New Neighbor on University

From the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation:

NYU recently revealed its draft Environmental Assessment Statement and draft Scoping Document for its massive proposed zoning changes and taking of public land to allow its planned twenty-year expansion in Greenwich Village. These documents provide greater detail about what NYU is planning, what the potential impacts are of their proposed changes, and how NYU will be required to analyze those impacts for the public review process of their application.

Community Board #2 will be holding a public hearing on the documents and the response to them on Thursday, May 5 (time and location TBD). Following the Community Board hearing, the City Planning Commission will hold a hearing before the documents are finalized and the review and analysis takes place. This process is expected to take several months. After that, the public hearing, review, and approval process for the actual proposed zoning changes and transfers of public land may take place.

The annual shareholder’s meeting will take place on Wednesday June 30th at 7PM at the Seafarers’ and Interational House at 123 East 15th St, second floor.

At the meeting, the Board of Directors will be seeking at least one new member. If you wish to become a candidate for the Board and have your name placed on the ballot, please feel free to provide a short biography of yourself via fax (212) 986-0002 or e-mail to ymartinez@akam.com. The Board will also welcome nominations at the meeting itself.

News from the University Place dining scene: Nino Selimaj has turned one of several Italian restaurants bearing his given name into a nuevo Latino bistro, with Ricardo Cardona as the consulting chef: Osso Buco in Greenwich Village will become Scarpina Bar & Grill (Nov. 4): 88 University Place (12th Street), (212) 645-4525.

After a very long run, El Cantinero on University Place has served its last quesadilla. Adios!

Next week (December 5 to December 9), DOT approved street connections to underground utilities on Fifth Avenue will continue. Superstructure work will continue at 1st and 2nd floor levels. Sidewalk sheds will continue being erected around the perimeter of the site. The following week (December 12 to December 16), we will continue superstructure concrete and slabs. Street utility connection work will continue.

This weekend the site will be open on Saturday, December 3rd for superstructure related activities between the work hours of 7AM and 5PM as permitted by the City.

Did you know that 5.7% of NYC’s residential waste is textiles, yet they are 100% recyclable? Recycle your unwanted textile materials at the Union Square Greenmarket every Monday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Acceptable donations include used clothing, shoes, boots, hats, jackets, towels, bedding, and linens. Council on the Environment of New York City will provide receipts upon request for those who may want to use their donation as a charitable contribution. Visit www.cenyc.org to obtain up to date information on the status of the Material Mondays textile collection program. Now Saturdays too!