Stop Extell

Sign the Online Petition to Mayor Bloomberg!

2006-06-14T21:40:00.000-04:00

You may have seen some of the paper petitions to Mayor Bloomberg that have been circulating throughout the neighborhood lately. This same petition is now available online. Please join us in showing your support for 8A and 8B rezoning for our neighborhood by signing the petition today. Click on: http://www.petitiononline.com/RZN97110/petition.html

We'd like to gather as many signatures as possible by June 30th, so please tell your friends and neighbors to sign as soon as possible. Thank you.

Huge Crowd Attends CB7 Meeting 5/2

2006-05-03T14:51:00.000-04:00

A crowd estimated at 350 people attended the May 2nd Community Board 7 meeting at Broadway at 110th Street. Officials grew concerned about the size of the crowd and restricted admittance to the building due to fire codes. A long line of area residents waited patiently on West 110th Street in the brisk evening air and--eventually--gained admittance. Dozens of neighborhood residents addressed Board members directly during the public session, urging members to support 8A zoning for Broadway and 8B zoning for the side streets to protect the area's brownstones. Residents called for swift action from the Board and demanded that a resolution in support of 8A and 8B be passed at the Board's June meeting.

Join Us for a Neighborhood Walking Tour

2006-05-02T22:31:00.000-04:00

Please join us for a free walking tour of our neighborhood, from West 96th to 110th Street. We'll learn about the social and economic history of our area, view architectually significant buildings, and hear about the impact of zoning changes. The tour is being sponsored jointly by Park West Village Neighborhood History Group and the Columbus Amsterdam Business Improvement District. The tour will be offered on two dates:

Saturday, May 6th at 11:00 AM
Wednesday, May 17th at 6:00 PM

The tour will start promptly at the Northeast corner of Broadway and West 96th Street (Citibank). The tour will run about 90 minutes and will end at West 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

For reservations, call 212-666-9774 or contact info@columbus-amsterdam-bid.org

Crowd of Over 800 Attends Zoning Meeting

2006-04-12T14:23:00.000-04:00

Over 800 concerned residents attended Community Board 7's meeting on March 29th.

Do You Want More of THIS in Our Neighborhood?

2006-03-16T13:24:00.000-05:00

We need to rezone NOW to stop irresponsible development!

Miki Fiegel and Bob Botfeld of West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. have been serving as members on the Task Force for the past several months. They have been working closely with CB7 and the City Planning Commission. After careful study, West Siders for Responsible Development recommends 8A zoning for the corridors (Broadway, West End and Amsterdam Avenues) which would restrict building heights at 16 stories and 8B for side streets--which would protect our brownstones.

LET'S PROTECT OUR AVENUES WITH 8A!
LET'S PROTECT OUR BROWNSTONES WITH 8B!

Contact Our Elected Officials!

2006-03-08T13:06:00.000-05:00

Contact our elected officials and tell them you want IMMEDIATE rezoning for West 96th-110th Streets. Tell them you support 8A for the corridors (Broadway, Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues) and 8B for the side streets.

1. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Phone: 311 or 212-NEW-YORK
Fax: 212-788-2460
Email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

2. Borough President Scott Stringer
One Centre Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10007
212-669-3800
Email: bp@manhattanbp.org

3. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
224 West 30th Street - Suite 1206
New York, NY 10001
212-564-7757
Email: quinn@council.nyc.ny.us

4. City Council Member Melissa Mark Viverto (District #8)
105 East 116th Street
New York, NY 10029
212-828-9899
Email: viverto@council.nyc.ny.us

5. City Council Member Inez E. Dickens (District #9)
250 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
212-788-7397

6. State Assembly Member Dan O'Donnell
250 West 104th Street
New York, NY 10025
212-866-3970
Email: odonned@assembly.state.ny.us

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICE IS HEARD!

