In the closed building behind the protesters they say a proposal for a drug clinic is planned. The corner building located at 2500 Williamsbridge Road has been closed for a while, and the sale of the building is being handled by Exit Realty (on the sign in the window).
Local residents complain that there is a school right across the street, and they do not want children to have to pass a drug dispensary to and from school with unsavory characters in and outside of the building.
The provider is Carnegie Hill which runs such a program in Manhattan. Recently Carnegie Hill tried and failed to purchase a doctors office on East Tremont Avenue (in Throggs Neck) across the street from the Community Board 10 office. 2500 Williamsbridge Road however is in Community Board 11 on the north side of Pelham Parkway.
The provider must have a public hearing with the community, generally at a community board meeting. While Carnegie Hill had a meeting with the Community Board 11 Health Committee it was not a public hearing, and no notice went out to the public stating that the meeting would be a public hearing. However according to OASAS (Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) the state run agency that licenses such providers, it could be said that this provider has met one meting requirement, which was verified by the CB 11 District Manager who also said that the board is trying to set up a public hearing on the site.
Where do the local elected officials stand on 2500 Williamsbridge Road?
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, I was told has come out against the proposal.
Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez has also come out against the proposal.
Councilman Mark Gjonaj has been relatively silent on the proposal. I was told the owner of the realty company putting together the deal was at one time Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj's Chief of Staff.
Above - PS 89 is across the street from 2500 Williambridge Road,
Below - Different people joined the protest as the day went on.
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