Save WSV Sasaki Garden

Media Coverage of NYU 2031-related Events

2012-03-03T17:08:00.000-08:00

Community Board 2 hosted a round of hearings in February on NYU 2031 and the board unanimously voted against the NYU 2031 ULURP Applications on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012. The community board's rejection of the plan was covered The Epoch Times, Washington Square News, NY1, Fox 5 News, Globe St.com, The Local East Village (NYU Journalism Institute + NY Times), and The New School Free Press.

NYU President John Sexton led a Town Hall Meeting for NYU students on Feb. 28, 2012 and that meeting was covered here (Capital New York).

The next step is a vote from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Mr. Stringer will begin deliberating the NYU plan on March 11th and must vote by April 11th (he will submit his recommendation to the City Planning Commission). Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, NYU Graduate Workers Union, Downtown Independent Democrats, and Chelsea Council of Block Associations have asked Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer to schedule a public hearing during his deliberation period. This request was reported on by The Local East Village.

For previous media coverage of the NYU 2031 ULURP see Press Coverage of Jan. 2012 CB2 Hearings on NYU 2031 and Press Coverage of the Jan. 4, 2012 Community United Town Hall. If we have omitted any coverage, please let us know by leaving a comment.

ULURP Timeline for NYU 2031

2012-02-25T09:05:00.001-08:00

NYU 2031 ULURP Timeline courtesy of Assemblymember Deborah Glick

Assemblymember Deborah Glick's office has prepared a ULURP timeline for the NYU plan. The first official step in the ULURP occurred on February 23rd with the (unanimous NO vote) of Community Board 2. The next step is a vote from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. Mr. Stringer will begin deliberating the NYU plan on March 11th and must vote by April 11th (he will submit his recommendation to the City Planning Commission).

Also on April 11th, the City Planning Commission will begin its review of the NYU plan and will hold a hearing on April 25 or possibly May 9th.

NYU 2031 ULURP Timeline courtesy of Assemblymember Deborah Glick

On June 10th, the Planning Commission will submit its recommendations for the City Council who will begin its own deliberations on the same day.

If the Planning Commission did not make any alterations to the NYU plan, the Council must submit its recommendation within 50 days or by July 30th. City Council is also required to hold a hearing during this time period (no date has been set for the hearing).

If the Planning Commission did make modifications to the NYU plan, the Council must submit its decision within 65 days or by August 14th.

Write and call your elected officials to vote NO on the NYU plan.

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer
1 Centre Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10007
212-669-8300
212-669-4305 (fax)
http://www.mbpo.org/

City Planning Commissioner Amanda M. Burden
City Planning Commission
22 Reade Street
6th Fl. West
New York, NY 10007-1216
212-720-3480
212-720-3488 (fax)

District 1 Councilmember Margaret Chin
Chatham Green
165 Park Row, suite #11
New York, NY 10038
212-587-3159
212-587-3138 (fax)
chin@council.nyc.gov
http://council.nyc.gov/d1/html/members/home.shtml

CB2 Denies NYU Core Project ULURP Applications

2012-02-25T08:52:00.002-08:00

On Thursday, February 23rd, Community Board 2 of Manhattan unanimously voted "No" on the NYU Core Project ULURP Applications. Thank you CB2! Here is an excerpt from the CB2 Resolution:

CB2, after extensive review and discussions with stakeholders throughout the area, strongly opposes the NYU 2031 Plan. Its effects would forever change the character of this historic neighborhood, dramatically increase built-upon land at the expense of the light, air and recreation opportunities of existing open space, convert city-owned land to largely private use even if access is permitted, imperil affordable housing stock, significantly reduce residents’ quality of life, have adverse effects on local infrastructure and subject residents to decades of construction and its effects.

The Community Board vote is the first official step in the land use review process of NYU's 20-year campus expansion plan. The Board's vote is advisory but the strong and consistent attendance at its hearing and the Board's unanimous is a clear signal to other City officials and to the university that the community rejects the NYU 2031 plan.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer will review the NYU 2031 plan next. Mr. Stringer's vote is also advisory but no less meaningful in supporting the community's opposition to the plan. Mr. Stringer has 30 days to vote on the plan. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has pointed out that Mr. Stringer can vote four ways: (1) yes; (2) yes, with conditions; (3) no, unless certain conditions are met; or (4) no.

Write and call Borough President Stringer to vote NO on the NYU plan.

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer

1 Centre Street, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10007

212-669-8300

212-669-4305 (fax)

http://www.mbpo.org

TODAY: Fight the NYU Expansion Plan Rally & Press Conference

2012-02-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

(source)

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) "and a broad coalition of community groups, NYU Faculty, and NYU students will hold a rally and press conference ~~next~~ TODAY Thursday, February 23rd at 5pm prior to the final Community Board and vote on the NYU expansion plan" (source: GVSHP email blast). The event will be held outside St. Anthony's Church at 151-155 Sullivan Street at Houston

Street (note: the event will be held inside the church if the weather is inclement).

SPREAD THE WORD!
SHARE THE FLYER! (download flyer in pdf here)
BRING SIGNS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY.

The Community Board 2 Hearing will begin at 6pm inside the church. Please attend the hearing, too. Speakers' cards will be accepted between 6 and 6:30pm. Did you know that the plan cannot move ahead unless it is approved by the City Council and the City Planning Commission?! Your voice matters -- urge the Community Board and your elected officials to reject the NYU plan.

The Garden is Place Matters' "Place of the Month"

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Place Matters, a joint project of City Lore and the Municipal Art Society, have nominated the Sasaki Garden at Washington Square Village as the Place of the Month. The mission of Place Matters is

to foster the conservation of New York City's historically and culturally significant places. These are places that hold memories and anchor traditions for individuals and communities, and that help

tell the history of the city as a whole. We are convinced that such places promote the well being of New York's many communities in ways that too often go unrecognized.

The WSV Sasaki Garden is also included in the "Census of Places that Matter" where an extended profile of the Garden can be read. We would like to thank Molly Garfinkel and the staff of Place Matters for conferring unto the Garden "Place of the Month" status and for highlighting the multiple benefits provided by the Garden.

Letter Writing Tips from Assemblymember Glick

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

The turnout for the Rally to Save the Village As We Know It on Sunday, Feb. 12th was impressive; 550 according to a thank you email sent by Assemblymember Deborah Glick. Assemblymember Glick is encouraging concerned parties to send hand written, non form letters to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Chair of the City Planning Commission Amanda Burden, Councilmember

Margaret Chin, and Council Speaker Christine Quinn. We have included her letter writing tips below.

Assemblymember

Deborah J. Glick

Thank You

Wow. I'm still in awe of the huge turnout at our rally on Saturday. Thank you so much for your support over the weekend to oppose NYU's 2031 Plan. Despite less than ideal weather conditions, more than 550 of us filled Judson Church not to mention the 50 dogs (and their owners) from the Paw-Rade that could not go inside. The rally by all definitions was a major success. You can see media coverage of your activities here, here, and here. I was deeply moved by your passion, energy, and love for the Village.

Your energy and enthusiasm made the day possible but our work isn't done.

NYU has signaled they are moving ahead with the project so we must make sure our voices are heard by the City officials who must still weigh in on the merits of this plan.

Below is a copy of the material that was distributed at the rally. I would encourage everyone to write to these officials and let them know your feelings about the NYU Plan. Feel free to share copies with friends and neighbors who were unable to join us Saturday. Please stay in touch with my office about your thoughts on the Plan and stay tuned for future actions. Together we can help protect the Village and make sure that we are leaving the neighborhood intact for future generations.

Again- my thanks for your support.

Deborah Glick

Assemblymember

Letter Writing

I believe hand written, non-form letters are always more warmly received. As such, we have some ideas on what to include in a letter below.

