Turtle Bay News A Publication of the Turtle Bay Association Fall 2008 Vol. 51, No. 4 Modified Project Proposed for Site of Crane Collapse BY BRUCE A. SILBERBLATT, TBA ZONING AND LAND USE CHAIRMAN he two-year saga of 303 East 51st the 43-story sheer tower, which it believed building permit. Kennelly’s response was Street has occupied many issues of the did not comply with the City Zoning deemed insufficient, and DOB revoked the TTurtle Bay News, from the project’s Resolution, particularly its tower-on-base building permit on June 13. The incomplete initial problems, the horrific crane collapse provisions. 18-story skeleton remains standing, a poten- continued on back page in March, revocation of the building per- On March 15, the tower crane employed at mit by the Department of Buildings, and 303 East 51st Street collapsed, killing seven speculation about what might become of people, injuring two dozen more, crushing the 18-story skeleton that looms over the a town house and damaging at least a half neighborhood. dozen other buildings. Hundreds were Now the developer, James Kennelly, is pro- forced from their homes and businesses posing a modified project for the site. shuttered. Immediately afterward, DOB First, some history: Kennelly obtained De- issued stop work orders that remain in ef- partment of Buildings (DOB) approval and fect today. began construction of a sheer 43-story resi- On April 17, former DOB Commissioner dential tower on the site last year. He also Patricia Lancaster admitted in a public planned a 17-story residential structure at hearing that 303 East 51st Street did not 301 East 51st Street. The zoning lot owned comply with the Zoning Resolution. On or controlled by Kennelly includes the entire May 20, Acting DOB Commissioner Rob- east side of Second Avenue between 51st ert LiMandri notified Kennelly of over two dozen zoning violations, and gave him 10 Under the developer’s new plan, a 31-story ‘tower- and 52nd Streets with an average depth of on-base’ structure (pictured here) would replace a 122 feet. From the outset, the TBA opposed days to comply or face revocation of his previously planned 43-story sheer tower. Development Issues Top TBA Annual Meeting Agenda ontinuing concerns about the rapid pace of development in believes the developer’s new concept is a “step in the right direc- Turtle Bay dominated discussion at TBA’s annual member- tion.” (story, above.) Cship meeting held in mid-November. In light of the tragic State Senator Liz Krueger, who has called for state legislation to March 15 crane accident, elected officials reported on new legisla- toughen safety requirements and oversight at construction sites, tion to address construction safety issues, while TBA Zoning/Land spoke of the challenge in prioritizing community needs at a time Use Chairman Bruce Silberblatt updated the group on the many when budgets are being cut. projects in the area, including status of the crane accident site, 303 East 51st Street. (story, above). And 17th Precinct Commanding Officer, Captain Ted Berntsen, in his annual report to TBA members, assured the community that the City Councilmember Jessica Lappin, in whose district the crane Precinct will address ongoing concerns over security at buildings accident occurred, reported on three bills she introduced that have damaged in the accident. He also reported that overall crime in the now become law. The three new laws restrict the use of nylon slings neighborhood continues to decline, despite some rise in burglaries. in crane operations (a defective nylon sling was found to have Silberblatt – in addition to addressing 303 East 51st Street – reported caused the March 15 accident), require stricter training for crane that as of the annual meeting date, November 11, work was ongoing crews, and require a safety coordination meeting prior to all major at 250 East 49th, 228 East 46th, 517 Lexington Avenue, at the U.S. crane operations. Lappin also has introduced legislation calling for Mission and on the U.N. North Lawn (story, page 3). No work was on-site safety monitors at construction sites. underway at four other construction sites, including 315 East 46th State Assemblyman Jonathan Bing reported on his recent legislation Street, where, in September, a near disaster was averted when a sup- that increases penalties for fraud in licensing and crane inspections. porting column form broke while the fifth floor was being concreted. Bing also addressed the future of 303 East 51st Street, and said he Fortunately, the fifth floor shores held, he reported. TBA•224 E. 47TH ST. NYC 10017•212-751-5465•FAX 212-751-4941• WWW.turtlebaynyc.org •[email protected] Mark Your Calendar Newsworthy Notes n Sunday, December 7 TBA Holiday Toy Drive and Party