After months of protests outside the former St. John Villa Academy, a different kind of gathering took place Monday, this time, a celebration after migrants staying at the school were moved out.

The city said the site could fit up to 300 people, but it was closed after the FDNY launched a series of fire safety inspections at city-run migrant shelters following reports of possible safety violations.

What You Need To Know

  • The migrant site at the former St. John Villa Academy was closed after the FDNY launched a series of fire safety inspections at city-run migrant shelters

  • FDNY officials said that the building had no sprinkler system or working fire alarms

  • The fire department also closed a migrant shelter at the former Hungerford School in Stapleton, citing asbestos concerns

  • The Adams administration said St. John Villa was never intended to be a long-term shelter

"We knew this wasn't the right place for this," Arrochar resident Scott Herkert said.

A vacate order was issued at the former Catholic school, with FDNY officials saying the building had no sprinkler system or working fire alarms. Hours later, migrants were headed out on a city bus, but it's still unclear where they were sent.

"It wasn't a place for anyone to live. This is a school, like I said, this is not a living facility. So, I'm happy that this has all been resolved," Arrochar resident Marjorie Fama said. 

"That's an old building. It didn't surprise me that the building was not up to code," Arrochar resident Stella Belvedere added.

The fire department also closed a migrant shelter at the former Hungerford School in Stapleton, citing asbestos concerns.

In a statement, a City Hall spokesperson said they are willing working with the FDNY to ensure migrants are housed in safe conditions.

“Asylum seekers have undergone long and arduous journeys before arriving in New York City, and we are committed to keeping them safe while staying at emergency shelters. When identifying emergency sites, we work with agencies to ensure we are taking the proper fire protective measures,” the statement read.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said 170 migrants were admitted to the site at the former St. John Villa Academy before its closure.

They were there for only a few weeks as Fossella and other elected officials fought a legal battle with the city to try to close the shelter.

Residents in the area were also backing the lawsuit, citing safety concerns for the immigrants and the community.

“The FDNY obviously saw what we saw. We've been telling them that this building is ridden with problems, so it wasn't the right place for it and wasn't the right place for them either," said Scott Herkert, who lives next door to the former school and was part of the lawsuit.

The Adams administration said St. John Villa was never intended to be a long-term shelter. The city will discuss the site at a community board meeting on Tuesday.