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165 West 57th St. (CAMI Building) near Seventh Avenue, Application for proposed alterations for a new entrance ramp and stair to make the building ADA accessible and for a rooftop cooling tower which will be added in the back of the building.
WHEREAS, 165 West 57th St. (CAMI Building) near Seventh Avenue, is an Italian mannerist Landmarked building with Tuscan overtones, complimenting Carnegie Hall, directly across West 57th Street; and
WHEREAS, The new owners, the University of Navarre in Barcelona, are changing the occupancy, they are applying to LPC for approval of the addition of two elements to the building:
- New entrance ramp and stair required for ADA compliance to make the building ADA accessible,
- New rooftop mechanical cooling tower (measuring 20 ft X 9 ft 6 in. X 15 ft) to be located at the rear of the roof, not visible from West 57th Street; and
WHEREAS, Although the entrance ramp, Dakota Mahogany Granite stairs and 3 ft high cast iron railing for the ramp (using the design of railings at the NY Public Library) are not esthetically well suited for the building, they are a practical solution for legal ADA compliance; and
WHEREAS, Although the mechanical cooling tower can be seen from a narrow alley way leading to West 58th Street as well as the upper floors of nearby buildings, it also is a practical solution for the need to modernize the building systems and its placement is at the least obtrusive location on the rooftop; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for proposed alterations at 165 West 57th Street for a new entrance ramp and stair to make the building ADA accessible and for a rooftop cooling tower which will be added in the back of the building.
The above resolution passed by a vote of 30 in favor; 1 opposed; 1 abstaining.