- Filed (End of Session)
History
Res. No. 259
Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York to acquire, by direct purchase or through eminent domain, the property at 211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, which is home to the Swinging Sixties Senior Center and the Small World Daycare, in order to maintain the property's public purpose.
By Council Members Reynoso and Mendez
Whereas, For nearly four decades, the property at 211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, has been home to the Swinging Sixties Senior Center and the Small World Daycare, both operated by the Conselyea Street Block Association (CSBA); and
Whereas, Until recently, the senior center and daycare were funded by the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) and the New York City Administration for Children's Services (ACS), respectively; and
Whereas, On a daily basis, at least 100 seniors, 90 preschoolers and 70 after-school students visit the centers; and
Whereas, The Swinging Sixties Senior Center is also home to monthly Community Board 1 meetings; and
Whereas, Additionally, the senior center and daycare have at least 40 employees, many of whom reside in the surrounding community; and
Whereas, The Small World Daycare has recently expressed interest in providing Full-Day Universal Pre-Kindergarten Services, which if implemented, would prepare children in the surrounding community for success; and
Whereas, While CSBA operates the senior center and daycare, it does not own the property; and
Whereas, After new owners acquired the building in 2013, CSBA has had their rent increased by $7,000 to approximately $40,000 a month; and
Whereas, As a result of having its bids rejected due to competition in the district and losing its funding from DFTA and ACS and having their rent dramatically increased, the CSBA is at risk of having to close the senior center and daycare; and
Whereas, The City Council has secured the necessary funding to keep the senior center and daycare open for the remainder of 2014; and
Whereas, If the Swinging Sixties Senior Center closes its doors after that time, seniors who have been frequenting the center for many years may be unable or unwilling to travel to a center that is farther away; and
Whereas, The City may acquire real property by purchase or eminent domain, for any public or municipal use or purpose or for the promotion of public utility, comfort, health, enjoyment or adornment; and
Whereas, Ensuring that the community can continue to avail itself of the programs and services offered at the senior center and daycare is a public purpose and the property was constructed using public funds so it is appropriate that it be used to benefit the community; and
Whereas, In order to ensure that the Swinging Sixties Senior Center and the Small World Daycare continue to provide services to its surrounding community and some of its most vulnerable residents, including seniors and children, the City should acquire the property at 211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, and lease it to CSBA at reasonable terms; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor of the City of New York to acquire, by direct purchase or through eminent domain, the property at 211 Ainslie Street, Brooklyn, which is home to the Swinging Sixties Senior Center and the Small World Daycare, in order to maintain the property's public purpose.
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LS# 1765
05/22/2014