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[Westsiders for Public Participation]

An open letter to Jewish Home Lifecare

Audrey Weiner President and CEO Jewish Home Lifecare 120 West 106th Street New York, New York 10025 Dear President Weiner: It is my understanding that Jewish Home Lifecare (JHL) has plans to build a new facility on West 100th Street - plans that would potentially bring a new building of at least 22 stories to the increasingly overburdened Park West Village neighborhood.  Despite the extraordinary impact this new high-rise building would impose upon an historic and vulnerable area already under siege from unprecedented real estate development, JHL has not held open discussions with the residents of the surrounding neighborhood, has not released any significant information about its actual plans, and has not answered many legitimate questions about its intentions and the funding sources it will rely upon to realize them. It is therefore critical that JHL respond to the many questions of neighborhood residents openly and promptly. Read the entire letter

[Stephanie Sutow]

If you can read this letter without becoming furious, then you don't give a damn about what happens to our neighborhood.  It's time for the politicians, who rely on our votes for their livelihood, to step up to the plate and put the interests of their constituents before those of self-serving entities who will make their money, move on, and leave a disaster in their wake.

[Anne Reardon]

I was at the meeting held last year by officials of the Parent's Assoc. of PS 163.  At that time, I thought the plan they proposed seemed outrageous and wondered why they were presenting this to residents of PWV as if it would be something good for them.  It seemed so obvious to me that this would NOT benefit PWV tenants or the general neighborhood.  I felt like we were being snowed and now I know we were.

I am for development where and when it makes sense.  This proposed development, clearly, is driven my greed and mismanagement.   The development should not occur and the officials from JHL and Chetrit should be forced to abide laws that govern development.  Or, even more relevant, by ethicial and moral standards.

Anne Reardon

[Eleanor Seepes]

This report had me holding my breath as the facts were disclosed.  Sometimes I feel we complain too much here on the UWS, but when facts are thusly presented, I now know I should never feel as I did.

Thank you, Paul Bunten, for such a fine reportage and eye-opening presentation. 

Eleanor Seepes

[Jean Green Dorsey]

Good Morning Paul & Team,

You have done a tremendous community service with the preparation of a comprehensive and compelling telling of a story that needed to be told!

I am proud to be an early and active supporter of the WPP and  think that the work is necessary to protect the quality-of-life for the neighborhood.

It is a fact that much of this neighborhood is already a naturally occuring retirement community, NORC. What we need recognition of this  fact plus a focus on the services and supports that will enable us to evolve and  "age in place" in a cost-effective manner. This is what envisioned by many in the urban renewal program.

The idea of $5,000 to $7,000 per month for end-of-life "care" that is little more than warehousing is repugnant. We need more efforts to keep our society evolving and muti-dimensional in terms of income, age, ethnicity and everything else.

Best always,
Jean Green Dorsey
 

[Paul S. Bunten]

I am proud to be an early and active supporter of WPP.

Ms. Dorsey was indeeed present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008.  The organization is grateful for her support of its core belief in public participation in community-based planning.

Paul S. Bunten
President, Board of Directors
Westsiders for Public Participation, Inc.

[Stephanie Sutow]

I just reread your letter for the third time and I'm even more incensed.  At first, my only thought was: not in my backyard-- but now I feel: not in anybody's backyard.  This organization and its leaders are an absolute disgrace, as are the pols who have let them get away with all their underhanded business dealings and the disgraceful way they treat their residents, some of the most vulnerable members of the Upper West Side.

[Rev. Heidi Neumark]

I live with my family in the only home on the block that has been around for over 100 years. I serve Trinity, a church that has been "aging in place" for over 100 years as well. We hope to continue to age in place into the future and provide needed community services and an oasis of architectural grace. We have just completed phase one of our major capital campaign. We know we are somewhat of an eye-sore with scaffolding but our goal is to embark upon a complete renovation which will ultimately leave the church strong, beautiful and open for many years to come.

I have been observing the unfolding of these plans with great concern on so many levels. I understand that what's best for the church may not be what's best for the community, but the present plans are not good for most of us. First, we hear that the DOH next to us will undergo a gut renovation. Then we hear it will be torn down along with the library and a super building will be built right next to us incorporating JHH, DOH and the library with classrooms for the school as well. This would entail an unfathomable excavation through the bedrock beside us. It is a nightmare that threatens the structural integrity of our building and our day to day ministry. Every few weeks, the plans seem to change. We visited Scott Stringer's office recently and were told that nothing was settled and there was no clear info on what would take place.

