LARGE TURNOUT AT JULY 15 LANDMARKS HEARING OPPOSING RUDIN/ST. VINCENT'S TOWERS

Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins Join Residents, Preservationists, and Community Groups to Fight Developer's Plan

On July 15, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held its most recent hearing on the modified Rudin/St. Vincent's proposal to demolish the landmark O'Toole building and build a 300-foot hospital tower and a luxury condo development. Approximately 100 speakers addressed the Commissioners: 80 percent opposed the proposals. Opponents included actors, longtime Village residents and activists Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.

Susan Sarandon referred to the special fabric of Greenwich Village and how she and Mr. Robbins had chosen to bring their children up in the neighborhood. She went on to say that "improving the hospital is a great idea. However, this can be accomplished without compromising the neighborhood. St. Vincent's should consider the proposed alternative solutions." Ms. Sarandon urged the Commission "to slow down here and look at what the alternatives are."

"We need to slow down a little bit here and really look at what the alternatives are, because this is a huge decision that affects not only the health of the people that are going to use this building but the future of our kids.

They are growing up here, right, our kids? And, you know, I think they [would] feel that they were in the wrong country if they woke up one day and saw these buildings [the hospital tower and the Rudin condominiums] that were here." - Susan Sarandon

Tim Robbins addressed the Commission a few minutes later. Speaking quietly but passionately about Greenwich Village, he described the neighborhood as unique not only in New York City, but in the world. He characterized the proposed St. Vincent's tower as an "architectural abomination" that had no place in the Historic District. He went on to say that it was not only the right, but the obligation of private citizens to stand up and speak out on important issues, all the more so when powerful interests and politicians willing to do their bidding were arrayed on the other side. This case, Mr. Robbins said, was a prime example of such interests, and he urged the LPC to deny the application.

"I am very proud I'm from Greenwich Village. And when I tell people I'm from Greenwich Village, they know Greenwich Village. Why do they know Greenwich Village? Why is it important? Why do people care about Greenwich Village? Because for years, people have been resisting this kind of development. People do not know about Greenwich Village because of its bad architecture. It is known because historically, for the last hundred years, every time a bad idea comes along, it is resisted by this community, a community that takes pride in its history and its architecture and its art and its artists. I would implore you, empower the integrity of this neighborhood and its citizens as it is so much more essential than empowering cynical, corrupt enterprises such as this one. Please stand with the people.

There have been outside businessmen that have, for years, come into the Village with abominable ideas. They could care less about landmark status, and they have been shown the door. And that's what we intend to do to them today." - Tim Robbins

In addition to Ms. Sarandon and Mr. Robbins, scores of others spoke to oppose the St. Vincent's and Rudin plan, including ten members of the Steering Committee of Protect the Village Historic District. Speakers addressed issues ranging from the importance of the O'Toole Building to the feasibility of alternatives to the lack of justification for granting St. Vincent's claim seeking to demolish O'Toole. Albert Butzel, PVHD's counsel, submitted a legal brief spelling out why St. Vincent's "hardship" claim does not meet the legal tests established by judicial precedents, including the decision of the U. S. Supreme Court that saved Grand Central. Many other speakers, including representatives of DoCoMoMo and the Historic Districts Council, also challenged St. Vincent's hardship claim and urged the Commission to save O'Toole.

The Village has won fights like this before. With your help we can do it again.

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