300

Peter Fine, President
[or]
Charles Brass, Executive Vice President
Atlantic Development Group, LLC
155 Avenue of the Americas
NY, New York 10013
(T) 212-620-0500

Ilene Popkin
Assistant Deputy General Manager for Development
New York City Housing Authority
250 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
(T) 212-306-4073

Ruth Visnauskas
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Housing Preservation and Development
100 Gold Street, Room 9-U8
New York, NY 10038
(T) 212-863-5637

William Rapfogel, CEO
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty
80 Maiden Lane, 21st Floor
New York, NY 10038
(T) 212-453-9500

 

808 Columbus Avenue (100 Street)

Address: 808 Columbus Avenue (100 Street)
Block: 1852
Lot: 25
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/4/2008
Community Board 7/Manhattan approves the application for retail and garage sage and maintenance of the vaults under Columbus Avenue, stretching from West 97th Street to West 100th Street, which will enable a better configuration of the retail and garage space for all users. Community Board 7/Manhattan expects a continuing dialogue with all developers of Park West Village development and the Community Board, as well as residents of PWV, so that ongoing construction can be the best and least disruptive process that is possible.

As of July 26, 2007 a Stop Work Order Exists on the property. Click here for the DOB page on the building.

At a July 10, 2007 meeting of the Community Board 7 Steering Committee, discussion continued
regarding the petition by 808 Columbus LLC to the Department of Transportation for a new revocable consent to construct, maintain, and use a sidewalk vault for retail [and parking] use, under the Columbus Avenue
sidewalk.

The situation is summarized below by Community Board 7:

1. On May 1, 2007, the CB7 Full Board passed a resolution to disapprove the usage and maintenance of sidewalk vaults in conjunction with the proposed multiuse building at 808 Columbus Ave., unless certain stated conditions are met:

http://www.cathasite.com/pb/cb7Resolution.pdf

2. Stellar Management presented the CB7 Steering Committee with a letter dated May 25, 2007, in which they itemized their response to the conditions stated in CB7’s May 1 resolution:

http://www.cathasite.com/pb/StellarManagement.pdf
See also the web links (described below under BACKGROUND) to important exhibits to this letter.

3. The Borough President’s office has subsequently determined that the evaluation of Stellar’s response to CB7’s May 1 resolution is properly a matter to be undertaken by the Full Board. Thus, Stellar’s response will be discussed AGAIN at the CB7 Full Board meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2007: 1000 Tenth Ave. (58th St.) at 7 PM.

4. You are encouraged to attend the CB7 Full Board meeting on July 10 and to let your opinion be heard for 2 minutes concerning Stellar Management’s response to CB7’s May 1 resolution. If you intend to speak for longer than 2 minutes, please ask a colleague or neighbor to
sign up separately to speak, for the purpose of yielding his/her allotted time to you when called upon. PWV residents will be on hand at the sign-up table to assist with the sign-up procedure as necessary.

5. Truck Loading and Unloading: “The attached drawing labeled ‘Parking Ramp Study’ shows the configuration of the Whole Foods loading dock facing 97th Street.” (p. 3)

EXHIBIT: http://www.cathasite.com/pb/ParkingRampStudy.pdf

6. Truck Traffic: “We have attached a traffic study…which
indicates that both 97th and 100th Streets have significant additional capacity for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.” (p.4)

EXHIBIT: http://www.cathasite.com/pb/TrafficStudy.pdf

9. Overall Site Planning: “We have attached a drawing showing the entire site and all of the existing curb cuts, in an attempt to clarify the traffic flows throughout the site and the adjacent sites.”(p. 6)

EXHIBIT: http://www.cathasite.com/pb/ProposedDevelopment.pdf

FULL TEXT of Stellar’s response:
http://www.cathasite.com/pb/StellarManagement.pdf

 

Gateway School of New York (“The School”) 211 West 61 Street

Address: 211 West 61 Street
Block: 1154
Lot: 7502
Landmark Status: N/A
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gateway School of New York (“The School”) is a New York State education corporation operating a non-profit co-educational, non-residential special needs school that serves students between the age of 5 and 13. They are located at 236 Second Avenue, but will be moving to 211 West 61 Street by 2009.

The school seeks acquisition, renovation and equipping of commercial condominium units comprising approximately 19,230 square feet located at 211 West 61st Street (between Amsterdam and West End Avenue), New York, NY 10023 utilizing tax-exempt bond financing through the New York City Industrial Development Agency.

