Wall might fall, but retains nabe’s character

The 93-unit high-rise proposed for the vacant lot at 3469 Cannon Place has been stalled because of concerns over the stability of a retaining wall on the site.

Charles Moerdler, chair of Community Board 8’s Land Use committee and member of the Board of Directors of the New York City Housing Development Corporation, said HDC would not issue bonds to Jackson Development because the project is not a priority considering the city’s financial constraints.

At a Community Board 8 hearing on April 4, Jackson Development announced the building would consist of 60 percent market-rate and 40 percent affordable apartments,  making it eligible for financing through municipal bonds. Neil Weisman, owner of Jackson Development, said at that meeting that the company would need those bonds to move forward.

“At this time, this is not a priority item,” Mr. Moerdler said of HDC. “What does that mean in English: it ain’t going anywhere for a while.”

For members of the Fort Independence Park Neighborhood Association — a group of neighbors fighting for years against development on the lot — that’s good to hear. 

“We’re happy and relieved to hear that news, but we’ll remain extremely vigilant about this property,” Kristin Hart of FIPNA said.  

FIPNA’s “Ten Reasons FIPNA Opposes the Proposed Cannon Place Development” begins with the public safety risk posed by the fragile retaining wall, which partially collapsed in 1979.

If the wall were to fall again, there would be extensive damage to houses and apartment buildings on Cannon Place and below the wall, on Fort Independence Street.

The Department of Environmental Protection plans to fix the Cannon Place wall in 2013, but Mr. Moerdler said the wall needs to be fixed now. 

 “If we don’t get that wall fixed and it comes down, what happened on Henry Hudson Parkway will be a plaything,” Mr. Moerdler said at last week’s Community Board 8 meeting, referring to the retaining wall that collapsed in Upper Manhattan in 2005. 

Keywords