Organized by the City Planning Commission, The West Side Urban Renewal Project began in the 1950’s and aimed to rehabilitate the twenty block area from 87th and 97th streets between Central Park West and Amsterdam Ave. New York City Mayor Robert Wagner appointed the Urban Renewal Board to prepare a plan for the "rehabiliation and conservation of existing structures, new construction in redevelopment sections, and improvements in street design, traffic patterns and community facilities..." Site 24- the northeast corner of 91st St.- was marked for residential development in the plan. Recognizing the opportunity to accomodate the demand for more space, Trinity became the sponsor of Site 24 by 1965. Trinity’s Board of Trustees worked to expand the School’s facilities while following government guidelines for redevelopment. The Hawley Wing / Trinity House emerged, not without political controversy and great risk.
