Rally to Save Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen

If you haven’t heard yet, Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen is in danger. Real danger.

Plans are afoot to rezone Eighth Avenue to allow massive skyscrapers on the west side of the street, invading the neighborhood and side streets. Other proposals involve expanding the Javits Center up to 42nd Street, building a new Yankee Stadium in southern Hell’s Kitchen, redeveloping the Coliseum and rezoning the area between 10th and 12th Avenues, which could allow a Trump-like Riverside South.

Progress is fine, but it needs to be rational and it needs to involve the Clinton community-—not be imposed. Many community residents have recently come together to form the “Clinton Special District Coalition” to organize the community and to work with politicians and the Community Board.

Earlier this fall, a single-room-occupancy hotel at 300 West 48th Street was partially demolished, illegally and is a triple-whammy for the neighborhood.

NYC Local Law 19 requires a “certificate of no harassment” whenever SRO buildings are altered or demolished. We’re losing SROs all over the place, and they’re an important part if this neighborhood’s housing. The partially demolished SRO is also in the Special Clinton District and the owner had not obtained the certificate of no harassment-—which is required for ALL buildings in the district. But most telling, this SRO is on Eighth Avenue, where developers are lining up and salivating over how to tear down what they consider a “perimeter” and “expendable” neighborhood.

So you thought the assault on the rent laws was over. Think again. You know who -- the boogey–men -- your landlords -- can come after you in a variety of ways. If they can’t completely get rid of tenant protections, they can pay politicians to zone you out of existence. Round Two -- except here we don’t have Joe Bruno or George Pataki.

For more information, go to Hell's Kitchen Online