ADVOCACY
Since the summer of 2020, when we organized Upper Riverside Residents Alliance as a grassroots effort to prevent the destruction of
857 Riverside Drive, we have expanded our mission and advocacy to include protecting, preserving and celebrating the architecture, culture and history of Washington Heights and Inwood.
ARTIMUS VARIANCE APPLICATION IN INWOOD
TELL THE BOARD OF STANDARDS AND APPEALS TO REJECT THIS REQUEST
UPPER RIVERSIDE RESIDENTS ALLIANCE's Testimony Against the Artimus BSA Variance Application in Inwood
CB12 Meeting: November 23, 2021
The UPPER RIVERSIDE RESIDENTS ALLIANCE, a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving our architectural and cultural heritage in Washington Heights and Inwood, opposes the Artimus (former Holy Trinity Church site) 22- 38 Cumming Street / Seaman Avenue BSA variance application.
We stand firm with our neighbors in Inwood in opposing new construction that greatly exceeds the height of the existing built landscape, that strains existing community services, and that increases the potential number of vehicles in a neighborhood without providing additional parking facilities. These are quality of life issues that we are battling in lower Washington Heights and that are of concern to all northern Manhattan.
The proposed building will be out of place and proportion in a neighborhood of low to mid-rise buildings. It will also increase pressure to tear down older, affordable buildings in what is currently an ethnically and economically diverse neighborhood—with higher rents and prices following. Approving this variance would add profits for the developer, but nothing for the neighborhood.
We ask Community Board 12 to reject this variance application unless, and until the developer has produced plans for a building that will enhance the existing neighborhood fabric, rather than destroy it.
Thank you.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Sign the petition opposing the CB12 Resolution on change.org
There you will learn why The Lower Seaman Avenue Tenants' Association opposes the CB12 Land Use Committee Resolution to support Artimus (former Holy Trinity Church site) 22- 38 Cumming Street / Seaman Avenue BSA variance application.
