Thursday, August 18, 2005
Fashion Institute of Technology requests a Commons. 50-story skycraper sought, CB5 reacts
LOOKING AHEAD by Wally Dobelis
Catching up with Community Board #5 activities: the May 12 meeting attracted a huge public attendance, some 70 local citizens. The subject was the design of the 27th Street Commons, a proposal by the Fashion Institute of Technology, contained in application to the NYC Department of Transportation. It involved closing 27th Street westbound between 7th and 8th Avenues, for 2/3 of the long block, to create a pedestrian plaza. The remaining 1/3 of 27th Street would be opened to two-way traffic.
The community objected, citing loss of 70 street parking spots, loss of vehicular access, dangerous double-parking on a two-way street, and inability to turn trucks around. There were 28 speakers against the application, and 18 supporting it. Consequently the meeting ran to 10:30 PM, 2 ½ hours beyond normal. bedtime.
The business meeting of the board opened on the topic, and after a lengthy discussion, the members rejecter the application, 20 to 6, one abstaining. However, as a palliative, the Fashion Center BID (did you know one existed?) was granted the installation of newly designed news racks, to replace the decrepit ones at intersections, as many as 12 in some. The new construct, by Antenna Designs and doubling as planters, will lessen the crowdedness of street corners. Great idea for all areas of the city. Sponsor, anyone?
As for street permits, the Epoch Times [a Falun Gong publication] festival on Lexington Avenue in early July was directed to find a less crowded destination and time, ditto for DETNY Footwear, aiming for Times Square late in June.
Landmarks Committee approved the restoration of the 1151 Broadway (26th St.) building to its pre-WWII status. The 857 Broadway (17th St) building earned the recommendation with reservation, in its effort to change signage, lighting and ironwork at the 1847 neo-Grecian structure built for Peter Goelet [descendents of an ironmonger on Hanover Square, the family became 2nd richest landlords in NYC, after J.J. Astor].
As for the former Tiffany Building, 401 Fifth Ave [37th Street], the application for transfer of 172,000 sq. ft of developmental rights, enough to build a 602 ft. residential tower, was denied, likewise the request for a glass front, as not fitting harmoniously with the neighboring buildings. A glass-front 22-story tower at 39-41 W. 23rd Street was also denied, as unfitting.
The June 9 CB5 full meeting was relatively placid, with normal 15-participant public attendance, and speakers on various topics.
In the business session some holdover street use applications were approved, unenacted due to the loss of quorum when members left the long May meeting. Consents and Variances Committee denied the request for a Pakistan Day Parade and Fair, for Madison Ave (23rd to26th Streets), on August 28. The applicant showed up too late. Likewise, the India Abroad Tourism Exposition, seeking a similar area on June 30, was advised to find a less crowded location and time, as was the World Outreach, September 10, 14th Street and Broadway (bad spot, guys).
The Landmarks Committee approved a storefront infill, restoring the original design, at 16 West 23rd Street, likewise at 20 West 23rd, a neo-Renaissance structure, with a recommendation that the owner copy the design of the existing service doorway, for consistency. A request to legalize an installed flagpole and banner at 24 West 23rd Street was denied as not conforming to the design, and the owner was advised to discuss a more appropriate banner signage with the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Bank of America’s request to reclad and add signage at 67 Sixth Avenue (21st Street) was approved as appropriate to the surroundings. All of the above buildings are in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. New signage was approved for the Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, an individually land marked structure.
As for liquor licenses, were there none applied for in two months? Are we losing our rah-rah reputation? Actually, there was one request, for 14 East 27th Street, the former Social Club. The new owners, Tribeca Entertainment Group, came prepared with a signed affidavit, promising to keep down loud music and noise, discourage parking, clean up the street, not to seek a cabaret license, keep the waiting line inside the premises, and provide the phone number of one of the three owners who will be on premises, and of another, available in emergencies. With that approved, the CB5 members declared a well-deserved adjournment at 8:06 PM, and the neighbors of 14 West 27th can breathe easier, the club owners have signed a document practically guaranteeing protection for your sound sleep.
