By Albert Amateau
The Hudson Guild on Nov. 13 formally unveiled plans for the $5 million renovation of its main building, to be known as the John Lovejoy Elliott Center in honor of the founder of the settlement house in Chelsea 108 years ago.
Elected officials, the chairperson of the New York City Housing Authority and Hudson Guild trustees, staff and neighbors braved gusty winds at the groundbreaking ceremony at 441 W. 26th St., the Guild’s headquarters in the Elliott-Chelsea Houses for the past 38 years.
Chelsea residents and Guild members cheered at the prospect of a redesigned two-story center with new elevators, soundproofing and new activity rooms and meeting rooms on the first two floors and basement of the 12-story residential building in the Housing Authority complex.
Youngsters from the Hudson Guild’s Children’s Center entertained visitors with a rousing song that was all but lost in the wind.
Tino Hernandez, chairperson of the Housing Authority, acknowledged the long connection between the Guild and NYCHA and delivered greetings from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The project, planned for three years, became final only after NYCHA agreed to extend the Guild’s lease on its rent-free quarters for another 25 years.
Janice McGuire, Guild executive director, served as master of ceremonies and paid tribute to the Guild trustees who have already pledged or raised $4.4 million toward a campaign goal of $10 million, to include an endowment fund to maintain the center and its programs. NYCHA will continue to pay for maintenance of the building’s exterior.
McGuire made special mention of Emily Meschter, a former Guild trustee now a resident of Arizona, who made a key donation of $500,000. The Clark Foundation came in for special mention for its $500,000 matching grant. City Councilmember Christine Quinn, not present because of Council business, was honored for her provision in the last city budget of $1 million for the Hudson Guild renovation.
Paul F. Balser, chairperson of the Guild trustees, and Nathaniel Bohrer, co-chairperson with Balser of the trustees’ fund campaign planning committee, pledged to make sure the Guild will continue to serve Chelsea’s future generations. Lee Buckley, board of trustees president, said she was certain that the project ensures the Guild’s future.
Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, who secured $100,000 in state funds for the planning phase, and State Senator Tom Duane, who secured city funds for a Hudson Guild project several years ago, were honored speakers.
The renovation of the Guild’s 20,000 sq. ft. of space, designed by Stephan Yablon & Associates, is expected to take about a year.
During construction all Guild activities will be shifted to four other neighborhood locations: the Guild Senior Center at 119 Ninth Ave. in the Robert Fulton Houses, the Guild Education Center across the street from 441 W. 26th St., the Children’s Center just west of the main center and the Guild’s Beacon program located in the O. Henry Learning Center on W.17th St. west of Eighth Ave.
Villager photo by Elisabeth Robert
Kids from the Hudson Guild’s Children’s Center sang a song at the ceremony.