Extell's "Ariel" Glass Towers Advertised

2005-11-03T18:20:00.000-05:00

This ad for Extell's "Ariel" condos appeared in the November 7th issue of New York Magazine. The ad reads, "Ariel. Traditional living like never before. Two Exquisite Glass Towers, One Extraordinary Lifestyle."

"Exquisite?!" We beg to differ. These buildings are anything but "exquisite." They are unremarkable, uninspired, unattractive, and totally out of keeping with the architecture of our neighborhood.

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. remains committed to stopping the construction of these monstrous high rises. Please join us in this fight.

Successful October Protest Held

2005-10-20T19:31:00.000-04:00

West Siders for Responsible Development held its sixth protest on October 18th on Broadway at 99th Street. Area residents turned out to express their opposition to the Extell towers and to other recently-announced construction projects in the neighborhood as well as the need for immediate rezoning north of 96th Street. Speakers included NY State Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell and City Council candidate Inez Dickens.

Is Your Head Pounding?

2005-10-19T15:21:00.000-04:00

Here's the cause of that bone-jarring, mind-numbing pounding. A Bovis spokesperson stated at a Community Board 7 meeting held on October 17th that the rock chopping excavation phase is scheduled to continue through mid-January.

Demolition "Official" Hours

2005-10-09T09:41:00.000-04:00

The official hours that Extell is permitted to perform demolition work at the sites are as follows:

Monday through Friday
7:00 am until 6:00 pm

** NO WORK IS PERMITTED ON WEEKENDS **

If you observe weekend activity at the site--or safety hazards--please call 311 to file an official complaint. The person answering your call may try to resolve the situation or may transfer you to the Department of Buildings. Please make a note of the complaint number and let us know at stopextell@yahoo.com or to mikihome@aol.com .

Extell's "construction hotline" number is 212-448-3970. Callers are asked to leave contact information for a return call within 24 hours.

Why Stop Extell?

2005-10-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

We are a group of Upper West Side residents who care about our neighborhood. We came together after realizing that we could do more by uniting our individual outrage at Extell's arrogant and careless development plan for two towering buildings on Broadway between 99th and 100th streets.

We are dedicated to stopping this project in its tracks. Although Extell suggested in the June 15th Community Board 7 planning meeting that this was a "done deal," we have found much evidence to the contrary.

It may be legal, but is it responsible?

Please join us in our fight of this neighborhood atrocity. Your voice counts. You CAN make a difference.

We appreciate your interest and hope you will:

- Contact elected officials and let them know of your opposition to this project. Please scroll down to the section called Contact Elected Officials for the names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
-Sign the petition (if you haven't yet signed,it's now available online at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Rezone/petition.html
- Share your ideas, experience and contacts.
- Be available for activism and research. Help us to spread the word.
- Donate. We're an all-volunteer group, but we need to raise funds for attorney and architect fees, as well as filing fees and other legal expenses.

Please make your check payable to West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. and mail it to:

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc.
P.O. Box 2059
New York, NY 10025

Welcome to this fight. United, we can win a victory for responsible development.

Thank you!

President: Miki Fiegel Picinich 212-222-6077
Treasurer: Toni Cindrich 212-865-7080
Vice Pres: Bob Botfeld 212-865-1450
Vice Pres: Bill Crain 212-222-7022

West Siders for Responsible Development
stopextell@yahoo.com

Rat Update

2005-09-19T20:51:00.000-04:00

At a Community Board 7 meeting held on September 19th, the manager of the 245 West 99th Street construction site--a Bovis employee--gave assurances that aggressive tactics would be employed to control the rodent population. He said that traps would be set "immediately" in the backyards of all properties adjacent to the construction site.

Sign the Online Petition to Mayor Bloomberg!

