BY SCOTT STIFFLER | West Chelsea residents and other area stakeholders spent the spring and summer of this year in a state of smoldering unease, following an April public gathering whose host–the financially faltering General Theological Seminary (GTS)–acknowledged the frontrunner to lease the lion’s share of their buildings was a “nonprofit partner” (the School of Sacred Music) largely funded by a monied man hostile toward LGBTQ+ equality and reproductive rights. As the year went on, GTS remained tight-lipped regarding other lessee candidates (save the occasional measured update to be found here and here). Come late September, however, a best case scenario began to play out, with the September 26 announcement that GTS had signed an agreement to lease the Close to TN-based Vanderbilt University. (The “Close” refers to the 206-year-old Seminary grounds, W. 20th to 21st Sts., 9th to 10th Aves.)

Electeds, block associations, and preservationist groups were united their praise of the unexpected arrangement, which, we noted in our reporting, allows the 1817-founded Episcopal seminary to retain its own presence in Chelsea, operating as an independent entity with a distinct identity.

Vanderbilt, in its own press release of September 26, gave a number of “good neighbor” assurances regarding the level of engagement the local community can expect. Nearly two months after that announcement, Chelsea Community News reached out to Vanderbilt for further details. The below Q&A is the result, culled from answers attributable to Vanderbilt University, as provided in a November 8 email sent by the university’s Communications and Marketing Office and communications firm Berlin Rosen.

Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community News (CCNews): Our September 27 article, quoting a statement sent to CCNews, noted Vanderbilt is “eager to work with stakeholders across the city and state, and with businesses and community organizations…We will be providing full briefings to the community board and block associations over the next month.” The community was further assured that Vanderbilt will “share updates on our progress on an ongoing basis and pursue opportunities for collaboration with local residents, businesses and community organizations.” Has Vanderbilt reached out to any of the community shareholders mentioned? 

Vanderbilt University (Vanderbilt): Vanderbilt has begun outreach to local groups, including the Community Board and Block Associations and has had initial conversations with some of their leadership. These engagements will continue and expand in the weeks and months ahead.

CCNews: When will the sharing of updates on your progress commence–and what is likely to constitute the “collaboration” opportunities?

Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt’s operations at the GTS campus are contingent upon approval by New York State regulatory bodies. We are at the early stages of those processes, which ask for confidentiality. We do not yet have additional details to share about programming beyond what was in our September announcement. Further details are contingent upon the regulatory review, so we do not have a specific date when more information will be available. The university is committed to Chelsea and New York not just for the next few years, but for decades from now, and it is of the utmost importance that we keep the local community apprised on updates as we are able to share them.

CCNews: Vanderbilt’s September 26 press release referenced “best leveraging the space to expand opportunities for Vanderbilt students, faculty, alumni and supporters while providing benefits for the neighborhood and the city.” Please provide details concerning the “benefits.”

Vanderbilt: As we do in Nashville and Tennessee, we want to partner with local businesses and civic and arts organizations to solve problems, advance innovation, and create enriching programs that build community and improve the quality of life for local residents. Vanderbilt sees an opportunity to become an additional anchor institution on the thriving West Side.

CCNews: Is there a sense of a timeline, in terms of “leveraging” the space–and at present, what specific plans are there for the leveraging? (New construction? Adding to existing structures?)

Vanderbilt: With regard to the facility itself, there are some physical considerations that require further exploration and will be prioritized. The campus, for example, has accessibility limitations, which we want to rectify, while also ensuring improvements are done in the context of the neighborhood and the buildings’ historic designation. Vanderbilt’s intention is to operate within the campus space, making infrastructure improvements to restore its natural beauty and integrity.

While formal academic programming requires state approval, there are elements that may be able to begin in the interim. Vanderbilt is a convener and connector and is already exploring ideas for events and lecture series that could take place on the campus to not only advance Vanderbilt’s mission of providing transformational education and conducting pathbreaking research, but also to help enrich the local Chelsea and broader New York City community.

CCNews will continue to follow this story as it develops.

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ChelseaCommunityNews.com (CCNews) is an independent, single-owner online newspaper providing news, arts, events, and opinion content to Manhattan’s Chelsea community and its adjacent areas (Flatiron/NoMad and Meatpacking Districts, Hudson Yards, Hell’s Kitchen, Broadway/Times Square, and the Penn Station area).  Our editorial content is made possible by advertising revenue, grants, quarterly pledges of support, and voluntary reader donations (click here for our GoFundMe campaign). To join our subscriber list, click here to receive ENewsletters containing links to recently published content–as well as an occasional “Sponsored Content” email featuring an advertiser’s exclusive message. 

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