ANNUAL’ MEETING OF HSA
Tuesday, April 15th
7:00 PM
Goldcrest Post
799 Greenwich Street (entrance on Horatio Street)

Please write meryrich at usa dot net if you items for the agenda

New Hearing on MTA ‘Emergency Ventilation Plant’ Project for Mulry Sq., 7th & Greenwich Ave.: The MTA’s plans to construct an emergency ventilation plant at this busy intersection has drawn great criticism from GVSHP and many others. The site is immediately adjacent to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where another large multi-year construction project is being contemplated, there are fragile historic buildings nearby which could be adversely impacted, the plan could require construction of a six-story tall ventilation shaft, and a recent similar MTA project nearby on West 13th Street involved years of delays and disruption. Additionally, GVSHP has raised the possibility of alternatives which it is unclear if the MTA has fully contemplated.

Prior public hearings on the proposal were scarcely publicized and attended. At State Senator Tom Duane’s request, a new hearing has been scheduled on the proposal for Monday, September 24th, giving the broader public an opportunity to find out more and provide feedback.

HOW TO HELP:

*COME TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th at 6:30 pm at St. Vincent’s Hospital’s Cronin Auditorium, 170 W. 12th Street. Go to www.gvshp.org/MTAMulrySqLet7-07.htm and www.gvshp.org/documents/MTAVntltnPlntMulrySq7-07.pdf for letters you can use to help raise questions and express concerns about the plan at the hearing.

And now, the MTA is looking at building a ventilation plant in Mulry Square that could be as high as 6-stories in Mulry Square. GVSHP has expressed concern over the impact on traffic and on the fragile surrounding buildings, as well as complications that could arise from the forthcoming construction across the street at St. Vincents. Additionally, one of the two spaces that MTA is considering for the six-story plant is a space that neighborhood activists had rallied to turn into public space: the MTA lot at 61 Greenwich Avenue, most known for the chain link fence which surrounds it and is decorated by the “Tiles for America” created by artisans the world over as a memorial for the victims of 9/11.

July 26th is the last day to submit comments to MTA on their Draft Scoping Document. GVSHP, everyone’s favorite neighborhood watchdog has a sample letter online that you can email or print and mail to the MTA.

GVSHP and other neighborhood groups have long been pushing to change the zoning for Hudson Square, the area west of Sixth Avenue from roughly Houston to Spring Streets, where Donald Trump plans to build his 45-story ‘condo-hotel.’ The City’s recent decision to allow condo-hotel development in manufacturing zones like these makes the need for a rezoning all the more urgent, and GVSHP had been told that the City was willing to consider a rezoning of the area to prohibit further out-of-scale development. GVSHP and scores of our members have written to the City urging that a rezoning take place as soon as possible, and other community groups have also been pushing for the same.

That is why a recent letter from City Planning Chair Amanda Burden stating that she believes that the current zoning for the area allowing 45-story towers “reflects the consensus of the community board, local civic groups, and elected officials,” and indicating that the City has no interest in changing the zoning, was so disturbing and perplexing. GVSHP immediately responded by telling Planning Chair Burden that zoning which allows this type of development does not reflect the consensus of the community, and certainly not of GVSHP, and that we want the zoning changed as soon as possible. We have also urged our elected officials to do the same.

The Department of City Planning needs to hear loud and clear that more ‘Trump’-style development in this area is totally unacceptable, and the zoning must be changed right away.

HOW TO HELP:
* WRITE TO CITY PLANNING CHAIR AMANDA BURDEN AND URGE HER TO CHANGE THE ZONING WHICH ALLOWS 45-STORY TOWERS IN HUDSON SQUARE RIGHT AWAY — click here for a sample letter you can use

So, I looked at the service advisory page on the mta website. Nothing. I looked on the pole at the stop where the buses no longer stop. No notices. Although, the fact that the pole is still there might indicate this is just a temporary thing… I looked on straphangers.org – nothing.

Does anyone else know what’s going on?

I’ve written MTA an email requesting more information, but apparently these requests take 15 days, so I also called MTA. The woman I spoke with didn’t know anything, but gave me a confirmation number of CR28028 and promised that someone would check with the road crew and call me back. As soon as I receive a response, I’ll let y’all know.

My email to MTA (confirmation number: ’070522-000085′. Question Reference: #070522-000085)

Dear MTA,

Yesterday my bus driver informed me that he was no longer stopping at my bus stop. This is the M14a bus stop on Hudson b/w Horatio & Jane Street.