The total project costs are approximately $31,600,000. The School is seeking the issuance of up to $18,650,000 in NYCIDA tax-exempt bonds to (i) acquire building space at 211 West 61st Street in the amount of $8,120,000; (ii) fund construction costs of $6,765,000, (iii) fund FF&E costs of $1,005,000, and (iv) fund soft costs in the amount of $2,760,000. The School will finance the remainder of the project costs with $4,950,000 of Equity Contributions and $8,000,000 from the sale of their existing building.

211 West 61 Street is a 6-story building, and Gateway will be occupying 1, 5 and 6. The other floors are occupied by the American Music and Dance Association.

The Company will retain 37 full-time equivalent employees and will create 23 new full-time equivalent positions in the next 3 years.

Contact

Robert Cunningham
The Gateway School
236 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10003
(T) 212-777-5966

 

44 West 63 Street

Address: 44 West 63 Street

Block: 1115

Lot: 57

Landmark Status: No

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

This property, erected in 1892 was recently renovated and turned into a hotel in the mid-1990s. This building was sold in 2004, and plans were announced in 2005 to convert the hotel into luxury condominiums. This conversion reflects a new trend in New York City, where attractive hotels are being converted into luxury apartments.

 

230 and 232-234 West 78 Street

Address: 230, 232-234 West 78 Street
Block: 1169
Lot: 45
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 3/31/08
The Department of Buildings sent a response to Council Member Brewer’s letter regarding after hours and weekend work, informing the Council Member that a Hold has been put on the issuance of After Hours Variances for the Linden78.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE:3/3/08
Council Member Gale A. Brewer wrote a letter to the Department of Buildings regarding her strong opposition to after hours and weekend work at the Linden78 construction site.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 12/7/07
Council Member Gale A. Brewer wrote a letter to City Planning Commission Chair Amanda Burden to bring attention to this type of developments that are out of scale and character to New York City neighborhoods. The following is quoted from the body of the letter sent to Chairwoman Burden:

I write to bring your attention to a new development planned for 230 West 78 Street (block 1169, lot 44), also known as the Linden78. The development falls within R10A equivalent zoning, restricting its maximum height to 210 feet. According to the self-certified New York City Department of Buildings application, the building has been designed to be 240 feet. Unless the development is building affordable housing and is subject to inclusionary zoning regulations, it appears that this building may be over the allowable height restrictions by 30 feet.

What is most troubling, however, is this development’s exploitation of current zoning regulations, specifically Section 12-10. Section 12-10, the “Lot, corner” definition, allows developers to erect towering, avenue height buildings (in this case, Broadway), virtually mid-block. In the case of 230 West 78 Street, the developer purchased its neighbor’s air rights to facilitate full “Lot, corner” development. The result of this purchase will be a 21-story building, with a significant portion cantilevering its neighbor. I write to you in full knowledge that the developer has in fact followed current building codes and zoning regulations, and by doing so was able to produce a building that towers over neighboring low-rise brownstones. My point is simple: zoning regulation Section 12-10 “Lot, corner” must be amended to prevent this type of situation from occurring again. My office opposes this type of development that is completely out of character, and more importantly, out of scale to the surrounding neighborhood.

The owner of 236 West 78 Street sold in 2007 their air rights to the above property. With these new air rights, the owner of 230 and 232-234 West 78 Street is now planning on building a 22-story building on this property. Through a zoning abnormality the developers are claiming this to be an “as of right” project, or one that does not require going through ULURP.

Contact

David Middleton, RA
Handel Architects
150 Varick Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 595-4112

 

330 West 86 Street

Address: 330 West 86 Street
Block: 1247
Lot: 49
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update: 2/6/2007
Community Board 7/Manhattan voted to support the intent of the UDAAP sale to conserve the existing building at 330 West 86th Street.

This property was seized by the City of New York for tax purposes. Pursuant to the Urban Development Action Area Act (UDAA), the City of New York sold the property at below market value to the residing tenants of the property under the stipulations that said tenants would bring the building up to building codes and conserve the building for future use. Within 18 months of sale, tenants sold the property at a substantial profit to a developer, who now plans to build a 15 story apartment building in its place.

