The Leadership Steering Committee hopes you find this newsletter to be informative and
entertaining. The block association was organized in 1971 to create community for West 68th Street and to have some positive influence for the neighborhood around us. On an ongoing basis we plant most of the flowers on the block as well as monitor security, sanitation, rodent and quality of life issues. A block party with a barbecue is in the makings as well.
Everyone on the street is an automatic block association member pursuant to our by-laws. No individual dues are collected. Fundraising is accomplished through contributions and raffle sales with prizes donated by our street’s restaurants. Their owners and managers, together with our street’s institutions and businesses, join with residents to create a wonderful W 68th Street community. This participation structure is special for us.
We hope as you learn more about our block association you can comfortably find ways to
participate to have your voice more clearly represented.
In this Issue:
Will there be 120 Story Skyscraper(s) on West 67th Street?
A Supermarket Returns to West 68th Street
Holiday Carolers Who Entertained Us
Tree Pit Ornamentation and Tree Plantings
The Bookseller on Columbus Ave/ W68-67th Streets
West 68th Street Block Association Involvement in Community Affairs
1) With NYPD
2) With Community Board 7
3) With other block associations
Block Association News
1) Welcoming Our New Block Association Treasurer
2) Acknowledging departing leadership steering committee members
3) Welcoming new leadership steering committee members
Meet Our Restauranteurs as They Select Raffle Prize Winners
Will there be 120-story skyscraper(s) on West 67th Street ?
There is a significant likelihood of this beginning to happen within 2 to 3 years in the ABC
campus, stretching from West 67th to 66th Streets between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. ABC is vacating the premises, and the EXTELL Corp, a developer known for constructing supertall buildings (including the current 77 story project on W 66th Street), plans to erect a skyscraper with a minimum height equivalent to 120 stories (using a 10-feet-per-story measurement) on the corner of Columbus Ave between West 67th and West 66th Streets. This would only be contingent upon approval of plans and demolition of the ABC buildings, excluding several smaller landmark- protected structures.
While this supertall development is allowable under current zoning* for the ABC campus, a community group, Landmark West! (LW) -- curator of the Upper West Side Historic District --is contesting this proposal. LW argues that the current zoning rules governing the ABC campus, allowing the 120-story skyscraper, differ from those of the surrounding blocks, which impose height restrictions and currently prohibit such skyscraper construction. LW aims to impose the district's zoning regulations onto the ABC campus to conform with heights of other buildings in the surrounding neighborhood.
Two years ago, it initiated an application to the city for a comprehensive 8 month long public review (otherwise known as the Uniform Land Use Review Process “ULURP”), seeking uniform zoning for the entire district. In 2023, our Community Board Manhattan 7 (MCB7) joined LW as a co-applicant. The application is still pending; however, it has all community elected officials urging for its approval.
Opponents to supertall buildings in this district cite the far reaching shadows they cause within Central Park and the overbearing effects they convey to the low rising Lincoln Center cultural complex among others.
If MCB7 and LW are successful, and the zoning for the ABC campus becomes consistent with the neighboring blocks, EXTELL would maintain the same buildable area but it would now be distributed across a row of lower and wider buildings. While EXTELL acknowledges this shift, it argues that (in theory) the row of substitute shorter buildings could still reach the equivalent height of 50 to 55 story buildings, potentially posing more long-term challenges to the community than supertall construction.
The West 68th St Block Association advocates for transparency in this discussion and to allow all relevant information to be presented in the public domain for open discussion and rational debate.
The case Landmark West! makes may be found here:
EXTELL has not presented any public material.
Zoning are the rules governing the size and shape of new construction at any location.
A Supermarket Returns to West 68th Street
Up until 10 years ago, and then for the previous 40 years, we had first an A&P and then a Food Emporium supermarket at the NE corner of Broadway and West 68th Street. When the Food Emporium closed for corporate business reasons it sold its lease to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).
The closing caused a significant void for food shopping in this area that necessitated both the Block Association and elected officials, particularly Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, to seek a replacement market. Many remember that the block association formed a working group named CARTS (Community Alliance to Restore the Supermarket) which actively promoted the viability of the site for a new supermarket operation. While the REIT was agreeable to a new food operation, its lease terms could not be met.
