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Current Initiatives

1. Bridge the Gap: A Pedestrian Bridge to Randall’s Island

Access to the river esplanade for the residents of East Harlem is sparse, difficult, and even dangerous. Randall’s Island, which for land use purposes is deemed part of East Harlem, is being developed as a first-class sports and recreation facility. Yet there is no access to Randall’s Island from East Harlem north of 102nd Street. (That narrow pedestrian bridge actually lands in Ward’s Island). A feasibility study was commissioned by CIVITAS in conjunction with the State of New York to determine the best location for a pedestrian bridge mid-way between 102nd and 125th Streets that would provide access to the Manhattan waterfront and would open up Randall’s Island to much greater use by East Harlem residents. The final report, issued in May 2006, recommends two alternate sites for a pedestrian bridge to Randall’s Island: 116th Street and 120th Street. CIVITAS is meeting with elected officials, community leaders and various potential user organizations (schools, athletic leagues, etc.) to promote the concept.

2. Community Facilities

CIVITAS continues to work on community facilities reform. After sponsoring an educational forum on zoning for community facilities in November 2003, CIVITAS worked with Community Board 8 to pursue changes to benefit residential mid-blocks, particularly with respect to protecting existing rear yards and bringing the overgenerous FAR (floor area ratio) allowances in R8-B districts within the Community Board 8 area in line with other Community Boards. CIVITAS is now monitoring progress of the proposed zoning change at the Department of City Planning.

3. 583 Park Avenue

A catering operation that will use the church building at 583 Park Avenue to host large gala events five days a week threatens the distinctively residential character of Park Avenue in the 60s. CIVITAS is actively supporting the coalition of residential buildings in the surrounding neighborhood to stop what amounts to a blatant violation of the zoning law.

4. Ramaz School

CIVITAS has committed resources to oppose an application by the Ramaz School to erect a residential tower over its proposed new tower school on East 85th Street. The planned condominium development would breach the contextual zoning height limits for the area in a dramatic way – reaching 350 feet – and would add unwelcome density and traffic on a crowded side street.

5. Bus Rapid Transit

CIVITAS has long supported a Second Avenue Subway, but recognizes that realization may be years off in the future. To meet urgent transportation needs, in the meantime, CIVITAS is promoting improved rapid bus service on First and Second Avenues, employing novel concepts introduced in other cities, such as pre-boarding fare payment, reserved traffic lanes, and no steps at entry/exit points. MTA and the City selected the M15 route, favored by CIVITAS, for BRT service. We are working to urge early implementation.

6. Newsrack Enforcement

CIVITAS has been a vocal advocate for regulating newsracks placed on sidewalks in ever increasing numbers. We are working closely with many other civic/neighborhood groups throughout the City to ensure compliance with the newsrack law of 2002, as amended. Recognizing the inadequacies of the present law, CIVITAS has drafted comprehensive amendments to remove clutter and filth from our sidewalks.

Here's an article about this work from our latest newsletter issue: Taming the Newsrack Monster  

7. 125th Street River to River Study

CIVITAS participated actively in the work of the multi-agency task force, led by the Department of City Planning and the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which is planning the revitalization of 125th Street, River-to-River. Members of our Zoning Committee attended meetings, prepared commentary and sought out community input. The Department of City Planning unveiled the final proposal for 125th Street in 2007 and CIVITAS has submitted its comments on the proposed Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

8. Manhattan Solid Waste Management

CIVITAS is concerned with disposal of the large volume of solid waste generated on the East Side of Manhattan, both residential and commercial, and how it affects air pollution levels, congestion and impact on residential areas. The East 91st Street Marine Transfer Station in Manhattan, now closed, is the subject of a proposal for reactivation and expansion. CIVITAS testified in support of the Mayor’s comprehensive solid waste management plan (“SWMP”), and with respect to the East 91st Street site is pressing to insure there will be no queuing of trucks on York Avenue, that noxious odors and emissions are curtailed and that operations are restricted to reasonable hours.

9. New Construction / Unwelcome Towers

CIVITAS is concerned with the scale of projects recently being proposed in East Harlem and in the Upper East Side Historic District. One such site is at Park Avenue and 125th Street. Initially proposed as a 55-story tower, it was scaled back to 45 stories, in part due to CIVITAS’ opposition. It is still too tall. The original developer has backed out and its successor has presented a slightly revised plan.

Another troubling project is Uptown NY, a proposed two-and-a-half block development between 125th and 127th Streets stretching from Third to Second Avenues. CIVITAS protested the scale of this project, which included a 450-foot tower – 45 stories – and urged that the project, which is to provide for 1,500 residential units, be redesigned to blend better with the context of the neighborhood. A lower and less dense alternative with provisions for affordable housing has been proposed in its place.

In the Upper East Side Historic District CIVITAS filed its opposition to a proposed 330-foot glass tower atop the Park-Bernet Golbries on Madison Avenue. In January 2007 the Landmarks Preservation commission rejected the proposal.

Lurking on the horizon is a proposal by the Mount Sinai Medical Center to erect a high-rise apartment tower – to be sold to a developer – above a new laboratory and scientific research building. The apartment tower would loom over Central Park and alter the look of that skyscape. Approval by the Board of Standards and Appeals is required for a zoning variance.