To the Hell’s Kitchen Community, Our neighborhood school, P.S. 51 located on 45th bet 10th and 11th, is finally getting a brand new school building that has been only a rumor for years. This project is a long time coming, but unfortunately it comes at a price. Mayor Bloomberg’s School Construction Authority and Turner Construction have not guaranteed the health and safety of the children, staff, and community during the proposed construction! The new school will be constructed adjacent to the current school, where the kids are to remain for the duration of construction of new school and surrounding high rises. We have only recently learned that the construction will take 3 years with an estimated opening date of September, 2013. This is too long for our students and school community to endure!!

The construction is part of a larger development project that will bring more luxury high-rise buildings to our neighborhood.  New high-rise development is engulfing Hell’s Kitchen and, in three years, will more than double the number of elementary school children within ½ mile of P.S. 51.

While the parents and school community all believe we deserve a wonderful new school, we have concerns that must be addressed. The parents and community demand that Mayor Bloomberg: 1. Guarantee the health and safety of our children and school community 2. Don’t start construction until the City has a healthy, safe and renovated temporary location for PS 51 3. Dramatically shorten the duration of construction 4. Ensure the new P.S. 51 will continue to serve Hell’s Kitchen’s low income community.