Plans to build a school on the site of the demolished “Green Church” earned an A+ last week.
The City Council approved a proposal to construct a 680-seat elementary school on the corner of Fourth and Ovington avenues — where the century-old, moss-hued Bay Ridge United Methodist Church stood until it was torn down in October by the shrinking congregation to make room for a smaller house of worship and luxury condos.
After that controversial demolition, developer Abe Betesh announced that instead of going ahead with the condo portion of the plan, a portion of land was for sale.
That’s when the main opponent of the demolition, Councilman Vince Gentile (D-Bay Ridge), suggested that the city erect a school atop the emerald-tinged rubble.
Surprisingly enough, city officials listened. The Council moved last week to give the School Construction Authority permission to acquire land and build the newly christened PS 331K beside the still-to-be-built church.
Gentile was ecstatic.
“[Bay Ridge] is home to dedicated teachers and inspiring students,” he said in a statement. “And now we’re a step closer to getting them the space and resources they deserve!”
