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BPC Residents Express Hopes for Community Center A community center is coming to Battery Park City, and plenty of residents want a piece of it. Crowded into a conference room of the Battery Park City Authority offices on April 10, some 30 residents—mostly seniors and parents—declared their needs. At a meeting convened by Community Board 1, they came to give input on a center that is more than five years in the planning. With a projected completion date of spring 2010, the community center will be located in the lower floors of a two-tower apartment complex that will go up on the western edge of the Battery Park City ball fields. The center will measure about 50,000 square feet and include two swimming pools, a gymnasium, an auditorium, a health and fitness area, and both dance and Pilates studios. There will also be a kitchen for cooking classes, and several classrooms. Don Schuck, head of the Downtown Soccer, argued for a soft turf in the gymnasium, rather than a hard basketball court surface. “I think anyone who’s tried to work out on a gym floor knows it’s not the most forgiving surface,” he said. “I’m asking that we consider a surface with a much more flexible use.” Schuck said that baseball players, soccer players, seniors, young kids, and even dancers would be able to use the space if the surface were soft. He added that the facility would draw people from other neighborhoods, bringing in “at least” $350,000 a year.” According to the committee’s rough estimates, the community center may cost as much as $5 million a year to operate, with fundraising needed to support it. The response to Schuck’s proposal was overwhelmingly positive, both from the committee and residents. “It seems to me that it’s a slam-dunk!” quipped committee member Paul Hovitz. Letitia Remauro, a spokeswoman for the Authority, said the agency was exploring the proposal. The wishes of P.S. 89 parents at the meeting were not so easily granted. Since January, community leaders have discussed the possibility of reserving 10,000 square feet of the community center for a P.S. 89 annex, to create smaller classes in the school. But according to Remauro, this is no longer an option. “The DOE [Department of Education] has already said that they are absolutely not interested in this annex space,” she said. She also noted that adding an annex to the center this late in the planning would mean reopening a lease with Mistein, which could invite a lawsuit. “Legal problems could set the community center back ten years,” she said. Parents responded with frustration. “Our PTA is seriously considering bringing in trailers,” said PTA president and committee member Dennis Gault. “My question is, is it reckless to close the door on an annex before we have an answer on Site 2B?” Site 2B, an undeveloped patch of land in the southern end of Battery Park City, is the most likely location in the neighborhood for a new school. Officials at the meeting, including the Authority’s Remauro, committee members, and a representative from Borough President Scott Stringer’s office, all said they were optimistic that the DOE would agree to a school on that site. Despite these remarks, many parents said the annex idea should not be retired. Others suggested more moderate measures. “Can’t we get the DOE to consider configuring a few of the classrooms in the community center to allow for pre-K classes?” asked parent Joe Lombardi. Remauro said she did not know whether the DOE would consider such an option. Unlike the parents, the seniors in attendance had one simple request. “I’m here with the seniors, and there are a lot of us,” said resident Ruth Meyers. “Wanna raise your hands seniors?” Hands shut up. “We are looking for a place where we can have a permanent space every day. Because what seniors need is a drop-in place.” Meyers added that, at least to start with, a space the size of a classroom would do. “We will certainly consider your needs,” said committee chair Notaro, moving on to another eager resident.
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