File #: Res 0064-2014    Version: * Name: Current owners to protect and preserve, in its current form, the land known as “Mount Manresa” on Staten Island.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations
On agenda: 2/26/2014
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the current owners to protect and preserve, in its current form, the land known as "Mount Manresa" on Staten Island.
Sponsors: Deborah L. Rose, Vincent J. Gentile
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Res. No. 64
 
 
Resolution calling upon the current owners to protect and preserve, in its current form, the land known as "Mount Manresa" on Staten Island.
 
 
By Council Members Rose and Gentile
 
Whereas, Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House was established on Staten Island in 1911; and
Whereas, It is the first retreat house in the United States and became an integral part of the spiritual retreat movement in the United States in the 20th century; and
Whereas, Mount Manresa property has significant historic value and predates the establishment of the retreat house; and
Whereas, Fingerboard Road, which is on the eastern border of Mount Manresa, was once a native American trail, prior to 1661, when the Early Dutch and French Huguenot settlers arrived; and
Whereas, The historic Water Tower was built in the 1860's and is one of the oldest water towers still standing in New York City; and
Whereas, The property is also related to the history of the World War I, and in 1918, the Army used some of the property to build the Fox Hill Hospital to serve soliders; and
Whereas,  In 1964, the City of New York purchased four acres of the property for the construction of the Staten Island Expressway; and
Whereas, Staff at Mount Manresa played a vital role in the recovery efforts after the 9/11 Tragedy in 2001; and
Whereas, Recently, Mount Manresa served as a place of shelter for Hurricane Sandy victims; and
Whereas, For more than 100 years, Mount Manresa's presence on Staten Island served many purposes, including a place for spiritual retreats and a private park; and
Whereas, In January 2014, Acting State Supreme Court Justice Charles Troia approved the sale to a private developer and lifted a restraining order that prevented the felling of trees and the bulldozing of buildings on the site, according to Staten Island Live.com; and
Whereas, The sale of Mount Manresa was completed on February 13, 2014, and demolition of the property began on February 19, 2014, according to Staten Island Live.com; and
Whereas, Mount Manresa is a signficant part of Staten Island's cultural history that should remain intact; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the current owners to protect and preserve, in its current form, the land known as "Mount Manresa" on Staten Island.
 
 
LS #806
2/19/14
5:40 p.m.
TC