Local Landscaping. Many of Turtle 60th Year. Holy Family Church parish- Clancy’s Pub and Restaurant Bay’s tree beds were planted with pan- ioners honored Brother Robert Fontaine 978 Second Avenue, 3-6 p.m. sies for the fall season, according to recently when he celebrated his 60th year Admission: Gift for a needy child 212-751-5465 Bill Huxley of the Turtle Bay Tree Fund, as a member of the Congregation of Holy which cares for the tree beds along most Cross. Brother Fontaine’s career has in- n Wednesday, December 10 of Turtle Bay’s crosstown streets. Huxley cluded assignments throughout the U.S. Holiday Tree Lighting says pansies are known for their hardi- Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and in Rome, and he is currently Pastoral ness during cool weather, and can even 5 p.m. Associate of Holy Family and Director of survive a mild freeze. Tulips are on tap for 212-826-8980 its Ministry to Senior Parishioners. next spring’s planting. n Last Tuesday every month 17th Precinct Community Council In the News. Greenacre Park, the pretty Holiday Gift Idea. The neighborhood history, “Manhattan’s Turtle Bay: Story Open Meeting, 6 p.m. pocket park on East 51st Street between Sutton Place Synagogue of a Midtown Neighborhood,” is available Second and Third Avenues, was the fo- 225 East 51st Street cus recently of a New York Times feature to TBA members for $15, a 25 percent 212-826-3228 article on small parks. The Times called discount off the full retail price. Sales pro- (No meetings July, August, Greenacre “the champion of all Midtown ceeds benefit the TBA. To order, use the December) oases.” A gift to the city from Abby Rock- order form on the back page of the news- n Second Wednesday every month efeller Mauze, Greenacre Park opened in letter, or call the TBA at 212-751-5465. Community Board 6 1971. The Times said, “The hidden park Full Board Meeting, 7 p.m. is in such pristine condition that it looks 17th Precint Community Council. The NYU Medical Center as if it opened last week.” Council mourns the death of Geraldine 550 First Avenue Aronson, a long-time and loyal member 212-319-3750 Achievement Award. George McDon- of the Council and its treasurer for many ald, founder of the Doe Fund, has won years. TBA Contacts: the annual Lifetime Achievement Award, Phone: 212-751-5465 presented annually by the Manhattan Membership Drive. The TBA has begun Fax: 212-751-4941 Institute for Policy Research. The Doe its annual membership drive with a solici- E-mail: [email protected] Fund, which the TBA supports through tation letter to thousands of households Web Site: www.turtlebaynyc.org its grants program, works to help home- in the Turtle Bay area. If you know of a Check our Bulletin Board: less and formerly incarcerated individuals friend or neighbor who is not a member, East side of Second Avenue, between 48th and 49th Streets, become self-sufficient. In Turtle Bay, Doe encourage them to join. For more informa- Fund workers can be seen regularly car- on outside wall of the supermarket. tion, they can call 212-751-5465 or email ing for the neighborhood’s tree beds. [email protected]. Turtle Bay Association Turtle Bay Walkers. Vanderbilt YMCA Past Issues. Did you miss a news story members took a walking tour of Turtle Bay President: William E. Curtis in early September, part of a Y program to from a previous issue of the Turtle Bay Vice Presidents: Millie Margiotta, promote walking as exercise. Led by the News? You can view past issues of the Dolores Marsh, Bruce Silberblatt Y’s Adam Gruberger and Tony Pascual, Turtle Bay News at the TBA website, Treasurer: Francine Irwin the group followed the tour outlined in the www.turtlebaynyc.org. Click the menu Secretary: Marie-Louise Handal brochure, “20 Sites to See,” published by item “Newsletter,” and then “Past News- Directors: the TBA in 2005. letters.” Ethel Bendove, Bunny Blei, Orin Buck, Meryl Brodsky, Barbara Connolly, William E. Curtis, Denise Hamilton, Marie-Louise Handal, Financial Seminars required. To make reservations and for Olga Hoffmann, Bill Huxley, more information, call Paul Crawford at Francine Irwin, Richard Irwin, The Vanderbilt YMCA, at 224 East 47th 212-912-2521. Millie Margiotta, Dolores Marsh, Street, has some timely financial seminars Patricia Q. McDougald, Ron Palau, that may be of interest to neighbors. They Michael Resnick, Carol Rinzler, Lappin’s Office Moves Jeannie Sakol, Helen Shapiro, are free and open to the public. City Councilmember Jessica Lappin’s office Bruce Silberblatt Financial Volatility Seminar: Thurs., Dec. has moved. Her new address is 330 East Turtle Bay News 4, 9 a.m.; Thurs., Dec. 11, 11 a.m.; Mon., 63rd Street, Suite 1K, New York, NY 10065. Editor: Pamela Hanlon Jan. 6, 5 p.m. Phone: 212-980-1808.