Sample Letter Outline

Date

Dear Hon. (suggestions below),

Introduce the Topic of letter

I'm writing regarding the NYU 2031 expansion plan.
Highlight/outline plan or part of plan
Sample Sentences:

The NYU 2031 plan would add 4 new towers, up to 300 feet tall.
NYU wants to buy public park strips, currently owned by the NYC Department of Transportation and convert them to University controlled land.

What would you like them to do?

For example, Oppose this Plan when it is before you for a vote

Main topic ideas for letter

Why would this plan would hurt the community
What upsets you most about this plan
How this plan would impact your life/quality of life
Sample Sentences:

This massive development will impact light and air in the area and cast permanent shadows on the neighborhood.
This amount of development is not unsustainable in this area.
The amount of development proposed in these 2 blocks increases density by around 90% and cuts open space in half.

Make sure to add a friendly closing

Sample Sentences:

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
The community really needs your support on this issue.

Sincerely,

Name

Address

Recommended Recipients of Letters

1) Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer

1 Centre Street, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10007

The Borough President makes a recommendation, not a binding vote.

2) Chair Amanda Burden

Chair of the City Planning Commission

22 Reade Street

New York, NY 10007

The Chair votes when City Planning reviews the application.

There are 12 other members of the City Planning Commission who also vote on the application. Letters to each member of the Commission is also advisable. The list of all members can be found at: www.nyc.gov/dcp,then clicking on the "about us" followed by "city planning commission."

3) Councilmember Margaret Chin

Chatham Green

165 Park Row, Suite #11

New York, NY 10038

The Councilmember represents the area of proposed development.She votes when City Council votes.

4) Council Speaker Christine Quinn

224 West 30th St, Suite 1206

New York, NY 10001

Speaker Quinn's district is just a few blocks away so many constituents in the community-at-large are Speaker Quinn's constituents. Additionally, as Speaker, she has influence over the Council. She votes when City Council Votes.

All City Council Members will vote on this plan. If you (or a friend) have a different local City Council Member, it is advisable to reach out to them and express your concerns about the plan. You can look up your local City Councilmember at: www.council.nyc.gov.

TODAY: Rally to Save the Village From NYU 2031

2012-02-11T07:01:00.000-08:00

Rally TODAY against NYU Mega Development. Join Assemblymember Deborah Glick at 12 p.m. at theJudson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South between Sullivan and Thompson Streets).

Rally to Save the Village As We Know It From NYU

Hello friends,

Please join me, Community Board 2, and CAAN as we rally on February 11^thto protect our Village Community and send a message that continued mega development is out of place in the historic confines of Greenwich Village.

While NYU has been an important institution in the Village for the last several decades, its continued growth and expansion has had serious impacts on our neighborhood- from the loss of historic buildings to shadows cast over our limited parkland. Now additional density and long term construction projects place additional threats on our beloved Village.

Join us Saturday February 11^th, 2012 at Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South between Sullivan and Thompson Streets) at 12PM to let our voices be heard. We hope you can attend and please share this message with your neighbors. More details to follow.

Sincerely,

Deborah J. Glick

Assemblymember

CB2 Committees on NYU 2031 Resolution

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Prior to its Full Board meeting on Feb. 23rd, CB2 committees will meet to determine the "language to be submitted to CB2 NYU Working Group for omnibus resolution regarding a certified ULURP application for this project".

Monday, Feb. 6th, 6:30 pm, Social Services & Education, LGBT Center, 208 West 13th St, Room 101

Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 6:30 pm, Traffic & Transportation, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)

Wednesday, Feb. 8th, 6:30 pm, Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 151-155 Sullivan St, Lower Hall

Thursday, Feb. 9th, 6:30 pm, Land Use and Business Development, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs) [Zone Green Text Amendment is the first item on the agenda]

Wednesday, Feb. 15th, 6:30 pm, Environment, Public Safety & Public Health, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)

Thursday, Feb. 16th, 6:30 pm, NYU Working Group (architectural presentation of NYU 2031 plan), Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 151-155 Sullivan St, downstairs

Monday, Feb. 20th, 6:30 pm, NYU Working Group ("determination of language to be submitted to CB2 NYU Working Group for omnibus resolution regarding a certified ULURP application for this project"), Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)

CB2 Full Board for Omnibus Resolution on NYU 2031

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Full Board of Community Board 2 will meet on Thursday, February 23rd at 6 p.m. for the Omnibus Resolution of NYU 2031. The meeting will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 151-155 Sullivan St. Lower Hall but please verify details at the CB2 calendar webpage.

From the CB2 website: THE PUBLIC SESSION BEGINS AT 6:00 PM. SPEAKERS' CARDS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM 6:00 TO 6:30 PM. Reports from the Chair, District Manager, Borough President, Standing Committees. INDIVIDUALS WHO CANNOT ATTEND ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN ADVANCE TO THE BOARD OFFICE. WRITTEN TESTIMONY WILL BE PLACED INTO THE RECORD.

Prior to the Full Board meeting on Feb. 23rd, CB2 committees will meet to determine the "language to be submitted to CB2 NYU Working Group for omnibus resolution regarding a certified ULURP application for this project".

Monday, Feb. 6th, 6:30 pm, Social Services & Education, LGBT Center, 208 West 13th St, Room 101
Tuesday, Feb. 7th, 6:30 pm, Traffic & Transportation, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)
Wednesday, Feb. 8th, 6:30 pm, Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 151-155 Sullivan St, Lower Hall
Thursday, Feb. 9th, 6:30 pm, Land Use and Business Development, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs) [Zone Green Text Amendment is the first item on the agenda]
Wednesday, Feb. 15th, 6:30 pm, Environment, Public Safety & Public Health, Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)
Thursday, Feb. 16th, 6:30 pm, NYU Working Group (architectural presentation of NYU 2031 plan), Church of St. Anthony of Padua, 151-155 Sullivan St, downstairs
Monday, Feb. 20th, 6:30 pm, NYU Working Group ("determination of language to be submitted to CB2 NYU Working Group for omnibus resolution regarding a certified ULURP application for this project"), Our Lady of Pompeii, 25 Carmine St at Bleecker, Father Demo Hall (downstairs)

Historic Districts Council’s 18th Annual Conference

2012-01-31T16:18:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar for the Historic Districts Council’s 18th Annual Conference on March 2 -4, 2012. The keynote speaker will be Charles A. Birnbaum, founder and president of The Cultural Landscape Foundation. The theme of this year's conference is The Great Outside: Preserving Public and Private Open Spaces.

The Historic Districts Council’s 2012 Preservation Conference will focus on significant open spaces and landscapes in New York City, including public parks, plazas, parkways, yards,planned communities and public housing. Participants will examine a variety of issues such as development history, current threats, preservation efforts and future use.

For more information visit the HDC Conference webpage.

Updated: Press Coverage of Hearings on NYU 2031

2012-01-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

Coverage of the Town Hall meeting on January 4th and the CB2 Hearings (the first stage of the ULURP) has been extensive and covers the gamut of media, from television to blogs. We have provided a list of the reporting below, in reverse chronology. Please let us know of our omissions by leaving a comment.

A Walk in the Park: NYU's Mega-Expansion Plan Presses Forward With Park/Open Space Destruction (Jan. 28, 2012)

The Villager: N.Y.U. promised an elementary school — back in 1960!