2005-08-14T22:00:00.000-04:00

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc.'s petition to Mayor Bloomberg is now available online at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Rezone/petition.html The text reads as follows:

PETITION to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Community Board 7, Board of Standards and Appeals, City Planning Commission, New York City Department of Buildings, the Hon. Gifford Miller, and the Hon. Bill Perkins,

Regarding the two proposed towers at 2628 Broadway and 245 West 99th Street (also known as 2633 Broadway),

We the undersigned request the following:

1. That the City immediately revoke the demolition and construction permits issued on these sites.

2. The these sites be re-zoned for development that is contextual, reflecting the beauty and density of the surrounding buildings.

3. That the neighborhood be properly protected from future development with appropriate zoning changes.

* * * * * * *

The website offers privacy options on disclosing your address. Email addresses are kept confidential. Please sign the petition today and tell your neighbors.

Dramatic Photos of Building Collapse

2005-07-19T21:33:00.000-04:00

These dramatic photos were taken by neighborhood resident Eric Larsen who was at the site shortly after the building collapsed.

Gristedes Store Collapses; Five Injured

2005-07-14T12:32:00.000-04:00

As reported by Associated Press:

July 14th - At least five people, including an infant, were injured this morning when the former Gristedes supermarket at Broadway and 99th Street collapsed. The building was in the process of being razed by Extell Corporation to make way for a high rise apartment building.

A firefighter also suffered a broken ankle. All of the injured were taken to St. Lukes Hospital. Police department spokeswoman Dora Kalbouros said that a child was among the five people pulled from the rubble. She said that most of the injured suffered broken bones. The child was believed to be in stable condition.

Fire Department spokesman Frank Gribbon said that all 25 construction workers at the site were accounted for.

At least 30 fire department units responded to the collapse.

Gristedes spokesman Gerald McKelvey said the bulding was closed in April and was sold to the Carlyle Group.

Contact Our City Officials!

2005-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a list of local city officials to contact about stopping the Extell high rises and to change the zoning laws.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Phone: 311 or 212-NEW-YORK
Fax: 212-788-2460
Email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

City Council Speaker Gifford Miller
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Phone: 212-788-7210
Fax: 212-788-7207
Email: miller@council.nyc.ny.us

Councilman Bill Perkins
163 West 125th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10027

Phone: 212-662-4440
Fax: 212-932-1130
Email: perkins@council.nyc.ny.us

Councilman Philip Reed
105 East 116th Street
New York, NY 10029

Phone: 212-828-9800
Alt. Phone: 212-788-6960
Fax: 212-722-6378
Email: reed@council,nyc.ny.us

Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields

1 Centre Street, 19th Floor

New York, NY 10007

Phone: 212-669-8300

FAX: 212-660-3380

Email: bp@manhattanbg.org

Amanda M. Burden, Chairperson

City Planning Commission

22 Reade Street

New York, NY 10007

Phone: 212-720-3300

FAX: 212-720-3219

Email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/htoml/maildcp.html

Patricia J. Lancaster, AIA, Commissioner

Department of Buildings

280 Broadway, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10001

Phone: 212-566-0011

Email: http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildob.html

Make sure your voice is heard!

Please Donate to the Effort

2005-07-01T13:05:00.000-04:00

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization but we need to raise money for hiring a real estate attorney and architect.
We are recognized as a not-for-profit organization by the IRS and by New York State.

Please make your check payable to West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. and mail it to:

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc.
P.O. Box 2059
New York, NY 10025

Your contribution will help us win this fight!

A Look At What We're Losing

2005-07-01T13:04:00.000-04:00

We've all seen the Safeway demolition signs and scaffolding that have recently been erected around the two brownstones on 99th Street and the once-stately townhouse on 100th Street. Extell's wrecking ball will be falling any day now. Here's a look at some of the buildings' architectural details and gems that our neighborhood will be losing forever.

Successful First Protest Held June 28th

2005-06-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Despite rainy weather, nearly 200 concerned residents turned out for West Siders for Responsible Development's first protest against Extell's high rises.

