It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Belfer, our founding President and devoted friend and neighbor.
Linda will always be remembered for her titanic spirit and staunch, tireless advocacy for Gateway residents. As a lawyer, Board President, and community activist, she demonstrated passion and concern for all our constituents.
Her motto was to be part of the solution, not the problem. And she fought for what she believed in. As she once said when she was presented with a community award recognizing her service: “This is Eden. I love this area. I loved it from day one. I’ll be damned if I’ll let anyone push me out of here.”
Linda was a pioneer when, in l982, she founded the Gateway Plaza Tenants Association, created to respond to tenant-related issues at Gateway Plaza, the largest residential complex in Battery Park City. Over a period of three decades, Linda lead the way in negotiating our rent stabilization agreements and a myriad of other initiatives to improve the quality of life at Gateway.
Whether as Chairperson of the Battery Park City Committee of Community Board 1 or as our longtime Democratic District leader, Linda was always at the forefront of fighting for Gateway residents.
No one will ever forget how involved she was after the events of 9/11, working with Gateway management and our political leaders to reconstruct a neighborhood that is now in renaissance.
Although challenged by health problems in her later life, Linda faced them with courage. She will forever be remembered for her profound commitment to community service.
We will miss her.
Glenn Plaskin, President
Gateway Plaza Tenants’ Association