We appreciate that Morton Williams never forgot our joint efforts to establish itself as a West 68th St supermarket and are very pleased it found another way years later to do so. Here is a review from one of our association shoppers:
The West 68th Street Block Association is pleased to report on the long-awaited opening of what is sure to be a great convenience for all West 68th Street residents and for our neighborhood in general - the Morton Williams Fresh Marketplace! Occupying the entire block between 68th and 69th streets along the west side of Broadway, the store is the largest in the Morton Williams chain and features a dazzling array of prepared foods and meals, bakery products, salad bar, terrific deli offerings, a sparkling butcher and seafood counter, a sizeable selection of fresh fruits and veggies, freshly-prepared sushi, an abundance of frozen fruits, vegetables, meals and desserts, a large dairy section - and much more! All of this is in addition to the usual packaged goods, staples and household items one expects to find in a well-stocked grocery store.
It’s been quite a few years since the closing of the Food Emporium at 68th Street and Broadway, and the arrival of this newest neighborhood convenience offers a major upgrade in the food and grocery shopping options available to all of us. It’s open seven (7) days a week from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, adding to the late-night vibrancy and security of our neighborhood.
A hearty “Welcome to the Neighborhood” to Morton Williams. Check it out as soon as you can - you’re sure to be impressed.
Holiday Carolers Who Entertained Us
Now an annual tradition, our Caroling Committee -- Richard Holbrook, Carmen
and Roman Hurko, and Ariana Stolar -- created another holiday event to entertain our
street and community. Songs of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa were sung.
It was a cold night, but many came out to hear and sing along with the wonderful caroling quartet organized by Block Association Steering Committee member, Diana DiMarzio. The sparkling cider and truffles served by the block association, together with several bottles brought by community residents, enhanced the camaraderie and warmth.
This winter’s caroling event was a gift to the street from our neighbors at 60 West 68th Street Co-Op. Last year, the caroling was made possible through our neighbors at 61 West 68th Street Co-Op.
Additional support came from our street institutional members -- York Preparatory School, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, and First Church of Christ, Scientist. Stage and lighting were created through the efforts of Wojtek Zarlok and Luca Milotec with sound and lighting coordination from Nadia Ben-Saad.
Tree Pit Ornamentation and Tree Plantings
Tree pit planting and maintenance as well as tree monitoring are part of the Associations' responsibilities. Some buildings assume the job of planting, but most do not.
"Our tree pits should never look barren or dirty" is the motto of West 68th Street's Planting Coordinator Patty Traub. Winter appearance is key to maintaining our beautiful block year-round. Preparation includes a thorough cleaning and covering of evergreen to create that ‘no-matter-what-the- weather’ green look through winter. The team includes Joe Smith and Alyssa Villanueva on the park block as well as Dana Johnson in the Columbus to Broadway block.
The committee hopes to move in the direction of raised bed planting for our tree pits, as shown in the photo. The raised planters are much easier to maintain as the plantings would not compete with tree roots for soil or water, allow the pit to be rodent proofed with marble chips and/or wire lathe, and remove the flowers from dog urine. In short, a win all around. Planter in front of
45 W 68th St.
We welcome 4 baby trees to West 68th Street: These are new trees -- not replacements! One is in front of #49 West 68th and three are alongside the AMC Theatre. The Block Association will communicate with property owners to have tree guards installed as soon as possible.
Watch for announcements about spring planting when additional volunteers help prep the pits and plant flowers. Raffle proceeds and contributions are immediately applied to beautify our street. In addition, when announced, please join in West 68th Street's unique tree blessing ceremony for newly planted baby trees.
The Bookseller on Columbus Ave/ W68-67th Streets
As many have noticed, the bookseller tables are gone. His name is Charles and he has been a fixture for over 20 years. Many welcomed his presence to provide books supporting free speech and First Amendment rights. An equal number were appalled at his wanton neglect enabling sprawl and dirtiness. Either way he broke many rules and laws which enabled his vending. Supervision of vendors now falls within the jurisdiction of the NYC Department of Sanitation. In the past few months, Charles defied many warnings and notices to correct. In response, a special Manhattan task force set up by DSNY confiscated his books and property. Only time will tell whether Charles will open again.
West 68th Street Block Association Involvement in Community Affairs
1) With NYPD:
Our street is within the "A Sector" of our NYPD's 20th Precinct Community Policing Program. As such our security committee maintains routine contact with Officers Ali and Velazquez who patrol A Sector. Concerns are crime (e.g., car and package vandalism) and public safety, which includes illegal e-bike activity (e.g., riding on sidewalks). At a recent Sector A meeting, the officers stated undocumented e-bikes are being confiscated and illegal activity is being ticketed in far greater numbers than previously.
