The city approved developer Gregg Singer’s controversial plan to convert a former Alphabet City public school into a college dormitory.
The landmarked P.S. 64 building at 605 East 9th Street has long been a flash point between Singer and community groups, which wanted to see the building reinstated for community use. The Department of Buildings approved Singer’s plan exam for the conversion on Friday, according to property records cited in a published report.
Singer bought the building at auction in 1998 for $3.15 million. The conversion and renovation of the property will cost $16 million and wrap up in time for the 2016-17 school year, according to EV Grieve.
In December, the East Village’s Community Board 3 asked then mayor-elect Bill de Blasio to block plans to house students from Cooper Union and Joffrey Ballet School in the building. [EV Grieve] — Tom DiChristopher