GPTA Statement Regarding Planned Essential Workers Monument
Dear Mr. Tsunis,
We write on behalf of the over 3,000 residents of Gateway Plaza regarding the siting of the proposed Essential Workers Monument.
First, we want to thank you for listening to the BPC residents’ concerns regarding the original Rockefeller Park site, and shifting the proposed site out of Rockefeller Park. We also thank you for your general pledge to engage with BPC residents regarding BPC land use issues going forward.
We won’t add to comments that we know you’ve received regarding the appropriateness of completing a Monument on a short timeframe and on the appropriateness more generally of adding yet another memorial to BPC. We are in general agreement with comments made by CB1 and the northern BPC residents association on those subjects.
We wish to focus our comments on one of the two alternative sites that you announced last week: the Esplanade Plaza. In many ways, Esplanade Plaza is the southern BPC analog to the Rockefeller Park site that you quite correctly eliminated two weeks ago. We urge you to reject Esplanade Plaza as a potential Monument site.
Esplanade Plaza is the public square of BPC. It is at once recreational, social and community-building. There is no other site like it in BPC. In the words of BPCA’s own website, “Esplanade Plaza features plantings, seating, volleyball court, with sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and lower New York Harbor. Often a place of local gathering, the plaza also plays host to numerous community dances performed as part of BPCA’s free outdoor programming.”
Although often referred to in short-hand as “the volleyball court,” Esplanade Plaza is much more than that, and finding another location for a volleyball court somewhere in BPC would not replace what would be lost if Esplanade Plaza were chosen as a Monument site.
Esplanade Plaza is a gathering spot for residents, office workers and visitors alike. Examples of popular BPC Parks-sponsored events held there include folk and swing dancing, tai chi, and concerts. Community groups and NYC non-profit groups use the space from May into October for events such as charity run-walk events, boating-related events, and the BPC Dogs Halloween costume parade and costume judging, It has been the home for many years of the BPC Block Party, which will resume again in 2022, after the pandemic. In winter, the Plaza is one of the largest snow-play-areas in Lower Manhattan when most of the lawns in BPC are closed.
Even the volleyball use is not just volleyball. It is an occasion for residents, office workers and visitors to come together in their enjoyment of the welcoming spirit of BPC and to savor the magnificent waterfront views while having fun with a sport that can be enjoyed simultaneously by people having a wide range of skill levels and mix of ages.
Volleyball is not the only play that takes place in Esplanade Plaza. The Plaza is overlooked by the Kowsky Plaza children’s playground, and children’s play often spills out to Esplanade Plaza. Children use Esplanade Plaza for games of catch, tag and just to run around; many BPC children learned to ride their bikes there.
An Esplanade Plaza site for the Monument would also entail significant construction disruption issues. As you know, the Plaza itself has a history of subsidence and sink holes that would likely be worsened by a project that would entail tearing up the existing Plaza and installation of 19 planter containers sufficient to hold large maple trees. Running a gas line to support an eternal flame would present health, safety and environmental issues that would need resolution. Completing such a project by Labor Day would likely require disruptive day-and-night construction for the remaining days of summer, right next to the largest residential complex in Lower Manhattan.
Finally, Esplanade Plaza is not a space that is conducive to solemn contemplation typical of memorial usage. The adjacent play area will mean the Monument would be in nearly constant earshot of loud children’s play and the nearby K-9 Sirius Dog Park. To the north, the active North Cove Marina casts a festive atmosphere for six months a year over Esplanade Plaza. The area is heavily trafficked by pedestrians and bike riders year round. To the extent that having one memorial next to another detracts from each, Esplanade Plaza would suffer from this problem, as it is nearly adjacent to the Police Memorial.
In closing, we thank you again for your decision to eliminate Rockefeller Park as a potential Essential Work Monument site. We urge you to do the same for Esplanade Plaza. The Plaza is a place of joy; please don’t convert it to a place of sadness and mourning.
Respectfully,
Rosalie Joseph, Honey Berk, Pat Gray
Robin Forst, Sarah Cassell, Howard Grossman
Jeff Galloway, Audrey Comisky, Steve Kessler
Karelene Wiese, Denise Ector
Bruce Katz, Larry Emert
Board of Directors of the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association
cc: Governor Andrew Cuomo
Congressman Jerrold Nadler
Senator Brian Kavanagh
Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou
Assemblymember Deborah Glick
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
Councilmember Margaret Chin
Manhattan Community Board 1 Chair Tammy Melzer
Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing at WTC5
What is the Coalition for 100% Affordable Housing at World Trade Center 5?
After September 11, 2001, New Yorkers made clear that the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan must include construction of desperately needed affordable housing. However, despite tens of billions spent and promises made by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), not one new affordable housing complex was built. 5 World Trade Center represents the last chance to make good. Instead, the LMDC and the Port Authority are seeking to authorize an 80-story luxury residential tower on public land at the site of the former 40-story Deutsche Bank building.
