Plan To Replace UWS Garages With Senior Housing Wins Approval

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A proposal to replace three parking garages with supportive housing for low-income families and seniors on the Upper West Side received the endorsement of Community Board 7 this week.

The full board voted in favor of the project, led by the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing, during its Tuesday night meeting. Board members voted to cede the city-owned site to the organization, upzone the site to increase the size of the new development and apply Mandatory Inclusionary Housing regulations on the site.

The full board also followed a recommendation made by its land use and housing committees in asking the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing to expedite the project, which has been planned out in two phases.

The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing's development on West 108th will add 194 permanently affordable housing units for low-income seniors and families. The project will also add 18 more beds to Valley Lodge — a transitional homeless shelter that WSFSSH currently operates on the block.

"With WSFSSH at West 108, we aim to deliver not only safe, affordable housing for area seniors and families—but community resources and a more active streetscape for Manhattan Valley residents and visitors," WSFSSH executive director Paul Freitag said in a statement.

The new development will also feature community spaces such as a health clinic and an ambulance garage for the Central Park Medical Unit. WSFSSH also plans to construct public restrooms for neighboring Anibal Aviles Playground.

The plan's detractors formed a coalition named "Save Manhattan Valley." Many members of the group pleaded with the community board Tuesday to reconsider its stance on the project. The group's members cited lost parking and potential environmental hazards of demolition and construction on the site as reasons to oppose the project. The group formed in March 2016 after WSFSSH presented its plan to the community board, according to its website.

Watch a recap of the entire Community Board 7 meeting on YouTube.

Photo by Patch