5th Ave. Committee plans housing for junkies at 575 5th ave.

nicholas george kotsonis wrote: Making studio apts means that the housing is almost always temporary. 1 or 2 bedroom apartments, and the person may make it their permanent home instead of a place to get their lives sorted out and then move on to hopefully better things. plus studios are easer to maintain and properly oversee. They are also the fastest to turnover, which means that more individuals can take advantage of the program.

Very telling, in my opinion. In fact, of the 40 folks signed up to speak, on 2 spoke in opposition, specifically focusing on parking.

The full Board is to vote on Wed. 02/21/07, but I have the feeling the project will move forward...stated in my humble opinion

erikka wrote: When I moved out a week and a half ago (I was living down the street from the proposed site) the 5th Ave committee had people on the street all "can I talk to you for a moment about greenpeace" style. When I said no the woman got really aggressive and followed me for about a half block. I finally stopped and explained that there was a moving van in front of my house waiting for me and she backed off.

I attended yesterdays ULURP public hearing at the City Planning Commission in Manhattan for 575 5th Avenue. This was the third stop in the ULURP process, and one that counts almost a much as the final vote my City Council.

The attendance was tremendous. I'd guess that there were approx 150-200 folks from the community (for and against the proposal), FAC, rep's from our elected officials (including CM Bill DeBlasio making an appearance).

Here is my recap and take away from the day...sorry, it's a long one.

Due to the overwhelming response for folks to speak, Chair Amanda Burden decided to alternate between those folks who were "for the project" and those "apposed tho the project." First Michelle De La Uz of FAC, their architect and a representative from HPD gave their testimony. As as in the past, they did a decent job (given the time alloted 3 mins + and questions from the Commissioners) discussing the proposed project. No need to recap that here again...

On behalf of the CCGH, I gave very specific testimony as to the Borough Presidents "recommendation" (after his disapproval of the project--advisory only, just like CB7's approval of the project) which called for a spot rezoning of 575 5th Ave (and the lots on either side of it) to a higher density (10,000 sq. feet) which would create yet another out-of-scale 7-8 story building in the South Slope. I did not address any of the current controversy over the project that has arisen "pro and con" in recent weeks in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site. I also gave our endorsement of the project.

I will say that both sides, either for the project or apposed to it were given their 3 minutes to speak, and quite often the Commissioners asked questions, especially to those apposed to the project, about concerns in regs to community awareness of the project, outreach by FAC, concerns about what type of person would be eligible for both the supportive program (men and women transitioning out of the shelter system with mental handicaps) and the affordable housing program (those in the community who are making less than approx $30K a year).

There were quite a few new faces/speakers from the community, who live in close proximity to the site, who spoke for in favor of the site and gave very positive and clear reasons why they supported the program. I hope to see them (and everyone, quite frankly) to be active in the community as many of us have through the rezoning and the continued issues with development (for profit) in the area.

In my personal opinion, I was happy to see some of the speakers who were against the proposed project admit they have support for the "idea" of supportive/affordable housing in CB7. I also was pleased to see the Commissioners on several occasions push those speakers in defining what they would like to see at that location OR what could be done to lessen some of their fears/concerns and allow them to feel comfortable endorsing the plans for 575 5th Ave. The answers ranged from greater outreach by FAC to the immediate community, a clear understanding of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and more transparency by FAC on what the screening process will be and consideration on some of the BP's and CB7's recommendations. All great dialog and steps towards bridging some of the rift (for some of the opposition) that has occurred with FAC, within the community and in the press surrounding this proposed development.

I am sure FAC was taking notes and that CPC will be looking for them to address some of the concerns raised at the hearing.

Then there was the other side of the opposition. In an honest appraisal, Iwas shocked at some of the misinformed, biased, NIMBY and quite frankly fear mongering and bigoted comments about the project, the posed residents and FAC. After sitting through 4 presentations of the project, i have become familiar what this project is and what it is not.

What I heard from this portion of the opposition ranged from the angry to the bizarre. Comments ranging from "the mentally disabled need to be kept in hospitals, not facilities like this" to" this is not a NIMBY issue, we just feel this facility needs to go some place else" and the final shocker "Park Slope is the most liberal thinking place in Brooklyn, but we don't what THOSE people here."

OK, everyone is entitled to their opinions, questions, fears and any skepticism. Total freedom of speech. But these "neighbors" of mine to the north around 15th/16th St. scared the hell out of me. I call them "my neighbors" as we regularly shop in the area, have friends on 16th St. and the fact we FOUGHT HARD to preserve the community in that part of South Park Slope.

My take away, after 5 hours (sorry that we could not stay the whole day) is there is still work needed to be done by FAC in answering questions and setting up a strong community based CAB. I also feel there needs to be a serious look at who is really part of the community on 16th/15th St and whether THEY are going to be good neighbors to this new facility, not the other way around.

My hope is that all involved (pro or con) can put the past month behind us, work together as a single community (South park Slope & Greenwood Hts, though this effects all of CB7), and place the blame and anger behind us, working with FAC, HPD and our elected officials to make sure the proposed facility at 575 5th Ave is an asset to the diverse community of South park Slope.

Again, this is my personal and sincere thoughts on what has transpired to date.

Your dilligent reporter