Long Island City artists are demanding a local panel block a plan to tear down a world-renowned graffiti mecca to make way for a luxury housing project.
G M Realty intends to demolish the internationally known 5Pointz and build two residential high-rises in Long Island City — but it needs a zoning change to do it.
“Anybody involved with 5Pointz feels it’s an asset to the arts community,” said Marie Flageul, a spokeswoman for the artist-run “aerosol art Center,” a former water meter factory that nourishes 1,000 artists per year.
“I hope New Yorkers wake up for once and take arms now instead of mourn later,” she said.
Community Board 2 will take up the controversial issue Wednesday, when David Wolkoff, president of the development company, is expected to present his plan for a 41- and 47-story tower. He will argue for a zoning variance on the grounds that the towers include amenities like an indoor rock climbing wall, simulated golf course and barbecue areas.
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Wolkoff has also promised a public plaza, a gallery and artist spaces, and retail shops. The first tower is expected to open in 2015.
“We believe it will be a nice, attractive addition to the local economy,” Wolkoff said.
His family has allowed graffiti artists to legally decorate the buildings’ facade with sprawling murals for years.
As a result Richard Mazda, executive director of LIC Arts Open, said the artists are now playing out the age-old New York ritual: first, they make an off-the-grid neighborhood trendy — and then the developers kick them out.
“To lose 5Pointz will be tragic,” he said.
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Artist Eric Felisbret, author of the book “Graffiti New York,” said 5Pointz has helped the public to gain an understanding of often-maligned art form.
He fears there will soon be few places for graffiti artists to legally paint.
“A lot of it just may end up on the streets,” he said.
But CB2 Chairman Joseph Conley said this project “makes sense” as Long Island City’s industrial buildings are being converted into offices and luxury high-rises are going up on the waterfront.
“It’s a progression that’s happening in the neighborhood,” Conley said. “We haven’t heard much community opposition.”
Rob MacKay of the Queens Tourism Council said local businesses would likely benefit from the influx of new residents the project is expected to attract.
“Riders of the 7 train are going to miss looking at it as they pass by,” MacKay said. “But it’s not going to have a big impact on tourism in Queens.”
This is privately owned property and the owners has every right to do with as he likes. Just like he granted artist permission to paint graffiti on it he has every right to tear it down. Any way the art is not permanent there artist paint over each others work so what’s the difference it’s destroyed either way.
Yes the street thugs who believe everything is theirs don’t realize they need to work like the rest of us do to have things & to have been given this for so long does not entitle you to demand it like a child who’a only was taken. Clean your act up, & learn to be grateful for what they had . Stop being ungrateful lazy little boys who need to grow up at 30 & 40 years of age. Contribute to society in a way that means something.