New School New Building Update
 In a meeting arranged by Councilmember Rosie Mendez last week, GVSHP, local elected officials, community groups and the community board were updated by The New School (TNS) President Bob Kerry and TNS officials about plans for a new “signature building” at 65 Fifth Avenue (13th/14th Streets). TNS had proposed a massive, 350 ft. tall building with almost no setbacks and an all-glass exterior which would have been about twice the height of many neighboring buildings. GVSHP and neighbors had raised serious concerns about the height, bulkiness, and planned materials of the proposed design, which would have had an enormous visual impact upon its surroundings. TNS had planned to file for zoning variances to allow them to transfer air rights and make the building as bulky as they planned.
The good news is TNS now says that the old design is now off the table, and they are instead pursuing a building scaled back in height and bulk which will not require variances for transfer of air rights or exemptions from setback requirements. They also stated that they are reconsidering the prior preliminary all-glass design for the building. They are still at an early stage of this process and do not yet have any approved schematics or designs to show, but they have committed to remain in close communication with GVSHP and other interested parties about their plans, and to consider our collective input.
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