Menin Now Leading Opposition to a 3rd Avenue Homeless Shelter

City Council speaker Julie Menin has joined over 7,800 UES residents in voicing opposition to a planned homeless shelter on East 89th Strett and Third Avenue, blasting it as “uniquely inappropriate” location for a homeless shelter in a letter to the Department of Social Services (DSS).

Menin cited concerns for community safety with numerous schools, near the site and raised concerns about the ownership of the company picked by the city to operate the shelter since in the past he had a appeared on a list of worst landlords in the city.

“I would like to express my strong opposition to the proposed homeless shelter at 1587 Third Avenue and to urge its swift rejection due to the location and property owner,” Menin wrote to DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. “While New York City must continue to provide housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, this location is uniquely inappropriate for a shelter of this type.”

The proposed UES shelter is the latest in a series of shelters being opposed by surrounding local communities. Most recently, a group of UWS parents held a public rally in response to a women’s shelter which borders a children’s playground at W. 59th St. and Amterdam Ave. However, community concerns over shelters have been popping up around the city, including at another planned shelter on the UES on E. 61 Street.

Menin’s letter, issued Aug. 13, comes almost three months after the start of an UES petition, written by local businesses and residents May 16, against the proposed homeless shelter at either 1587 or 1585 E. 89 St on Third Ave. The petition, which has since garnered over 7,800 signatures, urges the city to reconsider the location of the shelter.

“We support solutions to homelessness,” the petition stated. “We support services for those in need. But we also believe a basic principle must be upheld: Where you place a facility matters. New York City cannot continue to make decisions of this magnitude without transparency, context, and community input.”

“This level of concern, despite the proposal only recently becoming public, demonstrates the widespread belief that this is the wrong location for a shelter,” Menin wrote in her letter, in reference to the petition.

The primary issue with the shelter centers on fears surrounding child safety, according to Menin’s letter.

“The site is situated in the heart of the Upper East Side and is surrounded by an extraordinary concentration of schools, preschools, childcare facilities, senior living residences, and parks,” Menin wrote. “Within a half-mile radius are 16 schools and preschools, numerous childcare facilities, and thousands of children and seniors, making this a highly sensitive location for a proposal of this nature.”

Additionally, Menin called the proposed shelter’s owner, Liberty One Group, into question for a history of poor management of properties.

“Public records show that 1587 Third Avenue was purchased by Liberty One Group, co-owned by David Levitan,” Menin wrote. “Mr. Levitan has previously appeared on the New York City Public Advocate’s “Worst Landlord Watchlist,” and HPD has brought cases involving allegations that tenants at separate properties were deprived of hot water.”

“The company’s shelter-related properties and operations have been the subject of much sustained public scrutiny—including a proposed shelter in the Bronx cancelled amidst concerns about Levitan’s history—raising legitimate questions about whether it is an appropriate partner for a project of this significance in such a sensitive location,” Menin added.

In her letter, Menin further acknowledged the challenges in addressing homelessness in NYC. This year, as referenced by Menin in her letter, city council collaborated with DSS and CB 8 to open two new shelters in the UES neighborhood.

DSS confirmed to Our Town that the commissioner had received the letter from Speaker Menin and wrote that the proposal is still under review, with no final decision made yet. If approved, DSS wrote that community stakeholders would be notified in advance.