Coalition to Save PS 109
152 East 100th Street, Suite 5E • New York, NY 10029 • 212-534-0963
http://www.saveps109.com • gwe2000@aol.com

March 3, 2006

Hon. Mayor Michael Bloomberg
New York City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

Please find enclosed over 400 signatures of East Harlem residents, as well as other concerned citizens of New York City. We will continue to send you our petitions as our petition campaign continues.

In addition I am resending you the letter I sent you November 14, 2005, which will outline the history of this struggle and the current proposal.

We are requesting the full restoration of PS 109, located at 215 East 99th street in East Harlem, for use as a public school within the NYC Department of Education.

The restoration and reuse of PS 109 would create 1200 new seats in our public schools. Which needless to say would alleviate some of the overcrowding in city's public schools.

Chancellor Klein has recently created a new after school program that would greatly benefit underachieving children. However by his own admission not every child can participate because there simply is not enough space.

Please let me make it clear, at this time, that the Coalition to Save PS 109 has no desire whatsoever to see PS 109 demolished.

The current proposal from Artspace, located in Minnesota, and Operation Fightback of East Harlem, would like to acquire PS 109 to convert into housing for artists. Fifty percent for local artists and the remainder for market rate housing. This proposal would save the building, and bring some affordable housing.

However, the community loses not just access to this beautiful jewel but we lose public school space. We feel with public school space being at a premium, that an opportunity to gain 1200 new seats would be a better investment for the residents of East Harlem.

You have repeatedly stated that you support smaller classrooms and higher quality schools in New York City. Restoring PS 109 would be a fiscally sound investment that provides an opportunity to fulfill both of these drastically needed goals.

Let's not lose this opportunity to gain desperately needed school space by restoring and reusing a landmark in this community, PS 109.

We look forward to you prompt attention into this matter.

Sincerely,

______________________
GWEN GOODWIN, Chair
The Coalition to Save PS 109

    cc:
  • Joel Klein, Chancellor, NYC Department of Education
  • William Goldstein, President and CEO of NYC School Construction Authority
  • Jessica Garcia, Campaign for Fiscal Equity
  • Rep. Charles Rangel
  • State Senator Jose Serrano
  • Assemblymember Adam Clayton Powell IV
  • Former State Senator Olga Mendez
  • Peg Breen, New York City Landmarks Conservancy
  • U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
  • Reverend Leroy Ricksy
  • Eugenia Taylor, CEC
  • Ed Henry
  • Reverend Norman Eddy
  • Community Board 11
  • Governor George Pataki
  • Bobby and Denise Butts