For over a decade, led by Lower Manhattan housing advocate Tom Goodkind, local residents advocated for the last remaining World Trade Center lot to be fully affordable and include housing opportunities for September 11 survivors and their families, first responders, and seniors. September 11 had many repercussions — including loss of life, illnesses, and psychological effects — that placed many New Yorkers and local residents in dire need of affordable housing. The 25% ratio pledged for this building is not sufficient in light of the need.
Long-time moderate and middle income residents are being forced from their homes. Their children, who survived and grew up in the aftermath of the terrorist attack and helped rebuild Lower Manhattan, cannot afford to live in the area. Much of the new luxury housing is not even succeeding. Many towers are unfilled or unfinished, including 125 Greenwich Street across the street from 5 World Trade Center, which entered foreclosure.
The proposed development with Silverstein Properties and Brookfield Properties, who have already received massive subsidies, does not reflect the best interests of the city or the input of the community. The LMDC was created in November 2001 specifically to dispense federal funding to rebuild Lower Manhattan. The lack of transparency and direct community-engagement by LMDC contradicts their published mission of an ‘open, inclusive, and transparent planning process in which the public has a central role in shaping the future of Lower Manhattan.’
Our goals
- 5WTC should be 100% affordable housing, including preference for the responders and survivors, and their children, of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
- Additional community representatives should be included on any Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
- The community advisory process should include regular meetings and be transparent and open to the public.
How can I voice my support for this effort?
Please go to AffordableTower5.com and sign up!
Amenities Lease Addendum
Some of you may have received an Amenities Lease Addendum as part of your lease renewal package. GPTA raised objections to this Amenities rider with Greg Tumminia (Gateway General Manager). Although he defended the Amenities rider as consistent with market for the market rate tenants, Mr. Tumminia said that it was sent to some QRS tenants in error. Here’s what he said as to QRS tenants, “QRS amenity riders were sent in error. All QRS residents have the option of signing up for the health club at a $35.00 per month, per apartment rate. This is an option for QRS residents. The $35 per month, per apartment fee is substantially less than the current rate of $50 per person, per month.”
Accordingly, it appears that QRS tenants do not need to sign the Amenities Rider. If a QRS tenant is interested in health club access, the tenant can get access for $35 per month, but does not need to pay for any of the other amenities.
GPTA continues to believe that this Amenities rider is inappropriate for all tenants, including market rate tenants, and is advocating for removal of this rider for all residents.
GPTA Annual Meeting
Thursday, March 18th, 2021, 7 PM
Via Zoom. See Link Below
The meeting will be open to all Gateway Residents
- Updates by the GPTA Board
- Introduction of our Elected Representatives
- Community Discussion Q and A. Please submit questions prior to the meeting at gatewayplazata@gmail.com. Questions can be raised at meeting as time permits.
- Nominations and Elections of Board Members. If you are interested in running for the GPTA board but have not sent in your name and bio, we will also accept nominations at the meeting.
VOTING
Only tenants who are current paid GPTA members may vote. Please note that dues are payable on the calendar basis so the 2021 dues are payable now.
TO JOIN or RENEW
Membership in GPTA is $25 per household. Go to http://www.gpta.org/join
We hope to see you there!
Rosalie Joseph, Robin Forst, Bruce Katz, Jeff Galloway, Karlene Wiese, Audrey Comisky, Denise Harris-Ector, Honey Berk, Howard Grossman, Larry Emert, Pat Gray, Sarah Cassell, Steve Kessler
ZOOM INFO
Time: Mar 18, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83425565553
Meeting ID: 834 2556 5553
One tap mobile
+19294362866,,83425565553# US (New York)
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Gateway Plaza Tenants Association Annual Membership Meeting
Mark Your Calendars
Thursday, March 18th, 2021, 7 PM
Via Zoom. Details will follow.
The meeting will be open to all Gateway Residents
- Updates by the GPTA Board
- Introduction of our Elected Representatives
- Community Discussion Q and A.
- Nominations and Elections of Board Members.
If you are interested in placing your name on the ballot to run for the GPTA Board, send an email to
gatewayplazata@gmail.com. In the email include a statement about why you are interested in serving on the Board (Maximum 100 words).
VOTING – Only tenants who are current paid GPTA members may vote. Please note that dues are payable on the calendar basis so the 2021 dues are payable now.
TO JOIN or RENEW- Membership in GPTA is $25 per household. Go to http://www.gpta.org/join
We hope to see you there!
Rosalie Joseph, Robin Forst, Bruce Katz, Jeff Galloway, Karlene Wiese
Audrey Comisky, Denise Harris-Ector, Honey Berk, Howard Grossman, Larry Emert, Pat Gray, Sarah Cassell, Steve Kessler
Update: Class Action Suit Settlement
We have learned that the Gateway Plaza Class Action claims administrator has had further delays in calculating the settlement rental credits. The word now is that these credits will appear in time to be applied to the March rent. However, the timeframe from the claims administrator has shifted before and may shift again.
