The dramatic fire at the supermarket on Amsterdam Avenue and West 131st Street destroyed the commercial building that appears to have been built around the time the public housing in the area was set up. Luckily nobody was hurt but the fire department was still on hand earlier this week to make sure the flames were definitely out.
This may also be a good opportunity now for the city to build a taller building on the spot but still retain the commercial element. NYCHA needs to start building more unit to make public housing sustainable so anything affordable or market rate would probably be a good idea if residential units are added to the mix.
Thank you for posting. Was walking down Saint Nicholas wondering where the smoke comin from that night.
ReplyDeleteSafeway was there before the housing. We shopped there. I remember when those buildings went up--what fun we had running around in them before they were occupied.(very dnagerous playing on the elevators.) We lived at 1508 Amsterdam. Great memories of life in the city. Live in TX now.
ReplyDeleteThat building was hideous. Glad no one was hurt. Please build up, put in mix of market and middle income housing. That way, city gets much needed taxes and families stay in NYC instead of leaving for burbs.
ReplyDeleteReplace with a Trader Joe's. Cheap, but good food choices. Associated was disgusting.