This was taken to court by the neighbors of 330 West 86 Street. The Appellate Court ruled in favor of the developers. The case is being appealed by the plaintiffs, citing the UDAA as barring the developers from destroying the property, citing the “conservation” stipulation that was agreed upon when the property was originally sold. The appeal was argued at the Appeals Court on February 13, 2007. According to HPD, the Court ruled that the building cannot be knocked down and the site built upon, though it can be sold.

Contact

Barbara Flynn, Executive Director
NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
100 Gold Street, Rm 5-G3
New York, NY 10038
(T)212-863-7901
(F)212-863-7450

 

260 West 88 Street, 262 West 88 Street, 258 West 88 Street

Addresses: 260 West 88 Street, 262 West 88 Street, 258 West 88 Street
Block: 1235
Lots: 57-59
Landmark Status:Yes
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The owner of all three buildings is planning on combining the three addresses into a single occupancy for his family. They are in the process of evicting rent-stabilized residents in accords with the recent Appelate Court decision that allows for owners to recover possession of apartments for personal use or occupancy. Below are updates of the current situations in each of the buildings.

260 West 88 Street: According to neighbors this building is vacant of tenants and is instead inhabited by the owners’ son. Permits have been taken out to combine apartments according to the landmarks’ commission.

262 West 88 Street:

Owner was recently denied a permit to build a greenhouse by the landmark commission, but was granted a permit for a rooftop addition. There are also exterior improvements scheduled that will be inspected by the landmarks’ commission.

258 West 88 Street:

This building holds three apartments. Owner has issued NOTICES OF NON-RENEWALS to residents in an effort to remove them and move in himself.

 

 

266 West 96 Street (MTA site)

Address: 266 West 96 Street
Block: 1243
Lot: 57
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
266 West 96 Street is the site of a nonactive MTA substation. The West Side Federation of Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSH) (in collaboration with Council Member Gale Brewer) is working to develop affordable housing at this location. The units will be rented to families and senior citizens from the neighborhood. This building is not a participant in the New York/New York supportive housing initiative.

As of winter 2007, the following steps to secure the site have been taken at the behest of Council Member Brewer: the MTA transferred title to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). DCAS conveyed the property to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

The other two property owners on the site include the Salvation Army at 268 West 96 Street, and the Midtown NAACP at 270 West 96 Street. They are collaborating with WSFSH.

Contact

Laura Jervis, President
West Side Federation of Senior and Supportive Housing
2345 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(T) 212-721-6032

 

Pier 99 (59 Street Marine Transfer Station)

Address: West Side Highway and 59th Street

Landmark status: Yes

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pier 99 at 59th Street currently serves as a marine transfer station that handles recyclable paper for the New York City Department of Sanitation. Pier 99 is not designated as a park pier in the Hudson River Park, but the entrance to the shed for the marine transfer station is marked by a neo-classical arch and brightly colored neon tubes.

As part of its solid waste management plan (SWMP), the Bloomberg Administration supports changing the function of Pier 99 from paper recycling to commercial waste, including restaurant waste from most of Manhattan. This proposal is part of a comprehensive, city wide plan to reorganize the handling of both residential (Department of Sanitation) garbage, and commercial waste handled by private carters. The proposal includes the construction of another marine transfer station on Gansevoort Peninsula in Greenwich Village to handle the bulk of the recyclable paper.

Any enlargement of Pier 99 to carry Manhattan’s commercial waste would require an amendment of state law by the legislature. The group Coalition to Protect our Parks and other members of the local community oppose the Administration’s plan to change the use of Pier 99 to commercial waste transfer.

In October, 2004, Council Member Gale Brewer wrote a letter to the Department of Sanitation and the Economic Development Corporation expressing the concerns of Community Boards 4 and 7 about the marine transfer station. In particular, Council Member Brewer inquired about the Administration’s plan to increase the number of commercial sanitation vehicles, the volume of waste, and the types of waste to be processed. One important concern about an large increase in commercial vehicle traffic at the pier is that the trucks of the private haulers are not clean fuel vehicles, unlike those currently in use by the Department of Sanitation. On November 1, 2006 Community Board 4 issued a resolution opposed to enlarging the current marine transfer station on Pier 99 to handle commercial waste.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for Pier 99 for the hauling of commercial waste.

