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Read the press release here.

Asphalt Green Community Center Receives Sought-After Permit from City

BATTERY PARK CITY — After nearly a year of delays, the Asphalt Green community center cleared a major hurdle that had kept it from swinging open its doors.

Community Board 1 announced at an executive committee meeting Wednesday night that the Battery Park City Authority obtained fire safety and occupancy permits from the city for the 52,000-square-foot complex at 212 North End Ave.

"CB1 found that the Department of Buildings has issued the BPCA their permit," said board chairwoman Catherine McVay Hughes

"We wanted to find out the status of the permits," she added. "This is one question that has now been answered about Asphalt Green, and it is bringing us one step closer to opening a community center in Battery Park City."

The $55 million facility — which will feature two pools, a basketball court and a theater — was slated to open in November 2011. 

A series of delays stalled the health complex from opening, frustating those who pre-purchased memberships to the club

Residents had created petitions and announced planned rallies via Twitter to put pressure on the BPCA to obtain permits for the site. 

"The issuance of the permits is the culmination of a process that BPCA had spoken about for quite awhile," said Matthew Monahan, a spokesman for the authority, noting that one of the permits is a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, which allows for the legal occupation of a building

The BPCA obtained permits on October 2 and October 3, Hughes noted. 

"This is one big step moving forward," she said.