The Villager: N.Y.U. calls out the troops in support of its mega-plan (Jan. 26, 2012)

Curbed NY: NYU 2031 Plans Cast Their Shadow Over Greenwich Village (Jan. 19, 2012)

The Villager: N.Y.U. takes heat on school and open space at hearings (Jan. 19, 2012)

Open House New York: Field Trip Friday: Washington Square Village Sasaki Garden (Jan. 13, 2012)

NY1: Greenwich Village Residents Decry NYU's Expansion Plans At Public Hearing (Jan. 12, 2012)

The Villager: Huge turnout forces change of locale for N.Y.U. meeting (Jan. 12, 2012)

MAS NYC: NYU’s “Core” Project Enters Public Review (Jan. 10, 2012)

Capital New York: In the public-hearing phase for its huge new expansion, N.Y.U. girds for more tarring-and-feathering (Jan. 10, 2012)

Epoch Times: First Community Board Meeting on NYU Expansion Forced to Relocate (Jan. 10, 2012)

Curbed NY: NYU Stretches The Streets in 2031 Plan Renderings (Jan. 9, 2012)

Fox 5 News: Tensions High at NYU Expansion Meeting (Jan. 9, 2012)

The Epoch Times: NYU Expansion Scrutinized at Public Meeting (Jan. 6, 2012)

DNAinfo.com: NYU Expansion Review Process Gets Rowdy Start (Jan. 5, 2012)

The Architect's Newspaper: Opening Salvo Aimed at NYU Expansion

The Villager: Villagers pack town hall, hoping to stop N.Y.U. plan (Jan. 5, 2012)

The Villager: Year of the ULURP (Jan. 5, 2012)

NBC New York: NYU Expansion Plan Draws Opponents to Town Hall (Jan. 5, 2012)

The Villager Op-Ed: It’s crunch time in fight against ‘N.Y.U. 2031’ plan (Jan. 5, 2012)

NY1: Greenwich Village Residents Plot Next Move In Battle Against NYU Expansion (Jan. 4, 2012)

Editor's note: Originally published on Jan. 20, 2012 and last updated on Jan. 29, 2012.

Ten Favorite Sasaki Garden Bird Photos

2012-01-26T13:07:00.000-08:00

Inspired by A Tidewater Gardener's ten favorite photos from 2011 blog post, we asked resident photographer Hubert J. Steed to select his favorite Sasaki Garden bird photographs. Mr. Steed's 10 favorites are presented below -- enjoy (and leave a comment)!

Northern Cardinal

Catbird

Hermit Thrush

House Sparrow

Mockingbird

Mourning Dove

Pigeons (or Rock Doves)

American Robin

European Starling

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

The photographs can be viewed in Mr. Steed's gallery at http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/wsvg_sg_bird_favorites.

Thank you, Assemblymember Glick

2012-01-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 12, Ruth Rennert, chair of the Save the WSV Sasaku Garden Committee, and several committee members met with NY State Assemblymember Deborah Glick to discuss the adverse impacts of NYU 2031 on the WSV Sasaki Garden, Washington Square Village, and the neighborhood-at-large. The meeting was satisfactory to both parties. Ms. Rennert sent a thank you

email to Assemblymember Glick which has been included below. Also, please mark your calendar for the Rally Against NYU 2031 to be held on Saturday, February 11, at 12 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South between Sullivan and Thompson Streets.

---------

Dear Assemblymember Glick,

What a treat it was for our small contingency of concerned citizens* to meet with you and hear your thinking and your very constructive advice! Everyone left your office very impressed with you and your familiarity with Greenwich Village and our immediate and dire concerns.

You not only understand the issues, but you also seem ready to do whatever is necessary to protect our Village and the community at large. We particularly appreciated the specific advice you gave us and we are already implementing some of your ideas. If you have any other thoughts regarding actions we should be taking, please do not hesitate to call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx or email me at name@name.com and I will forward your information to all concerned.

We hope that we will have many other opportunities to work with you and for you now and in the future.

Again, thank you very much for being so generous with your time and thoughts. We look forward to having you and your staff as our guests in the Spring and introduce all of you to our beautiful Sasaki Garden located in the inner courtyard of Washington Square Village.

In the interim you may want to visit "our resident photographer's", Hubert J. Steed's, website for the Sasaki Garden -- www.pbase.com/hjsteed/wsv_gardens, and spend a few minutes visiting our blogsite, www.savewsvsasakigarden.blogspot.com.

Again, many thanks.

Sincerely,

Ruth Rennert
Chairwoman
Save WSV Sasaki Garden Committee
and a Member of WSV Tenants Association

* George Haikalis
Miriam Kaplan
Jesse Kasowitz
Deborah Sandler
Amy Smiley

Photo: First Snow of the Season

2012-01-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

First snow, Jan. 2007

First snow, Jan. 2012

The first snow of the 2007 (left) and 2012 (right) seasons are shown above. For more photographs of the Garden in winter, visit the Washington Square Village Sasaki Garden Winter Gallery by Hubert J. Steed.

Rally to Save the Village As We Know It From NYU

2012-01-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

A letter from Assemblymember Deborah Glick announces a rally against NYU's mega development to be held on Saturday February 11th, 2012 at Judson Memorial Church (55 Washington Square South between Sullivan and Thompson Streets) at 12 p.m. Assemblymember Deborah Glick's website is http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=066 and her letter is posted below.

Rally to Save the Village As We Know It From NYU

Hello friends,

Sincerely,

Deborah J. Glick

Assemblymember

NYU 2031 Presentations to Community Board 2

2012-01-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

The presentations made by NYU to CB2 and the community are available on the NYU 2031 Resources webpage and are listed below for your convenience.

NYU 2031 Environment, Public Safety & Public Health (Construction) Presentation

NYU 2031 Social Services & Education (Public School) Presentation

NYU 2031 Parks & Open Space Presentation

NYU 2031 Traffic & Transportation Presentation

NYU 2031 Zoning & Land Use Presentation

Tonight: CB2 Full Board Hearing on NYU 2031

2012-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Full Board of Community Board 2 will meet on Thursday, January 19th at 6 p.m. to receive reports from the Chair, District Manager, Borough President, and Standing Committees on NYU 2031. The meeting will be held in the auditorium of PS 41, 116 West 11th Street. Speakers' cards will be accepted between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Please confirm date and location on the CB2 Calendar.

The presentations made by NYU to CB2 and the community are available on the NYU 2031 Resources webpage and are listed below for your convenience.

NYU 2031 Social Services & Education (Public School) Presentation

NYU 2031 Parks & Open Space Presentation

NYU 2031 Traffic & Transportation Presentation

NYU 2031 Zoning & Land Use Presentatation

Venue Change for Tonight's CB2 Environment Hearing on NYU 2031

2012-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

The ~~final~~ Community Board 2 Environment Hearing on NYU 2031 will be held tonight. NYU will present the campus expansion plan impacts on environment, public safety, and public health. The hearing will be begin at 6:30 p.m. at in the lower hall of Our Lady of Pompeii at Bleecker and Carmine Street (entrance on Bleecker)~~at the Tony Dapolito Rec Center, 1 Clarkson Street (between Carmine and 7th Ave South)~~. Please confirm dates and locations by visiting the CB website.

The presentations made by NYU to CB2 and the community are available on the NYU 2031 Resources webpage and are listed below for your convenience.

NYU 2031 Parks & Open Space Presentation

NYU 2031 Traffic & Transportation Presentation

NYU 2031 Zoning & Land Use Presentatation

Tonight: CB2 Social Services & Education Hearing on NYU 2031

2012-01-17T08:52:00.000-08:00

Community Board 2 has been holding hearings on NYU 2031 as part of the ULURP since January 9th. Tonight, NYU will make a presentation to the CB2 Social Services & Education committee at 6:30 p.m. at Judson Church Meeting room, 55 Washington Square South (near Thompson Street).

On Wednesday, January 18th, CB2 will hold its Environment, Public Safety & Public Health hearing at

6:30 p.m. at the Tony Dapolito Rec Center, 1 Clarkson Street (between Carmine and 7th Ave South). Please confirm dates and locations by visiting the CB website.

The presentations made by NYU to CB2 and the community are available on the NYU 2031 Resources webpage and are listed below for your convenience.

