University Withdraws Landmarks Application for Fourth Tower; ULURP to Start Next Year
University Withdraws Landmarks Application for Fourth Tower; ULURP to Start Next Year
NYU today announced that it will begin work on its Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) application seeking approvals to build on the blocks near Washington Square Park that are already owned by the University. The University will withdraw its application for a fourth tower in the landmarked section of the southern superblock; its ULURP application will instead include a building on the site currently occupied by the Morton Williams supermarket.
“From the beginning, we sought a design for the Silver Towers block that was most respectful of Mr. Pei’s vision. Some people disagreed with our proposed approach; others agreed. We believed that among those who agreed was Mr. Pei himself, who expressed no opposition to the concept of a tower on the landmarked site when we spoke with him directly in 2008,” said Lynne Brown, NYU’s Senior Vice President. “Mr. Pei has now had a change of heart. The clarity Mr. Pei has now provided – that the Morton Williams site is ‘preferable’ -- is helpful to us in understanding how to proceed with our ULURP proposal.”
NYU bought the Morton Williams supermarket site on the University Village block in 2001, and intended to build there. But as the plan evolved, it was decided that the preferable option would be to obtain permission from the LPC to build a fourth tower on the Silver Towers site.
The fundamental underpinning of the NYU 2031 strategy has been to plan for the University’s future academic needs in a comprehensive plan for physical space that is city-wide in scope, transparent, thoughtful and predictable. While a full half of projected growth is slated to go outside of the Greenwich Village area, the planning also calls for seeking approvals to build on property NYU owns around the Washington Square area.
A full Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) will be needed for the approval of the entire NYU proposal as it pertains to the Washington Square area. NYU is expected to file a standardized Land Use Review Application with the Department of City Planning under the ULURP in fall 2011.
About NYU 2031: NYU in NYC
NYU 2031: NYU in NYC, is a strategic framework for growth, aiming to be a thoughtful, comprehensive, city-wide vision for thinking about how to keep the University moving forward academically while respecting the communities and the city in which we make our home. For more information about NYU 2031 please log onto www.nyu.edu/nyu2031/nyuinnyc
About New York University
New York University is located in the heart of Greenwich Village. Founded in 1831, it is one of America’s foremost research universities and a member of the selective Association of American Universities. It is one of the largest private universities, it is a leader in attracting international students and scholars in the U.S, and it sends more students to study abroad than any other U.S. college or university. Through its 18 schools and colleges, NYU conducts research and provides education in the arts and sciences, law, medicine, business, dentistry, education, nursing, the cinematic and performing arts, music and studio arts, public administration, social work, and continuing and professional studies, among other areas.