Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 3K views

    Masaryk Towers Gate Closure Letter

    Uploaded by

    DNAinfoNewYork
    Masaryk Tower Board of Directors on Monday distributed a letter indicating the housing complex will not re-open the Rivington Street walkway to pedestrian traffic.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Masaryk Towers Gate Closure Letter

    Uploaded by

    DNAinfoNewYork
    3K views1 page
    Masaryk Tower Board of Directors on Monday distributed a letter indicating the housing complex will not re-open the Rivington Street walkway to pedestrian traffic.

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Masaryk Tower Board of Directors on Monday distributed a letter indicating the housing complex will not re-open the Rivington Street walkway to pedestrian traffic.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    3K views1 page

    Masaryk Towers Gate Closure Letter

    Uploaded by

    DNAinfoNewYork
    Masaryk Tower Board of Directors on Monday distributed a letter indicating the housing complex will not re-open the Rivington Street walkway to pedestrian traffic.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    MASARYK TOWERS CORPORATION

    61 Columbia Street, New York, New York 10002


    Tel: 212-982-2212 Fax: 212-254-1473

    May 22, 2017


    GATE CLOSURE

    The Masaryk Towers recent gate closure is one of many measures we have taken to ensure the safety and
    security of our residents.
    For many years, Masaryk has had serious problems with criminal activities, including the proliferation of
    illicit drug usage and distribution, alcohol and vandalism, largely attributable to non-residents. The quality of life
    has declined, with litter and garbage left by passersby, rowdy groups hanging out on the benches, in the halls
    and stairways, with beer cans, bottles and trash left everywhere. Some of these problems were exacerbated
    several years ago when NYCHA removed benches from the adjacent Gompers Houses and Baruch Houses.
    Bikes, mopeds and electric bikes (especially in the past few years) speeding through, have terrorized
    Masaryk residents, particularly children, seniors and the infirm, and have caused injuries (many serious).
    People have walked through with leashed or unleashed dogs and in many cases, have not cleaned up after
    their pets have defecated on our walkways and grass.
    Over the years, we have tried to deal with these problems in various ways, including posting signs and
    hiring additional security at great cost to us, but things have spiraled out of control.
    It should be noted that the portion of Rivington Street passing through Masaryk Towers was ceded by the
    City of New York to Masaryk when it was built fifty years ago (it was de-mapped and does not appear as a city
    street on official NYC maps).
    While the idea of installing gates at either end of the walkway was discussed on and off during the last fifty
    years, it was first seriously discussed approximately twelve years ago. Through the years since then, objective
    conditions prevented us from closing the walkway to the public. However, in the recent past the situation has
    deteriorated to the point that we had no choice but to allow entry to Masaryk by residents and their guests only.
    In the short time since the gates have been closed, these offensive activities cited above have virtually
    disappeared. Masaryk residents feel safer walking the grounds and entering their buildings. Late-night
    congregation on the benches has abated. The grounds are cleaner, residents are picking up trash that blows
    around and people feel more comfortable sitting on the benches.
    The final issue remains Masaryks attempts to limit our exposure to liability. Numerous trip-and-fall claims by
    non-residents have resulted in costly lawsuits. Unfortunately, no amount of additional insurance can prevent
    the continued liability Masaryk would face with future incidents.
    While we understand that some of our neighbors will be inconvenienced and that it will take some time to
    acclimate to the closing, we trust that our neighbors will understand Masaryks decision.
    We are willing to work with interested parties to get Stanton Street (between Columbia Street and Pitt
    Street) reopened to pedestrian traffic.

    Sincerely,

    Bernice McCallum, President, Masaryk Towers Board of Directors

    Masaryk Towers Board of Directors

    You might also like