Mixed review for Hizzoner
To The Editor:
Re “Koch on Film” (Sept. 24) and “What’s he doin’? Koch backs Bush” (news article, Sept. 24):
(+) Ed Koch is 100 percent correct in exposing the scandalous hype of “Lost in Translation.” It certainly was mediocre and boring.
(-) Koch complains that there was nepotism involved in Sophia Coppola getting to make this less-than-adequate movie. Nepotism gave rise to the mediocre president whom he is endorsing. As inept as Sophia Coppola is at making movies, W. Bush is the same at running a government. And a man as well versed in history as Ed Koch should know that W. and his entourage are very dangerous people.
Kenny Ross
Didn’t violate Koch luncheon rules
To The Editor:
Some words of clarity and perspective are in order regarding my comments on the Koch article (“What’s he doin’? Koch backs Bush,” news article, Sept. 24).
All of my comments were based on the public record over a 40-year period during which time Koch has expressed himself in every media on virtually every subject in every conceivable way, most recently in weekly essays for Bloomberg Radio, which I receive electronically.
It has always been recognized that the informal Koch gatherings where everything is discussed freely are completely off the record, and that understanding has been honored by all the participants, myself included. In the article there was a single reference to the luncheon group, which was said as an aside, was off the record, somewhat garbled and not pertinent to the interview.
Koch’s transition from very liberal reformer in the ’60s to Bush supporter today has been upfront and public for all observers to see.
His swing to the right notwithstanding, he has been an amazing public figure, a man of great vitality, and conceivably the most impressive in our city’s history when you consider that today he remains the most recognizable New Yorker some 14 years after he last held office.
Ed Gold
Affordable housing in West Chelsea
To The Editor:
Re “West Chelsea plan includes high-rises” (news article, Sept. 24):
In its coverage of City Planning’s West Chelsea rezoning plan, The Villager noted my concern for protecting residential loft tenants who live in the area. Protecting loft tenants is very important, and so is ensuring reasonable-scale development, especially near the Chelsea Historic District. But I want to especially emphasize my proposal to create more affordable housing in the rezoned area.
I have proposed that the West Chelsea rezoning contain a mandatory affordable-housing component to require that developers set aside a certain number of units for low- to moderate-income households at affordable rents. The concept is similar to the “80/20” programs that are often offered to developers in connection with tax breaks, and the city’s current “inclusionary zoning” bonus. But in this case, it would be a built-in component of the West Chelsea special district.
Tall buildings are not the only threat to the character of many city neighborhoods. Gentrification has also eroded, and threatens to erode, many neighborhoods’ unique character and deprived them of their diversity. The city’s skyrocketing housing market has taken most market-rate housing out of reach of most New Yorkers. That is why City Planning must plan for affordable housing with every rezoning it contemplates. It can start here in Chelsea.
The West Chelsea Environmental Assessment Statement estimates that the rezoning will create 3.7 million sq. ft. of net residential development, and more than 4,000 net new units of housing. Without an affordable housing provision, it is likely that almost all of these units will be out of reach to the average New Yorker. Injecting that many high-priced units into the area will in turn increase secondary displacement pressures in the rest of Chelsea, jeopardizing existing affordable housing.
Before this affordable housing proposal is accepted or rejected, it must be thoroughly studied. The City Planning Commission and the City Council need to have an evaluation of alternatives that might provide more affordable housing. The West Chelsea E.I.S. should study, as an alternative, a rezoning with an affordable-housing mandate, and measure its potential impact on the housing market, compared to the proposed rezoning.
Cities, towns and counties across the country have implemented strong affordable-housing zoning provisions, and many more municipalities are considering them. It is long overdue here in New York City.
Richard N. Gottfried
Gottfried is Assemblymember for the 64th District
Cooper Sq. low-income housing
To The Editor:
Re “Cooper Sq. developers are ready to break ground” (news article, Sept. 10):
The Villager’s article about Chrystie Venture Partners’ development was accurate with one major exception. Chrystie Venture Partners’ piece of the development will be 25 percent low income, not 20 percent low income as you stated. Apartments will be rented to people earning less than 60 percent of median income (i.e., less than about $24,000 for a single person, and less than $37,000 for a family of four). When added to the 54 units of low-income housing that Cooper Sq. Committee is developing in partnership with Community Access as part of this large-scale plan, a total of 222 low-income units will be developed, totaling 31 percent of the overall development. The Cooper Sq. Committee is proud that we participated in the Task Force planning process, and that we altered the city’s original 80/20 plan to create at least 70 more low-income units, valued at more than $10 million.
Steve Herrick
Herrick is executive director, Cooper Sq. Committee
Writing book on P.S. 41 history
To The Editor:
Re “Past P.T.A. leaders writing book about P.S. 41” (news article, Sept. 3):
I wish to correct some information that appeared in your Sept. 3 edition, regarding the book being written about P.S. 41. Some former P.T.A. presidents are contributing pieces about their years at the school or testimonials. They are not exclusively producing or writing this book. We have also reflections from former students who are now teachers, former students who are now parents and former parents who are now staff. Some students from the original P.S. 41 (when it was located in the current playground on Greenwich Ave. and Charles St.) have also contributed, as well as some current long-term teachers and former principals. It is truly a collaborative effort.
It was also incorrectly stated that former Deputy Mayor John LoCicero was a former P.T.A. president. His wife, Jo LoCicero, held that position.
We hope to finish this project by the end of the year. It is a true testament to public education and never has there been a better time to write about it.
If anyone has old photos, newspaper clippings, old programs or memorabilia, I would love to get them for the book. Call 212-261-1017 or e-mail lfried1@nyc.rr.com.
Laurie Fried
Point Thank You thanks
To The Editor:
Thank you for the article, “9/11, two years later” (news article, Sept. 17). I was deeply moved by it.
It is comforting to read how others are coping two years after the World Trade Center terrorist attack.
Rest in peace all those who were killed on 9/11/01. Never forget!
Bridget Cagney