Needless to say, we, like you, are very disappointed in this delay. We reached out to class counsel yesterday and impressed upon him the importance of having the credits properly calculated and applied as soon as possible. We will keep you posted as we learn more.
GPTA
Free Rides to Vaccination Appointments for NYC Seniors
Curb has recently started an important partnership with the City of New York to provide rides to and from vaccination sites for COVID-19 related transportation for NYC Seniors. Please forward this to anyone you know in need.
What you need to know
Residents aged 65+ unable to travel for their vaccine are eligible for free vaccine transportation services to and from City vaccination sites with Curb-powered taxi services.
How do you get a ride?
It’s easy. Call 877-VAX-4NYC to make an appointment at a City-operated vaccination site or go check out NYC COVID-19 Vaccine Finder. After making an appointment to get vaccinated, participants will be screened and directed to Curb’s 24/7 call center to book their trips, Access-a-Ride, or ambulette services as appropriate.
Taxi safety
All vaccination trips in Curb taxis have partitions; all cabs are routinely cleaned and disinfected as outlined by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Masks are required for all riders & drivers.
If you have any questions, please call 877-VAX-4NYC.
Don’t forget to share this with anyone you know who is having difficulty traveling to a vaccination site.
Make a Vaccination Appointment Today: Book online or call 877-VAX-4NYC.
GPTA February 2021 Newsletter
Feb 2, 2021
Topics:
- Class Action Update
- GPTA Annual Meeting
- Food Drive beginning Monday
- Clarification for QRS residents switching apartments
- Voter registration for NYC elections
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT UPDATE
Many of you have asked about the credits from the Class Action that were supposed to be applied by Feb. 2. Because of a glitch in calculation of the credits, however, the credits have been delayed by a week or so but are expected to appear on your rental accounts by Feb. 15. The glitch was not a Gateway error, but an error by the claims administrator. This error now appears to have been resolved.
GPTA will be following up if the credits do not appear by that time.
In our conversation with management, we advocated for late fees to be waived and management agreed to waive fees for Feb.
Also, Gateway will not provide information to residents in reference to the Class Action settlement amounts and calculations. Such information should be provided by the resident attorneys.
GPTA ANNUAL MEETING
The Gateway Plaza Tenants Association will hold its annual meeting, by ZOOM, in March 2021 (date to be announced).
The meeting will feature updates from City and State elected officials, as well as the election of GPTA Board Members for the next term.
GPTA membership is open to all Gateway residents.
We will be providing information on the website in the weeks to come so you know how to join, participate in the meeting and vote for Board representatives.
(Perhaps you’d like to run for the Board? If so, write to us at gatewayplazata@gmail.com. Think about it!)
GPTA/ FOOD BANK OF NY FOOD DRIVE
Help fight hunger in New York City by donating food to the Food Bank Of New York City.
HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE
Deposit food items listed below in the boxes provided by FBNY from Monday evening, Feb. 1 to morning of Feb. 10. Boxes are locate in the lobby of the 400/375 building.
| Vegetables | · Canned Vegetables (low sodium preferred) · Tomato Sauce · Vegetable Soups (low sodium preferred) · Broth (low sodium preferred) |
| Fruits | · Canned Fruits (in juice or light syrup) · Dried Fruits · 100% Fruit Juices |
| Proteins | · Beans – canned or dry · Peanut Butter · Canned Meat (chicken, beef, ham) · Canned Fish (tuna, salmon, sardines) · Canned Stews (chicken or beef) |
| Grains | · Rice (white or brown, flavored) · Pasta/Noodles · Cold Cereal · Hot Cereal (grits, oatmeal, farina) · Flour/Cornmeal/Baking Mixes · Whole Grain Crackers · Couscous |
| Dairy | · Dry Milk Packets · Shelf Stable Milk · Soy/Almond/Rice Milk |
| Specialty Items | · Cereals · Nutrition Beverages (Boost, Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast) · Granola Bars |
| Other Items | · Diapers · Feminine Products · Personal Care Items/Hygiene Items |
RENT STABILIZED RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SWITCH APARTMENTS
GPTA has received inquiries about QRS residents switching apartments and whether the agreement covers the apartment or the tenant. The answer from management was as follows: “QRS Rights move with the resident if they transfer to another Gateway apartment at the end of a current lease term.”
NYC PRIMARY ELECTIONS COMING UP. ARE YOU REGISTERED?
Primary Elections for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President and Council Members is Jun. 22. If you are not registered, or want to declare or change party affiliation, here are dates to be aware of:
- February 14 is the last day to declare or change your party affiliation for the June primaries.
- May 28 is the last day to register to vote for the Jun. primary – register here. You can also check your registration status here.
We send our sincere hopes that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.
GPTA
Rosalie, Robin, Jeff, Bruce, Karlene (Executive Board)
Audrey, Sarah, Howard, Honey, Pat, Steve, Larry, Denise