NYU 2031 Parks & Open Space Presentation

NYU 2031 Traffic & Transportation Presentation

NYU 2031 Zoning & Land Use Presentatation

Open House New York's Field Trip Friday Visits the Garden

2012-01-13T15:35:00.000-08:00

Sasaki Garden at Washington Square Village courtesy of OHNY/Jailee Rychen (source)

On Tuesday, January 10th, OHNY’s program coordinator, Jailee Rychen, toured the Garden with several of the Save the WSV Sasaki Garden Committee members. Jailee wrote a thoughtful profile of the Garden which was published as part of OHNY's Field Trip Friday program. You can read the photo-essay at http://blog.ohny.org/field-trip-friday-washington-square-village-sasaki-garden. Our thanks to Jailee and OHNY.

~~Editor's note: this post was originally published to the blog on January 13, 2012.~~

Tonight: CB2 Parks Hearing on NYU 2031

2012-01-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

The NYU 2031 ULURP began on Monday, January 9th with NYU's Land Use Presentation to the Community Board 2 Zoning Committee. An overwhelming turn out of concerned citizens led to a venue change! Tonight at 6:30 pm, the CB2 Parks, Recreation & Open Space Committee will hear from NYU and the community. The hearing will be held at

Our Lady of Pompei Church, Father Demo/Basement Hall at Bleecker and Carmine Streets (enter of Bleecker).

The Traffic & Transportation Hearing was held on Wednesday, January 11th. The remaining CB2 hearings have been scheduled as follows but please confirm dates and locations by visiting the CB website.

Social Services & Education: Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 pm at Judson Church Meeting room, 55 Washington Square South (near Thompson Street): Does the community support adding a public school to the superblocks and what are the plans for such a school?

Environment, Public Safety & Public Health: Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 pm at the Tony Dapolito Rec Center, 1 Clarkson Street (between Carmine and 7th Ave South): Will NYU’s proposal affect local environmental conditions?

New Venues for CB2 Hearings on NYU 2031

2012-01-10T13:06:00.000-08:00

Due to the overflow crowds at last night's CB2 hearing on the land use and zoning impacts of the proposed NYU 2031 plan, Community Board 2 has selected new venues for the remaining hearings which we have listed below. Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Fox 5 News, NBC New York, and The Epoch Times published
coverage of the hearing on their websites.

TONIGHT, January 10th, 6:30 pm, Traffic & Transportation/NYU Working Group
Church of Our Lady of Pompei, 25 Carmine Street, Father Demo (lower) Hall

Thursday, January 12th, 6:30 pm, Parks/NYU Working Group
Church of Our Lady of Pompei, 25 Carmine Street, Father Demo (lower) Hall

Wednesday, January 18th, 6:30pm, Environment, Public Safety & Public Health/NYU Working Group
Church of Our Lady of Pompei, 25 Carmine Street, Father Demo (lower) Hall

The venue for the Social Services & Education/NYU Working Group hearing on Tuesday, January 17th, 6:30 pm remains unchanged: Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, Meeting Room.

Tonight: CB2 Zoning Hearing on NYU 2031

2012-01-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

The ULURP of NYU's 20 Year Campus Expansion Plan (NYU 2031) officially begins today ~~tomorrow~~ with the Community Board 2 Zoning Hearing of the plan. The hearing will begin at 6pm at AIA Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place between Bleecker and West 3rd Streets. A STRONG TURNOUT AT THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL!

The remaining CB2 hearings have been scheduled as follows but please confirm dates and locations by visiting the CB website.

Traffic & Transportation: Tuesday, January 10, 6:30 pm at the NYU Silver Building, 32 Waverly Place (Washington Square East), Room 520: What are the implications of the NYU plan on traffic, pedestrian uses and mass transit?

Parks, Recreation & Open Space: Thursday, January 12, 6:30 pm at the NYU Silver Building, 32 Waverly Place (Washington Square East), Room 713: How does the NYU plan impact public open space? A STRONG TURNOUT AT THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL!

Social Services & Education: Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 pm at Judson Church Meeting room, 55 Washington Square South (near Thompson Street): Does the community support adding a public school to the superblocks and what are the plans for such a school?

Environment, Public Safety & Public Health: Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 pm at the Tony Dapolito Rec Center, 1 Clarkson Street (between Carmine and 7th Ave South): Will NYU’s proposal affect local environmental conditions?

Editor's note: originally published on Sunday, January 8, 2012.

Press Coverage of the Community United Town Hall

2012-01-05T17:35:00.000-08:00

The Community United Town Hall Meeting on the NYU 20 Year Expansion Plan held on January 4, 2012 was well attended by "nearly 500 people" reported Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP) and was covered by several media outlets. The meeting was held at the AIA Center for Architecture and was co-organized by GVSHP, CAAN 2031 and GVBA as well as "more than fifty community groups from the Village, Chelsea, SoHo, Union Square, and the East Village."

Here is a list of some of the reporting:

DNAinfo.com: NYU Expansion Review Process Gets Rowdy Start

NBC New York: NYU Expansion Plan Draws Opponents to Town Hall

NY1: Greenwich Village Residents Plot Next Move In Battle Against NYU Expansion

The Architect's Newspaper: Opening Salvo Aimed at NYU Expansion

The Epoch Times: NYU Expansion Scrutinized at Public Meeting

The Villager: Villagers pack town hall, hoping to stop N.Y.U. plan

The Villager Op-Ed: It’s crunch time in fight against ‘N.Y.U. 2031’ plan

The Villager: Year of the ULURP

Tonight: NYU 2031 Town Hall Meeting

2012-01-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Proposed Mercer St. Building courtesy of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (source)

The Community United Town Hall Meeting against the NYU 20 Year Campus Expansion Plan (NYU 2031) will be held this Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the AIA Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place (between Bleecker and W. 3rd Streets).

For more details, please consult the following websites:
GVSHP Town Hall meeting news flash
CAAN 2031 blog
Community Board 2 NYU Plan 2031 webpage

Editor's note: originally published on Monday, January 2, 2012.

CB2 Public Hearings on NYU 2031

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Community Board 2 has finalized the calendar for its five public hearings of the NYU 20 Year Campus Expansion Plan (NYU 2031). The dates and locations are as follows (but please confirm by visiting the NYU Plan 2031 page at the CB2 website):

1. Monday, January 9, 6:30 pm, CB 2 Zoning Committee, AIA Center for Architecture

at 536 LaGuardia Place (between Bleecker and West 3rd Streets): Land Use & Business Development: NYU will present its overall proposal. A STRONG TURNOUT AT THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL!

2. Tuesday, January 10, 6:30 pm at the NYU Silver Bldg., 32 Waverly Place (Washington Square East), Room 520: Traffic & Transportation: What are the implications of the NYU plan on traffic, pedestrian uses and mass transit?

3. Thursday, January 12, 6:30 pm, CB 2 Parks Committee, NYU Silver Bldg., 32 Waverly Place (Washington Square East), Room 713: Parks, Recreation & Open Space: How does the NYU plan impact public open space? A STRONG TURNOUT AT THIS MEETING IS CRITICAL!

4. Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 pm at Judson Church Meeting room, 55 Washington Square South (near Thompson Street): Social Services & Education: Does the community support adding a public school to the superblocks and what are the plans for such a school?

5. Wednesday, January 18, 6:30 pm at the Tony Dapolito Rec Center, 1 Clarkson Street (between Carmine and 7th Ave South): Environment, Public Safety & Public Health: Will NYU’s proposal affect local environmental conditions?

Comparative Views of NYU's Proposed Construction

2011-12-25T07:14:00.000-08:00

Proposed Mercer St. Building courtesy of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (source)

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation recently released "comparative views of NYU's proposed construction" in the North and South blocks bounded by West Third Street, Mercer Street, Bleecker Street, and LaGuardia Place. We have included the diagrams below for your review.

Also, don't forgot to attend the Town Hall Meeting on January 4 at 6:30 p.m. and the Community Board 2 Hearings on January 9th, 10th, 12th, 17th, and 18th.