I add my voice to the concerns of others...Pastor Heidi Neumark, Trinity Lutheran Church

[D. MARIA WATSON]

Our government paid handsomely for the design and construction of PWV, as they undertook to eliminate slums and create an idyllic living space.  The taxpayers/residents are paying handsomely as PWV and its design ideals and benefits are being destroyed.  Sunlight, circulation of air, safe pedestrian and vehicular paths and genuine open green space were the hallmarks of the design.  Today everyone is waving the "green building" mega banner, but no one is paying attention to the little brown flag PWV residents are waving as we cry for help.  When the skyscrapers were built on B'way we lost sunlight.  Now, I actually have to turn on lights in the am.  With the additional construction of 808 Columbus and the bldg on Amsterdam Ave.  and the removal of trees the air does not circulate as well in the summer.  Now, I have to use my air conditioner more frequently.  I thought in my old age I would be able to sit on my terrace and take in a healthy daily dose of  sunlight.  ..Not for long!  
Most importantly,  I strongly believe many of us will not physically survive another round of construction on the PWV site.  The dust and grit that invaded our homes and our lungs did immesureable damage.  We should not be made to suffer further physical injury occasioned by another round of construction debris in our windows and air vents.  What are we breathing?
I am proud to say that I was among the early group that recognized that our sensibilities and NYC zoning laws-without improper manipulation- did not permit this destruction of the design and benefits of PWV put in place by the government, the taxpayers and the residents who strived and made it a very pleasant place to live.  
Well, what can you expect when even the definition of "open space" has been bastardized in the name of "development" --and is 25 feet above the ground and not open to the public?
I have been saying and I say again:  DEMAND RE-ZONING OF PWV!
P.S.
Don't cry for JHH.  They have reasonable development options that they have not explored.  They do not need to be in my face--literally.

[D. MARIA WATSON]

Thank you, Paul Bunten for keeping careful watch.

 

[Paul S. Bunten]

I am proud to say that I was among the early group that recognized that our sensibilities and NYC zoning laws - without improper manipulation - did not permit this destruction of the design and benefits of PWV.

Westsiders for Public Participation is indebted to Ms. Watson for her formative leadership.

Paul S. Bunten
President, Board of Directors
Westsiders for Public Participation, Inc.

[D. Maria Watson]

Of course, I was especially interested in the compensation information.  It is a pity JHL could not have hired a good consultant to show them how they might enhance the value of their current site and build what they need where they are, without offending the entire community.  Or, more the pity, JHL could have partnered with an experienced not-for-profit housing developer (like Phipps Houses or Health Advocates for Older People or Common Ground or Settlement Housing Fund).  Every time I pose the consultant/developer option I have to remind myself that JHL’s primary objective is not building a new facility; JHL’s primary objective is raising funds sufficient to sustain their inflated salaries over an extended period.  I believe, that is why they are clinging to the Chetrit deal.

 

A few years ago I spoke to Audrey Weiner and suggested that JHL could build a diverse senior residence and health care complex using a package of resources.  In addition to rebuilding and enlarging their current facility there are funds available to build self-sustaining senior housing.  The complex could include luxury assisted living; HUD 202 low income senior housing; supportive housing for seniors with special needs and housing for families.

 

As a not-for-profit entity JHL is empowered to act on behalf of the people of the State of New York.  Who is reminding them of their legal, fiduciary and social obligations?  Our elected officials must press these obligations with certitude.  We need  leadership with girth and will to commission a blue ribbon task force fairly comprised of concerned affected parties to work with JHL and devise a constructive plan. I suggest we ask our Congressman to be engaged here.

My two suggestions for the day:
1)  Re-zone PWV
2)  JHL Development Task Force

[Joe Ramaglia]

It's a  fine  letter, but  my guess is that nothing will come of  it. There  is  no reason why they have  to respond. The fact  that  you  have to "request" a  reply reveals the  weak position we  are  in. Aren't  community boards supposed to get  involved  with all such plans? Aren't  there  environmental studies  and  impact  statements  that  are  required by law , without which builders  or  non-profits  or  other  entities  simply  cannot  get  building  permits? There  must  be  something that  protects  a community from having  it's entire neighboorhood paved  over  in concrete,  just  to enrich  a  handful of people.    

[Charles Williams]

I'd like to know more about that "undescribed" negative adjustment of $1,697,705.  Why is it undescribed?  Without that adjustment, JHL's 2008 surplus was $5,334,800.

[Andrea Johnson]

hi, I have friends that currently work there, why do they need a new facility? The current one seems perfectly fine