New Lease Finalized For Day Care And Senior Center At 966 Fulton Street

Some great news: the Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center and Young Minds Day Care are officially safe from being evicted from their building at 966-972 Fulton Street. A new lease has been signed, although as of this posting, we currently don’t know the terms of the lease or how long it is for. But we’re awaiting word from several of those involved to confirm the details.

However, Our Times Press notes that during the legislative breakfast for the Fort Greene Senior Council last week, all the politicians present said the programs are now safe from eviction.

Now “our culture and heritage can be preserved,” said Councilmember Laurie Cumbo.

The good news comes after months of protests and rallies in support of renewing the lease at 966-972 Fulton Street, by parents, seniors, children, concerned neighbors, and pretty much every local official arotund, including Public Advocate Letitia James, Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries, Assemblymember Walter Mosley, and Community Board 2.

A term sheet had reportedly been agreed upon late last August, but things remained unofficial for months, until now.

Money from other neighboring districts had been redirected these past several months to help keep the centers open until a lease agreement could be worked out, according to Cumbo. Elected officials who have given money include Councilmembers Inez Barron, Robert Cornegy, and Jumaane Williams.

In other good news, the Fort Greene Senior Council will eventually move into new offices, just a couple of blocks over from 966 Fulton, to 1024 Fulton Street between Downing and Irving. Their new building will also eventually have housing for seniors and veterans.