The tomblike structure on the right is the NYU Library and University Administration Building built against strong community objections because it is built on public land for private use and it blocks public access to Washington Square Park (WSP) and views of the WSP Arch & north to the Empire State Building. It was built around 1972 about the time NYU deserted its main campus at University Heights in the Bronx to take over the heart of Greenwich Village for its campus. It was sited on a park square that bordered Washington Square Park and on a public land strip that extended from West Houston Street to Washington Square Park. The placement of the building destroyed a public land strip that was a logical park extension for convenient and graceful access into WSP. There were also strong objections because the building would cast a dark shadow over the east end of WSP during daylight hours. NYU and the NYC Government ignored community objections. This was the beginning of NYU's domination of lower Manhattan and especially Greenwich Village.

Recently the NYC Government gave NYU permission to destroy park strips, children's playgrounds, a dog run and the community treasured Washington Square Village Sasaki and LaGuardia Corner Gardens on the 2 super blocks south of the NYU Library for the construction of more skyscrapers in the heart of Greenwich Village. This NYC Government decision was also made against strong community opposition.

Legal actions by NYU faculty members and the Greenwich Village Society for Historical Preservation are pending to stop this destructive use of land for ecological reasons and a greater quality of life and public purpose. It has been observed that NYU requires an ID card to access most of their building facilities restricting public access. NYU has been asked to expand their facilities in other NYC neighborhoods where their facilities are wanted and needed, but they have refused to drop or vacate their plan. Click http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/image/144599268 for more information about NYU's desertion of their Bronx campus and their American Hall of Fame to exploit real estate values in lower Manhattan and students who agree to pay exorbitant prices to live, party, study, and to get diplomas and degrees to enter "professional" life positions in medicine, law, education, etc... Meanwhile the NYC Government is allowing NYU to destroy a near ideal children's urban playground, called the key park, a safe distance away from city street traffic and congested sidewalks, near Mercer Street for a new "playground" space fenced in zoo like conditions a few steps away from moving emergency vehicles, trucks, moving and parked private cars, and congested narrow sidewalks that will destroy the LaGuardia Place public park strip and the LaGuardia Place Gardens containing more than 50 mature trees that provide beauty and cleanse city air. This NYU Plan & NYC Government action raises serious questions about their wisdom, humanity and legitimate position to represent "We the People..." in our country's U.S. Constitution.

Click http://www.pbase.com/hjsteed/photo_shoot_120406 for more information and photos of gardens and open green spaces that will be destroyed if the NYU2031 expansion plan is executed.

Revised 8/4/2012 8:30am