"Battery Park City" on the Upper West Side
Extell Proposal for W. 59th - W. 61st Street
On October 30, 2008, the Extell Development Corporation gave the community a preliminary preview of its development plans for the southern end of Riverside South - 59th to 61st Street to be called Riverside Center.
"Already, if last night's meeting is any guide, there are many unpleased Upper West Side residents. While the elected officials seem mostly concerned about density, the level of affordable housing and the inclusion of a school, many in attendance were a bit more eager to see the plan ditched entirely.
"A sampling of the dissidents' denigrations: "The developer is putting lipstick on a pig;" the plan is "a crushing, greedy project;" residents were "aghast" when the plans were revealed; a woman declared, "I just don't see why we should be seeing any new units on the Upper West Side, at all." (From article by Eliot Brown, NY Observer, 10/31/08)
The proposal, which clearly resembles Battery Park City rather than the West Side, includes FIVE proposed glass towers totaling 3.1 million square feet containing condominiums, offices, retail space, a hotel ,a possible movie theater and auto showroom. A school for 600 children and affordable housing are being considered. It also includes 3.2 acres of privately owned open space and 1,880 parking spaces.
· 53-story residential tower on the northwest corner
· (594 feet in height = 59 story tower)
· 42-story residential tower on the northeast corner
· (492 feet in height = 49 story tower);
· 39-story mixed-use tower on the southeast corner
· (451 feet in height= a 45 story tower)
· 35-story residential tower on the south
· (415 feet in height= 45 story tower)
· 50-story tower on the southwest corner
· (560 feet in height = 56 story tower)
On January 15, 2009, the City Planning Commissioner will hold a Public Scoping Session in its very small space at 22 Reade Street. The Scoping Session determines what has to be covered in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). There will be a morning and an evening session. If you wish to attend, please send us an email (livablenewyork@erols.com) so that we may give your exact times and directions.
Go to: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mancb7, click on "Review the Materials under Riverside South Task Force Meeting for additional background information and most importantly, questions on what you believe should be covered in the Draft Scope for the EIS . If you would like a copy of the questions, send a Stamped Self-addressed #10 envelope to CLW, PO Bx 230078, NY, NY 10023.
Coalition Newsletter
Vol. 22 , Issue 1 - November 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
·"Battery Park City" on the Upper West Side - Proposed for W. 59th - W. 61st Street (See "Breaking News" above)
· Another Mega-Development – Just Blocks Away from Riverside Center (Riverside South) – Fordham University
· Environmental Impact Statements May Not Reveal the Truth About a Development's Impact on a Community or the Environment
· Department of Environmental Protection Fails to Protect the Environment
· Advocating Safe Cycling Behavior
· Why Are West End Avenue and West 79th Street More Prone to Car Crashes?
· How Tall Can a New Building Be on West End Avenue, Broadway or Central ParkWest? R10 A Zoning.
· Preserve West End Avenue - W. 70th to W. 107th Street - Sign theOnline Petition
· The Missing Landmarks Commission
· The Fox Guarding the Chicken Coop – Self-Certification
· Coalition's Vision for Riverside South 59th - 61st Street
· Partial Victory for the Community on Garage at 535 WEA - Thanks to An Organized Block and Boro President Scott Stringer, Councilmember Gale Brewer, Community Board 7 Chairperson, Helen Rosenthal, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and Congressman Jerrold Nadler