GRAMERCY — Friends Seminary is moving forward with the first phase of its controversial renovation project amid a probe by the city, a lawsuit brought on by its neighbors and an open issue regarding a building permit.
The 222 E. 16th St. school, in the Stuyvesant Square Historic District, is planning to add three stories across its three townhouses and its Hunter Hall building on 16th Street.
The project was approved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission last May. But the school's accused of sending bogus emails to the commission, and it's neighbors have filed a lawsuit trying to stop construction, saying it's out of character with the neighborhood.
The city approved more than a dozen work permits for the construction, even though the school had failed to secure a Certificate of Occupancy, which technically allows Friends to use the building as a school.
►See also: Friends Seminary Included Bogus Emails In Bid to Get Renovation Approval From LPC
Friends Seminary officials gave a construction update on April 7, detailing its schedule for the project.
Here are the key points from the public meeting:
► Phase one of the project, which began this month, will consist of the addition of two floors and a rooftop play area to its main building, Hunter Hall. This phase is projected to last through September 2017.
► Phase two, in which workers will transform three townhouses — which are currently inaccessible to students with disabilities — into a contiguous building that's ADA accessible, is set to begin in March 2017 and wrap up in March 2019.
► Phase three, which will see the completion of interior and exterior work in the townhouses, is projected to begin in March 2019 and finish in September 2019, wrapping up the project.
Friends Seminary made the following promises, in hopes of mitigating impact on neighbors and its students:
► During the school year, work will only take place on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
► Starting on June 6, work will take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on Saturdays.
► No construction will take place on Sundays.
