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Manhattan, NY - Chabad Expansion Riles UWS Residents |
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Upper West Side brownstones in which Chabad wants to expend
The tenants who live inside will likely have to leave because the buildings' new owner, a prominent Jewish organization, doesn't want to use them for apartments anymore.
Chabad of the Upper West Side plans to put its preschool and synagogue there instead.
"I have nothing against religion or any group expanding. In order to survive, you have to expand," said Upper West Side resident Robert Sands. "The problem is they've found themselves in a situation which is really inappropriate. It's inappropriate to do the expansion here at this location."
Sands has lived in a rent stabilized apartment in the neighborhood for 28 years. He says Chabad's expansion is inappropriate not only because the buildings are landmarked, but when Chabad moves in, Sands and his neighbors will have to move out and no one knows where.
"It's hard to plan one's life when you have this sword hanging over one's head," said Sands.
Chabad is asking the Landmarks Preservation Commission to approve a rooftop addition and another in the rear yard. That part isn't sitting well with people on West 87th Street whose homes would abut Chabad.
"The effect of what's going in here will greatly damage our life experience and the quality of life," said Upper West Side resident Eric Wynne.
City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who represents the area, says she isn't coming down on anyone's side just yet.
"You have the stakeholders of the tenants, the stakeholders of the people who live on the back side of a changed building on West 87th Street and you have the stakeholders of the Chabad," said Brewer. "So it's quite a challenging situation."
Anxious tenants say they haven't been given any details, including a timeline.
Hank Sheinkopf, a spokesperson for Chabad, says the group has, in fact, done community outreach including making offers to help the tenants relocate.
"Frankly, the Chabad of the Upper West Side has gone out of its way to work with community leaders and others to come up with a plan that is much less severe than other projects that have occurred," said Sheinkopf.
"Even though they say they're communicating with us, it's not true," said Upper West Side resident Doris Mirescu.
The local community board has already voted against the project, but what matters now is what the city thinks. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to take up the issue again in the next few weeks.
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Read Comments (13) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 17, 2009 at 07:25 PM Anonymous Says:
I'm sure it's not fun to have to move out, but if Chabad owns the building then too damn bad, sorry. That's what happens when people pay for things; they get to use them for whatever they want.
2
Jul 18, 2009 at 08:49 PM FVNMS Says:
I agree with your opinion but your tone is disgusting. What if it was you or your loved one faced with this predicament?
3
Jul 18, 2009 at 08:54 PM Anonymous Says:
Agree with 1,
It is not just owning the building but having plans to use it as a non profit that breaks the tenants rights. The same law that limits rent to help the tenant also has these exceptions.
4
Jul 18, 2009 at 09:19 PM Anonymous Says:
These tenants have had a free ride for far too long... time to pay market rates for rent or if you can't afford it move out of the city... i heard crown heights has govt housing...
5
Jul 18, 2009 at 09:15 PM Anonymous Says:
that life in the big city.
6
Jul 18, 2009 at 09:41 PM the checkbook Says:
time to move on..........too bad you couldnt shake them down for money........
the councilperson has not take a position...sure...cause she is afraid of loosing votes....she will keep low profile.....effectively...she lets those squattors down....i love new yokr..........gevaldig
7
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:15 PM Avrohom Abba Says:
I am not a Lubavitch chasid, but i support their right to have the yeshiva and shul there.
Guarantee...If this would be a proposal by the members fo St. Patricks who wanted to start a school and church there, all the "nay" sayers would quickly become "Yes" sayers.
All those embarrassed at being Jewish, who change their names from Shiowitz to Shy and from Steubenhause to House or from Katzenstein to Zen, are the same people who don't want any beards and payos walking around the area.
8
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:08 PM 4 DA REBBE Says:
the article makes it sound like a vicious thing: they are throwing tennents out into the street and they are poor and have no money to move anywhere leaving them with nothing homeless theyll freeze to death and who knows what
ITS A NORMAL THING IF SOMEONE BUYS A BUILDING HE OWNS IT AND CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS WHAT IF HE HAS A BIG FAMILY AND WANTS ALL THE APARTMENTS WILL YOU SAY ITS WRONG NO BECAUSE HE OWNS IT. IM SURE ITS NOT FUN TO MOVE BUT THATS THE RISK OF RENTING IN A BUILDING
9
Jul 18, 2009 at 10:32 PM Anonymous Says:
That's the risk of rent stabilized buildings - they are cheaper to buy and change use - no free lunch
10
Jul 19, 2009 at 06:53 AM Anonymous Says:
All untrue -- nyc has very stringent law for landlords who purchase tenenat occupied buildings. There are exceptions, but te tenants have enormous rights and would be fools not to use them
11
Jul 19, 2009 at 08:50 AM Anonymous Says:
All untrue -- nyc has very stringent law for landlords who purchase tenenat occupied buildings. There are exceptions, but te tenants have enormous rights and would be fools not to use them
12
Jul 19, 2009 at 09:38 AM awacs Says:
“ I am not a Lubavitch chasid, but i support their right to have the yeshiva and shul there.
Guarantee...If this would be a proposal by the members fo St. Patricks who wanted to start a school and church there, all the "nay" sayers would quickly become "Yes" sayers.
All those embarrassed at being Jewish, who change their names from Shiowitz to Shy and from Steubenhause to House or from Katzenstein to Zen, are the same people who don't want any beards and payos walking around the area. ”
In this case, you're incorrect. In Manhattan, this happens ALL THE TIME with all religions, denominations, etc. and the usual players line up on both sides. For once, Jewishness has nothing to do it.
13
Jul 19, 2009 at 11:12 AM former nyc landlord Says:
“ All untrue -- nyc has very stringent law for landlords who purchase tenenat occupied buildings. There are exceptions, but te tenants have enormous rights and would be fools not to use them ”
as a former nyc landlord, i can tell you that you are absolutely correct. landlord-tenant laws in nyc are unbelievably skewed in favor of the tenants.