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365 5th Avenue, CUNY Graduate Center, application for rooftop renovation.
WHEREAS, 365 5th Avenue (NE corner of 34th Street) currently known as the CUNY Graduate Center and historically known as the B. Altman Department Store, is a 16-story, designed in the Italian Renaissance Palazzo style building by the architectural firm of Trowbridge and Livingston; and
WHEREAS, The c. 1906 building was designated an individual landmarked in 1982 with a statement by Community Board Five in favor of designation; and
WHEREAS, The City University of New York (CUNY) hired the prominent architectural firm Gwathmey Siegel to restore and re-purpose the building in 2000; and
WHEREAS, CUNY intends to convert un-used attic space into a usable light-filled lecture hall and add a small green roof and amenity space; and
WHEREAS, A roof top addition measuring approximate 136’ x 23’ and 13’6” tall, and 3’ lower than existing roof top mechanical units; and
WHEREAS, The addition will house a stairway to allow access to a new rooftop patio measuring 15’ x 17’ and a new green roof measuring approximately 37’ x 28’; and
WHEREAS, The rooftop addition is not visible from positions immediately surrounding the building, from locations South on 5th Avenue or locations East on 34th street; and
WHEREAS, The rooftop addition is only slightly visible and much less visible than the existing rooftop mechanical units from locations North on 5th Avenue and West on 34th Street; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval of the application for a new rooftop addition at 365 5th Avenue.