LONG ISLAND CITY — For decades, the Long Island City waterfront was a rundown industrial area, with almost no access to the East River.
Now, as the community is reclaiming the area, residents want the curriculum at a new school in Hunters Point to reflect this effort and focus on the environment and ecology.
IS/HS 404, which is currently under construction, is scheduled to be completed by fall 2013 at 1-50 51st Ave., next to the water.
“Considering the unique location of this new school and its close proximity to the waterfront, we are requesting the school be programmed with an emphasis on environmental studies, ecology and sustainability,” Joseph Conley, chairman of Community Board 2 wrote recently in a letter to Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott.
“Our community continues to work hard to recapture the waterfront in Hunters Point. We have been very involved with the planning of the open space together with protecting and enhancing the waterfront for sustainability while protecting the environment.”
Erin Hughes, a spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Education said the department “welcomes community feedback and will take this into consideration as we plan for the new building.”
She added however, that “no final decision has been made.”
The area currently has high schools that cater to students studying information technology, vocational training, aviation, and the arts, but none dedicated to environmental studies.
