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WPCNR NEWS & COMMENT. By John F. Bailey. May 29, 2008: In the numbing aftermath of the sudden death of Marc Pollitzer, “The Voice of White Plains,” last weekend, it seems only right, in this reporter’s mind that some thought be given by the city fathers to reopen one of Mr. Pollitzer’s celebrated causes:
The New York Presbyterian Hospital property. Golf Range meadow . May 2002. It still exists in this state today. No one uses it or strolls on its grounds.
Going back in time, followers of the NYPH story which dates back some 23 years when the hospital proposed to turn their land into co-op city, will recall that proposal was defeated, then the hospital running into money problems in the late 90s proposed to develop an area near Bloomingdale’s into light retail in exchange for giving the city 60 acres of parkland. Concerned Citizens for Open Space objected to this, and Mr. Pollitzer marshaled and delivered some of the more eloquent arguments against that proposal, eventually resulting in the Council votedown of that proposal, 5-2 back in 2000.
Following that turndown, the hospital proposed another use of the property, the building of a proton accelerator along Bryant Avenue. The Common Council again facing opposition from CCOS and Mr. Pollitzer, refused to refer that out. The hospital filed an Article 78, blackjacked the city into acquiescing. It was referred out as a result and the Council approved the construction, which due to the New York State economy and the hospital lack of funding never started construction.
Another product of this long extended wrangle over this Frederick Law Olmstead designed property was the closing of the property to the general public as a result of an ill-fated protest in which sympathizers with the CCOS position who were never caught, strung up yellow tape around an alleged oil dumping site on the property for the press. The hospital infuriated by this incursion, predictably closed the property to use by residents for strolls, bikeriding, and digging the ambience.
There was another effort by the Mayor’s Office to secure 6 acres of park property in exchange for rezoning the hospital land for a subdivision, which would have made the land sell for a higher price (to the hospital advantage), that, too was defeated by the Council.
Now, there is nothing on the table.
WPCNR suggested to Council President Benjamin Boykin that it would be a great thing if the city could make peace with the New York Presbyterian Hospital and negotiate an arrangement where White Plains citizens could once again enjoy this property.
The city spent $500,000 to spruce up Liberty Park, which now due to the city inability to manage the waters of the lake, is basically useless.
WPCNR suggests that Councilman Boykin work with the Mayor to take some baby steps and open up that property to the public on arrangements acceptable to the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Here’s how:
1. The city should lease the 60 or so acres…golf course, meadows, driving range walking trails for a nominal annual fee – providing security – perhaps even aiding with the maintenance via lawn and tree management. This would give the city a handle on how much it would eventually cost the city to run an actual park there. Use the Open Space Acquisition Fund money to pay for it for starters – it’s a lot better than paying individuals millions for land they were never going to develop anyway. (Where was the thinking there?)
Soccer fields might be created at city expense – with the understanding that should the hospital eventually reach a deal to sell the property – that they were only temporary. But the ballfields are not necessary, White Plains reaccess to the park is the goal here. It is a shame that a great place for biking, strolling, romance, forest, and the great vistas of this property are only enjoyed by coyotes and birds at the present time.
I can hea the city protests now – the liability issues, don’t have the personnel, costs too much money. But, you never know until you try.
The Mayor and Common Council, instead of throwing hissy-fits at each other, should work together. If not the Council should do some work, since they have a solid 6-1 majority take it upon themselves to approach the hospital.
No matter what the Mayor says, the Council ultimately controls the money in the city. They just have to have the guts to control it. It is always the Council’s budget because they approve it.
Instead of trying to develop the city, mysteriously decide to pay millions for property that was never going to be developed anyway in the guise of preserving open space, or ease development of a property that would, as Mr. Pollitzer said many times wreck a neighborhood if it were developed, Mr . Boykin and the Common Council and the Mayor have a chance and a sad legacy of opportunity to salvage the New York Presbyterian Hospital parkland at least until the next proposal comes along – which isn’t coming along anytime soon.
Tomorrow is Wellness Week in White Plains and they’ll be the usual news conference announcing it, with free health screening and a number of activities.
Introducing new access to the New York Presbyterian Hospital property would make everybody a lot more healthier. There’s a parking facility already built for it at Mamaroneck Avenue and Bryant.
The NYPH would be making a grand gesture.
Somebody on the Council or in the Mayor’s Office make a few phone calls please.
It could be appropriately renamed, for as long as it lasts,
Pollitzer Park.
