In 1980, a planned new building at 805 Third Avenue would have stood three stories higher than permitted and restricted sunlight reaching the park.
Under the leadership of Greenacre Foundation, park patrons mounted a campaign to curtail the building’s height. And we won.
In rejecting the application, Planning Chairman Herbert Sturz said: “Greenacre Park is one of the most beautiful and useful private parks available to the public [and makes a] tremendous contribution…to the quality of life in this city.”
The Foundation then analyzed all nearby sites that might threaten the park’s sunlight. As a result, an adjacent property was purchased in 1985 — and then resold it with height restrictions protecting the park’s northern end.
Also, in 1987, the Durst Organization agreed to curtail any potential shade encroachment that might be triggered by its property across the street from the park.
