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July 31 - August 13, 2013
Finally, papers are signed for new 75 Morton school BY L IN CO L N AN D ERSO N Despite a commitment early last year by the city to buy 75 Morton St. for use as a new public school, anxiety among local advocates had been steadily rising when after, more than a year later, the building’s ownership still hadn’t been transferred from the state to the city. Worries began to set in that the shining dream of a new school would turn into nothing more than a sad mirage. But the nervous waiting finally came to an end last week, when, on Fri., July 26, local elected officials announced that a purchase agreement between the state and city finally had been signed, paving the way for the building’s future use as a public school. An ambitious opening date has been set for fall 2015. The city’s plan to purchase the building for use as a school was announced in March 2012 as part of the approval for the Rudin company’s residential redevelopment project at the former St. Vincent’s Hospital site. As City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who brokered the deal, said at the time, a new school was one of the “gets” that was needed for the community. In a joint press release last Friday, Quinn, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, State Sen. Brad Hoylman, Borough President Scott Stringer and
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The announcement comes more than four years after residents and elected officials spearheaded a campaign for creating a new public school in the West Village. The campaign was a result of growing concerns regarding overcrowding
‘I never thought it would take so long.’ — Assemblymember Glick
that the city must complete in order to site a new city facility. The city’s School Construction Authority and New York State reached the agreement over the future of the seven-story commercially zoned West Village building on Morton St., which is now on track to become a new school, delivering much needed additional educational capacity. In terms of the specific type of school use, community discussions have focused on the building being converted into a middle school, with a 600-student total capacity.
community
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 & 8, 10:30am-12pm Fellowship Gathering: Job Seekers’ Group Join others seeking to improve and effectively market their job skills. 74 Trinity Pl, 3rd Fl, Room 2 THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 & 8, 6:30pm Fellowship Gathering: Summer Dance Aerobics Stay cool and feel great as you dance away the stress of the day in this low-impact dance aerobics class. 74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl, Parlor TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 & 13, 6:30-8:30pm Fellowship Gathering: The Blessing Group Learn how to bless your way through every day and bless others you meet along the way. 74 Trinity Pl, 3rd Fl, Library
and space limitations in many of Lower Manhattan’s schools. The city has come to terms on the $40 million purchase for the Morton St. property, which is currently occupied by the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. The building has roughly 177,000 square feet of space, including an auditorium, and has access to elevators. “Each and every child in New York City should be poised to receive an invigorating and rewarding educational experience as they grow,” Quinn said
education
in a statement. “With the purchase agreement signed and site selection moving forward, we are taking muchneeded steps to reducing overcrowding and bringing much-needed educational capacity to the Village.” As a middle school, the building is likely to enroll students throughout District 2, including neighborhoods like Tribeca and Battery Park City, which have had severe elementary school overcrowding. “I am thrilled that we are one step closer to having a school at 75 Morton St.,” Glick said in a statement. “This contract is a sure sign of the finalization of the state sale, and city purchase, of the building. When I first identified this excess state building as a potential school, I never thought it would take so long [to transfer ownership to the city]. “I have vivid memories of the past five years,” Keen Berger, 75 Morton Task Force chairperson, said in a statement. “It began with parents spotting sites for desperately needed ‘rooms to learn.’ Then Assemblymember Glick spied a ‘for sale’ list — the state had put 75 Morton up for sale. Then years of rallies, many community groups, hundreds of parents, all our local leaders standing united. We all chanted, ‘Just imagine,’ louder and loudContinued on page 14
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 & 11, 10am The Gospel, Times, Journal, and You A discussion group that reads the editorial pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the assigned gospel for the day. 74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl
worship
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 & 11, 10am Community Bible Study Whether you’re a Bible scholar, opening the book for the first time, or anywhere in between, your voice is welcome. 74 Trinity Pl, 2nd Fl
MONDAY—FRIDAY, 12:05pm Trinity Church · Holy Eucharist
SUNDAY, 8am & 10am St. Paul’s Chapel · Holy Eucharist SUNDAY, 9am & 11:15am Trinity Church · Preaching, music, and Eucharist · Sunday school and child care available
MONDAY—FRIDAY, 5:15pm All Saints’ Chapel, in Trinity Church Evening Prayer Watch online webcast
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4 & 11, 10am Summer Sunday School: A Garden Project An interactive, Scripture-based instructional program where children and TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 & 13, 1-3pm youth make sustainable gardens inside and Open Hours Origami outside while learning skills to be good Learn origami with interfaith minister Lisa stewards of God’s creation. Bellan-Boyer. No prior experience necessary. Trinity Churchyard, North side Charlotte’s Place TUESDAY, AUGUST 6 & 13, 6pm Mark’s Gospel Uncovered Bible Study Dig deeper into this Gospel’s essence through a close examination of Mark’s writing style. 74 Trinity Pl, 3rd Fl, Room 1 Leah Reddy
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Congressmember Jerrold Nadler and advocates hailed the development as a major victory for neighborhood schoolchildren and parents. The city’s Department of Education will now begin the public review process