Open Space Oversight Organization

NYU has filed for 501c3 status for the organization that will direct the future of the open spaces in the two superblocks bounded by West Third, Mercer, Houston, and La Guardia Place: the Open Space Oversight Organization or OSOO. The nominating members of the OSOO have appointed the following representatives:

• Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has nominated Lin Zeng, Deputy Director of Land Use, Planning & Development, to serve as his office’s representative.
  
• Council Member Margaret Chin has nominated Matthew Viggiano, Director of Land Use & Planning, to serve as her office’s representative.
  
• Community Board 2 and Chair David Gruber have nominated Terri Cude, CB2 Arts & Institutions Committee Chair, to serve as the Board’s representative.
  
• New York City’s Department of Parks and Recreation has nominated William Castro, Manhattan Borough Commissioner, to serve as the department’s representative.
  
• NYU has nominated Arthur Tannenbaum, faculty and senate member, to serve as the University’s representative. 

The official announcement can be read at http://caan2031.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OSOOappointments.pdf or at http://www.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu/govCommunAffairs/documents/superblocks/2013-01-10-OSOO-Appointments-Memo-Web.pdf.

(HT: CAAN 2031)

Report of the CB2 Arts & Institutions Committee

REPORT OF THE ARTS & INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE

October 23, 2012

The Arts & Institutions Committee of Community Board #2, Manhattan, held a meeting on October 23rd, 2012, at 6:30 PM, at the Church of Our Lady of Pompeii, Father Demo Hall.

Board Members Present: Terri Cude, Chair; Robin Rothstein, Anne Hearn

Board Members Excused: Jo Hamilton, Arthur Kriemelman, Susan Wittenberg

Board Members Absent: none

Other CB2 Members attending:  David Gruber, CB2 Chair; Susanna Aaron, Lois Rakoff

Elected Officials attending: Katie Smith representing U.S. Congressman Nadler, Sarah Malloy-Good representing State Assemblymember Glick, Matthew Viggiano representing Councilmember Chin.

A presentation by New York University (NYU) was given by Dr. Alicia Hurley, reporting on what was included in the final approvals for the NYU 2031 Core Expansion Plan, as well as timing and phasing of the proposed construction on the Superblocks between Houston and W. 3^rd Streets and Mercer Street and LaGuardia Place.

NYU's Final Approved ULURP Plan (Oct. 23, 2012)

NYU's Final Approved ULURP Plan as presented to Community Board 2 on October 23, 2012 is available at http://www.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu/govCommunAffairs/documents/2031/2012-10-23-ULURP-Approvals-Summary-Presentation.pdf, with items of particular interest on pages 11, 13, and 14.

CB2 Hearing of NYU 2031 Restrictive Declaration

Jessica Dailey covered the October 23rd CB2 hearing of the NYU Restrictive Declaration  of Large Scale General Development for Curbed and noted the following:

• Construction will not begin until 2014.
• NYU has not decided where construction will start but construction on the North Block/ Washington Square Village will not begin until 2022.

Images of the changes to the LaGuardia Place and Mercer Street elevations are embedded in the article.  Read it at http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2012/10/24/nyu_expansion_schedule_new_building_heights_revealed.php.

City Planning Commission Review Sessions on NYU

From Community Board 2 Manhattan chair, Brad Hoylman:

Members of the public are able to observe the CPC review sessions on the NYU expansion proposal, although there is no opportunity for testimony or questions from the public. The next review session is on Monday, May 21 at 1 p.m. in Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street. Another public review session will be held on June 4, 1 p.m. in Spector Hall, 22 Reade Street. This is a good chance for the community to stay on top of the proceedings as they are discussed by the Commission. Please check the CPC website http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/luproc/calbeg.shtml for agendas as they become available.

ULURP Timeline for NYU 2031

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).

CB2 Denies NYU Core Project ULURP Applications

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.

TODAY: Fight the NYU Expansion Plan Rally & Press Conference

(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
 

CB2 Committees on NYU 2031 Resolution

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

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.

Updated: Press Coverage of Hearings on NYU 2031

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.

NYU 2031 Presentations to Community Board 2

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

Tonight: CB2 Full Board Hearing on NYU 2031

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.

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

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.

Tonight: CB2 Social Services & Education Hearing on NYU 2031

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

Tonight: CB2 Parks Hearing on NYU 2031

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

New Venues for CB2 Hearings on NYU 2031

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

Tonight: CB2 Zoning Hearing on NYU 2031

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!

CB2 Public Hearings on NYU 2031

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

Community Board 2 Announces NYU 2031 Hearings

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.