March 14 - 20, 2013
Candidates oppose pier housing Continued from page 4 there, and is “not ruling it out yet.” Meanwhile, in response to a query from The Villager, two of three declared candidates for City Council in District 3 who are running to succeed Quinn weighed in on residential use in Hudson River Park. “Pier 40’s open space and recreational ball fields are an invaluable asset for our communities,” said Corey Johnson. “Community Boards 2 and 4 rank 58th and 59th out of 59 community board districts in the city as it pertains to public, open park space. We are park-starved. Open public space and recreational fields should be increased on Pier 40 and throughout the entire length of the park from the Battery to 59th St. “Whatever happens at Pier 40 should bring revenue to the Trust and should have the least amount of negative impact on the park with regard to traffic,” Johnson said. “I do not believe that building residential development in the Hudson River Park is the solution to helping the Trust get on firm financial footing. I am opposed to residential development at Pier 40. Thoughtful consideration should be given to adaptive reuse concepts like that advanced by Douglas Durst, whose commitment to the park cannot be questioned. “It is my hope that we as a community can come together and work toward an achievable goal through an open, public process that pre-
serves Pier 40 and the entire park,” Johnson said. At a candidates forum at The Players Club on Tuesday night hosted by the League of Independent Theater, City Council hopeful Yetta Kurland reportedly said — unprompted — that, if there is to be housing at Pier 40, then it should include artists housing. The next day, Kurland told The Villager, “I am greatly concerned about the development of Pier 40. The primary focus for Pier 40 must be to refortify the infrastructure to preserve and protect the parkland and ensure it is a vibrant public space for the community. “It appears that there will be development on Pier 40 and that it may be residential, which I oppose for a number of reasons that Deborah Glick has eloquently articulated,” Kurland said. “But in the event the plan goes through with residential housing, I will work to create affordable and middle-class housing that will reflect the needs of our community and could include artists housing. Conversely, if Glick’s plan goes through and there is commercial space, I will work to create a community-based venue for artists to utilize.” Alexander Meadows, another Council District 3 candidate, said, “Developers often promise the sun, the moon and the stars, but rarely do they deliver for the surrounding community. As the next councilmember from the West Side, I will fight tooth and nail to ensure that our precious parklands are not invaded by irresponsible overdevelopment.”
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Be sure to get all your St. Patrick’s day fare with us!!!
NYU’s Office of Government and Community Affairs is proud to support the annual remembrance of one of New York City’s most pivotal and tragic events.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 102nd Annual Commemoration Wednesday, March 20, 2013 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm Washington Place and Greene Street Please join the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition to honor those lost in the fire and pay homage to the workers’ rights reforms that have become their legacy. Triangle Fire descendents, elected officials, community activists, labor leaders, members of Workers United, and many others will gather for the traditional raising of a fire ladder, laying of flowers, reading of names, and other commemorative activities. All are encouraged to join this powerful yearly remembrance.
For more information about these and other commemorative events, visit RemembertheTriangleFire.org. For other questions, contact the Office of Government & Community Affairs: nyu.edu/ogca | 212-998-2400 | community.affairs@nyu.edu
130 Bleecker Street 212-358-9597
7