Contact

John Doherty, Commissioner
New York City Dept. of Sanitation
New York, NY 10013
(T) 646-885-4974

 

44 West 87 Street, 208 West 84 Street

Address: 44 West 87 Street
Block No: 1200
Lot No: 52

Address: 208 West 84 Street
Block No: 1231
Lot No: 40
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
On November 15, 2006, the Land-Use Committee for Community Board 7 discussed the West Side Federation of Senior and Supportive Housing application regarding the Department of Housing & Preservation’s (HPD) application to the City Council for the disposition of city-owned properties at 44 West 87 Street and 208 West 84 Street. This presentation supported designating these properties as “urban development action area projects” (UDAAP), specifically to be used for low-income/affordable housing. In December 2006, Community Board 7 passed a resolution supporting this designation.

In a November 6, 2006 letter, HPD encouraged the City Council to support these actions, and in December, 2006, the Council voted its approval. The tentative schedule for both projects is approximately 18 months from closing to completion of construction.

Contact

Rev. Laura Jervis, President
Westside Federation of Senior and Supportive Housing
2345 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(T) 646-214-2601

 

2221 Broadway/ 265 West 79 Street (First Baptist Church)

Address: 2221 Broadway

Landmark status: No

Block: 1227
Lot: 6
Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

At the corner of 79 Street and Broadway stands the First Baptist Church, which is home to the oldest Baptist congregation in the United States, founded in 1753. The Church’s entrance is positioned diagonally to the intersection, and features tall slender turrets, extraordinary stained glass windows, and a distinctive red tiled roof.

Early in the autumn of 2006, several congregants approached Council Member Gale Brewer about possible plans to demolish the Church in anticipation of a residential development. On October 22, 2006, the congregation met to discuss its options on this matter. On October 29, 2006 the New York Times published an article about the Church, “With Bowed Heads, a Flock Looks Warily Ahead,” that surveyed the Church’s possible plans. According to W. Lawrence Joachim, President of the Church’s Board of Trustees, “A couple of people have come forward with some serious ideas that we’ve been praying about for months.” Although Mr. Joachim would not give many specific details about proposals, he mentioned that the congregation was considering the pros and cons of various plans for the church.

Council Member Gale Brewer sent a letter to the Department of Buildings on October 10, 2006, requesting that no demolition permits be issued for site of the church. In addition she requested of the Landmarks Preservation Commission that the site be considered for landmark status.

On October 25, 2006, W. Lawrence Joachim, President of the Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Church, indicated in a letter that the Church is “not preparing to tear down the building. Our property is not, and never has been, for sale.” In fact, the Church has allocated hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade the structure.

According to a letter sent from the pastor of the Church to its members, a building committee was appointed, consisting of the Pastor, the Chairman of the Deacon Board, the President of the Trustees, the Treasurer, the Church Clerk, and two “members-at-large” from the congregation. The purpose of the committee was to “investigate potential proposals relative to the redevelopment” of the “property and facility and bring a formal recommendation to the members of the First Baptist Church.”

Contact

W. Lawrence Joachim, President, Board of Trustees

First Baptist Church

265 West 79th Street

New York City, NY 10024

(212) 724 – 5600 phone

(212) 787 – 7963 fax

office@firstbaptist-nyc.org

 

20 West End Avenue (Heschel High School)

Address: 20 West End Avenue at 61st/60th Streets
Block: 1152
Lot: 1
Landmark status: N/A

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Abraham Heschel High School, a private school located at 20 West End Avenue, has proposed to modify its existing building, while also constructing a new building to house its middle and elementary schools, which are currently located off site on West 91 Street, and West 89 Street, respectively.

Specifically, the school is seeking permission from the city for a one story addition of 2,000 square feet on top of its existing building at 20 West End Avenue. It would also like to construct a new building (possibly a 23 story tower, which would include 190 residential units) on two adjacent lots that it owns; one is located at the corner of West End Avenue and 61 Street, and is currently occupied by the Potampkin auto dealership, operating on a month to month lease; the other adjoining lot is on West 61 Street and is occupied by an auto repair shop.

The purpose of the expansion is to consolidate the elementary and middle schools adjacent to the high school.

The master planning process is ongoing with architects Cooper Robertson & Partners. The proposal for the new school (elementary and middle) is an additional 171,931 square feet (242 square feet per student) and will include an additional 36 classrooms, 2 gyms, 1 auditorium, 2 libraries, administrative offices, 2 lunch rooms, 3 art studios, 2 music rooms and 3 science labs.

