Progress Against NYU Expansion Plan

More than 150 people braved the elements on Wednesday to participate in a Town Hall meeting sponsored by GVSHP and allied community groups on next steps and strategies in response to the NYU 20 year expansion plan. Discussions focused on those officials whose votes would influence or decide what aspects of the NYU plan are approved; attendees wrote hundreds of letters urging them to oppose various aspects of the enormous plan. CLICK HERE for pictures from the event, and read coverage on WNYC, Nearsay.com, Curbed, and Washington Square News.

HOW TO HELP:

• Write to local elected officials urging them to oppose the aspects of the plan which would harm our neighborhoods > >

Possible Children’s Aid Society Sale and South Village Landmarking

The Children’s Aid Society recently announced they are considering selling their Phillip Coltoff Center at 219 Sullivan Street in the South Village, where they have operated for more than 100 years. This would not only result in a devastating loss of long-standing services, but under current zoning and lack of landmark protections for the site, would likely lead to demolition of the existing buildings (some of which are more than 100 years old, and designed by famed Central Park architect Calvert Vaux) and their replacement with new high-rise construction, likely by a university or other institution. Read more about the possible sale in DNAinfo, Gothamist, The Villager, The Wall Street Journal.

The Children's Aid Society complex lies within GVSHP’s proposed South Village Historic District, the first third of which was landmarked earlier this year, but the remainder of which (including this site) the city has been slow to move on. In response to this most recent threat, GVSHP has written to the Chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging him to move ahead with landmark designation of this area right away, as was promised over a year ago when the Commission held its hearing on the first third of the proposal. GVSHP will continue to push for landmark designation to take place before the buildings can be lost and replaced.

HOW TO HELP:

• Write to the Landmarks Preservation Commission chair urging that he act upon the remainder of the proposed South Village Historic District RIGHT AWAY > >

Community Input Session on Gansevoort Pedestrian Spaces

A Community Input Session will be held on Monday, December 6 at 12:30 pm regarding a redesign of pedestrian spaces in the Gansevoort Market/Meatpacking District. GVSHP has long been a supporter of making parts of Gansevoort Market’s cobblestone streets accessible to pedestrians. However, we have urged improvements to the designs of the spaces as installed by the Department of Transportation.  Monday you will have the opportunity to provide feedback on how you think these spaces should look and function. All are welcome to attend — the session will begin at ‘Gansevoort Plaza,’ the intersection of Gansevoort, Little West 12th, and Greenwich Streets and 9th Avenue.

“Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation Day” Proclaimed in NYC

In honor of GVSHP’s 30th anniversary, yesterday, was proclaimed “Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation Day” in New York City by City Councilmember Rosie Mendez. Councilmember Mendez cited GVSHP’s long-standing educational work with children, efforts to engage the public in the decision-making processes which affect their neighborhoods, and ability to make New York City “a more livable, culturally rich, and humane place with a strong sense of pride in community.” Read the full proclamation HERE.

Thank you to Councilmember Mendez, who has not only been a strong supporter of GVSHP, but a strong supporter of preservation and sound planning to protect the character of our neighborhoods!