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Barron Supports Homeowners Opposed To Impact Of New School City Councilman Charles Barron and School Construction Authority (SCA) officials attended last Monday’s South Canarsie Civic Association (SCCA) meeting at the HES building to work with residents whose properties will be impacted by the approaching construction of a new public school between East 107th Street between Flatlands Avenue and Avenue J. “This is not a complaint session,” said Barron, who represents the 42nd Councilmanic District, which encompasses the area where the school will be. “We’re here tonight to come to a concrete agreement on what can be done to minimize or eliminate the impact of this school’s construction. If we can build the school elsewhere, that would be great. But in the event that we can’t fight it, I want all of you to put in writing what your individual concerns are where the construction is concerned.” Residents have met with SCA officials over the past few months, frustrated that up to 10 feet of their property will be affected when the former yeshiva that currently stands on the site undergoes pest cleaning and demolition. “No matter what anyone tells you, our schools are overcrowded and my district will somehow get a new school,” he said. “When I met with some constituents two years ago, they all wanted a school for the children of the Breu-kelen Houses and neighboring communities. Just to make that clear – I supported this project even after Com-munity Board 18 turned it down. I was happy that this school was going to be built in my district. “But,” Barron pointed out, “only re-cently was I made aware of the property infringement issue from a reporter with the Canarsie Courier . I didn’t find out what was going on from any homeowners. As far as I knew, this building was going to remain as it is and they weren’t going to demolish it — subsequently inconveniencing you.” George Toma, one of the project coordinators with the SCA, said everyone’s property will be returned to its original condition when the construction is completed. “We will document everything with pictures and we are looking into ways of shortening the time to impact your property,” he said. “Instead of three years, we’re going to try and minimize it to a little over a year.” Greg Shaw, an attorney with the SCA, said, “We are coming onto your property to protect you – it’s the law. To be honest with you, even if you went to court and didn’t sign the license agreement stating how you will be compensated, we are still going to go forward with the project.” When one resident said she would much rather see a community center built at the site, Shaw responded that the facility will benefit and serve children after school hours. “You’re fighting something positive for the community,” he said. The SCA is scheduled to start cleaning the building in February with demolition set for spring. Barron told constituents not to sign any papers until their individual needs are assessed by the SCA. “I’m livid about this whole situation,” he said. “We’re going to meet with the SCA as many times as we need to – even if it’s every few weeks – to make sure the legal issues are fully understood. I’m behind every one of you 100 percent and if we can explore every possible option, we can have a school for our kids and at the same time minimize the inconvenience it will impose upon everyone.”
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