A homeless shelter at 419 East 91st Street (between York and First avenues) is finally set to open this year after several delays and changes since its initial announcement in 2021. The new building is currently under construction, but the city expects the facility to open by the end of 2024.
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According to a presentation made to the Community Board 8 Health, Seniors, Social Services Committee last week, Services for the Underserved (S:US) will now be opening the facility in partnership with the Department of Homeless Services as the first Welcome Center in Manhattan. S:US representative Jack Lynch told East Side Feed that “it will house adult men and women during the pre-assessment phase before they find long-term shelter. Unlike a Safe Haven shelter, it will not accept walk-ins on a 24-hour basis.” He also confirmed that it will be a 92-bed facility and that they expect to open in December of this year.
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The original plan for the facility was announced in January 2021 and backed by elected officials along with Community Board 8. Patch reported that the shelter was originally set to be opened in Jan. 2022 by non-profit Goddard Riverside, a community wellness organization that also partners with the nearby Stanley Isaacs Center. However, Goddard pulled out of the 91st Street project in mid-2022, telling Patch at the time that “[The] model is inconsistent with Goddard’s service delivery approach and so we as an organization have decided not to continue as the operator.”
Goddard’s exit wasn’t the only delay the project has faced. Eli Zabar (of the Zabar family), who also owns several buildings on the block, filed a lawsuit against the project which ultimately failed. Some neighbors followed his lead when a community group, lead by the owner of the gymnastics school next door, asked the Department of Buildings to revoke permits on zoning grounds. Not all neighbors feel this way, however, as some banded together to write an open letter opposing Zabar’s lawsuit and welcoming the shelter.
Many neighbors have been concerned because the block houses an all-girls K-12 school, a gymnastics school, and the preschool and child activity center ‘Art Farm in the City’ (which previously occupied the building at 419 91st Street and now operates just down the block). It is also in close proximity to Asphalt Green, P.S. 527 Elementary School, and M.S. 114 East Side Middle School. A local parent told East Side Feed she’s concerned because the middle school students go out for lunch each day on their own. S:US representative Nadjete Natchaba told Fox 5 News that they will work with residents and neighbors to keep the area safe for all. Additionally, S:US representative Sharon Dorr told Patch that the average stay is expected to be less than 30 days (as the goal is to move people into more permanent solutions).
Just a matter of time before Yorkville starts to resemble the UWS. And no, that’s not a good thing.
None of the 50 names on the open letter supporting the earlier iteration of the shelter includes an affiliation with a business.
Thanks for providing a forum for discussion, whereas Patch has banned outside voices.
None of these politicians or so called leaders, who signed a letter opposing Zabar’s plans, or proposed it, have kids who go to East Side Middle, PS527, or any of the neighboring gyms. Virtue signaling politicians and activists with no skin in the game, who move on to the next neighborhood to destroy. We have to worry for our kids not them.
What a difference two years make. Back then, we were faced with roaming mentally ill literally next door to a school. Now, we all know we will be dealing with illegal migrants creating havoc in our neighborhood AND they will be next door to a school.
First, Mayor Adams should be forced to leave his apartment in Ft. Lee, New Jersey and move to Gracie Mansion-the pathway to the shelter. This way he can experience our new neighbors up close and personal. He needs to make frequent visits to this shelter since it was so important that it became a NIMBY project, Second, we need to rid ourselves of a City Council. All of them have agendas and none of them care about the citizens who live in their communities. They are useless. Buh bye! Third, since this is a residential neighborhood, here are some ideas for shelter rules that will protect both residents and workers-they must be given screened for mental health issue, physicals and tested for TB, the virus and other contagious diseases. Lastly, a curfew must be imposed and if you are not inside by curfew you’re out.
The taxpaying residents of the neighborhood don’t all live in glass doorman buildings. Many live in older walkups and this situation will endanger those people who are already stressing and not leaving their apartments after dark.
If Mayor Adams and Alvin Bragg hope to further their career beyond their current terms, they better wake up, wear cheaper suits and open their eyes and ears to the citizens of this city.