Plans for academic and spiritual center approved

The New York City Board of Standards and Appeals approved NYU's variance on their Center for Academic and Spiritual Life building, set to be built on 58 Washington Square South.
The board approved the variance to waive the maximum street wall regulations and maximum lot coverage regulations unanimously, according to Jeff Mulligan, executive director of the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals.

The university released its plans to build the center in June 2009. The as-of-right structure that was initially proposed to the board was planned to be 79,643 square feet and would mirror the size of the Kimmel Center. The approved building will be 61,373 square feet and match Judson Memorial Church's height.

Alicia Hurley, vice president for government affairs and community engagement at NYU, said, "The community board, while expressing some dissatisfaction with the design of the building did agree that the 'as-of-right' was not the best option and that a lower, squatter building was more appropriate."

Though the university does not typically need to seek the board's permission for a downsize in projects, the building's new shorter, wider design violated certain zoning regulations.

Alicia Hurley was glad the new building was approved.

"We are grateful for the board's thoughtful decision in this matter, for their acknowledgment that the programmatic needs justified the requested variance, and for their recognition of the important role this facility will play for the NYU and broader community," she said in a press release.

WSN inaccurately reported that the Center for Academic Spiritual Life building was initially proposed as an as-of-right structure. NYU never intended to pursue the as-of-right option and instead proposed a shorter, smaller building. WSN regrets this error.