The future looks bright at NST BY VICTOR G. MIMONI It was standing room only in the ballroom of Towers on the Green for the latest open board meeting, and the hundreds of North Shore Towers residents who packed the hall were greeted with a cavalcade of good news. At the meeting on Thursday, April 24, various board members created a snapshot of conditions at the city’s premier co-op and described progress on the numerous upgrades to the facilities and amenities. The power plant modernization, the largest single project since the complex was built nearly 40 years ago, is more than halfway done, with three state-of-the-art generators sitting on their foundations and being integrated into the electrical system. Because the board of directors was careful to bring in outside experts to oversee both the technical and financial aspects of the nearly $14 million expenditure, residents will continue to have lighting, heating and cooling that is even more reliable and cheaper than that supplied by the power grid. In fact, despite the cost of fuel to get through the bitter winter season resulting in skyrocketing expense, revenue from electrical generation helped push net income to more than $2.2 million, far above the $790,000 that was projected. Renovations to the country club’s facilities on the lower level now allow for some 50 fitness classes between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. In addition to the equipment, free weights, billiards and boxing rooms, there are Pilates classes, water Zumba and water volleyball programs. Residents can sign up at the front desk. There are plans for outdoor movies and “dancing under the stars” events during the amenable weather. The 92nd Street Y program of cultural discussions is also thriving and the schedule of live and musical performances continues. In other good news, the number of golf members is growing, even though participation in the sport had declined both at the Towers Country Club and nationally in recent years, thanks to an aggressive marketing program and continued improvements on the course. The program to modernize and upgrade the movie theater continues, and the plan is to narrow the field of contractors interested in the project to perhaps three final proposals. In addition to the theatre project, the entire communications system will be upgraded with an eye to mobile device compatibility, enabling residents to more fully enjoy smartphone technology. But the biggest and best news had to be the hot market for apartments, with a virtual scarcity of available units and apartments being snapped up at premium prices, sometimes within 72 hours. The demand for apartments in the towers swelled transfer fees, a major source of income. Coupled with a smaller-than-expected rise in real estate taxes, the numbers paint a rosy picture. Photos by Victor G. Mimoni The ballroom of Towers on the Green was packed to the rafters. Fortunately, the program has been broadcast on the NST television channel. Mario Carmiciano delivers the House and Grounds Committee report as other committee chairs (from left) Bruce Savid (Country Club), Maria Termini-Miller (Publicity & Marketing/ Country Club GAP), Fred Chernow (Screening), president Mort Gitter (Finance) and Herb Cooper (Capital Improvements) attend. Residents found seating wherever they could at the packed meeting, including Gary and Suzie Zwetchkenbaum while others had to stand. Fred Chernow’s report drew smiles and applause when he discussed the increased value of NST apartments, part of a cavalcade of good news. North Shore Towers Courier n May 2014 3
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