Frequently Asked Questions

Building construction on the Washington Square Village block is not anticipated until 2022 at the earliest.

The University is prohibited by the Restrictive Declaration from conducting major construction on two different buildings at the same time. Construction can begin on a new building, once the original construction is far enough along so that it is essentially being internally fit-out. 

The Open Space Oversight Organization (OSOO) is an independent 501 (c)(3). The role of the OSOO is to ensure NYU is complying with NYU’s maintenance agreement with the NYC Parks Department of the public open spaces. There are five appointees, one each from the New York City Council, Manhattan Borough President's Office, Community Board 2, NYC Parks Department, and NYU.

The NYC School Construction Authority (SCA) has the option to build a school which would be incorporated into the Bleecker Building. The SCA must provide NYU with notice of intent to build a school. In October 2014, at the request of Council Member Chin, NYU extended the SCA notice deadline from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2018. In October 2018, at the request of local elected officials, NYU extended the SCA notice deadline from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2021. In November 2021, the SCA notified NYU of its intention to exercise its option to build a public school. NYU has provided a further extension to give the SCA until December 31, 2023 to decide whether to proceed with the design process for the public school and to commence construction by December 31, 2025. Should a public school be earmarked for the site, NYU will collaborate with the Department of City Planning and the School Construction Authority on this project.

The Restrictive Declaration is a legally binding document generated by City Planning during the land use approvals process. NYU’s commitments to the community are memorialized in this agreement between NYU and the City.