Manhattan Community Board

New York University announced on Wednesday that it will pursue construction of a new $110 million co-generation power plant under Mercer Street, between West 3rd and 4th streets. The construction will last around two years.

"The decision comes after months of conversation and negotiations between NYU and members of the local community, including Councilman Alan Gerson [and] Community Board 2," NYU administrators said in a release.

While the decision is sure to please most of the larger Village community--no construction under Gould Plaza means that the classrooms below will largely remain intact and the some 600 students who use the rooms weekly will not be sent scattering around the area--the businesses and residents along that particular block of Mercer Street will surely be a little agitated: Namely, the residents of 250 Mercer (the Mercer Street Block Association) and the owner of Think Coffee, Jason Scherr. As The Observer reported earlier this month, they have been extremely vocal in their opposition to the proposed "Mercer Street Option."

Full release after the jump.  read more »

- David Foxley

Whenever an email comes our way with the title THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S TROJAN HORSE: JUST SAY "NO!", our interest is officially perked. Apparently, Landmark West is launching a letter-writting campaign to "save our skyline (SOS)" from the looming tower atop the NY Historical Society. Here's their alarmed message in full:

In our last email, we reported on the New-York Historical Society's weak attempt to hide the 280-foot elephant in the room at a so-called "Town Hall" meeting held on January 31. Despite an earlier email dispatch from the Historical Society claiming "that proceeds from the residential portion of our construction program would be used to help fund the Society's internal growth plans," they adamantly refused to discuss their plans for a luxury apartment building looming up over its Landmark building on Central Park West between 76th and 77th Streets.

On Thursday, February 8, at 7:00 PM (Fourth Universalist Society, Central Park West & 76th Street), the Historical Society will ask Community Board 7's Parks & Preservation Committee to consider (and possibly vote on) proposed facade alterations only. Your presence on Feb. 8 is ABSOLUTELY VITAL! The 400+ crowd at last week's meeting sent the clear message that the public is not fooled by the Historical Society's Trojan Horse. Approval of the facade changes would immediately set the stage for the luxury high-rise. Join your fellow New Yorkers in just saying "No!"

Email campaign: Do like Bill Moyers, and tell it like it is...

See after the jump for "it."  read more »

- Max Abelson