There has been no posted notice on that bus stop pole that I’ve seen alerting those of us who use this stop that it is no longer a valid stop. In fact, the bus pole and little M14a flag are still there. In addition, there is no service advisory on the mta website …

Can you give me some more information? Why is my bus stop no longer a functional bus stop? Has my bus stop been permanently removed from the m14A route or is this temporary? If temporary, how long? The M11 also stops at this stop – will it no longer stop here as well or is it not affected?

Thank you for helping to clear this up.
Sincerely,
Julie Culver

“A 26-story dorm is being built at 120 East 12th Street for NYU. The developer of the dorm purchased air rights from the neighboring Post Office with the intention of increasing the size of the planned development by about 65%. While air rights transfers from neighboring properties are legal under New York City zoning regulations, this case is special. The air rights come from the Post Office, a federal agency which is NOT subject to NYC zoning regulations or NYC law. Therefore GVSHP and neighbors argue the air rights transfer should NOT be authorized by the City, because the City has no power to enforce its terms. The Post Office could “sell” their air rights and then build on their site again in the future using the air rights they have supposedly sold off, and the City would have no power to stop them. The Post Office, NYU, and the developer would profit, but neighbors would have no recourse against this kind of “super”-over-development in their neighborhood.

HEARING ON NYU-MEGA DORM AIR RIGHTS APRIL 17: The legal challenge by neighbors to the air rights transfer for the planned 262 ft. tall NYU mega-dorm at 120 East 12th Street will be heard at the Board of Standards and Appeals on Tuesday, April 17th, at approximately 10:30 am. ANYONE WHO CARES ABOUT OVERDEVELOPMENT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND ENFORCEMENT OF ZONING PROTECTIONS IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS HEARING AND WRITE TO THE BSA ABOUT THIS CRITICAL, PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE.See www.gvshp.org/NYUdorm.htm for more background and information.”

Via GVSHP

There was a meeting of the HSA on April 9th. Since the association does not have a secretary, no minutes were taken but we thought you would like a report.

1. Seventeen people attended, plus two happy toddlers. The turnout was amazing and included many people who are new to the block. Certainly the fact that we now have a good email list has helped. If you have neighbors who are not on the list they can be added by writing margecolt@aol.com
2. There was an election of officers. The Treasurer, Mary O’Connor, has joined the Peace Corps and will be stationed in Eastern Europe doing architectural and urban planning. (We all thank Mary for her wonderful service to HSA and while we hate to lose her, are so proud of what she is doing and where she is going.)Tad Zelski is replacing her. The new mailing address for donations is 822 Greenwich Street, c/o Tad Zelski. Dick Meryman remains President and Marjorie Colt Vice President.
3. It was decided that the street would initiate a Spring Planting. This will take place on May 13 with a rain date of May 20. Manure, peat, and bedding plants will be ordered from Rich who comes to the Abingdon Square green market on Saturdays. We need volunteers and, of course, contributions. You will hear more details about this endeavor in the next week.
4. Many of the people attending had concerns and as we are a dormant group only meeting once a year, we were not able to discuss all issues. If you have a complaint about pigeons call 311. If you are concerned with traffic and noise, you are encourage to call 311, attend the CB2 Traffic Meetings and to get in touch with Nancy Blanford (NBlanford@aol.com) who can direct you to other ways to be heard (if this is possible over the din of the traffic!)
5. A primary concern for many people was the Theory Building which replaced Woodco at the corner of Greenwich and Gansevoort. They want permission for a roof garden. This means noise, liquor, parties, etc. Don’t we have enough of that? A resolution was passed in opposition to the garden. You will also be hearing more details about this and what we hope to accomplish and how we plan to proceed.
6. Many thanks to all who were able to attend. If you have further comments, please write to us.

Dick, Mary, Marge, and Tad

Agenda
Election of Officers
Treasurer’s Report
Plans for Spring Planting on the Street
Neighborhood Issues

For those who would wish to pay condolences to the family, they will be
sitting Shiva at the home of David Spegal, Arthur’s partner, which is
located at 31 Bethune Street, Apt. 4R. They will be sitting Shiva on the
following days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Arthur’s memory can be sent to:

Masonic Brotherhood Fund
Att: Youth Foundation
71 West 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010

May He Rest in Peace.

Dear Citizens of Horatio Street,

We all treasure the fact that this vast city of New York is composed of neighborhoods, some like small towns, all prized by their residents. We in the Horatio Street Association are your representatives, tasked on one hand to represent you in the larger political landscape working to protect the special character of the West Village and secondly, managing the small maintenance upkeep along the street – tree guards, planters, etc.

You will not be surprised to learn that this takes money. You are the beneficiaries, so we feel able to ask you for a tax deductible contribution – a check made out to the Horatio Street Association and mailed to our treasurer, Mary O’Connor, at 61 Horatio Street.

Gratefully,

Richard Meryman
President, HSA