א פרישער שטורעם און וויליאמסבורג
http://www.greenpointstar.com/StoryDisplay.asp?PID=3&NewsStoryID=7585
Board Meeting Becomes Hasidim Speak-Out
By Eliot Caroom
Last week's Community Board 1 public meeting was frequently
contentious, as attendees exchanged opinions over the Domino Sugar
Refinery development as well as a private school which may have
asbestos.
Remarkably, the massive real estate project, a frequent topic at CB1
meetings, seemed less divisive than the El Puente School located at 250
Hooper Street.
A number of Hasidic residents who signed up for the public speaking
portion of the meeting, which took place at the Swinging Sixties Center
on Ainslie Street, complained about noise and litter from the school,
which had recently moved into a defunct Catholic institution.
"Our neighborhood is built on tranquility," said Goldie Waldman. "At 3 o' clock, there was peace on the streets."
But first, board members listened as representatives of the
Williamsburg Independent People, or WIP, criticized the impending
construction of the Domino project, and called for support in fighting
it.
"This is another building that's incredibly out of context," said WIP
member Nicole Minichiello. "We really don't think we need another giant
condo in this area."
Meanwhile, registered architect Leah Kreger presented an example of
what she considers to be a "deceptive" ad for Domino, titled "How Sweet
It Is." She said the ad wrongly implied American Institute of
Architects' (AIA) support for the development.
"The AIA is supporting certification of appropriateness for the glass
addition on top of the building," Kreger said. "It has nothing to do
with the rest of the site."
However, not everyone who spoke on the topic opposed Domino.
"Right now I'm looking for affordable home ownership, and that's why
Domino is exciting to me," said Zuni Madera. "I don't think I should be
forced out of here because I can't afford housing that was affordable
at one time."
WIP's members didn't criticize Madera's position, but disagreed that Domino will provide enough truly affordable housing.
"It's not that we're against affordable housing," said Susan
Pellegrino, "We're not. It's the density, the height, and the width."
TOP TEN PROBLEMS WITH EL PUENTE
Goldie Waldman, speaking for Hasidim living near and about Hooper
Street, read a top ten list concerns with El Puente, including parking
issues, noise and bottle throwing.
"Young children who go to sleep at 6 p.m. are greatly disturbed by the after-school programs," she said.
In addition, there were allegations asbestos is being removed from the building in an unsafe fashion.
But Garden Acosta, founder and CEO of the El Puente School, who made a
surprise appearance after the public speaking part of the meeting, said
they had reached out to the Hasidic community prior to construction and
had no knowledge of asbestos problems.
However, he vowed to go to the school right away to investigate.
"I told them we're all about peace and building bridges," Acosta said. "I thought they understood that."
Later, Acosta was spotted talking in private to a group of Hasidim
about the school. One of the men, who identified himself as Joe
Horowitz, said the matter was private.
PHOTO CAPTIONS: (Top) Registered architect Leah Kreger points out how deceptive Domino ad "How Sweet It Is" is.
(Bottom) Outside the board meeting, El Puente School founder and CEO
Garden Acosta converses with Hassidim from Williamsburg about friction
between the school and the neighborhood.
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