Caputo Plans On Bringing Opposing Sides Together Over Lucerne

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The conversation and debate between Upper West Side residents about The Lucerne Hotel being used as a temporary homeless shelter has swirled since 283 residents were moved into the building at the end of July.

Currently, the residents remain at the Upper West Side hotel, while a court decides whether they will relocate to the Radisson Hotel in the Financial District.

The topic has created a fission within the Upper West Side community.

On Wednesday, Elizabeth Caputo, a candidate for Manhattan Borough President and the former chair of Upper West Side Community Board 7 released a plan that she says "will bridge the divides that have dominated recent neighborhood conversations" around the subject.

"Despite months of the Lucerne being in the headlines, most of the organized advocacy groups have still not met with each other," Caputo said in a news release.

Caputo's plan centers around the different advocacy groups meeting in the same room, alongside a representative from each relevant city agency, service provider, and shelter resident.

Before outlining her plan, she did make sure to call out the recent alleged allegations that Upper West Side residents have offered food and money to Lucerne residents in return for signing papers saying they want to be moved out of the hotel.

"If true, these actions are a disgrace and have no place on the Upper West Side or anywhere else in our city. This is not how we treat our fellow New Yorkers," Caputo said in a news release.

Here are the five bullet points Caputo uses to explain her proposed plan to handle the situation around The Lucerne:

• "A direct meeting to be held before the next court hearing November 16, including a single representative from: Each relevant city agency, service providers, shelter residents, private sector leaders, residents, and advocacy groups. Elected officials would attend as observers only, to maximize input from these stakeholders.
• Coming out of that meeting, a roadmap is established based on objective data and facts, and not judgment or biased opinions, with an action plan to best serve the sheltered population in question and address the broader issue of homelessness on the Upper West Side.
• Regardless of the November 16 outcome, a virtual public meeting/town hall, moderated by objective neighborhood voice will be held to roll out the Community Conversation Plan and seek final community input.
• A commitment from City Hall and the private sector to enact the Community Conversation Plan, with a specific timeline for action. Our City leaders cannot delay any longer.
• Monthly/quarterly progress updates from City Hall (held during local Community Board meetings) to update the community on progress, once the plans are implemented."

You can find out more about Caputo on her Twitter.