Public Advocate Bill DiBlasio, City Council Member Brad Lander and the Hannah Senesh Community Day School announced today that the School has decided to pursue other space opportunities in Carroll Gardens and is not proceeding with plans to build on the adjacent courtyard.The School had explored the possibility of such an expansion last year, including holding outreach meetings with community leaders and neighbors.
Said Board Chair Pam Kaplan: "Although we were encouraged by the support we received from then Council Member DiBlasio and the willingness of elected officials such Council Member Brad Lander and Assembly Member Joan Millman to review our proposal, we were also sensitive to the concerns of our neighbors. Over the past two months, our board has carefully considered our current needs and resources and has concluded that at present we should explore other alternatives."
Said Public Advocate DiBlasio: "I am pleased that the Hannah Senesh Day School has decided to come a resolution which works with the needs of the community. I support the decision to not infringe on the court yards will work closely with them on other opportunities to expand the school."
Said Council Member Lander: “I am very pleased with the decision by the Hannah Senesh Community Day School to withdraw their proposal to build on the courtyard. Many neighbors expressed strong feelings about the importance of preserving Carroll Gardens ' signature courtyards, and I very much appreciate that the Hannah Senesh leadership -- many of whom are also our neighbors -- took heed to those concerns. I was glad to play a role in helping neighbors hear each others' concerns, and I look forward to working with the school and the Carroll Gardens community to find ways for Hannah Senesh to continue to flourish and serve their students, and to preserve and strengthen what is great about this neighborhood.”
Said Assembly Member Millman: "I applaud the school for understanding the community’s concerns and deciding not to proceed with their proposed expansion. The courtyards are an integral part of Carroll Garden ’s charm and character and must be protected. I remain committed to identifying a potential solution which will meet the needs of both the community and the school."
Said Maria Pagano, President of the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association: " The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association has welcomed the Hannah Senesh community to Carroll Gardens, enjoying a productive and hospitable relationship with the school administrators, Board and staff. The Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association applauds the Hannah Senesh community's decision to expand the school in some other way, rather than build in the courtyard facing First Place."
Added Ms. Kaplan: "While Hannah Senesh was conceived to be a small, quality institution, we know that we will need additional space in the future to provide the kind of educational experience for which we are known and will seek out such opportunities when available. We are, as a school, looking forward to being part of the Carroll Gardens community for many years to come."
About the School: Hannah Senesh Community Day School is a nationally recognized center of excellence in progressive Jewish education, serving a diverse community of children and their families from across the continuum of Jewish life. Founded in 1995, the school offers classes in the Kindergarten through 8th grades and moved into its current location in 2007.
Kenneth K. Fisher | Cozen O'Connor
Thank you for meeting with me last month about Hannah Senesh's proposed expansion. What a great, active community we have. As I told you then, I always appreciate your perspective on neighborhood concerns. And as I also said, I consider Hannah Senesh to be a valued member of the Carroll Gardens community.
I want to let you know that, after careful consideration, I do not believe that Hannah Senesh should be permitted to expand by building in its front courtyard.
The protections for Carroll Gardens' front courtyards, passed through the New York City Council nearly 160 years ago, and held to ever since, should not be modified now; making an exception to the protections would set too dangerous a precedent.
I am committed to working with Hannah Senesh and the community to shape a plan that meets the needs of the school and is more appropriate for the unique character of Carroll Gardens.
State Senator Daniel Squadron
342 Smith Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231
sent and emailed February 19, 2010
Dear Hannah Senesh Neighbors,
We are some of the people who live on the blocks that surround your school. Some of us have been here for generations. Some are more recent transplants. What we all share is a deep affection and appreciation for this place which we call home.
When you opened your doors in September, 2007, your school community quickly revealed itself to be a very welcome presence and happy addition to our Carroll Gardens neighborhood. We were and are delighted to have you here.
Back in December of 2009, you held a meeting at your school and had your attorney address a small group of neighbors regarding your plans to expand. Although pleased with your success, we expressed our disapproval for your plan which called for your expansion to take place upon a publicly owned area, the courtyard located on the corner of First Place and Smith Street.
As we are sure you are aware of by now, the courtyard area is protected by Old Brooklyn Law. This law, which has served this community very well for over one hundred and sixty years, prohibits, among other things, construction of any type upon it.
Carroll Gardens is defined by its signature Place Blocks’, deep set front yards. This community has, over the last several years taken many painstaking steps to protect our neighborhood from the types of over development which has marred much of New York City and to our great dismay, parts of Carroll Gardens as well.
The residents of Carroll Gardens have and continue to work long and hard to preserve and protect this neighborhood from losing its historic architectural flavor, relevance and human scale presence in the midst of this great city. We believe that these qualities are a great part of what makes our neighborhood both desirable and special.
As we hope you have noticed by now, we Carroll Gardeners have passionate pride and deep heartfelt love for our neighborhood. We wish that you and your students will become as deeply appreciative and caring for Carroll Gardens as we are, as this is your community now too.
Your intention to proceed with plans that must include a change to our single most powerful protection is simply unacceptable.
Although we know our local elected officials have asked to meet with you to discuss your plans, we understand that you have refused to do so at this time.
We implore you to meet directly with us. Let’s sit down and have a frank and honest discussion about your needs, your plans and what you see as the future of the Hannah Senesh School within the Carroll Gardens community.
We are your neighbors. Let’s try to find a solution that works for all.
We hope that we hear from you very soon.
Sincerely,
XXX
(Sign your name here)
EMAIL TO: info@hannahsenesh.org
MAIL: 342 SMITH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11231
Fax:718-858-7190