Proposed Mercer St. Building courtesy of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (source)

Proposed Zipper Building courtesy of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (source)

Gloria Visits the Garden Because...

2011-12-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Sasaki Garden is beautiful in all seasons - a respite for thousands of people whether city dwellers in the near-by neighborhoods or tourists visiting the many fabulous sites of New York.

The Sasaki Garden is a wonderful place to be with company or to enjoy its tranquility alone.

The energy, the thoughtfulness, and the enthusiasm for nature which Hideo Sasaki demonstrated, in his beautiful design of the garden, in the midst of Washington Square Village is a gift to all, whether we spend a few moments or have the luxury of sitting longer.

Editor's note: This comment originally appeared in response to the post I Visit the WSV Sasaki Garden Because....

Community Board 2 Announces NYU 2031 Hearings

2011-12-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

NYU 2031 CORE pre-certification application (source)

Community Board 2 has released calendar information about meetings related to the NYU 20 Year Expansion Plan (or NYU 2031). Below is an excerpt from the notice written by CB2 chair Brad Hoylman. CB2 has a dedicated webpage for NYU 2031 at http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb2/html/nyu_2031/nyu_2031.shtml.

Community Board 2 will begin its public review of NYU’s campus expansion proposal (known as NYU 2031) next month.

A copy of NYU’s pre-certification application is available for download now by clicking here and here. (Note that these are large files.)

CAAN, the Community Action Alliance on NYU 2031, will be hosting a Community United Town Hall on the NYU proposals, along with the Greenwich Village Block Associations and Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m. at AIA Center for Architecture, Tafel Hall (downstairs), 536 LaGuardia Place, between West 3rd Street and Bleecker Street.

CB 2 will be holding five public hearings throughout the month on topics in connection with the NYU proposal, at which the public is invited to attend, ask questions and submit testimony. The preliminary schedule is as follows. Please save these dates:

1. Monday, January 9: Land Use & Business Development: NYU will present its overall proposal.

2. Tuesday, January 10: Traffic & Transportation: What are the implications of the NYU plan on traffic, pedestrian uses and mass transit?

3. Thursday, January 12: Parks, Recreation & Open Space. How does the NYU plan impact public open space?

4. Tuesday, January 17: Social Services & Education. Does the community support adding a public school to the superblocks and what are the plans for such a school?

5. Wednesday, January 18: Environment, Public Safety & Public Health: Will NYU’s proposal affect local environmental conditions?

This schedule is subject to change based on the date that NYU’s proposal is certified by the Department of City Planning.

The goal of CB 2 holding multiple hearings is to maximize public input on specific issue areas for this large and complex proposal. Additional opportunities for public input will be available in February, as well. Based on this preliminary schedule, CB 2’s NYU Working Group, which will write the overall resolution on the NYU proposal, will submit its formal recommendation to the full Community Board on February 16, 2012.

We urge you and your neighbors to attend the Community United Town Hall and as many of these hearings as possible and participate in this very important public review process.

NYU 20 Year Expansion Plan Meeting New Date & On-line Petition

2011-12-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation just announced a new date for the NYU 20 Year Expansion Plan Community Meeting. The meeting will be held on January 4, 2012 and not on January 10, 2012 as previously announced. Time and location will be determined. Please check the GVSHP website for further details.

The GVSHP has authored a petition -- Do Not Approve NYU's Massive Proposed 20 Year Expansion Plan in the Village -- which you can read at http://signon.org/sign/do-not-approve-nyus-massive?source=c.url&r_by=1819029.

Updated: Special WSVTA Meeting with Council Member Chin

2011-12-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

Originally posted on December 3, 2011:

SAVE THE KEY PARK PLAYGROUND!

SAVE THE SASAKI (COURTYARD) GARDEN!

Please come to a special WSVTA meeting where Councilmember Margaret Chin will hear your questions, concerns and advocacy regarding the NYU 2031 Expansion Plan.

If You Are Concerned About:

- Loss of Open, Green and Playground Space

- Living in a Construction Site for 18 – 20 Years

- Toxicity and Health Risks

- Construction Dust, Noise and Equipment

- High Density of People

- Loss of Views, Sunlight, Privacy and Safety

Let your voice be heard! It's important you attend this meeting! And email

Councilmember Margaret Chin at: chin@council.nyc.gov.

Because NYU is installing new playground equipment in the Key Park, there is some confusion that the playground will not be built on it, but that is not true. According to the NYU 2031 Plan, a temporary gym is slated to be built in the Key Park in 2013.

Who: Councilmember Margaret Chin

Where: Washington Square Village Tenant Association (WSVTA) Meeting,

4 WSV, #1D, (Creative Steps Playroom)

When: Tuesday, December 6, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.

Washington Square Village Tenant Association (WSVTA) http://www.wsvtenantsassociation.org/ (email: tenantsassoc@gmail.com)

Save WSV Sasaki Garden Committee http://www.savewsvsasakigarden.blogspot.com/

Manhattan Community Board 2 (CB2) www.nyc.gov/html/mancb2 (NYU 2031 Plan on website)

Community Action Alliance on NYU 2031 http://www.caan2031.org/

Greenwich Village Society Historical Preservation, Andrew Berman, Director http://www.gvshp.org/

NYU 2031 www.nyu.edu/nyu2031

*Did you know that Greenwich Village has the second lowest amount of open, green, playground space in New York City?

--- --- ---

Updated December 19, 2011:

WSVTA MEETING WITH COUNCILMEMBER MARGARET CHIN, 12/6/11

Co-Executive Anne Hearn introduced special guests, Councilmember Margaret Chin, her director of land use and planning, Matt Viggiano, and Terri Cude, co-chair of Community Action Alliance on NYU 2031 (CAAN2031). The seven-month ULURP process starting January 2012. For information on the NYU 2031 Plan see www.nyu.edu/nyu2031 or http://www.cb2manhattan.org/.

MARGARET CHIN SAID THE MAIN PRINCIPLE IS FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN THE GREEN STRIPS. Along with saving open, green space, the green strips help to preserve the zoning on the two core blocks. Ms. Chin is interested in preserving housing and affordable housing. She acknowledged the emails she has received about saving the Key Park and the Sasaki (courtyard) Garden. There is a great need for open space. We all need to work together. 505 LaGuardia is dealing with renegotiating their land lease for 2013. (They have engaged an attorney.) Councilmember Chin says that what makes NYU unique and special is not that they have a self-contained campus, but that NYU's campus is all of New York City. Students can live all over NYC and come to NYU because they want to live in New York City and Greenwich Village. Organizing must continue. Make sure to come out and support us.

THE NYU FACULTY IS RESOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THE NYU 2031 PLAN. Even faculty who do not live in the core blocks. This is not an NYU Plan; it's Sexton's plan.

SILVER TOWERS DEAL. A speaker said that some Silver Tower residents met with representatives from John Sexton's office. They were told that the NYU 2031 Plan was a "done deal" and we can only hope for mitigation, like 18 instead of 20 floors.

THE GARDEN IS NOT AN AMENITY; IT'S A NECESSITY AND SHOULD NOT BE DESTROYED. There will be grave public health problems with 18 - 20 years of construction. Green spaces provide clean air and a green eco-system for healthy living. There are elder, young, even bachelors, who need and use this open space. Let them build downtown where they are wanted. It's within walking distance and two subway stops away. This is just a grandiose plan.

WHAT CAN TENANTS/COMMUNITY DO TO STOP THE TRANSFER OF THE DOT GREEN STRIPS TO NYU? What kind of financial agreement is being entered into between NYU and government official to buy (or give) public green strips to NYU? What's particularly troubling is using taxpayer money to destroy public space for private use against public opposition. Matt Viggiano spoke to how the process of transference of public land, such as the green strips, to private entities must be approved by City Planning. A real estate appraiser comes out makes an appraisal, a one time purchase cost is assessed, an easement would cost less, like with the CoGeneration Plant across the street. The term would be for 10 years and would be in the double digits. Because NYU is a non-profit, the lease would cost less.

