Community board questions new shelter proposal on Westchester Avenue
“We have no information other than what's publicly available. We don't know what type of shelter yet,” said Matthew Cruz, district manager for Community Board 10.
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An empty storefront on Westchester Avenue may soon be home to a shelter, but the local community board wants people in the neighborhood to have a chance to weigh in.
DOB NOW is the Department of Buildings’ online public portal used to streamline building applications. The site shows that this year an application was submitted for a five-story new building listed as a “shelter” at 3257 Westchester Ave. Additional documents were submitted on September 19, requesting demolition and other work at next-door 3251 Westchester Ave. to assist in construction. However, Community Board 10 says the board has not been given a chance yet to be involved in the process.
“We have no information other than what's publicly available. We don't know what type of shelter yet,” said Matthew Cruz, district manager for Community Board 10. “When we see vacant buildings like this, we see graffiti, we'll see litter piled up. What do they see as the future for this building? I know and we understand it can't be vacant for too much longer, but we want something that would be an asset to Pelham Bay.”
Across the city, shelters have been a source of controversy, including a different shelter on Westchester Avenue where neighbors reported issues with harassment and crime.
Cruz adds that this neighborhood in Pelham Bay already has similar concerns around crime, such as burglaries, and that residents should be given the property to decide how the property is used. Cruz believes a youth center could be a good idea. CB10 has contacted the developers to discuss all the options available and how to get the community involved. DOB NOW lists the owner as Chris Karalis.
“We're waiting for a meeting and hope to discuss this project. I think it's a little early in the process as well, in fairness to them,” Cruz said. “But we want to make sure that we're in a room discussing the future of Pelham Bay with them.”
According to the Department Of Buildings, the project has not been approved by the agency, and no permits have been issued yet. Sources within the city’s Department of Social Services told News 12 that community members will be notified well before any shelter opens, if approved.
