Upcoming public hearing on the draft environmental impact statement
Thursday, February 28th, 6-8 P.M.
New School Tishman Auditorium
66 West 12th Street
(Poster boards depicting the proposed project will be up for viewing starting at 5 P.M.)
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation urges you to attend this very important public hearing regarding the MTA’s proposal to construct an ‘Emergency Ventilation Plant’ in or around Mulry Square, the intersection of Greenwich and 7th Avenues and 11th Street.
The proposed MTA project would involve significant digging, underground construction, and the possible building of a 4-6 story permanent ‘ventilation shaft’ in or around this intersection. GVSHP has consistently raised multiple concerns about the proposed project, which is expected to take years to complete, and questioned its appropriateness for this location. Issues we have raised, which we also urge you to raise on the 28th, include:
- How will the MTA ensure that work does not damage nearby fragile historic structures?
- How can the possible construction of a 4-6 story permanent ‘ventilation shaft’ be compatible with the surrounding Greenwich Village Historic District?
- How will the MTA ensure that the work does not run years longer than scheduled, as happened with the recent similar MTA project at 6th Avenue and 13th Street?
- How will the MTA protect neighbors against the enormous noise, disruption, and environmental impacts from the construction and blocked traffic resulting from the project?
- How will the cumulative impact of this project and eight years of planned demolition and construction at the St. Vincent’s sites directly adjacent be addressed?
- Why can’t existing unused ventilation chambers in the subway tunnels be used instead?
- Why is this project necessary at all at this time and at this location?
Though the MTA is looking at nine different sites in and around Mulry Square for its ‘Emergency Ventilation Plant,’ they are now specifically focusing on three locations: Greenwich Avenue between 7th Avenue and Perry Street; Perry Street between Greenwich and 7th Avenues; and in the MTA lot at the corner of Greenwich and 7th Avenues.
This project could have an enormous impact upon the surrounding area, which will already be facing extreme pressure from other potential projects. Come to this critical hearing to find out more, express your concerns, and urge that alternatives be explored.
You can find out more by seeing the updates below, or seeing here and here on the MTA’s website. You can also call GVSHP at (212) 475-9585.
Next: 07/15/09
Previous: 10/12/07
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