Fiction #2: This project is needed to build new schools.

Fact: New York City is responsible for building new schools through School Construction Authority (SCA) and the Educational Construction Fund (ECF).

For years, NYC, SCA and ECF have ignored the needs of East Harlem – and they continue to do so, because they are refusing to put a single dollar of public money into the renovation or construction of East Harlem’s high schools. Instead, they are letting a private developer reap millions in profit by taking over the construction of the building, and imposing major adverse impacts on the local community.

Fiction #3: East Harlem students are guaranteed spots in the new schools.

Fact: The NYC Department of Education has refused to guarantee that East Harlem residents will get first priority for the school. As a result, the schools will quickly be populated by students who live on the Upper East Side, as well as students living in the new apartments at the site – which as noted above are unaffordable for East Harlem residents.

Fiction #4: Local residents and open space users support this project.

Fact: The Carnegie Hill Neighbors, East 96th Street Neighbors Association and the Yorkville Youth Athletic Association all oppose this project in its present form.

Fiction #5: There are no significant adverse environmental impacts from this project.

Fact: The Environmental Impact Statement stated that there would be the potential for “significant adverse impacts at seven intersections during the weekday AM peak hour, five intersections during the midday peak hour, and six intersections during the PM peak hour.”

Moreover, while some of the impacts potentially could be mitigated, “the significant adverse impacts at the intersections of East 96 th Street at York Avenue/FDR Northbound Ramp, East 96 th Street at FDR Southbound Ramp, East 96 th Street at First Avenue, and East 96 th Street at Second Avenue could not be fully mitigated during one or more analysis peak hours.” Similarly, a significant adverse impact at the 96 th Street Lexington Avenue subway station was identified that likely “would be unmitigated.”

Fiction #6: This project will provide additional permanent parkland for East Harlem.

Fact: A portion of the property is already mapped as State parkland, and Avalon Bay is asking the State Legislature to abolish that designation, in order to allow them to build on this parkland.

We need our State legislators – Assemblyman Robert Rodriguez and Senator Jose Serrano – to denounce this land grab, and declare their opposition to the abolishment of any parkland in East Harlem.

Fiction #7: The building height cannot be lowered below 68 stories without compromising the affordable housing or taking away open space.

Fact: Analysis conducted by George M. Janes & Associates easily demonstrated that putting residential apartments over the building on First Avenue would allow for two buildings – one of 40 stories and one of 36 stories – rather than a behemoth tower of 68 stories.

This alternative would not address the traffic, congestion and other issues, but at least would allow for buildings similar to the existing context of the neighborhood.

Fiction #8: The local residents oppose new schools and new affordable housing.

Fact: The local residents support new schools and support affordable housing.

Instead, they object to: (1) NYC’s refusal to put any funding into the new schools; (2) the creation of housing that is not affordable to East Harlem residents; and (3) the construction of a 3 building that is completely out of context with the neighborhood, with multiple traffic, congestion, air quality and other adverse impacts that cannot be mitigated.

Fiction #9: This project is fully consistent with the newly-adopted East Harlem Neighborhood Plan (EHNP).

Fact: This project violates one of the primary recommendations of the East Harlem Neighborhood Plan – i.e., that all housing constructed on public sites be 100% affordable.

The EHNP was developed and endorsed by Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, Community Board 11, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and literally dozens of other community residents and organizations.