Renters on 86th Could be Kicked Out by Chabad Expansion

Chabad, a Jewish organization, wants to turn two rowhouses it owns on 86th Street between Columbus and Central Park West into a day school. The organization has applied to the Landmarks Preservation Commission to allow it to renovate the buildings, change the facades, and build a new roof addition and rear yard. The buildings, at 43-45 West 86th Street, were built in 1895-96 and sit in the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.

Comunity Board 7 already had its say, recommending that the proposal be denied. A spokesman for Chabad told New York 1, however, that Chabad “has gone out of its way to work with community leaders and others to come up with a plan that is much less severe than other projects that have occurred.” A renter told the TV station “Even though they say they’re communicating with us, it’s not true.” The Landmarks Commission took no action on the proposal at a May meeting, but New York 1 says it expects a vote within a few weeks.

Chabad Expansion Riles UWS Residents (NY1)