Catching up with Community Board #5 activities: the May 12 meeting attracted a huge public attendance, some 70 local citizens. The subject was the design of the 27th Street Commons, a proposal by the Fashion Institute of Technology, contained in application to the NYC Department of Transportation. It involved closing 27th Street westbound between 7th and 8th Avenues, for 2/3 of the long block, to create a pedestrian plaza. The remaining 1/3 of 27th Street would be opened to two-way traffic.
The community objected, citing loss of 70 street parking spots, loss of vehicular access, dangerous double-parking on a two-way street, and inability to turn trucks around. There were 28 speakers against the application, and 18 supporting it. Consequently the meeting ran to 10:30 PM, 2 ½ hours beyond normal. bedtime.
The business meeting of the board opened on the topic, and after a lengthy discussion, the members rejecter the application, 20 to 6, one abstaining. However, as a palliative, the Fashion Center BID (did you know one existed?) was granted the installation of newly designed news racks, to replace the decrepit ones at intersections, as many as 12 in some. The new construct, by Antenna Designs and doubling as planters, will lessen the crowdedness of street corners. Great idea for all areas of the city. Sponsor, anyone?
As for street permits, the Epoch Times [a Falun Gong publication] festival on Lexington Avenue in early July was directed to find a less crowded destination and time, ditto for DETNY Footwear, aiming for Times Square late in June.
Landmarks Committee approved the restoration of the 1151 Broadway (26th St.) building to its pre-WWII status. The 857 Broadway (17th St) building earned the recommendation with reservation, in its effort to change signage, lighting and ironwork at the 1847 neo-Grecian structure built for Peter Goelet [descendents of an ironmonger on Hanover Square, the family became 2nd richest landlords in NYC, after J.J. Astor].
As for the former Tiffany Building, 401 Fifth Ave [37th Street], the application for transfer of 172,000 sq. ft of developmental rights, enough to build a 602 ft. residential tower, was denied, likewise the request for a glass front, as not fitting harmoniously with the neighboring buildings. A glass-front 22-story tower at 39-41 W. 23rd Street was also denied, as unfitting.
The June 9 CB5 full meeting was relatively placid, with normal 15-participant public attendance, and speakers on various topics.
In the business session some holdover street use applications were approved, unenacted due to the loss of quorum when members left the long May meeting. Consents and Variances Committee denied the request for a Pakistan Day Parade and Fair, for Madison Ave (23rd to26th Streets), on August 28. The applicant showed up too late. Likewise, the India Abroad Tourism Exposition, seeking a similar area on June 30, was advised to find a less crowded location and time, as was the World Outreach, September 10, 14th Street and Broadway (bad spot, guys).
The Landmarks Committee approved a storefront infill, restoring the original design, at 16 West 23rd Street, likewise at 20 West 23rd, a neo-Renaissance structure, with a recommendation that the owner copy the design of the existing service doorway, for consistency. A request to legalize an installed flagpole and banner at 24 West 23rd Street was denied as not conforming to the design, and the owner was advised to discuss a more appropriate banner signage with the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Bank of America’s request to reclad and add signage at 67 Sixth Avenue (21st Street) was approved as appropriate to the surroundings. All of the above buildings are in the Ladies’ Mile Historic District. New signage was approved for the Paramount Building at 1501 Broadway, an individually land marked structure.
As for liquor licenses, were there none applied for in two months? Are we losing our rah-rah reputation? Actually, there was one request, for 14 East 27th Street, the former Social Club. The new owners, Tribeca Entertainment Group, came prepared with a signed affidavit, promising to keep down loud music and noise, discourage parking, clean up the street, not to seek a cabaret license, keep the waiting line inside the premises, and provide the phone number of one of the three owners who will be on premises, and of another, available in emergencies. With that approved, the CB5 members declared a well-deserved adjournment at 8:06 PM, and the neighbors of 14 West 27th can breathe easier, the club owners have signed a document practically guaranteeing protection for your sound sleep.
# posted by Wally Dobelis @ 5:12 AM 
