Letter from the President

Dear Neighbors,

Happy New Year! On behalf of the Block Association I ask your help and support.

We support the Berkeley Carroll as an educational institution -- there is much that is fine about the place -- in fact, our members include Berkeley Carroll parents and alumni. But for five months the representatives of the Berkeley Carroll's Board of Trustees have refused to engage in substantive dialogue with its neighbors. They continue unwilling to concede that their proposed development project in the rear yard area will have a powerfully negative effect on us.

Berkeley Carroll has other options available. For example, before they subject us to two years of construction noise and pollution, they could be respectful of their neighbors and admit now that they have outgrown this lot in the middle of a landmarked residential block and expand instead to a third campus (they have two now) where they would be welcomed. This would greatly decongest and vastly improve the facilities in their Lincoln Place campus and allow for responsible further growth later on, which would greatly benefit their students and provide better value to their parents. That would truly be a win-win solution for all concerned.

We say it’s time to make a stand and draw the line against blockbuster development. If developers succeed in overbuilding in a landmarked block, others will follow suit to the detriment of your neighborhood, eroding its unique and defining historic character that is the reason that many live here.

We have this week learned the details of the first of several public discussions and hearings, which is about to occur next Monday, Jan 4th, at 6pm, at the Berkeley Carroll School sports and recreation facility at 762 President Street just uphill of 6th Avenue. The Community Board 6 Landmarks and Land Use Committees will at that time hear and vote on the project. There are three more related meetings during the next two weeks, on Jan 7th, 13th and 19th, and we will send more information as it is known.

Please take this time to protect the values that make you want to live here. These may be the last opportunities to speak up. Your voice could make the difference!

To learn more about our organized efforts, please contact me or John Muir, at JandBMuir@aol.com, and tell us if you can participate.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Muir, President