ARCHIVES OF THE MAYOR'S WEEKLY COLUMN Archives of Rudolph W. Giuliani

Selling 110 Livingston Street and Moving the Museum of the City of New York
By Mayor Rudy Giuliani

One of the keys to New York City's success throughout its history has been a willingness to embrace change. As our city begins a new century, it is appropriate that we look for ways to ensure that New York remains vital and committed to the pursuit of excellence. That is why we are taking two important steps to upgrade facilities for both the Board of Education and the Museum of the City of New York.

Following last year's release of a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to purchase the Board of Education headquarters at 110 Livingston Street and its two other buildings in Downtown Brooklyn, the City is now moving ahead with the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) from developers interested in purchasing some or all of the buildings.

In conjunction with this sale, we are also releasing an RFEI to lease or develop a new state-of-the-art building in Downtown Brooklyn that will house Board headquarters and include a new high standards public school.

For far too long, 110 Livingston Street has served as a symbol of a bloated bureaucracy in desperate need of systemic reform, instead of educational excellence. We have the highest Board of Education budget ever -- $12 billion annually -- combined with the lowest student--teacher ratio ever, and the largest five--year capital plan ever. We need to ensure that this money is spent wisely and responsibly. By selling the Board's headquarters and moving it to a smaller facility, we will redirect these resources from the bureaucracy to where they are needed most -- in the classroom.

The properties included in the RFP, all located in Downtown Brooklyn, are 110 Livingston Street, constructed in 1925; 65 Court Street, constructed in 1965; and 131 Livingston Street, constructed in 1907. Permitted uses under existing zoning include office, commercial, residential, and community facilities. The City has received expressions of interest for each of these permitted uses.

The sale of these three sites should bring enough money to build a modern headquarters for the Board of Education, and also keep alive the possibility of including a school in that building, which would keep the Board's focus where it should be -- on educating children.

The consolidation of Board headquarters into one location will allow it to streamline its operations and trim its central staff. I look forward to working with the Board to expedite the sale of its existing headquarters, and to develop this new facility.

The City is also seeking a buyer or a lessee for the landmark building currently housing the Museum of the City of New York. We have released a RFEI for the Fifth Avenue and 103rd Street location to elicit proposals that will take advantage of the museum's distinct architecture and unique location. The current zoning for the site allows for both residential and community facilities. This creates a wonderful opportunity to see what creative uses private groups come up with, including a school, a museum, or an institute.

The Museum's board of directors voted last December to relocate the museum to the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan, which is currently undergoing complete renovation. The Tweed courthouse will offer twice the space to house the museum's extensive collection. Because so much of our city's history has taken place in or near Lower Manhattan, it makes sense to move the Museum of the City of New York to the Tweed Courthouse, behind City Hall and in sight of the Brooklyn Bridge. It's the perfect place for New Yorkers to learn about their City's heritage.

It's also a perfect use for a building with infamous origins whose space has not been adequately used for the public's benefit in a long time. The plans put forward call for a restaurant, conference rooms, and space for official City business, but the bulk of this entirely renovated site will be dedicated for the Museum of the City of New York.

The sale of these City--owned buildings provides great opportunities for change that can lead to substantial economic development in Downtown Brooklyn and East Harlem. To request a copy of any of these solicitations, please call the Economic Development Corporation Contract Hotline at 212-312-3969.