Graffiti haven might be leveled
March 7, 2011, Gothamist
It could truly be the end for the iconic 5 Pointz graffiti mecca in Long Island City: the graffiti-caked artist space may soon be bulldozed and resurrected as high-rises, restaurants and retail stores.
The building’s owner, developer Jerry Wolkoff, told the News that he met recently with city planning officials to discuss replacing it with two high-rise residential towers and up to 1,300 rental units. He also said his plans include a mix of shops and restaurants, a supermarket, an open-air concourse between the towers and a park, as well as a studio space for artists. Because Wolkoff’s plans require the taller of the two high-rises to rise above 40 stories, it will require a special permit and likely a zoning change, which means the changes must be approved by the city’s zoning and land-use review process. He expects to submit a formal proposal to the city in the next two weeks.
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Well, this is truly unfortunate but also inevitable.
On another note: It’s in Gothamist (http://gothamist.com), not Gotham Gazette (http://gothamgazette.com/), a totally separate site.
Wonderful. Another ugly, cold, sterile glass tower.
How about creating an area to park cars. Enough of building buildings.
We have no place to park our cars here. When are we going to start working on that issue.
Yes, I’m sure people will be clamoring to pay the big bucks to live in an apartment 10 feet away from an elevated subway line.
There is a petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/support5pointz/ Sign it. NY is special – it has buildings filled with graffiti art — we don’t need another high rise!
f this city for taking this building away
that’s f..kin history and art all in one…
The ‘earth’ without ‘art’ is just ‘eh’.
lame, but so true.
you know 5 pointz was more that just a building covered in graff
it had a strong presence. first thing you see out of the tunnel and the last thing before you go in…
it meant something, it still does.
A parking garage would be an eyesore and they’d overcharge..but yes it is horrendous to park here, agreed.