Between having a large room full of public speakers lined up and a controversial counter-coup against the Community Board 9 Executive Board, last night's general board meeting was as dramatic as ever. Our insider noted that, before voting on the P.S. 186 landmarks issue, the public was allowed to address the Community Board on any subject. Most of the half dozen speakers advocated saving P.S. 186. Only one individual, from the executive board, got up to speak to defend the current project that will demolish the unofficial landmark. Interestingly enough, a group of young adults from the neighborhood boys and girls club called the Brotherhood/Sister Sol demanded that the M.L. Wilson Boys and Girls Club keep their promise of the basic deed, which stipulated preserving the historic structure by famed turn-of-the-century architect C.B. J. Snyder. The Brotherhood/Sister Sol Club had raised a petition of over 5,000 signature a couple of years ago to voice that P.S. 186 should be restored and abide by the original community space guidelines.So, how did the final vote go?
The executives at Community Board 9 made a subtle and effective attempt to bypass the resolution by the CB9 Landmarks Committee. Even though the Executive Board voted down the internal committee's landmark resolution, the Borough President's office advised that any committee resolution can be brought up by an individual at a general meeting. So did the general landmark resolution vote happen? Not exactly.
The board chair Patricia Jones threw in a preemptive vote that basically stated that the general board had to vote for overriding the Executive Board decision prior to proceeding with a landmark vote. Sound confusing? Many of the general board thought so, and over half the room abstained from actually making a vote. The other half was basically tied in the decision to proceed or not proceed (15 yes - 11 no) with countering the executive decision. This vote as presented was apparently not popular since it was more about siding politically with the executive decision than anything else. Since only a quarter of the general votes went either way, there was not enough to contest the Executive Board decision, seeing that 21 would be considered a majority.
The legalities of the matter will probably now have to go to Borough President Scott Stringer's office to figure out how to handle the resolutions going forward. Apparently lawyers are close at hand for the next phase of this saga.
Read more about the 24-year struggle to save PS 186 in our past post: LINK. Photo by Ulysses
This eyesore and public health hazard should be torn down. The sooner it is gone, the sooner the neighborhood can begin the process of healing over this terrible scar.
ReplyDeleteJohn Dooley
Mr. Dooley -
ReplyDeleteIt's more about the fact that the Boys and Girls Club want to build a highrise more along the lines of the bohemeth on 135th & Broadway. And that saving and restoring the building will actually cost less that building a new one. And that it's quite a shady organization at best, with questionable motives.
They should do what they promised the city 24 years ago: restore the building, use 75% for non profit use. The End.
What kind of morals are the M.L. Wilson Boys and Girls club teaching the future generations? Sounds like the lesson they are preaching is more about how to succeed in underhanded development deals and dishonoring any historic heritage or community obligations. Despicable.
ReplyDeleteM. L. Wilson certainly does not have the skills nor the know how to be involved in this project. Unfortunately their neglect and abuse of the property have left it unsalvageable. The building needs to be taken from the present deed holders, who's actions border on the criminal, and the building should be sold to a reputable developer. Existing contextual zoning should then be used as a guideline for a new building project.
ReplyDelete