Website is available: http://www.heschel.org/index.html

Contact

Roanna Shorofsky, Director
Abraham Heschel School
20 West End Ave.
New York, NY 10023
(212) 246-7717

 

124A West 95 Street (The Studio School)

Address: 124A West 95th Street (between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue)
Landmark status: N/A
Block: 1226
Lots: 24, 25

Summary of site plans and status

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Studio School is a private elementary school currently located in the Congregation Ohab Zedek Synagogue, at 124A West 95 Street. The school is moving from its current location and is constructing a new facility in two adjoining brownstones that it purchased across the street from the Synagogue at 115 and 117 West 95 Street.

The School began construction at these two sites in 2005. The work has involved major excavation and demolition of the existing brownstones except for their facades, and also has included enlargement of the footprint of the former buildings.

In connection with this project, the New York City Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA) awarded the Studio School “approximately $9,800,000 civic facility revenue bond transaction…in connection with the refinancing of two loans obtained in 2004 to acquire, construct, renovate, and equip facilities for the school located at 115 West 95th Street and 117 West 95th Street, New York, New York, and in connection with the additional renovation, construction, merger, equipping and furnishing of the two facilities (the “Facilities”). The combined facilities upon completion will have approximately 9,340 square feet.

The two brownstones will be a facility for toddlers through eighth graders. The abstract of the project provided by the Studio School states:

The new space is specifically designed to strengthen our constructive and expressive arts, science, and language programs, to successfully implement our innovative educational methods, and to integrate all aspects of the curricula into new multi-use classrooms.

Contact

Janet C. Rotter
Head of School
The Studio School
124A West 95th Street
New York, NY 10025

(212) 678-2416

 

129 West 67 Street (Kaufman Center)

Address: 129 West 67 Street
Block: 1139
Lot: 8
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 8/15/2006
The Board of Standards and Appeals has granted a variance (Z.R. Section 72-21) to enlarge an existing community facility building (Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center)___________________________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE: 4/15/08
The projected opened on January 8, 2008. Council member Gale A. Brewer spoke, highlighting the $1,000,000 the Council allocated from the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget to the expansion. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer also spoke at the opening event. Borough President Scott Stringer also allocated an additional $500,000.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Kaufman Center applied to the Board of Standard and Appeals (Application #127-06-BZ) for a minor waiver of floor area and rear yard requirements to allow the proposed enlargement of the center. The architect is Robert A. M. Stern. The following includes the project details:

• Restoration of the Kaufman Center’s façade, including the addition of beautiful new glass surfacing materials

• Redesign of the main entrance, creating a more inviting and efficient facility

• Expanded space for music classes, receptions, special events and theater workshops. These spaces include two new classrooms and a flexible educational/event space on the balcony level

• A fully ADA-accessible concert space including renovated restrooms and entryways and ADA-accessible artist’s spaces backstage

• Enhanced audio-visual capabilities in Merkin Concert Hall, including updated listening systems for hearing impaired concert-goers and students

• Redesign of Merkin Concert Hall’s lobby to make it more attractive, welcoming and functional for pre and post-performance activities

• Expansion of lobby space to better serve the two schools

• Replacement of finishes and restoration and reupholstering of the seating in Merkin Concert Hall

• Structural and mechanical improvements, including the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system

• Restoration of the Kaufman Center’s façade, including the addition of beautiful new glass surfacing materials

Contact

Lydia Kontos
Executive Director
Kaufman Center
129 West 67 Street
New York, NY 10023

 

 

38 West 86 Street (Bard Graduate Center for Studies in Decorative)

Address: 38 West 86 Street
Block : 1199 Lot: 54
Landmark Status: No
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Update: 5/1/2007
Community Board 7/Manhattan approved the proposed renovations by Bard College at 36 West 86th Street. Renovations will include restoration of the facade of the building in a historic manner.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
As of October 2006, the Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture was planning to expand. The BGC bought 38 West 86 Street, a brownstone building located next to its current location. Expansion plans are under consideration as of August 13, 2007. Contact Susan Soros, President Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture 36 West 86 Street New York, NY 10024 Phone: 212-501-3000 generalinfo@bgc.bard.edu

 

170 Central Park West (New-York Historical Society)

Address: 170 Central Park West, at 77 Street
Block: 1129
Lot: 29
Landmark status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The building was built between 1903 and 1908, and was enlarged in 1937 by Walker and Gillette. The New-York Historical Society (NYHS) appeared before Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) on February 21, 2006 to install flag poles and banners. The application was approved with modification.

