COMMUNITY VICTORIES

elow I have outlined a number of substantial community victories. These hard-won successes were due to the dedication and strength of community residents. They demonstrate how, even in the face of seemingly intractable situations, the community can be successful.

Securing funding for community amenities. Few residents are happy when big developers move next door to them. The effects of construction alone can be taxing, and when the building is completed, additional shadows, traffic, and noise can negatively affect residents’ quality of life. While it is difficult to stop development that is planned within allowable height limits (as-of-right), a neighborhood that pulls together and rallies can accomplish much to lessen the negative impacts of the development.

When Goldman Sachs presented plans to build an 80-story tower on Site 26 in Battery Park City, neighborhood residents and Community Board 1 decided to forego fighting for an unlikely reduction in height, which was as-of-right. Instead, residents capitalized on the desire of Goldman Sachs to forge positive relationships with residents and, in several meetings with the company, requested amenities for the neighborhood. The community’s united front and persistence paid off when Goldman Sachs pledged $1 million for a community center downtown, as well as funding for an addition to the Battery Park City library.

Altering a proposed zoning change. A neighborhood’s zoning substantially shapes its character and appearance. While some changes to zoning may be beneficial for communities, others may have negative impacts. By commenting and being involved in the revision of zoning codes, it is possible for residents to alter planned changes.

When City Planning proposed a new zoning text, ZR 74-712, to govern development in parts of SoHo and NoHo last year, large numbers of community members and elected officials testified at Community Board and City Planning hearings to express their opposition to it. There were concerns about the effects that the proposed changes could have on manufacturing in these neighborhoods, the accessibility of affordable housing and the neighborhood’s overall low-rise character. While the community was not able to achieve its ultimate goal of stopping the passage of this change, the involvement of the community was instrumental in securing provisions within the passed zoning text limiting the size, appearance and use of development.

De-railing a dangerous government plan. The community must be consulted on projects that will affect their neighborhood. While Community Boards and local elected officials are usually made aware of proposed government projects, there have been instances when the community has not been given ample notice of plans. In these instances, the community has fought hard in order to receive additional time to properly review and comment on these proposals.

For many years, the Port Authority has sought to expand the PATH train stations at Christopher Street and 9th Street. But it was only six weeks before construction would begin that the public was given notice of the expansion plans. The community and local elected officials, recognizing that the project posed a threat to the foundation of neighboring buildings, some of which are more than a century old, quickly mobilized to fight the proposal. Neighbors participated in a protest rally and several letter-writing campaigns and successfully stopped construction of these expansions. Since then, the community has remained vigilant, as it is likely that the 9th Street expansion may be considered anew in the near future. When dealing with a public authority, the public is most at risk due to the unaccountable nature of their operations.

Winning landmark designations. I am fortunate to represent a district that is so rich in history and whose residents have shown such great resolve in fighting to protect it. The 66th Assembly district includes historic industrial and maritime areas, century-old rowhouses and other important pieces of New York City’s past. Although it requires a bit of research to document the need to designate an individual building, the community has been able to get a number of such designations throughout the area. Landmarking an entire neighborhood, on the other hand, is more difficult but not impossible and is essential to preserving the overall character of some neighborhoods.

After years of activism from the community, the Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the Gansevoort Market as a historic district. This area, located in the West Village and roughly bounded by Horatio, Washington, Hudson and West 15th Streets is a unique 24-hour community whose historic architecture provides a vital connection to the City’s history as a maritime, manufacturing and market hub. While there are other areas of the West Village that must also be landmarked, the designation of Gansevoort Market is an important step forward in protecting this exciting mixed-use community.

Helping your neighbors. Taking action in your community also includes assisting neighbors in need. Indeed, keeping in touch with neighbors in New York City can be quite a challenge. With so many tenants moving in and out, it is often hard to keep track of just who lives next door. However, checking up on neighbors, especially those who are elderly or handicapped and do not get outside much, can make an enormous difference in their lives.

Recently, my office received a call from a constituent who was checking in with her elderly neighbor and learned that her neighbor’s food stamps had ceased. Working closely with the constituent, we were able to get her neighbor’s food stamps successfully reinstated. If not for the intervention of her neighbor, there is no telling how long this elderly resident would have gone without food stamps and, consequently, adequate food.

TAKE ACTION!

Go to neighborhood and community board meetings. Lower Manhattan has a wealth of organizations that advise government agencies. Many announce their meetings by posting flyers or placing notices in local newspapers. Community boards also serve as a resource for information about local issues and as a voice for the community. Community board meetings, which are held monthly and are always open to the public, are a terrific way to learn about and take action on local issues, as well as to meet other community members. My Assembly district includes parts of Community Boards 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (see contact information).

