The New York City Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve plans to expand Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus. The New York City Council now has 50 days to vote on the plan. If approved, Fordham will begin construction “as soon as possible,” according to a press release. A spokesperson for Community Board 7 said they are still “concerned” about aspects of the plan and would like additional compromises to be made.
Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, said, “The City Planning Commission’s vote is as welcome as it is forward looking.” McShane thanked the commissioners and said that he was “pleased that their decision recognizes the importance of Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus to the University, local community and to the city.”
The plan that was approved is a modified version of the original draft. The compromise plan includes reductions in the overall size of the project, “improved public access to the campus, widened sidewalks and increased street-level activity” and a reduced number of parking spaces.
Helen Rosenthal, chair of Community Board 7, which is an advisory board, said that she was happy with some of the modifications. However, she also expressed discontent in regard to portions of the plan.
Rosenthal said that the Community Board is especially concerned about the height of a proposed student center and dormitory on Amsterdam Avenue. “Sixty stories is not appropriate,” she said. “Buildings that height belong in Midtown, and this is a residential area.” She said that the proposed buildings would cast significant shadows across the nearby school playground.
She said that the height of the proposed buildings was a large factor in the Community Board’s ultimate decision to reject the plan. The Board hopes to “make inroads” in regard to the height of the dorm building, she stated.
When asked what height the Community Board would be satisfied with, Rosenthal said, “We understand that it’s going to be a negotiation; that’s why we didn’t put a number on it. [Fordham] did bring down some height during our negotiations, and we’re very grateful for that…” She did say, however, “Forty [stories] would be wonderful, but not realistic.”
According to a University press release, Fordham had to obtain zoning waivers in order to plan to construct buildings of the proposed height.
Rosenthal said she is confident that city councilwoman Gail Brewer will “fight hard for the community” in an attempt to decrease the height of the building.
Rosenthal said the Community Board’s other main concern involves the fact that the building design plans are not complete. According to Rosenthal, the board would like to be able to “review and sign off on” all plans.
“We want to have a good sense of what’s going to be there. Right now, they’re just building blocks,” she said. “The problem with the whole Master Plan is that, once it goes through, [if approved by the New York City Council,] that’s it. The Community Board…and the people, [have no say] in what the buildings will ultimately look like.”
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