New York community says 'NO!' to Cooper Union's 'over'development plan

NEW YORK, BRAMA – Community Board 3 (CB#3) struck a blow last night in defense of an East Village neighborhood by unanimously voting against a Cooper Union property development proposal. After yearlong negotiations with Cooper Union to modify its plans, CB#3 concluded "Cooper is not requesting an increase in space for its academic needs but for profit-making commercial space."

Residents object to the development plan because, among other things, it will bring excessive bulk to the area and is an unfair burden imposed on this immigrant neighborhood. Area Ukrainians in particular object to the proposed construction of a new academic facility across from St. George Church. The new building height would be the equivalent of a 17-story residential structure, approximately 14 stories taller than the existing building - the Hewitt Memorial. The larger structure will place the Church and St. George Academy in its shadow, blocking sunlight to the specially designed (and expensive) stained-glass window. More importantly, since the main entrance to the academic building will be bookended by retail space all facing 3rd Avenue, the concern is that the Ukrainian complex will become little more than Cooper Union's back alley.

Robert Joyce from the 6th and 7th Street Block Association feels that the Cooper Union proposal is an all-around ill-conceived plan. According to Mr. Joyce, it doesn't make sense for Cooper or the City of New York, and least of all for the East Village neighborhood. The plan that Cooper presents as a solution to its economic woes will only exacerbate the financial problems because the costs of construction and subsequent costs will not benefit them at all. The proposed commercial development will be a tax liability to the City at a time when the Mayor is seeking ways to increase revenues. The neighborhood suffers by the fundamental changes that the plan itself imposes on the area, not to mention the dangerous precedent that will be set for future development in residential communities.

Ronni Denes, Cooper Union's Vice President for External Affairs, pointed out in her presentation yesterday evening that only 35% of the student body qualifies for financial aid, leaving approximately 65% that can afford to pay - but does not. "Why," asks Robert Joyce, "should Cooper Union's elite students enjoy tuition-free education and the use of many city services while students at the city's own four-year colleges pay from $3,200 to $6,800 a year in tuition?" (The Villager, 2/13/02).

Last night's vote is not the final word on the Cooper Union plan. The proposal, which has already undergone intense scrutiny by CB#2, CB#3's Housing committee, and the Joint Task Force comprised of Cooper and local community representatives, was summarily rejected by all three. Now that CB#3 has added its "no" vote to the list, the project goes to Manhattan Borough Virginia Fields for a formal 30-day review. Ms. Field's recommendation will then be submitted to the Department of City Planning, the agency that is responsible for making the final decision about the project.

Recommended reading:
Imagining an alternative future for Cooper Union, by Robert F. Joyce (The Villager, 2/13/02)

For further information about the Cooper Union proposals, click here:
www.shevchenkoplace.org