Vol. CXXXIV—No. 107
Friday, October 29, 2010
MTA project adds further construction to M’ville
columbiaspectator.com
Harlem school faces possible closure Dept. of Education announces list of 47 poorly performing schools
BY ABBY MITCHELL Columbia Daily Spectator
BY SARAH DARVILLE Columbia Daily Spectator
Columbia isn’t the only one doing construction in Manhattanville. As the University continues its demolition between 129th and 131st streets from Broadway to 12th Avenue, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is also pushing forward with a renovation project—a combination of activity that has left some residents feeling surrounded by construction. Since June, the MTA has been renovating the overhead subway line on its viaduct—the 1 train bridge that runs from 122nd to 135th. According to the Iron Bridge contractors website, it is a $7 million project for structural steel repairs and overcoat paying. Painting contractor Robson Rickli, working on site recently, said that construction extends from La Salle Street to 133rd Street, about a quarter of a mile. The painting process—which involves first removing the lead and then painting the structure green—should be complete by November, Rickli said. On Thursday, large tarps were placed over the viaduct at 126th Street. “We use the tarps for containment so it [the lead] doesn’t get into the environment,” Jerry Jpateo, an inspector for the MTA on site, said, adding that the paint job
Enrollment has declined at Roberto Clemente Middle School on 133rd Street, and next year the school could shut down entirely. Also known as I.S. 195, the school is one of 47 that the city Department of Education announced Thursday could be closed after this year due to poor performance. “Too many kids are stuck in failing schools,” Jack ZarinRosenfeld, spokesperson for the DOE, said in an email. “Right now, we are looking at those schools that have been consistently struggling to determine whether they can improve with help or need to be replaced with a new school.” I.S. 195 received a D on its latest progress report, and 74 percent of teachers reported on the latest school survey that discipline is not maintained. It now occupies part of a school building attached to 3333 Broadway, a large 35-story apartment building at 135th Street and Broadway. Though Roberto Clemente once occupied the entire school space, it now shares the building with two charter schools, KIPP Infinity and KIPP NYC College Prep High School. Aysha Waddell, who has two children enrolled in the KIPP schools, says she hasn’t heard good things about I.S 195 and often sees kids fighting outside. “If I had to send my kids to that school, I think I’d pay for private school,” she said.
SEE MTA, page 2
EMBRY OWEN / SENIOR STAFF PHOTGRAPHER
REFLECTIONS
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The MTA is renovating a viaduct in Manhattanville near Columbia’s construction.
But Suzanne Herrera, who graduated from I.S. 195 last year, said that she would be upset to see it go. “It is a good school. I passed and so did everybody else,” Herrera, who was on the softball team, said. She said that I.S. 195 offered a lot of programs, including sports teams and Achieve Now, which took students on educational field trips on Saturdays.
“Too many kids are stuck in failing schools.” —Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld, spokesperson for the DOE According to the DOE, school enrollment has fallen by 350 students since the 2006-07 school year, and scores remain low despite efforts at teacher training. A DOE report says that the city is launching a school review, and possibilities include changing the school leadership, curriculum changes, and phasing out over time. “We understand that many I.S. 195 students, families, and staff members believe in the school’s potential, and we know that this is difficult news. At the same time, we hope you share our view that we can—and must—do better SEE SCHOOLS, page 2
From women’s home to landmarked hostel CU to restore wetlands in Baker development BY JACKIE CARRERO Columbia Daily Spectator A hostel on 103rd Street and Amsterdam may host visitors from around the globe today, but over a century ago, it was home to a very different crowd. This was the topic of discussion at a talk Thursday night led by Pam Tice, former executive director of Hostelling International New York, who
presented the 103rd Street hostel’s transition from its humble beginnings as a home for aged women to a widely used hostel for youth today. “I think knowing local history to me is just so important. So many people pass by this building every day and must wonder what a large Gothic Victorian building is doing on Amsterdam,” Tice said in an interview on Thursday night at the hostel.