In addition, in 2007, the NYHS applied for changes to its facade. With modifications, the LPC approved the facade changes; see below.

As of 2007, LPC has issued a Status Update Letter for the work at 170 Central Park West, but as yet, no permit has been issued because the applicant has not yet submitted the requisite drawings.

Quoting from the May 10, 2007 Status Update Letter from the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission:

This letter is to inform you that at the Public Hearing of April 24, 2007, following the Public Meeting of April 17 2007, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to approve alterations to the Central Park West and West 77th Street facades at the subject premises, including the creation of new door openings and entrance steps, the installation of a new barrier-free access ramp on West 77th Street altering window openings, and the installation of glass kiosks on the sidewalk.

PLEASE NOTE: Approval for this project expires on April 24, 2013; however, no work can begin until a Certificate of Appropriateness is issued. This approval is not effective until the applicant submits two sets of the final signed and sealed drawings to be submitted to the Department of Buildings, showing the approved proposal, at which time a Certificate of Appropriateness will be issued.

The Commission approved the proposal, finding that the replacement of the entry steps on the Central Park West facade of the steps only and will affect only a minimum amount of historic fabric on the building, and will retain the overall relationship of the building to the street; that the granite steps will match the granite base of the building, and their installation will not conceal any significant architectural features of the building; that the proposed steps at both the Central Park West and West 77th Street facades are in keeping with the monumental scale of the building; that the removal of the recently constructed steps and ramp on the West 77th Street facade will not eliminate any significant historic features; that the simple design of the ramp on West 77th Street, and glass and bronze railings will be harmonious with the austere design of the building and will read as separate modern elements; that the proposed ramp will not be attached to the facade, and therefore, will not cause damage to the base of the building and could easily be removed in the future; that the proposed alterations to the window openings on the Central Park West facade to create doors will retain the height and width of the original openings thereby preserving the original proportions of the facade and removing only a minimal amount of masonry from the facade; that the new glass doors will be deeply recessed behind the facade, and therefore, will only be partially visible and will not detract from the monumental scale and materials of the building; that the historic bronze doors will be reused in the Central Park West entrance, maintaining an existing historic feature; that the new bronze doors in the new door openings will match the design and material of the historic door, maintaining a uniform design of the facade; that enlarging the first floor window openings on the West 77th Street facade will not cause the loss of any decorative architectural features; that the size of the enlarged openings and the configuration and materials of the new windows will be consistent with the existing second floor openings, and with other windows on the primary facades; that the deteriorated condition of the glass block in the 2nd floor windows of the Central Park West facade warrants its replacement; that the proposed textured glass will be a contemporary evocation of the glass block which was also an innovative window material in 1937 when the building underwent an architecturally and historically significant expansion and renovation; that relocating the two historic torches to the interior will preserve these significant features; that the location of the proposed glass kiosks on either side of the new stairs will not overwhelm the facade, obstruct portions of the facade, or diminish its architectural character; that the proposed free-standing kiosks will not cause damage to any portion of the building and be easily removed in the future; and that the proposal will not detract from the special architectural and historic character of the Individual Landmark, the Upper West Side/Central Park Historic District, or the Central Park West/West 76th Street Historic District. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the proposed work to be appropriate to the Individual Landmark and the Upper West Side/Central Park West, and the Central Park West/West 76th Street Historic Districts, and voted to approve it.

Please note that this Status Update Letter superseded the Status Update Letter issued on April 24, 2007.

Note that the above IS NOT A PERMIT.

The following is Council Member Gale A. Brewer’s proposal for the alteration of the façade of New York Historical Society, as presented to the Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 20, 2007.

As a public official I have been involved in a number of debates about the development of historic and architecturally important sites. Regarding this project I have reviewed a large volume of correspondence, listened to testimony at forums, and studied the proposal. I testify today that there is broad acknowledgment within the community that the interior of this landmark building does not adequately serve the Society’s current and future program goals, nor its vision of a new public face. But in striving to help the Society achieve its goals, we must ensure the preservation of the historic- indeed, unique- architectural face that the Society and New York turn to the world.

Contact

Louise Mirrer
President
New York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
(T) 212-873-3400

 

250 West 93 Street (the Melar)

Address: 250 West 93rd St.

Block No: 1240
Lot No: 52

Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status

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Rose Associates has built a 20-story site of 143 residential rental units; this is an 80/20 project (the developer did his own rent-up of the 80/20 units). This site houses 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units plus 3 bedroom convertible units. The building has a health club, decks, 24-hour attended lobby, fitness center, lounge and sun deck.

