In December, at the request of Council Member Rosie Mendez The New School briefed GVSHP and neighbors on its latest plans for development on Fifth Avenue between 13th and 14th Streets. As you may recall, The New School originally proposed a massive 300+ foot tall building without setbacks requiring zoning variances which GVSHP and neighbors opposed. The new plans, still being developed, call for a much shorter building which is supposed to conform to the existing zoning with setbacks to preserve some light and air to the surrounding streets and buildings. CLICK HERE for images and further information about the plans.
While The New School is moving ahead internally with approvals for the plan, all details are not yet finalized. They will be making a public presentation of their plans before Community Board #2 in the near future (date TBD), which will provide an opportunity to find out more and provide feedback about the plans and the designs. While we are pleased with many of the changes that have been made to the plan, we continue to take a critical look at the design’s appropriateness for the surrounding neighborhood (long a concern of GVSHP’s) and the relationship of the building’s size and massing to its surroundings.
For more information about The New School project, see their website or CLICK HERE.