BUILDINGS DO NOT MAKE A GREAT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. A woman said her husband was a NYU commuter student in the 1950s and received an excellent education.

BUILDINGS OF THIS SIZE WERE ALLOWED BECAUSE THERE WAS OPEN/GREEN SPACE TO COMPENSATE FOR THEFT OF SUNLIGHT AND PROBLEMS WITH HIGH DENSITY HOUSING. The speaker has a baby who will live in construction until she enters college. To subject a child to a lifetime of construction is inhumane. Several speakers spoke to this concern of subjecting their families and children to 18 - 20 years of construction, along with toxicity, health risks, noise, dust, and dangerous construction equipment. Another speaker emphasized his concern for the toxicity of the construction on his family and other tenants. Take the trucks and bulldozers and go to an underdeveloped site and build there.

ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NYU started bus routes on W. 3rd Street where 200 buses were stopping everyday. Third Street is residential and the NYU buses caused problems with congestion, traffic, air quality, noise. Nobody could do anything about it. Then one person, the head of the City Council Transportation Committee, took such offense that he called a special Transportation Committee meeting and resolved the problem. Speaker wants to encourage Councilmember Chin to make a difference.

MARGARET CHIN SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL DEFERS TO THE LOCAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. Ms. Chin said she will talk to other City Councilmembers and advocate for her constituents. She also said important to take a look at the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) which will be available online soon at the NYU website (www.nyu.edu/nyu2031/nyuinnyc) or CB2 (http://www.cb2manhattan.org/).

THE OPPONENT IS NOT NYU OR SEXTON BUT THE NYU BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Sexton is only the spokesman for the NYU Board of Trustees and the Board is heavily populated with real estate and development interests. How do these real estate moguls make money on the 2031 Plan? Follow the money.

WITHOUT THE GREEN STRIPS OR ZONING CHANGE NYU CANNOT BUILD. A GLSD (General Large Scale Development) can only be set up in a commercial or manufacturing district not a residential district which is one reason NYU wants to change the zoning. The Zoning Resolution says if you want to build high, you have to have so much Open Space to Floor Area, known as the Floor Area Ratio (FAR). If you don't have enough lot area to build on to support the FAR, then you have to combine lots, so the GLSD lot area can be supported. One lot is a LSRD (Large Scale Residential Development). The Silver Towers block is a LSRD. What NYU wants to do is put in so much floor area, that even the highest residential zoning R8 can't support it. So they want to put together the Silver Towers block with the WSV block and make it a GLSD. The rule about GLSD is that you can't get a GLSD if there are any existing building on the lots unless you're in a C6-2 zone which is commercial zoning. If you're in a C6-2 zone, and if the footprint of existing buildings occupy less than 15% of the land, then they can go ahead and build. But if more than 15%, it's no good. On the two Superblocks the existing buildings occupy 17.6% of the lot area, so NYU wouldn't be able to get a GLSD. NYU had sought a transference of the green strips to them from the DOT (Department of Transportation). If NYU has the the green strips, then the existing buildings would occupy just under 15% of the existing area. (The audience said "aaaah.") Last year there was a large turnout for a rally to protest NYU's plans to take over the green strips that was attended and supported by our elected officials -- Margaret Chin, Scott Stringer, Deborah Glick, Tom Duane and Jerrold Nadler. (All the above official endorsed CB2's resolution following this rally urging the transfer of the green strips from DOT to Parks.) NYU appeared to realize they were not going to get the green strips and changed their plan. They decided not to ask for C6-2 but instead for a C1-7 which didn't make sense because it doesn't allow for any existing building. So can only conclude that NYU is going to seek major amendments to the Zoning Resolution. Not only would the zoning resolution amendments allow them to build, it would also impact and weaken the zoning of all neighborhoods in New York City. Tenants and the community must challenge the green strips transference and any zoning changes during the ULURP process.

MS. CHIN SAID OUR ADVERSARIES ARE GOOD AT BAIT AND SWITCH. Probably never had an intent of building a hotel, but horrified the community and then pretended to cede the point while still keeping the bulk of their plan.

WSV FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR RETAIL SPACE is included in the current version of NYU 2031 Plan and there is a concern with safety.

DESTRUCTION OF THE KEY PARK was a concern stated by a parent of a child. The playground serve an underserved population of children. No children or parents of children of WSV, Silver Towers or the community wants to see the destruction of the Key Park. Even NYU students are against destroying the Key Park.

DESTRUCTION OF GARDEN AND BIRD HABITAT. The speaker has an apartment overlooking the garden and over the years has observed different bird species, including robins, cardinals, and mockingbirds (New York State bird). The pleasure of waking up to the cardinals singing, and this will be destroyed, along with their habitat.

VISION FOR AND OF THE COMMUNITY. Not a cynical destruction of a community. The original concept of WSV was to create a residential community with trees, a garden. It makes a community what it is--what makes it residential.

CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES AND INCREASED POPULATION DENSITY WILL INCREASE TRAFFIC AND POLLUTION PROBLEMS. Even the subway will be packed. Like the Transportation Committee head, one person can make a monumental change.

APPRECIATE NOT TAKE FOR GRANTED VALUABLE NEIGHBORHOOD. A woman who grew up on the LES had assumed that urban living was bleak. But her family moved here and she was in awe on how nice a community can be and must be protected. Then her mother, a legendary public housing advocate who has trained generations of housing advocates, including Margaret Chin, and has known Margaret for twenty years. "She will work hard. Margaret will not let you down."

WHY NOT SPEND MORE TIME CONVINCING NYU TO GO DOWNTOWN? WHY NOT CONSIDER GOING DOWNTOWN? WSVTA asked Councilmember Chin why NYU does not consider going downtown where the space needs could be met without destroying the superblocks. It would boost the economy of Lower Manhattan.

GOVERNOR'S ISLAND AND BELOW CANAL STREET. Councilmember Chin said Governor's Island had been offered as an alternative site to NYU. NYU said no because Governor's Island needed infrastructure and utilities, but infrastructure and utilities would be in place in a couple of years. NYU missed out on a chance to run a city-built university biotech facility on Roosevelt Island. Their mentality is: We own this land; this is our territory. We are looking at all opportunity to push them back. Below Canal there are many opportunities for economic development, that NYU could be an economic engine for surrounding stores, merchants, restaurants.

SAVE THE WSV SASAKI GARDEN COMMITTEE spoke on saving the historic urban garden, one of the first rooftop gardens, designed by renown landscape architect Hideo Sasaki. The Committee has designed a booklet and a blog (http://www.savewsvsasakigarden.blogspot.com/) about the Sasaki Garden. Please go to our blog. The Garden was designed as a peaceful urban oasis for residents and community. If there is a zoning change, all New York communities are vulnerable to overdevelopment.

TEMPORARY GYM BUILT IN KEY PARK 2013. The most immediate and pressing problem is the proposed building of the temporary gym in the Key Park, slated for 2013. (ADDENDUM. NYU's plan to relocate the Key Park into the Sasaki Garden never adequately addresses the fact that the playground would be half its current size, plus the playground would be sited in a dark, gloomy, sunless area, up against tenant apartments. The plan also destroys the Mercer Playground and sites a small tricycle park in a quarter of the current space, again with no sunlight.)

The WSVTA January meeting TBA. Check our website for newly posted information at http://www.wsvtenantsassociation.org/.

