The period for submitting public comments after the public scoping session has now ended. All comments were due by close of business on Monday December 20, 2010, ten (10) days after the public event at City Hall on Thursday December 9, 2010.
Iona is proposing the construction of a new 10-story residence hall consisting of approximately 93,434 square feet and housing approximately 393 students. The residence hall would be constructed on the site of an existing parking lot on the Iona College West Campus, adjacent to the existing Loftus residence hall.
At the public scoping section, dozens of residents, most of whom live in the immediate area, spoke out against the project.
In the meantime, to build support, Iona College has been sending out form letters to alumni living in New Rochelle asking them to send a letter to the Mayor in support of the project.
Dear ___________
As a member of the New Rochelle community and a graduate of Iona College, I write to ask for your support of a very important project for Iona.
The College has proposed a new residence hall which is currently under consideration by the City Council. As a graduate of Iona, I ask that you support this initiative, which will ultimately, benefit the City and the College. This new residence hall will allow Iona to retain more resident students and supply supervised on campus housing rather than having our students move into unregulated housing in the surrounding area. The longstanding commitment by Iona to service in the community, support of local businesses and improving the North Avenue corridor will continue and grow.
For your convenience, I have enclosed a sample letter which I ask that you return to the Mayor in support of this project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Marilyn L. Wilkie
The sample letter:
The Honorable Noam Bramson
Mayor
The City of New Rochelle
515 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801Dear Mayor Bramson,
As a concerned and taxpaying citizen of the City ofNew Rochelle, I am writing to voice my support for the construction of a new residence hall by Iona College. This proposal is currently under consideration by the City and I am strongly in favor of this project. The College is a vital and thriving major component of our City. Iona brings many people to the area who support the surrounding businesses and contribute to the financial and cultural well being of our area.
Having a nationally recognized College in our town is a great asset to the City and we should support the growth and progress of this educational institution.
Sincerely,
Name:——————–
Address:——————-
Iona College Dorm Alumni Astroturf Campaign
