Today, May 24, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division will hear argument in JHL’s appeal of the State Supreme Court’s decision that reversed the approval given to JHL by the New York State Department of Health to build a 20-story, 275-foot-tall nursing tower directly next to P.S. 163. If JHL is successful in its appeal, construction next to and above PS 163 could start as early as January 2017. Construction is anticipated to last 3 years, bringing documented short- and long-term hazards to the health and educational potential of every child at our school.
The legal proceeding is open to the public and will be argued by lawyers for Jewish Home Lifecare (JHL), which proposes the construction, and the opposition (us!), as well as by a lawyer representing the tenants at Park West Village. Although we recognize that the time and location of the appeal will make it challenging for many 163 families to attend, we nevertheless encourage the biggest possible turnout of families to support our school. Children may attend, although it is important to understand that this is a very formal court proceeding, so silence and respect for the Court will be required. We expect JHL will bus in a large group of the constituents it purports to serve. Balancing that with a strong turnout of children and families would make a powerful statement to the five justices who will hear the argument. This is an excellent opportunity to show your children justice in action, in a landmark courthouse, where the stakes are high for their education and wellbeing.
When: Tuesday, May 24; the court hears many cases each day and our case is 9th on the argument calendar, and thus likely won’t be argued until at least 3pm or even as late as 4pm but we cannot guarantee an exact time.
Where: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, 27 Madison Avenue (between 25th and 26th Streets; the entrance to the courthouse is just east of Madison Avenue on 25th Street).
Directions: Take the 2/3 train to 42nd St, transfer to the N/R train to 28th Street
(about 30 min total travel time.) The court house requires standard security screening.
-Task Force for a Safe School
The legal proceeding is open to the public and will be argued by lawyers for Jewish Home Lifecare (JHL), which proposes the construction, and the opposition (us!), as well as by a lawyer representing the tenants at Park West Village. Although we recognize that the time and location of the appeal will make it challenging for many 163 families to attend, we nevertheless encourage the biggest possible turnout of families to support our school. Children may attend, although it is important to understand that this is a very formal court proceeding, so silence and respect for the Court will be required. We expect JHL will bus in a large group of the constituents it purports to serve. Balancing that with a strong turnout of children and families would make a powerful statement to the five justices who will hear the argument. This is an excellent opportunity to show your children justice in action, in a landmark courthouse, where the stakes are high for their education and wellbeing.
When: Tuesday, May 24; the court hears many cases each day and our case is 9th on the argument calendar, and thus likely won’t be argued until at least 3pm or even as late as 4pm but we cannot guarantee an exact time.
Where: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, 27 Madison Avenue (between 25th and 26th Streets; the entrance to the courthouse is just east of Madison Avenue on 25th Street).
Directions: Take the 2/3 train to 42nd St, transfer to the N/R train to 28th Street
(about 30 min total travel time.) The court house requires standard security screening.
-Task Force for a Safe School
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