Today, the Upper West Side landmarked hostel is the largest in North America, has a capacity of over 600 guests, and still maintains its Victorian style. Outlining the hostel’s history at an event titled “Creating A Westside Landmark,” Tice said, “Having worked here, I really wanted to do more research myself on what it was like to be a part of the home, and how did it work and when did they get started.”
“We can learn a lot from these old buildings. It’s a reminder of our history and helps us develop our future.” —Patrick Bennett, Morningside Heights resident
ROSE DONLON / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
RELICS | Hostelling International New York on 103rd Street was once a home for aged women in the 19th century.
The hostel was originally founded by four young women—Rachel Dunlap, Rachel Maynard, Mary Bingham, and Anne Church—as a home to help aged women avoid degrading “poorhouses,” which were government-run housing complexes for needy residents, known for their poor conditions. “It was a group of women in the 1880s, when married women couldn’t own property. In the midst of this time, women banded together to form an SEE HOSTEL, page 2
BY ARVIN AHMADI Columbia Daily Spectator On the Inwood waterfront by Baker Field, any trace of a rich ecosystem has been largely erased. Though it’s one of the only remaining salt marshes in Building Manhattan, at Baker plants and wildlife are sparse, and the water quality This is part of a five-part is low. Along with series on the a five-story construction sports center, at Baker Field. the University, as part of a $50 million project, also plans to create a new waterfront park space—dubbed the Boathouse Marsh—which will include a new boathouse and restored salt marsh and freshwater marsh areas. “A wetlands restoration in a place like that would be very, very good because that area is pretty unique, ecologically,” said Steve Cohen, executive director of the Earth Institute. Because the Baker Complex is situated on the water, city law requires that the University provide 15 percent of its land for public waterfront access if it starts any new construction. But the complex, much of which was built prior to that law, makes it impossible for the University to offer that percent when they build the Campbell Sports Center, officials say, and Columbia has asked for a waiver in exchange for the 1.1-acre park and restored wetland. Part of the land is technically public property, though the city has not used it and has given the green light for Columbia to carry
JASPER L. CLYATT / SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
INTO THE WILD | Columbia plans to revive the Inwood waterfront with a wetlands restoration tied to its Baker Field development. out its restoration project in full. “Since a great deal of land that’s being used along the waterfront area has dubious legal ownership ... accommodations can be made so that there’s more public access to the areas like the boathouse and the launch there along the shoreline,” said David Kach, assistant chair of the Community Board 12 Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee. The waterfront area will be designed by James Corner Field Operations, the landscape architecture company that created the High Line Park in Chelsea. Renderings of the park space near Baker show a boomerangshaped boardwalk connecting to a dock space and the restored wetland. Because the waterfront public access area will be open to the public, the University has said that local residents will be able to benefit from the recreation space, picnic tables, and the boathouse itself.
A group of kayakers in Inwood Hill Park near Baker Field last weekend said the dock would be useful for them. “This is a cool spot to put in for the circumnavigation of Manhattan, which is what we’re doing today,” said Kenny Lozer, one of the kayakers. “We have permits, but right now, this is not one of the designated access points.” The Boathouse Marsh will support a diverse range of native wetland plants, and its freshwater marshes will improve water quality in the river, officials say. “The [environmental] implications of the proposal are positive,” Koch said. “The area up there is a natural salt marsh. Anything we can do to preserve and add to that salt marsh area is going to increase the biodiversity.” Cohen added, “It looks like SEE BAKER, page 2
OPINION, PAGE 4
SPORTS, PAGE 3
EVENTS
WEATHER
Aim high in Dubai
Rebounding from Homecoming
Sustainable Development in Practice
Today
Columbia should not overlook Dubai.
Mulling over Miller Theatre Ethan Perets witnesses the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach in music.
Columbia will try to snap a twogame losing streak when it hits the road to New Haven for a match against Yale. Last year, the Bulldogs came from behind to win 23-22.
Tomorrow
Join experts in a discussion on the lessons learned from Amazonas. 501 Schermerhorn Hall, 2 p.m.
Film Screening Come for a conversation on “Constantine’s Sword & Sister Rose’s Passion.” 555 Lerner, 8:30 p.m.
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