Last Update: Saturday November 2, 2007

GPTA & Elected Officials Meet With Gateway Owners

March 9, 2008

Dear Neighbors,

I'm pleased to take this opportunity to update you on recent events related to the issue of maintaining affordability at Gateway Plaza.

Last week, representatives from the Gateway Plaza Tenants' Association (GPTA) and the owners of Gateway Plaza (Lefrak, Fisher, & Olnick) attended a meeting hosted by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The owner representatives present included Richard Lefrak, Harrison Lefrak, Rick Lane, and Brian Fisher. GPTA was represented by GPTA Executive Board members Glenn Plaskin, Jeff Galloway and me.

Also in attendance were Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Martin Connor, City Council Member Alan Gerson, and members of their staffs, Julie Menin, Chair of Community Board One, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Jerry Nadler and City Comptroller William Thompson.

All of the above-mentioned elected officials are supporting our efforts and actively assisting us in negotiations with the landlord. At the meeting, each of them spoke strongly in favor of extending rent protections to Gateway residents well beyond 2009, when our current stabilization agreement expires. Although no agreement with the landlord was reached at the meeting, the atmosphere was cordial and cooperative and we have all agreed to meet again in the near future.

This process will likely be a lengthy one. In fact, in recent months, the GPTA negotiating team has also met with the Battery Park City Authority on two occasions, with City Council Member Alan Gerson, while also testifying at Council Member Gerson's Lower Manhattan Affordable Housing hearing. We will continue to keep you informed as events transpire and hope you will consider joining one of our committees.

In the meantime, to assist us in keeping our entire Gateway community informed, unless you have already received this letter by E-mail, please E-mail or write back to us, providing your name, address, apartment number, telephone contact, and E-mail address.

And if you haven't already become a GPTA member, we would be grateful for your support. Our annual membership fee is $30. A check can be sent to the address below.

Your support allows us to continue our efforts on your behalf.

Sincerely,

Linda Belfer
President GPTA

WRITE US: GPLAZATA@AOL.COM
Gateway Plaza Tenants' Association
P.O. Box 3266
Church Street Station
NY NY 10008

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9/11 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM

The American Red Cross and The September 11th Fund are working together to meet the mental health needs of those directly affected by the tragedy: at minimal cost to the individual, by a licensed provider, wherever they are in the United States

The program: is administered by the Mental Health Association of New York City, is the primary payment source for those who have no insurance or other resources, covers up to $3,000 per covered individual or 32 visits, covers related out-of-pocket expenses for those who have existing mental health insurance and is retroactive to September 11, 2001

Battery Park City Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Put your strengths to good use in the case of emergency!

 CERT in Battery Park City is constantly recruiting new members; if you are interested in free training and certification please contact us by clicking HERE or contact Lee Blake @ 212-321-3446 for more information.

VISIT THE BPC-CERT WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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You may contact the GPTA by emailing us at info@gpta.org
or by calling the GPTA Hotline at 212-501-2482.
or by USPS at GPTA, PO Box 3266, Church St. Station, New York, NY 10008

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GPTA.org is updated at least monthly and was last updated on Thursday April 28, 2005