Seven Years and Counting for Ingersoll Center
We reported in April that the Ingersoll Community Center at 177 Myrtle in Fort Greene might finally open in July of this year. The center has been in progress for over seven years, and has announced opening dates as early as 2004, but still has never opened its doors to the public. It has been…
We reported in April that the Ingersoll Community Center at 177 Myrtle in Fort Greene might finally open in July of this year. The center has been in progress for over seven years, and has announced opening dates as early as 2004, but still has never opened its doors to the public. It has been cursed by budget set-backs, shoddy construction, and now, it seems, more red tape. The Local, a New York Times blog, reports that July has come and gone, and the center’s doors are still closed. A spokesman for the center told The Local that the current delays are due to design issues, change orders, and defaulted contractors. Now the Department of Buildings must inspect the building and grant an equipment permit before the ball can start rolling again, possibly keeping the center closed for another three months. Residents are tired of waiting, however. Ed Brown, the president of the Ingersoll Tenants Association, told The Local, If it hasn’t opened by late September, we’re going to have to hold a major protest. GMAP
A Community Haven, Forever Locked [The Local, NYT]
Ingersoll Community Center to Open as Soon as July [Brownstoner]
I bet if this was in Park Slope they would have had it opened within 2 years. This is really BS.
Based on the history here, my advice is to begin planning the major protest.
They should have been protesting loudly for the last 3 years. That’s ridiculous. Meanwhile, I’m sure everyone involved has been pulling in a weekly paycheck – architects, contractors, laborers, liasons from HPD, you name ’em. The money that gets wasted in this city sometimes makes doing business in a place like Nigeria look easy. At least there, you grease the right palms, and it gets done. Here, you grease, and keep on greasing, and maybe someday………
I don’t think it’s just finalizing things at the DoB or construction. I had heard from NYCHA COmmunity Opernations that the biggest challenge NYCHA faced to open this center was the loss of federal programming and operating funds. Then I read in the paper that there was deal cut between NYCHA and DYCD for DYCD to take over the management of this and over 15 other newly built community recreation centers (one particularly sweet one in Grave’s End or thereabouts) throughout the City.