Admiral's Row, the historic Civil War era Brooklyn buildings that have been left to gently rot into ruin, are about to be turned into a parking lot. Thanks to Melanie for the tip: Gothamist reported today that two buildings are to be saved with the remaining demolished to make way for a badly needed grocery store/parking lot for this lower income neighborhood. I am just thankful that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation appears to be preserving two of the houses, if they're good to their word. From Gothamist:The Municipal Art Society attended a meeting today at which the negotiations between the National Guard, the owner of the property, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) discussed the future of the buildings at Admiral's Row. The meeting was part of the federally-mandated Section 106 process that requires federal agencies to study the impact of their actions on important historic buildings. Sadly, it seems their minds were made up, the Brooklyn Paper reports that they will save two of the historic buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and destroy the others, making way for a supermarket.
This deal would not guarantee that the buildings (the Timber Shed and building B) would be preserved, rather, ownership would be transferred to the city, who would then "solicit bids from developers to build a supermarket and an industrial building as well as to 'test the market' to rehabilitate and maintain the two crumbling 19th-century structures."
While the city is smiling upon this agreement, MAS (who had their own plans proposed) and other preservationists are not. The former just released the following statement: “MAS appreciates the National Guard’s focus on this issue and the rigorous review it is conducting as part of the Section 106 process. We will continue to work with them to address issues that they have articulated in our effort to preserve more of the buildings. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is seeking to demolish the buildings to create a very large surface parking and we strongly believe that more of the historic buildings could be preserved by reconfiguring their plan.”
17 comments:
I love your photos of admiral's row and went back to them when I read that they're being demolished, but, as you say, badly needed development.
It's a shame that only two could be saved but two is better than none.
I think everyone would agree that developemnt is extremely important, especially in some "underserved" neighborhoods. But I'm always saddened to see parts of our history, architecturally and otherwise, demolished to make way for progress. I hope they save something of this area. See the long article in today's NY Times about the city along the ancient Silk Road in China that is being replaced with modern apartments, etc. And it was attracting huge tourism. Oh, well. Thank you for the post.
Damn, is that haunted.
Im also glad they're going to save something. I hate to see it all go.
thanks for the update, Ken.
gotta tell ya, though, recently you're coming out with some truly outstanding shots. . . . we're enjoying the heck atta them. luvitt!
yeah, the night lights, WS fountain, doorways all good stuff,
but yer also briging in my particular favorites old rust, bricks, rotten wooden: all wonderful texture and color.
we know these aren't always crowd pleasering, and also that your focus is more historic-architectural;
but we're grateful that you post them frequently.
thanks again,
..
.ero
*sheesh* "pleasing" ~~ yoo new dat
These two are looking really spooky. It's a pity that the historical heritage is so little respected.
Buenos Aires Photo
It's always easy at a distance of the net for me to banner wave for saving such places, but that's me. To see at least at portion saved is at least something of what must have been some building in it's day.
huzzah for the MAS
at least they're saving two
be sure to show us the renovation project
I hope that they can preserve more than just two historic buildings, so the next generations can enjoy history too!
It's me again. There's something in the mood of your photo that I would like to use in a painting - it's the change of colors in this once stately house.
Do I have your permission to use and (maybe) alter it? I will mention your name. Please leave me a note here, or my blog - thanks.
Fascinating.
I wish I could see them before they disappear...doesn't seem likely however.
A crying shame this one has been left to die for so long.
V
This area was negelected for so long it is a miracle they can salvage any of them. I hope they do follow through with some of the planned preservation.
I love photographs of abandoned buildings. This one looks very special.
If this was in Manhattan, its demolition would NEVER be allowed to happen. We will regret this in 100 years, when this section of Brooklyn is no longer low-income (read: indispensable) and people actually realize what was lost.
Post a Comment