UES residents at war with New York Blood Center over HQ building plans

The New York Blood Center is in a bruising battle with its Upper East Side neighbors over a proposed expansion that opponents say would dwarf area buildings and include a scary Bio Safety Level 3 lab to study dangerous microbes.

The Blood Center, a non-profit blood bank and research facility, is asking for a rezoning in order to replace its 3-story headquarters on East 67th Street with a 334-foot tower most of which would be rented out to for-profit companies as a “life sciences center.” Community residents and some elected officials said the space is much more than the Blood Center needs, would cast shadows over a neighboring school and park, and they criticized the non-profit for not initially disclosing that it would include a BLS 3 lab.