There is a 210 foot height limit on this property. The gross area for this site is 164,714 square feet. The building was designed by Costas Kondylis & Partners, LLP.

This site was completed in summer 2006.

Contact

Melvin and William Friedland
Friedland Properties
22 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10021-17033
(T) 212-744-3300

To get info on affordable units: (212) 210-6658 or (212) 210-6635

 

212 West 93 Street (Congregation Shaare Zedek)

Address: 212 West 93rd Street
Block No: 1240
Lot No: 42
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
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The owner of the building next door at Amsterdam Avenue between 92nd and 93rd Streets, asked to buy the air rights above the building. The offer was declined by the Board of the Congregation. There have been no negotiations since December 2005, and there is no future or immediate plans for this address.

Contact

Rabbi Mark Ankcorn
Congregation Shaare Zedek
212 West 93rd Street
New York, NY 10025-17408
212-874-7005

 

144 West 90 Street (Church of Saint Gregory the Great)

Address: 144 West 90th Street
Block No: 1220
Lot No: 55
Landmark status: No
Summary of site plans and status
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York is planning a realignment of its churches which could have resulted in the closing or merging of numerous churches in Manhattan. In 2005, the parishioners of Saint Gregory’s submitted a petition and individual letters to the Archdiocese, urging that Saint Gregory’s stay off the list. The realignment was evaluated by a Blue Ribbon Committee. The church was not on the 2006 closure list. A new priest, Reverend Monsignor Michael Crimmins, is bringing new energy to the congregation.

Contact

Michael Konopka
Parishoners’ Committee
574 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10024-12748
(T) 212-385-4800

 

 

148 West 90 Street, 167 West 89 Street (Stephen Gaynor School/Ballet Hispanico)

Address: 148 West 90 Street (Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) Entrance for Stephen Gaynor School, 167 West 89 Street (Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) Entrance for Ballet Hispanico

Block: 1126
Lot: 45
Landmark status: No
Summary of Site Plans and Status
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This site is the new K-8 Stephen Gaynor School and Ballet Hispanico building. It is 12 stories and approximately 37,000 square feet. Steven Gaynor sold the townhouse at 22 West 74 Street (one of 18 mansions built by the Clark family, developers of the Dakota) for $9.1 million in 2006.

The new home of the Stephen Gaynor School and Ballet Hispanico is the last of the West Side Urban Renewal Area (WSURA) sites to be developed. St. Gregory’s Church sold the site to Ballet Hispanico (an original WSURA tenant) and the Stephan Gaynor School, a school for gifted students who don’t meet their academic potential and who may be learning disabled. The school opened in 2006. Council Member Gale A. Brewer supported Ballet Hispanico with city capital funds.

Contact

Verdery Roosevelt
Executive Director
Ballet Hispanico
167 West 89 Street
New York, NY 10024
(T) 212-362-6710

Dr. Scott Gaynor
Head of School
Stephen Gaynor School
148 West 90th Street
New York, NY 10024
sgaynor@stephengaynor.org
(T) 212-787-7070 ext. 101

 

466 Columbus Avenue (Kidville)

Address: 466 – 468 Columbus Avenue (West 82nd Street)
Block No: 1213
Lot No: 32
Landmark status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status
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The former site of the Pioneer supermarket is a two story building. It has been renovated by Gruzen Samton and is now a 3-story building occupied by Kidville, a company dedicated to children’s services. This West Side branch of Kidville opened on May 15, 2006.

Contact

Steve Brecker
Rudd Realty Management Corporation
The Rudd Group, Ltd.
545 Madison Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, NY 10022
(T)212-319-5000
(F) 212-319-3095

 

2222 Broadway (Filene’s Basement)

Address: 2222 Broadway at 79 Street
Block No: 1227
Lot No: 13
Landmark status: Yes
Summary of site plans and status
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This is the site where Filene’s Basement is located. It is a large site in a C-4-6A. It is owned by Friedland Properties, who have recently built The Melar, at 250 West 93 Street and Broadway. There are currently no construction plans regarding 2222 Broadway.

Contact

Roger Klein, Trustee
[or]
Deborah Himmelfarb, Trustee
2220 Broadway
C/O Withers Bergman LLP
430 Park Avenue, 10 Floor
New York, NY 10022
(T) 212-848-9800