There will be a presentation on the significance of PS186 on next Monday which will be held by CB9's Landmark Committee for those who are interested in supporting the effort to save the West Harlem building: LINK
Thursday, May 10, 2012
☞ DWELL: Comparing PS90 and PS186
There will be a presentation on the significance of PS186 on next Monday which will be held by CB9's Landmark Committee for those who are interested in supporting the effort to save the West Harlem building: LINK
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The presentation given by CB9 was quick to dismiss a PS90-like conversion because they were reviewing this possibility during the economic meltdown. During that period PS90 condos weren't selling too well. I thought shooting down this idea was too short-sighted...but what do I know? I think there is enough support out there to preserve PS186- and now that PS90 sold out support would likely be stronger if the Community Board were to revisit the idea. Regardless, I don't think any of this is relevant because I am fairly sure the restrictions expired January 2011- and the current owners are free to do whatever they want with the property.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous. They should be made to do an exact condo conversion like PS90. What is wrong with this community board and this area?
ReplyDeleteHow much time do you have? CB9's leadership is completely corrupt and shortsighted on top of that.
DeleteSorry - please allow me to add a clarification to my above post. It is not CB9's fault that PS 186 hasn't been developed. However, their lack of focus when it came to pushing the owners to move on this situation has contributed to this current situation.
ReplyDeleteContrast that to CB10, in two critical areas:
1. They have led the way in helping to persuade owners of blighted buildings to develop them
2. They have not opposed development or attached unreasonable demands for affordable housing to their endorsement of projects.
What is missing from this story is that unlike PS90, PS 186's deed STILL has requirements for community use space and affordable housing pegged to our area's average median income of $24K. This requirement did expire in January 2010, BUT the owners (Convent Avenue Baptist Church via Boys and Girls Club) elected to keep a somewhat softer version of the originals in place. This means that the return on investment for most, if not all, potential developers is simply not there. This Community Board can be short sighted and unbalanced in their approach to development of the area. While we all agree that losing affordable housing is never a good thing, holding development of this area hostage for the sake of "halting gentrification" swings the pendulum too far in the opposite direction and is equally negative (no "customers", no businesses, no employment for locals). If you're as outraged by this as the above GUEST (May 11, 2012 5:11PM), I urge you to consider making your thoughts known at Community Board 9 meetings (3rd Thursday of every month), joining the community board (new members are appointed every year), and/or becoming a public member of the Community Board (applications are available at 16-18 Old Broadway). The only way things change is if the "Community" wants them to change. Make sure CB9 reflects your community!
ReplyDeleteREstore the building.
ReplyDeleteand yes give it to a private developer who if allowed to sell the finished units at the market rate (not a bad thing!), can afford to restore the building which will benefit everyone in the community.
community boards have become fiefdoms on disfunctional power. Heading by nobodies who only wish to push their own social agenda. Just look at the one in Greenpoint Brooklyn which is using a 100 year old law to stop outdoor cafes from serving Sunday brunch in the morning. ABuse of Power
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. One only has to look at the Times article from February in which the leadership of CB9 blamed "the newcomers" for the improper disposal of dog poop in Hamilton Heights!
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