Join your local block association. Many block associations have worked with my office to improve services and solve problems on their blocks. Others have beautified their neighborhoods with plantings and held block parties and street fairs. These associations are instrumental in bringing neighbors together socially and alerting government officials to the needs of their blocks.

Attend 500-foot hearings. State law requires the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to hold a hearing anytime there is an application for a liquor license in a spot that has three other licensed establishments within 500 feet. It is helpful for residents to provide community boards with input in this decision and to attend 500-foot hearings. My office frequently testifies at SLA hearings and I have seen pressure from residents and elected officials successfully defeat problematic liquor license applications.

Address a quality of life issue on your block. Residents may call 311 to report such quality of life issues as broken street lamps and overflowing garbage cans. When you make this call, your complaint should be forwarded to the appropriate city agency and a tracking number will be assigned to your complaint. Follow up to ensure that the problem is resolved and call us if you are unable to secure an adequate resolution. My office has been able to successfully intercede in a number of instances and would be happy to assist you.

Help a neighbor in need. One of the best ways to foster a strong community is to look out for others. When you, your neighbors or your friends have difficulties with government agencies, social services or housing regulations, contact my office. We will be glad to help you.

CONTACT YOUR
COMMUNITY BOARD

Below is contact information for the five community boards serving parts of my district, along with the approximate boundaries of each board.

In honor of gay pride month (June), Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Daniel O’Donnell and friends participated in the annual pride parade.

Community Board 1: All of Lower Manhattan South of Canal Street.
(212) 442-5050 • www.cb1.org

Community Board 2: West of Fourth Avenue from 14th Street to Canal Street.
(212) 979-2272 • No website

Community Board 3: East of Fourth Avenue from 14th Street to Brooklyn Bridge
(212) 533-5300 • www.cb3manhattan.org

Community Board 4: West of 6th Avenue from 14th Street to 59th Street.
(212) 736-4536 • www.manhattancb4.org

Community Board 5: Between 6th Avenue and Irving Place from 14th Street to 59th Street.
(212) 465-0907 • www.cb5manhattan.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

his has been a very difficult legislative session. State government is under court order to address the persistent inequity in school funding. As we go to press, this critical issue and most of the other major issues facing us remain unresolved, but I am hopeful that as you read this, a new budget is in place.

The Assembly Majority took an early and responsible stance insisting that, at the very least, a significant down payment to address the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court order be included in this year’s state budget. The stalemate in the state budget surrounds this question, but is also motivated by the Governor’s residual anger over last year’s bi-partisan legislative budget.

Last year the State Assembly and Senate worked out a balanced budget, while the Governor chose to remain aloof. Once it was passed, the Governor vetoed 126 key items in education, higher education and health care, as well as other areas. Both houses overrode every veto. This year’s budget delay is in large part the Governor’s opportunity to respond to that initiative. It is largely unreported that the legislators’ pay is withheld until a final budget is enacted, although the Governor is not subject to this provision.

While this standoff continues, there has been action taken on several pieces of legislation. In fact, most progressive legislation passes the Assembly repeatedly before it gains final acceptance in the State Senate.

I am proud to have sponsored A.9609, the Problem Bar Task Force Bill, which has once again passed the Assembly. This legislation establishes a task force authorized to investigate complaints of bars whose continued operation poses a significant threat to public safety. The Assembly also passed, with only a single dissenting vote, my bill, A.9872, which would provide domestic partners with hospital visitation rights. Another bill I have introduced, A.9191, would allow all employees to use sick leave time to care for family, household members and domestic partners. This bill is ready for action on the floor of the Assembly. In addition, the Legislature has passed bills, A.11700 and A.11716-a, that would prohibit the use of fuel with a sulfur content greater that 15 parts per million in order to reduce the impact that diesel-engine emissions have on air quality and the public’s health.

Finally, in an attempt to break the annual gridlock that occurs around passage of the budget, the Assembly and Senate have passed a budget reform package which includes moving the budget deadline to May 1. A contingency budget would go into effect on that date if there has been no agreement on a budget deal and would continue until both houses pass a single, multiple-appropriation bill. The legislation also provides for a two-year appropriation for public schools, creation of an independent budget office, greater review of agency budget requests, three-year financial planning and earlier submission of the budget proposal by the Governor. It is vital that the Governor sign this bill into law so we can restore faith in our budget process.