Launching our blog

The proposed construction project at 711 West End Ave. has been looming over us for a few months. If the community has been slow to organize its response -- at least in comparison to the developers' push to get permits approved -- it's because communities don't generally expect to have to defend ourselves in this way. We take for granted, perhaps naively, that city policies regulating huge, disruptive construction projects must be subject to some limits on destroying streets, affordable housing, and well-functioning public schools. Turns out that's not the case.

The tenants, neighbors, and school community around West 95th Street and West End Ave. have come together to oppose the proposed construction. We're fortunate to have the support of our elected officials, Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, Assemblymember Danny O'Donnell, and Borough President Gale Brewer.

It's jarring to understand that there is currently no D.O.B. policy that requires construction permit applicants to consider or mitigate luxury construction's many deep impacts on a community.

And we're pretty devastated that the Mayor has not responded to parents' calls for help, made directly and through our elected officials.

This website is an amalgam of community efforts, rather than the product of any one group. It's our effort to provide transparent information about the construction -- and destruction -- at 711 West End Avenue, and to make sure other community members can add their voices.

The blog is currently under development. More information will be posted as we're able. Please comment if there's information you'd like to see added.