Community apprehension has heightened in Grymes Hill as residents await definitive answers regarding the future of the former St. John's University Staten Island campus. According to the New York Post, locals in this hill community are worried that the 16.5-acre site might be transformed into a massive housing development, with concerns circling around the potential for low-income housing.
Despite the rising rumors, St. John’s University has issued a statement confirming there are no current plans for such housing. "None of the parties that we are in discussion with have expressed any interest in constructing low-income housing," St. John’s University said. This sentiment was echoed by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella who highlighted the area's picturesque nature, revealing a concern for the property remaining vacant for an extended period, as per the conversations with the New York Post.
Concerned residents, however, as mentioned in a report by SILive.com, feel a lack of transparency is at play. "No information is being given, and that is a very uncomfortable feeling for the community," a 40-year resident of the area told SILive. Another resident conveyed anxieties about increased traffic and the neighborhood's character should the property be developed into multi-family housing.
Meanwhile, Brian Browne, a spokesperson for St. John’s University, reassured that the school is committed to finding a "fitting partner" for the campus, and those intentions have been clearly stated. "St. John's University's real estate advisor, Savills, continues to evaluate potential buyers for the Staten Island campus," Browne stated, addressing rumors, which the school deems to be baseless, according to SILive.com. As reiterated by Fossella, there has been no authorized confirmation of the low-income housing claim, and he takes St. John's at their word that they are working to respect the community's wishes.
