Want to hear what’s been happening and what’s coming next?
Come to the town hall meeting on Thursday, June 2nd at 8am at Morso Restaurant and Cafe, 420 East 59th Street.
Many folks have been asking about the status of ERFA’s plan, which is currently going through the approval process at the Department of City Planning (DCP). Over the last few months, staff members of DCP have engaged ERFA’s planning team in conversations about alternative measures to control building heights in the proposed rezoning area. We have also made sure that the plan’s affordable housing component is in alignment with the Mayor’s own plan. We feel that it’s time for the City to approve our plan; the process has dragged on for way too long. No matter what happens, be assured that ERFA’s rezoning plan is the best guarantee that our neighborhood can still grow and maintain its unique residential character and that we will pursue its passage vigorously and for as long as it takes. Our elected officials are all on board and are working hard to see that our plan becomes a reality as quickly as possible.
We need volunteers.
Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to stay for a brief meeting immediately afterwards, starting at 9am.
Urge the City to approve our residential neighborhood’s rezoning plan. Your voice counts!
Each year, the Municipal Art Society oversees a series of Jane’s Walks in honor of legendary urban activist Jane Jacobs. As part of that effort, on Saturday, May 7, East River Fifties resident and ERFA Communications Director Lisa Mercurio lead 25 people on a Jane’s Walk around our quiet residential neighborhood.
Ms. Mercurio’s walk, entitled, Historic Sutton Place Clashes with Billionaire’s Row, highlighted the conflict that is taking place between oversized towers and the unique nature of this residential neighborhood as Billionaire’s Row extends eastward. Her tour took participants past many of the “soft sites” in the neighborhood where supertalls can be built and talked about ERFA’s rezoning plan and its critical importance in keeping our residential community livable. During the lively walk, Ms. Mercurio fielded many questions and talked about the neighborhood’s history. Everyone left with a much better understanding of the threat posed by megatowers and the unique character of the community. They also each got their very own ERFA lapel pin.
Last Tuesday, we held a rally/demonstration at Sutton Square calling on the City to hurry along approval of our rezoning plan and help us protect the East River Fifties community (the area between 52nd and 59th Streets, east of First Avenue) from megatowers forever.
Thursday, May 19th @ 6pm: Come Hear Council Member Dan Garodnick Speak to the Community at ERFA’s Evening Town Hall
Council Member Dan Garodnick, a co-filer on ERFA’s rezoning plan and a staunch supporter of our efforts to protect our community against supertowers, will address the community at Thursday’s evening Town Hall @ 6pm.
He has been urging the Department of City Planning to hurry along our zoning plan’s approval: “The outdated zoning around Sutton Place makes it vulnerable to out-of-scale development, and that’s the last thing this quiet, residential neighborhood needs. The community has put forth a strong rezoning proposal to prevent superscrapers from taking over, and we need to move this plan through the review process and pass it as quickly as possible.”
