Harlem up in arms over new charter school planned near St. Nicholas Houses
Friday, September 3rd 2010, 4:00 AM
Another battle has erupted in Harlem over a charter school.
Hundreds of residents from the St. Nicholas Houses signed petitions in recent days urging the federal government to reject City Hall's plan to start construction this year on a new $100-million home for the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy on land that belongs to St. Nicholas.
"We're going to court to seek an injunction against the project," said resident Alexanderia Blair, a leader of the 129th Street Preservation Group, one of two organizations opposing the city's plans.
Opponents say the New York City Housing Authority and Department of Education ignored their concerns that the proposed 130,000-square-foot building, which will serve 1,300 children from K-to-12, would displace a large children's playground and two community gardens.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2010/09/03/2010-09-03_battle_easy_as_abc_charter_school_site_sparks_row_in_harlem.html#ixzz0yUTR6kP1