9/23 Town Hall Meeting

Dear Neighbor,  

There will be a community meeting at the Abigail Adams Elementary
School PS 131, 172nd Street and 84th Avenue, Jamaica Estates, NY,
on Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 7:00 PM.
 
The meeting is being held to inform the Jamaica Estates Community
about what on going actions are taking place to halt the building of
the St. John's University Off Campus Dormitory for 485 students
at 172-10 Henley Road and to address other planned “community
facilities” for our community.  
 
As you know, The Conce rned Residents of Jamaica Estates hired an
independent architect / engineering firm, Mielle Associates, LLP, to
examine the plans for the St. John’s Dormitory Project. Mr. Mielle
has completed his review of the plans and it is imperative that we
share his findings with the entire community.  
 
In addition, to the architects report we will also have the premier
viewing of a documentary chronicling the building of the St. John’s
dormitory filmed by Ms. Shakti Chris a member of The Concerned
Residents of Jamaica Estates.  
 
Please do not be discouraged by the “speed” in which you see the
St. John’s dormitory being built on Henley Road or by reports of
committees being formed to facilitate the management of issues
related to the occupancy of the off campus dormitory. This is not a
done deal.  
 
There continues to be significant number of unanswered questions
concerning the viability of the building’s structure and its potential
negative impact on the infra-structure of the Jamaica Estates
Community.  Questions which have not been satisfactorily answered
by the Department of Buildings or the Department of Environmental
Protection. Questions which have been summarily dismissed by those
who have, and will, reap financial benefit from this project, St. John's
University, the construction company H2H Residences, Inc., other
community organizations as well as some elected officials.  Issues that
are left un addressed will have to be paid by Jamaica Estates
homeowners and New York City tax payers.

Your attendance at the Jamaica Estates Community meeting on
Tuesday, September 23, 2008 is crucial to demonstrate to St. John’s
University, the Department of Buildings, the Department of 
Environmental Protection and the New York City political system 
that we value (1) the serenity and beauty of our community, sanctity
of our homes, and safety and security of our families, (2) that unless
this project is halted, we will be holding them financially and legally
responsible for unsafe conditions created by the building of this off
campus dormitory and (3) that our community and our votes are not
for sale. Remain informed and let your voice be heard, come to the
meeting on September 23 and bring a neighbor.

Sincerely, The Concerned Residents of Jamaica Estates