Teachers College is beginning construction on a new residence hall on 122nd Street, even though many neighborhood residents and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation oppose the plan. On Feb. 20th Community Board 9 passed a proposal asking the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York not to approve the bond for the new building. On Feb. 24th, however, DASNY rejected CB9's proposal and granted the bond. Community members say the height of the new towers violates the historic character of the neighborhood. The new hall will have one 19-story tower and one 11-story tower. TC argues the towers will benefit the neighborhood economy, while opponents say the historical architecture of the neighborhood is more important. The community is fighting to lower the height of the building to nine stories.

"The community's proposal to build a lower building is the same as building nothing," Richard Bass, a hired consultant for TC, said. "To reduce the height of the building would reduce economic viability [of the project]."

The article, entitled "CB9 Seeks to Modify Planned TC Dormitory" appeared in the March 3rd edition of the Columbia Spectator . For more information on the Residence Hall see the TC Web Site.

Published Monday, Mar. 3, 2003