LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Don't bulldoze us, Hebrew Home

Posted

To the editor:

(re: “Say no to Hebrew Home plans,” Jan. 25)

I join Mr. Martin Zelnick and agree with the notion that difficult and important struggles for land use that has led to the zoning rules around Riverdale, and specifically the former property of the Passionist Retreat, should lead to opposition to the Hebrew Home plans for expansion. 

I reprise my letter of Feb. 14, 2013 to The Riverdale Press that first discussed the “domino effect,” recalling a lesson from Jane Jacobs who protested development that destroyed neighborhoods in the ‘60s. She warned, “It’s the same old story. First the builder picks the property, then he gets the planning commission to designate it (in our story, it was Mayor de Blasio’s zoning for quality and affordability proposal initiated by his office opposed by communities throughout the boroughs that has opened the way for the current Hebrew Home proposal) … and then … the people get bulldozed.”

No matter that during the Community Board 8 meeting on Jan. 25, at the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Founder’s Hall, Mr. Daniel Reingold promised Mr. Charles Moerdler that there would be no further building in the south campus, because once the zoning rules are bypassed with special permits, the precedent is set to support zoning relaxation for other large properties that have opened land in the neighborhood.

The Hebrew Home has been lauded for residential and rehabilitative services for the elderly and infirm. However, good work is not always made better by physical space expansion. Care of the handicapped and elderly is being constantly re-evaluated and updated with novel therapy, and recent reports suggest that in some communities, the incidents of Alzheimer’s dementia is decreasing.

The proposed building expansion, in fact, may be more misdirected energy that would be better focused on programs that keep the elderly in their homes.

The Hebrew Home could continue to fulfill obligations to seniors by building a park that is open to community seniors who live in other senior facilities in the Bronx where there is not easy access to open space. Currently, the new Hebrew Home property is fenced off for the first time ever. To the Hebrew Home, we in the community say honor your tradition of 50-plus years of care to seniors by expanding your horizon to consider building prospects rather than another overbuilt campus.

Respect the environment and exploit ways in which this peaceful spot of land could be used for the common good of the community. 

Bruce T. Volpe

Want to share your opinion? Send us your thoughts to letters@riverdalepress.com.

Bruce T. Volpe