Manhattan, NY – The Landmarks Preservation Commission has approved a controversial proposal by Chabad of the Upper West Side to build a day school, synagogue and community center in two landmark rowhouses on West 86th Street.
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The proposal, which was voted down by Community Board 7, would allow Chabad to build a roof and rear yard addition to the building as well as perform other renovations.
It also means that the renters who live in the buildings now would have to move out. Those renters and neighbors complained that the new construction would change the neighborhood too drastically. But Chabad of the Upper West Side Associate Director Rabbi Meir Ossey told Lubavitch.com that “the renovations will preserve the buildings’ historic appearance and will also restore original architectural details that have been lost over the decades.”
The commission originally asked the organization to change the proposal, in part because it involved elevating the floor heights, which they found unacceptable. The commission’s vote was unanimous, said spokeswoman Lisi de Bourbon.
The project won’t likely be completed until 2013.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is usually very strict. They must have given a real good plan to preserve the historic nature of the building.
good for them, but they must stick to the plan exactly The Landmarks Preservation Commission can be very picky
The building plan is ‘controersial’ because the beheimos living on the upper west would be thrilled to have any type of center, as long as it is not religious and jewish.
Sure – a community center will change the ‘character’ of a neighborhood of millions?!
Just what the UWS needs.
Where do they get all the gelt to buy these buildings?
How about the next time you see an article about Chabad you simple say: “Thank you Chabad – Thanks for all the work you do”
How about that?
Is that too difficult?
What does it take for people to let go of silly childish comments toward an army of Shluchim who dont stop 24/7/365?
(You would think what happened about a year ago would have had some effect – when every single Jew got to see what Chabad does… and that is just 1 Chabad house of about 4000 and 5000 Shlucim)
What ever happened to “Hakorhas Hatov” that everyone always yaps about?