Our 20th Precinct has a new Commanding Officer. We welcome Deputy Inspector Candida Sullivan and wish her well. Do visit the 20th at https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/patrol/precincts/20th-precinct.page
2) With Manhattan Community Board 7:
Under the auspices of its district manager, Maxwell Vandervliet, a cabinet of UWS (upper west side) block association presidents convenes on a monthly basis. Shaen Begleiter, association president, represents our association in fact finding and problem solving discussions concerning safety and quality of life matters affecting the UWS.
Topics have included: roadways not being cleaned during alternate side parking; police officers parking vehicles in harmful locations around the precinct house; restaurants and other commercial establishments not following new trash can requirements; monitoring DOT's trial curb and hub redesigns along Columbus Ave.; outdoor dining space abuses; and, illegally placed "A" frame advertising signs placed on sidewalks.
Community boards exist throughout the city to create local policy on many issues. Here is the link to Manhattan Community Board 7 https://www.mcb7.org/
Please convey community concerns and observations to Shaen or Max.
3) With other block associations:
The dilemma is the city’s desire to locate a delivery bike (e-bike) battery charging station to the plaza just below the W 72nd St/Bdwy train station. A lengthy study by the West 71st Street Block Association concluded there was too much existing foot traffic, particularly from seniors, to safely accommodate the ebb and flow of bicycles coming for charging. Many area community groups and leaders joined the effort started by the W 71st St Block Association to dissuade the city from locating a delivery e-bike battery charging station from the triangular plaza just south of the train station. By consensus of our leadership steering committee, our block association joined the others in asking the city to re-evaluate their plan and suggest alternate locations.
Do open our "ABOUT" section and scroll to "our community" for a roster of links for community entities you may find worthwhile, many of which our block association interacts with on a routine basis.
BLOCK ASSOCIATION NEWS
1) Welcoming Our New Block Association Treasurer
Please welcome our new treasurer, Morgan Greenetz Leaf.
Let’s thank and wish well our departing treasurer, Norma Opgrande, who diligently managed our treasury and guided us through Covid. Norma helped create tree pit planting sponsorships which enabled a lot more seasonal flower planting. Norma also recruited co-treasurers and many assistants at our street events during her tenure and we thank them all.
Please be in touch with Morgan through the website if you have fundraising ideas or can volunteer at events to assist with raffle sales. You may also see Morgan walking her dog Nutmeg.
Here is Morgan as she assumes responsibility of our treasury at the bank:
2) Acknowledging efforts of departing leadership steering committee members:
We thank Norma Opgrande (past treasurer), Ulrike Klopfer and Benny Garcia for their long and dedicated commitment to the Block Association. Ulrike was a founding association participant in 1971 and always helping with tree care, planting days and special events. Benny led our capital improvements committee and among many other involvements coordinated the planting sponsorship program. There are not enough thank yous for their long standing commitments for our block !
3) Welcoming new leadership steering committee members who have become participants in committee work as well as advisors. The steering committee represents the broad cross section of our street's population and includes its institutions, co-ops and condos, businesses, landlords, residential apartment renters and owners. The new participants include:
Alyssa Villanueva Joe Smith Ken Rahtz Ariana Stolar
Steven Van Natta Susan Brandon Jonathan Jacobs Dana Johnson
Sam Spokony
Meet Our Restauranteurs as They Select Raffle Prize Winners
Now for the fun stuff – awarding raffle prizes !
Twice a year our street’s five restaurants and pizzerias provide us with gift certificate prizes to raffle. The raffle proceeds go a long way to help us plant and maintain flowers in most of the tree pits along the block.
In case you are new on the street or just never knew who the bosses are – here they are – as each selects the winner of their prize. Go in and while dining ask to say hello. Our treasurer Morgan manages the raffle and assisted in all drawings.
This Winter’s Raffle Prizes:
Traviata Pizzeria $25 Gift Certificate
Francesco Pizzeria $25 Gift Certificate
IL Violino Trattoria $50 Gift Certificate
La Boite en Bois Restaurant $50 Gift Certificate
Joanne Trattoria $50 Gift Certificate
Plus St Patrick’s Bonus
Total $300 Value
Compliments to the newsletter committee and web people for all their work to get this newsletter done for West 68th Street.