Brouhaha in Carroll Gardens Over School Expansion Plan
The Hannah Senesh School’s desire to build a two-story addition to its facility on what is now a city-owned courtyard has provoked a firestorm of criticism from some Carroll Gardens residents, a population that hasn’t been known to shy away from not-in-my-front-yard battles. At issue in the neighborhood’s latest development skirmish is a Local Law…
The Hannah Senesh School’s desire to build a two-story addition to its facility on what is now a city-owned courtyard has provoked a firestorm of criticism from some Carroll Gardens residents, a population that hasn’t been known to shy away from not-in-my-front-yard battles. At issue in the neighborhood’s latest development skirmish is a Local Law amendment outgoing Councilman Bill de Blasio plans to introduce that would permit the school to sidestep the mandated setback at its 1st Place and Smith Street property for a build-out. Although a rep for the Councilman says this would be a one-time exception to the rules and regs, outraged community members think it could set a precedent for building over the area’s front yards. And the language from the opposition has gotten fiery! Some quotes, c/o the Eagle: We have worked so hard to save our courtyards, only to be sold out by our councilman; “Can you believe that here is the city’s new public advocate [de Blasio] selling off the neighborhood that he still represents — courtyards that have been protected by law since 1845!”; and “Imagine if more owners of corner properties should claim the right to build on their corner garden?” De Blasio is expected to ask the Council to approve the amendment on Wednesday.
Historic Gardens Threatened by Precedent-Setting Proposal [Brooklyn Eagle]
‘Carroll’ Crusade [NY Post]
Councilman Angering Many in Carroll Gardens [PMFA]
Duped in Carroll Gardens [CG CORD]
If you want to voice your perspective to Councilman Bill DeBlasio or Councilman-elect Brad Lander, they have called a meeting at the school tonight at 6pm.
The meeting is specifically to hear the views of Carroll Gardens residents on this project.
fsrg- although I agree with some of your points (here…sit down. I know it’s a shock), People do pick and choose what projects are worthy of ED and which aren’t. I know you and the rabid (although I often find you to be more reasonable) new development group love to make blanket statements, most of us are more pragmatic.
Although I am hesitant over a religious school being given the rights to public property (unless they are giving the City compensation), as someone else pointed out, this is not a park or a community garden. And its a little late to worry about the sight lines- the school is already there and has long impacted the sight line. sight line vs kids- hmmm…. I’m gonna go with kids.
I don’t consider myself a NIMBY and am prety pro-development. I think the 360 smith bldg on other side of this is great and sorry they ran into so much trouble(height controversy/plaza etc).
But I don’t think this institution should be getting special rights to build out that others can’t. And it is really only because a religious institution which seem to have too much poltical clout.
I love fights like this (similar to the fight over on 4th Ave and Douglass re: school construction) because although the ‘players’ are different as far as I am concerned it shows the B.S. that is the NIMBY warriors.
Just remember these types of protests when you hear you (alleged) ED warriors saying they wouldnt opposse ED if it was used for schools or other ‘civic’ projects…its a lie (I know ED isnt an issue here – this case is just illustrative)
NIMBYS will use whatever they can to keep things the way THEY want it…aligning with rightwing ED opponents is just a convenient tactic. It wouldnt mattter if ED was being used for schools, firehouses or a rich guys house – as long as new development=change; the NIMBYS will oppose it with any means necessary.
Hannah Senesh Community Day School is a community day school that serves children from all over Brooklyn including Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Fort Greene, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and other Brooklyn neighborhoods.
The school is not looking for any City/State resources or any other giveaways that would otherwise go to public schools; or to the public’s benefit, it is simply looking to expand its current building over a paved parking lot (not a front garden) next door that would be attached to its current building. This is not a development for housing or other commercial use. Take a walk one block south and you have the F train elevated tracks, lots of underdeveloped commercial space, etc. What is the community losing here? Nothing, except for people who have nothing else to spend their time on and oppose a decent school the opportunity to expand its building to serve parents of the community it resides in.
They are not looking to take over a community garden or any other public space for its own use, just to provide more opportunities for children in the community to get a decent education on land that is adjacent to its building and cannot be used for any other purpose besides the schools potential expansion.
Good job Democratic circular firing squad. There were other more qualified candidates in the primary.
Developer Advocate-Elect Bill De Blasio will now be able to engage in these shenanigans city wide.
Hey Bill, what have you done about crowding in the PUBLIC schools in your district? Almost every single middle school is at capacity and that includes the less than stellar ones. This seems more important than expanding a private religious school that costs close the 25,000 dollars per year. I hope that Bill attends this meeting and answers the question as to how many neighborhood children are enrolled at this school. My guess – hardly any.
yes the paved over parking lot they are trying to protect is such a beautiful sight worth protection. Give me a break. Build something nice to fill out the corner on Smith street.
I can’t believe they are able to use it as parking lot to begin with. It is just more pandering to religious communities.
it’s a COURTYARD for cripe’s sake. jeez. these people be acting like it’s some sort of ancient burial ground or something.
*rob*