Tower, school talks
As negotiations continue on the 35-story apartment tower proposed for site 5C on Chambers St., city officials raised the idea of splitting neighboring P.S. 234 into two schools and putting the earlier grades into the new building.
Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff mentioned the idea during a recent meeting with Community Board 1 officials, said Madelyn Wils, chairperson of the board. The proposal would ease overcrowding in the existing school by moving grades pre-K through 2 into the new building.
Both Wils and a Department of Education spokesperson said the proposal was still in its infancy.
“It’s not a plan at this point,” said Margie Feinberg, a D.O.E. spokesperson.
Sandy Bridges, principal of the top-ranked elementary school, said that no city officials had approached her about the proposal, which she had heard of only from members of the press.
“It’s a terrible idea for so many reasons,” Bridges said in a telephone interview. “A K-2 school that feeds into a 3-5 school doesn’t make sense. There’s a philosophical consistency here.”
Bridges said she nonetheless appreciated that the city understood P.S. 234 is over capacity and needed quick relief. Like most other community members, Bridges opposes the residential tower proposed for the lot next to the school and bordered by Chambers, Warren and West Sts. Construction on the building would disturb students, the finished building would cast shadows over the playground, and the children who move in would further strain the crowded school’s resources, Bridges has said.
Community Board 1 is currently negotiating with the developer, Scott Resnick, and the city for a smaller building and more community space than the 18,000 square feet proposed.
“Eighteen thousand square feet is a non-starter,” Wils said in a telephone interview.
A source on Community Board 1 said Wils is negotiating to bring the 360-foot tower down to about 320 feet. Asked to confirm this, Wils only would say, “Who’s talking?”
Trump at Borders
“The Apprentice” star, Donald Trump, will be promoting his new book, “How to Get Rich,” at Borders book store April 23.
Trump has been at the forefront of media attention recently following his reality TV show, where a number of contestants battle it out to become the new apprentice and managing director of one of his companies, earning $250,000 a year. The signing begins at 1 p.m. at the store, 100 Broadway.
Downtown film offer
Downtown residents will be the among the first movie enthusiasts to purchase tickets for the up and coming Tribeca Film Festival.
Tickets go on sale for Downtowners Thursday, April 22, at 10 a.m. and for the general public starting April 24.
The Downtown offer applies to individual ticketing (as opposed to packages and passes that are on sale) and are only available to those who go to the walk-up box office at 20 Harrison St. (between Hudson and Greenwich Sts.). Proof of address will be required for those living in the following zip codes: 10013, 10004, 10007, 10038, 10280, 10281, 10005, 10006, 10282. The northern boundaries of the zip codes are Charlton and Broome Sts. on the West side and Worth and Catherine Sts on the East.
Downtown residents are also eligible for a $3 discount on the general ticket price of $10.
The Tribeca Film festival will run from May 1 through May 9 and has a mixed schedule of about 200 films including classics, documentaries, short films, and films especially for children. Among the other attractions will be a series of panels with media and entertainment celebrities and a family full-day street festival May 8. The films will be at many venues in and near Tribeca.
For more information go to www.tribecafilmfestival.org or call 212-941-1515.
C.B. 1 meetings
The upcoming week’s schedule of Community Board 1 committee meetings is below. Unless otherwise noted, meetings will be held in room 709 of 49-51 Chambers St.
On Monday, April 19, the Financial District committee will meet at 6 p.m. to discuss proposed locations for public pay telephones, and proposed street fairs.
On Tuesday, April 20, C.B. 1 will hold its monthly full board meeting, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of P.S. 234 at Greenwich and Chambers Sts.
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