Respectfully submitted, December 2011

New Date for Meeting: NYU 20 Year Expansion Plan

2011-12-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar for ~~Tuesday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m.~~ January 4, 2012 (updated; time and location TBD; check the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation website for details) for a community meeting on the NYU 2031 plan hosted by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and several community groups. ~~The meeting will be held at Our Lady of Pompei Church's Father Demo Hall (basement) at Bleecker and Carmine Streets.~~
Here is the announcement from GVSHP president Andrew Berman:

At the heart of NYU's massive proposed expansion plan are zoning changes to allow adding 2.5 mil. Sq. ft. of space, the equivalent of the Empire State Building, south of Washington Square Park.

Soon after New Year's, New York University is expected to file its application seeking to overturn long-standing neighborhood zoning protections and open space preservation requirements, and to acquire city-owned green space, in order to allow them to shoehorn 2.5 million sq. ft. of new space into the blocks below Washington Square Park -- the equivalent of the Empire State Building! (Find out more here) This would have a devastating impact not only on the immediate area, but on the Village, East Village, and surrounding neighborhoods as a whole, as the university's ever-expanding presence further tips the balance of neighborhood character.

Once NYU's plans are filed, a 7-month public hearing, review, and approval process will begin, which will decide which, if any, of the approvals NYU needs for its plans to move ahead are granted. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR THAT FIGHT, AND THAT WE TAKE IT ON AS STRONGLY AS POSSIBLE.

To help, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and several community groups will be holding a community meeting on the NYU plan, informing the public of what it involves, how it affects you, how the approval process will work, and how you can help prevent the approvals from being granted.

That meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 10th at 6:30 pm at Our Lady of Pompei Church's Father Demo Hall (basement), Bleecker and Carmine Streets. This will be shortly before the public hearing process begins later that month, and we will be informing and mobilizing our friends and neighbors and everyone who cares about preserving our neighborhoods about how best to win this fight.

Please circle this date on your calendar, and more information will follow. If your group, tenants association, or co-op or condo board is interested in co-sponsoring the meeting or being involved, please just respond to this e-mail. The meeting will be open to all.

Get Involved!

2011-12-16T08:47:00.000-08:00

The ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) for NYU 2031 is scheduled to begin in January 2012 with Community Board (CB) 2 meetings. You can influence the process! Write letters of support to city agencies, city and state officials, NYU, and community organizations. Visit our Get Involved page for more details, and thank you in advance for your support.

ULURP Diagram courtesy of NYC.gov (source)

NYU 2031 Phasing Plans

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

The updated NYU 2031 phasing plans are posted below and are also available for viewing at the NYU Open House Space at 528 LaGuardia Place as well as online at http://www.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu/govCommunAffairs/documents/2031/NYU2031_NYUPhasing_Plans.pdf.

NYU 2031 phasing diagrams (courtesy of NYU 2031, source)

Now take a look at the model, below. The drawings for Phase 4 and Phase 5, above, provide misleading information about the extent of proposed green space.

Model of proposed changes to the North Block courtesy of Hubert J. Steed (source)

Photo: Squirrel in a Dogwood

2011-12-09T08:56:00.001-08:00

Squirrel in a dogwood courtesy of Hubert J Steed (source)

If they start digging up our Playground

2011-12-09T06:10:00.000-08:00

Unite!

IF they start digging up our Playground

It will surely be our day of doom,

New buildings sprouting up all around:

NYU’s notorious BIG BUILDING BOOM!!

So, friends of WSV, let’s stop ’em NOW,

Right in their tracks before they can begin.

Yes, we can do it-- together, we know how—

Unite--for us and for our kids--to WIN!

Those who lived and/or worked on Bleecker Street

2011-12-07T06:09:00.000-08:00

Those who lived and/or worked on Bleecker Street cheer us on:

TOM PAINE—“”These are the times that try [our] souls…”

FREDERICK DOUGLASS—“If there is no struggle, there is no

progress…Power concedes nothing without a demand.”

WALT WHITMAN—“Beat! beat! drums! Blow! bugles blow!

Over the traffic of cities—over the rumble of wheels in the streets…”

MARGARET SANGER—Prevent--!

--NYU from destroying our neighborhood. JOIN together in our battle against a corporate real estate entity posing as a university! Attend meetings, write letters, sign petitions.

Speak out at rallies and demonstrations!

Meeting: Washington Square Village Tenants Association

2011-12-02T08:31:00.001-08:00

The next meeting of the Washington Square Village Tenants Association will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 7 p.m., with special guest District 1 Councilmember Margaret Chin. The meeting will be held at WSV Building 4 in Room 1B. Please mark your calendar, attend the meeting, and participate in the discussion.
Contact information for Councilmember Chin is as follows:
Chatham Green
165 Park Row, suite #11
New York, NY 10038
212-587-3159
212-587-3138 (fax)
chin@council.nyc.gov
http://council.nyc.gov/d1/html/members/home.shtml

The Bard on the NYU Land Grab

2011-12-02T06:07:00.000-08:00

The Bard on the NYU Land Grab

I don’t understand, NYU is such a great learning institution. So why are they so mercilessly expansive at the expense of the neighborhood? Am I missing something?
Madness in great ones must not unwatched go.
- Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1

But they look so earnest in their massive building plans for our community. What would you say to them?
Ye have angels’ faces, but heaven knows your hearts.
- Henry VIII, Act 3, Scene 1

Are you referring to all the empty promises they make?
Things sweet to the taste often prove in digestion sour.
- Richard II, Act 1, Scene 3

Then what would you say their latest gambit is?
Have patience and endure.
- Much Ado About Nothing, Act 4, Scene 1

Okay, but how do we counter that?
‘Tis true we are in great danger; the greater therefore, should our courage be.
- Henry V, Act 4, Scene 1

Washington Square Village Sasaki Garden Plants

2011-11-29T12:49:00.001-08:00

London planetrees

November is a lovely time to visit our garden, when the plants are wearing and shedding their ever-changing autumn shades.

Hawthorns

Lining the northern and southern borders of the garden are a large number of hawthorn trees (Crataegus), while the eastern and western boundaries of the park, just outside the gates, we have neat rows of London planetrees, a hybrid of Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane tree) and Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore). I believe the one leaning a bit precariously may have been pushed a bit by Hurricane Irene this summer. It is amazing how well all the Sasaki specimens have held up over the years.

Redbuds

In the northeastern corner of the garden we have two remaining eastern redbuds (Cercis canadensis). This small growing tree is native to the eastern part of North America and thrives from northern Florida to southern Ontario. Its heart-shaped leaves and deep magenta blooms in mid-spring set this beautiful tree apart from the crowd. I have often wondered why it isn’t planted more often around New York City.

Dogwood (red-orange foliage)

Growing nearby in this sector of the WSV Sasaki Garden we have a two dogwood trees (Cornus kousa); one in the center of the garden, the other under the willow tree. There is another dogwood, Cornus kousa v. chinenensis, also known as the “Starlight” tree near the mulberry. Dogwoods, I understand, have lately not done very well in city parks. Frequent pruning can act as a hedge to disease. The empty oval currently in the garden once housed a dogwood and maybe should be replaced with a new one that will survive harsh city conditions. I wonder if the aforementioned mulberry was deliberately planted here or volunteered itself as so many have around our city. Either way, the birds are delighted to taste its sweet berries.

Crabapples

Arranged in the northern section of the garden is a bosquet of 16 crabapples in planters that double as benches for garden-goers. Malus is the Latin genus name from the family Rosaceae. Aside from the appeal of two shades of pink blooms in spring, the artistically-twisted branches are a wonder to behold. Other representatives of the Rosaceae family, the long-blooming roses, have largely been removed. Hopefully their replacements will be coming soon.

Japanese maples (center)

As companions two exquisite Japanese maples (Acer palmatum), deep crimson in November are so so beautiful!

Rhododendron (left)

Various azalea species with different autumn leaf color patterns are interspersed around the garden plot. I am not sure if the Sasaki azaleas are native to the U.S. Azaleas are of the closely related to Rhodedendra. We have a few different varieties of rhodies in the garden also, many of which have buds. Will they bloom again before the frost hits them?

