https://www.westsiderag.com/2020/03/...-says-opponent
Construction Continues on 200 Amsterdam Avenue; ‘It’s the Height of Arrogance’ Says Opponent
March 24, 2020
by Carol Tannenhause
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Construction continues on residential buildings on the Upper West Side even as most other activity has stopped due to coronavirus-related rules.
Among the projects where work continues is 200 Amsterdam Avenue, a 668-foot-tall tower at 69th Street being developed by SJP Properties and Mitsui Fudosan America.
“Everything is quiet on the Upper West Side, except at 200 Amsterdam Avenue the elevator is going up and down!” said long-time building opponent Olive Freud. “It’s the height of arrogance.”
Last month, the developers continued building after a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that their zoning lot is illegal and they must take down an unspecified number of already-constructed floors. Before the coronavirus hit, they were appealing that decision and it was reported they were working on the building’s crown.
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” executive order went into effect on Sunday at 8 p.m, closing all “non-essential” businesses statewide, in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. Two days before, the New York State Department of Economic Development issued guidance to assist businesses in determining whether they are essential, and for filing to attain that designation.
In the category of construction, the guidelines listed as essential are: “skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers, other related construction firms and professionals for essential infrastructure or for emergency repair and safety purposes.”
“Essential Infrastructure” is said to include: “power generation, fuel supply and transmission; public water and wastewater; telecommunications and data centers; airports/airlines; transportation infrastructure such as bus, rail, or for-hire vehicles, garages, hotels, and places of accommodation.”
“Building a luxury condominium is not essential at this time,” Freud insisted.
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The mayor’s office says they won’t even shut down construction sites where someone has tested positive for the virus, according to The City news site.
“We’re not shutting locations with positive cases,” Julia Arredondo, a de Blasio spokesperson, wrote in an email. “We’ve provided guidance on how to keep people safe and sites should follow that guidance.”
SJP Properties sent the statement below, but declined to comment on the question of continued construction, referring us to the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). REBNY has not yet responded.
SJP’s statement: “We are carefully following New York State and City guidelines and will continue to prioritize health and safety precautions on site while construction work is permitted in New York City. We deeply empathize with all workers and their families as we deal with this rapidly evolving global pandemic.”
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Interesting are the comments following that piece. A few below...
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WB says:
March 24, 2020 at 10:48 am
Given the financial devastation that is coming (or already here) at a local and statewide level, are opponents of this project still suggesting we should tear it down and forego the transfer taxes, mansion taxes, real estate taxes and sales tax (from local retailers)?
We are going to need to add density going forward so that we can generate additional income to refill the municipal coffers. Adding new taxes will not be palatable after everyone has taken a 30-40% hit on their household wealth.
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Will says:
March 24, 2020 at 12:16 pm
I don’t understand how they could be building anything in the city right now with the risk of spreading the virus even further. Are the workers that expendable?
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Rob G. says:
March 24, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Happy about this! We need to keep moving forward with some positive news during this crazy time.
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Finish 200 !!! says:
March 24, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Re: “It’s the height of arrogance.”
Welcome to The Heights, Ms. Freud
You said, ““Building a luxury condominium is not essential at this time”
Sorry, but it IS essential for ONE Very Important Reason…it’s keeping these workers EMPLOYED, unlike thousands of others who are suddenly without a paycheck.
Being employed and providing for her/his family is very important to any worker…and much better than waiting for a skimpy unemployment check.
So what if they’re building a “luxury building”…it’s not as if they’re building weapons, poisons, etc.
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Sherman says:
March 24, 2020 at 1:01 pm
If these construction workers are properly protected then it’s a great thing that the construction hasn’t been suspended.
I’m able to work from my apartment but not everyone is able to do this. Does Ms Freud and all these other self-appointed community leaders believe the city would be better off if these construction workers went on unemployment?
And as far as her complaints that the neighborhood should be “quiet” that’s too bad. The neighborhood is so quiet it’s depressing. I personally welcome some the noise of people working.
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HARRIET says:
March 24, 2020 at 1:03 pm
That’s a tough call. I’m out of the City for now in a condominium complex in CT. The complex is in the middle of installing new roofs. The workers are thrilled to be employed. They are working outside. No one is in close proximity to another worker. We all know that ultimately that building will be completed. I think that anyone who can safely be employed should continue to work. Construction is one of those jobs that can move forward.
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Mari Marasu says:
March 24, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Much of these comments sound like they’re coming from the real estate company themselves.
The bottom line is, businesses are being deemed essential vs non-essential for a REASON. That reason is to prevent the spread. The idea that these construction workers still working is being seen as a “good thing for their families” is missing the point entirely!
It sucks to not be at work and not be able to make a paycheck if you cannot work from home, but every day that idiots like these are outside, is only furthering how long these troubled times will last overall.
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Woody says:
March 24, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Your comments are misinformed. Just being outside doesn’t increase the risk to anyone. It’s being in close contact with other people that increases the spread. Plenty of construction work can be performed without being in groups.
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