Submitted by Steven, Aug 18, 2008 12:50

One year later and the building still sits there vacant — attracting homeless people and basically serving a urinal for the community. So, it's been almost 30 years and we're still sitting there with an eyesore. Is this the result of "Community Involvement" that most want? Somehow I doubt it. I think that if the Milano study were truly viable and would bring in over a million a year to the BGC, then we would be looking at a vibrant community center today and not a pubic urinal. One cannot assume that the BGC is profit-hungry or otherwise trying to make a fast buck here. Go look at what they do and how they operate. They are trying to serve an underserved community with limited resources, A mix of affordable and market rate apartments is always what works best in any community. So, stop fighting progress in the name of a "cause" and wake up to the reality that is Manhattan in 2008. Neighborhoods change — they are dynamic. This has happened since the first person stepped onto this island. Good, bad or indifferent, it's going to happen. To leave a beautiful structure sitting rotting for more than 30 years to support an unattainable goal is the ultimate affront to the residents of Harlem and Hamilton Heights. Get out of the way and give us reasonable, responsible development. They are not trying to put a Bloomingdales in there.

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