P.S. 64 to become the Tower School

Long-time educator Kimber Barton hopes to leave his legacy on East 9th Street by transforming the vacant P.S. 64 into the Tower School, a non-profit, independent school for 600 students that could open next fall, the Villager reported. According to Barton, the old P.S. 64 — at 605 East 9th Street off Tompkins Square Park — is up for sale but is also being offered for long-term lease with an option to buy. Barton been in talks with Helmsley Spear to list the building for $40 million, down from $60 million a few years ago. The building’s owner, Gregg Singer, had wanted to create a megadorm by adding a 23-story tower to the site, but his plans were rejected by the city. Singer purchased the formerly city-owned building at auction in 1998 for $3.15 million, but has been unable to capitalize on it due to community and political opposition to his various plans. [The Villager]