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Full House Expected for Riverside Center Hearing

By Leslie Albrecht | September 3, 2010 12:11pm | Updated on September 14, 2010 7:26am

By Leslie Albrecht

DNAinfo Reporter Producer

UPPER WEST SIDE — Officials are expecting a packed meeting room at Wednesday's Planning Commission hearing on Riverside Center, the five-tower development that could bring as many as 3,000 new housing units to the Upper West Side.

Planning Commission spokeswoman Rachaele Raynoff said she expects every seat in the department's meeting room to be filled for the 10 a.m. hearing. An overflow seating area with video coverage will be set up to accommodate those who can't squeeze into the main meeting room.

"Buckle up and bring lunch," said Raynoff.

The public has plenty to say about the proposed five-tower development, which has come in for heavy criticism from Community Board 7 and Borough President Scott Stringer.

Some fear the eight-acre residential and retail complex will be an exclusive enclave for the rich. Others worry that Extell Develpment Corp. won't build a big enough school to serve the children who will live at the development.

Riverside Center would bring apartments, stores, an auto showroom, a movie theater, and an underground parking garage to the area between 61st Street and 59th Street and West End Avenue and Riverside Boulevard.

The City Council has final say on Riverside Center; it's expected to vote on the development late this year.

Before then, the Planning Commission will vote to either approve, modify or disapprove of the plan. Wednesday's hearing is the commission's chance to take testimony from the public. Commissioners won't vote on the project until late October, Raynoff said.

Though a crowd is expected at the hearing, Batya Lewton of Coalition for a Livable West Side said the morning meeting time means many won't be able to attend. With most people busy working at 10 a.m., Lewton said she expects only a dozen or so concerned citizens to show up.

"The fact that they hold these hearings during the day really precludes people who are working from attending," Lewton said. "It's not fair."

Lewton said she's asked community members to speak out about various concerns about Riverside Center. Among other requests, Lewton wants Extell to scrap plans for an auto showroom and limit underground parking at Riverside Center.

The Planning Commission meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Spector Hall at 22 Reade St.