Junipers were looking good this autumn. Perhaps it was the moist summer that has given them their healthy glow. I’ve noticed in past years they have been more dried out with drought conditions. There are many species of juniper from both the old world and the New World. They are members of the cypress (Cupressaceae) family.

Silver maples

The two silver maples (Acer saccharinum) in the garden, with pale yellow leaves and silver-grey bark are quite towering 50-somethings.

Cherries

The three weeping cherries in the southwestern section of the garden are, I swear, the first to bloom in the city. In the fall they are also quite lovely, with their cascading yellow leaves, but the early spring was a spectacular sight to see them bloom. Much of the time snow is still on the ground. Prunus subhirtella is the botanical name.

We have a rare mock-orange (Philadelphus 'Burfordensis’) bush located next to the west garage entrance. Another nearby out-of-the-ordinary plant growing nearby the weeping cherries, a cotoneaster is a relative of the aforementioned hawthorn.

Burning bush

It was clever of Mr. Sasaki to include some evergreens in his ornamental scheme: The geometrically-shaped boxwoods (Buxus) will hopefully soldier on all winter along with the other mainstay evergreen shrub interspersed throughout the park, the yews (genus of Taxus), while the companion plants spend the cold months naked. Also showing some green under the snow and tawny leaves will be some lovely moss on the western side of the garden and a few pines on the eastern front.

Barberry (foreground)

The beautiful specimen of burning bush (Euonymous alatus) is an ornamental shrub native to China, Korea and Japan. It is really stands out with its bright red coat at this time of the fall. It only slightly outshines the numerous barberries (Berberis) shrubs that have put on their autumn colors in different ways.

Willow

Last, but not least, and arguably, perhaps the most impressive specimen of all—that weeping willow (Salix babylonica)—must be mentioned. Its homeland is northern China; this coveted gem has come to the New World via Holland and the Silk Route. What a miracle that this giant is surviving all these years, perched precariously above a parking garage!

I look forward to making frequent trips to the garden when it is covered with frost and snow, and when the buds start appearing in the springtime.

We would like to thank Edward Walters and Hubert J. Steed for their essay and photographs, respectively.

Public Open Space in NYU 2031

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

According to a NYU 2031 comparative diagram of existing vs. proposed public open space, pictured below, the WSV Sasaki Garden is not considered public open space. Also, the Garden is not listed in the POPS (Privately Owned Public Open Space) maintained at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/pops/pops_inventory.shtml.
This inventory public open space inventory is based on Privately Owned Public Space: The New York City Experience, Jerold S. Kayden, the New York City Department of City Planning and the Municipal Art Society of New York (John Wiley & Sons, 2000).

NYU 2031: Existing Public Open Space vs Proposed Public Open Space (source)

Let Us Know What You Are Seeing in the Garden

2011-11-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

American Robin, Turdus migratorius (image courtesy of Hubert J. Steed, source)

Did you see a male robin? A female cardinal? A monarch butterfly? An opened bud on the dogwood or hawthorns? Let us know what you are seeing in the Garden by leaving a comment. Thank you!

I Visit the WSV Sasaki Garden Because...

2011-11-22T03:37:00.000-08:00

...my child likes to watch the birds, to search for centipedes and earthworms, to play, and to talk with other garden users.

Why do YOU visit the WSV Sasaki Garden? Please tell us by writing a comment.

NYU 2031 Phasing Diagrams at NYU Open House

2011-11-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

Updates to the NYU 2031 plan phasing schedule can be viewed at the NYU Open House Space which is located at 528 LaGuardia Place. The Open House Space is open on Mon, Wed, Fri - Noon to 5 PM; Tues, Thurs - 2 PM to 7 PM; and Sat, Sun: 1 PM to 4 PM. The phasing diagrams are also available online here.

NYU 2031 phasing diagrams (courtesy of NYU 2031, source)

You can also find the university's responses to Community Board (CB) 2 questions about 2031 at NYU 2031 Resources.

Thanksgiving Holiday

2011-11-21T05:11:00.001-08:00

Best wishes for a gratifying and thankful Thanksgiving Holiday!

ULURP for NYU 2031 Will Begin in Janaury 2012

2011-11-20T18:07:00.000-08:00

NYU 2031 proposed buildings for the North and South blocks (image courtesy of Hubert J. Steed, source)

Both NYU and Community Action Alliance on NYU (CAAN) 2031 have reported that the ULURP (Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure) for NYU 2031 will commence in January 2031.

NYU 2031 proposed buildings for the North block (image courtesy of Hubert J. Steed, source)

Four bodies will review the university's submission, listed in order:

Community Board
Borough President
City Planning
City Council

Sources
NYU 2031: http://blogs.nyu.edu/nyu2031/nyuinnyc/awareness/2011/11/nyu_phasing_update_cb2_respons.html
CAAN 2031: http://caan2031.org/2011/11/11/date-set-for-start-of-ulurp/

Added on Nov. 23, 2011: DNAinfo.com also reported about the NYU 2031 ULURP delay. Its article can be read at http://www.dnainfo.com/20111114/greenwich-village-soho/nyu-delays-expansion-plans-until-january.

Loss of Quality of Life

2011-11-16T18:34:00.000-08:00

Key Park Playground looking west towards WSV Sasaki Garden (courtesy of Hubert J. Steed)

In a few months, I'll be 76 years old. In 1966, I came to live and work in NYC. I was hired to develop the payroll and associated personnel and financial systems for new computing equipment at Columbia University. I signed a two year lease in a studio apartment a couple of blocks from the main campus of Columbia University.
My apartment was on Claremont Avenue in Morningside Heights near Riverside Drive and next to the former home Julliard School of Music. I was single young man about to be 30 years old and beginning a new stage in my life.

Life looked promising, but being alone in the city, I quickly discovered that part of Manhattan had a very limited evening and night life. So I began to spend non-working hours in Greenwich Village. One early evening, I was sitting in Washington Square Park and a man walking two dogs passed by me. I didn't recognize their pedigree and asked what kind of dogs they were. He replied, "Pembroke Welsh Corgis. We just got back from a vacation in France." This led to a conversation that developed into a 40+ year life relationship.

Larry was an adjunct professor at the NYU School of Social Work and was one of the original tenants at One Washington Square Village before NYU took possession of this valuable property built primarily with public funds. Larry was a professor at New York Medical College at their advanced university affiliated research and treatment Center for Mental Retardation. He held appointments with several universities that participated in their program. He lived in a two bedroom apartment at Washington Square Village and invited me to share it with him when my lease expired on Claremont Avenue.

We felt quite privileged to have a very good quality of life at Washington Square Village, but found a marked change in the management of the property by NYU over the years. Maintenance and "security" of the property became progressively worse with the closing of doorman entrances on LaGuardia Place and the public access to the Sasaki Garden from LaGuardia Place indicated a lack of openness to the neighborhood community. The question of land use rights for a semi-public garden became a whispered issue. Also garden and ground maintenance continued to degrade.

For the past several years, the Sasaki Garden has become less attractive and a safety hazard due to the poor maintenance and attempts by NYU to restrict or discourage access for public and private use. Over the years, a number of plants and trees have died and not been replaced. The fenced off fountain area has become a longtime eyesore with water jets not working. The stair well entrances to the garden and the interior paths present hazardous conditions. Weeds and invasive plants strangle cultivated plants, bushes and trees.

I've photographed the garden for several years and find this condition disheartening. Now that NYU plans to destroy this unique garden and adjacent playgrounds and park strips with two skyscrapers joined by a network of dark pathways with very few trees and tiny garden patches, I find the quality of life here to be seriously threatened during and after construction for at least the next two decades. So I plan to move on to greener spaces if NYU gets permission to destroy our Sasaki Garden.