The city Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on the Blood Center proposal on Thursday.
*RECAP*: The @NYBloodCenter is proposing to re-zone its block (East 67th St) to allow for a mid-block high-rise. PRO: The expansion would be a boon to the city as it vies to become a life-sciences hub 🔬 AGAINST: Allowing a high-rise to be built mid-block would set a dangerous precedent for the neighborhood 🏢
[email protected] opens the meeting, acknowledging the controversy. “It’s not just the height. ...Mid-block zoning is not necessarily something we want to tamper with. And we’re also concerned about the park, St. Catherine’s Park." (At issue: The shadow cast by the building on the park_
[email protected] just closed with a quote from Gandalf... yes, THAT Gandalf. "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You cannot pass!"
[email protected], nominee (D) for City Council District 5, says the #BloodCenter should look elsewhere -- and the community needs a voice. “I’m honestly shocked that the Blood Center keeps presenting the exact same proposal at every meeting."
Valerie Mason, President of the East 72nd Street Neighborhood Association and opponent of the project, scrapped her speech and addressed members of @local79nyc: "A commercial developer is trying to pit New Yorkers against each other.” “We think if you look at the project that has been put forth as an alternative … you will see there are tons of union jobs to be had."
UPDATE: Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer made her official recommendation to the city on Wednesday -- asking officials to *reject* the Blood Center Proposal. Her main concerns: - The adverse impact on "the residential character" of the area - The proposed building size ("far too large") - The precedent it would set for mid-block zoning - The shadow the proposed structure would cast on St. Catherine's Park - The impacts of shadows and construction noise on students at the Julia Richmond Education Complex