Assemblyman Bill Perkins joined the group, leading the crowd in a rallying call of "Whatever Means Necessary."

City Council candidate Cynthia Doty spoke to the crowd and proclaimed that our cause is "winnable."

Bill Crain, Vice President of West Siders for Responsible Development, led chants and led the assembly in a walk around the block calling out, "Save our Neighborhood, Save our Neighborhood."

Signs proclaiming "Goodbye Sun, Goodbye Moon," "Stop Extell," "Expell Extell," and "Go Home Gary" and "2 tall" were proudly displayed. Signatures were collected on the petition (please see Petition posting for more information) from both protesters and passersbys. Many residents voiced their anger at Extell and were eager to learn how they could join in the fight.

"Eye In the Sky" Photos

2005-06-29T16:07:00.000-04:00

Would you like to see what's going on behind Extell's plywood wall? A neighborhood resident provided these recent photos. Stay tuned. We'll be posting updates on a regular basis.

Sights from the Site

2005-06-27T19:45:00.000-04:00

The plywood wall around Extell's demolition site has taken on a life of its own. These pictures were taken on July 25, 2005.

Demolition Resumes; Investigations Still Pending

2005-06-26T14:03:00.000-04:00

West Siders for Responsible Development is deeply distressed that the NYC Department of Buildings has allowed the resumption of demolition at the Gristedes site by Safeway. Safeway is responsible for the July 14th building collapse and, as reported in the New York Daily News on August 12th, the company has reputed ties to the Gambino crime family.

"This is being permitted just one month after the collapse of a structure that sent several residents to the hospital," said Miki Fiegel, president. "It is shameful. It shows Extell's total lack of regard for this community."

Many area residents are perplexed that the demolition should be permitted to continue when the July 14th collapse is still under investigation by both the Department of Buildings and the District Attorney's office.

We at West Siders for Responsible Development have been drawing attention to the fact that the city currently permits architects to self-certify their construction plans---a rule we want changed immediately.

Successful Fourth Protest Held August 10th

2005-06-25T22:15:00.000-04:00

West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. held its fourth protest against the Extell high rises on Wednesday, August 10th at the demolition site. Over 150 neighborhood residents attended.

Bill Crain, Vice President of West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. rallied the crowd with chants demanding Contextual Zoning and led protesters on a march from the demolition site for several blocks down Broadway.

Miki Fiegel Picinich, President of West Siders for Responsible Development, Inc. called for neighborhood residents to demand that laws which currently permit developers to "self certify" their own plans be changed. "It's like the fox watching the chicken coop," said Fiegel. "I wonder if the self-certification process contributed to the building collapse on July 14th." Fiegel also called on area residents to demand that the area between 96th Street and 110th Street be rezoned. In addition, Fiegel asked everyone in the crowd to attend the soon-to-be-scheduled Community Board 7 public forum on Rezoning. "It's vital that everyone attend and that we stand united on this issue," declared Fiegel.

City Councilman Bill Perkins and Assembly member-candidate Cynthia Doty also addressed the crowd.

Handouts distributed at the protest asked area residents to write to elected officials and to sign the online petition to Mayor Bloomberg. The petition can be accessed through a hotlink at the organization's website: www.stopextell.blogspot.com or, accessed directly at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Rezone/petition.html

Meeting Tonight September 29th

2005-06-24T23:49:00.000-04:00

Please join us at tonight's meeting:

Date: Thursday, September 29th
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Holy Name Church, lower chapel
Entrance is on West 96th Street. Enter through door to the left of St. Francis Thrift Store (down steps).

As many of you know, we've been working quietly--and productively--on many fronts. We'll be presenting updates on Rezoning north of 96th Street, legal issues, and construction site issues. We'll also give a recap of our architect's audit of Extell's plans. In addition, we'll give an update on recent acquisitions of neighborhood land and buildings by OTHER developers.

Please tell your neighbors about this important meeting. Hope to see you tonight.