On Monday, September 30 at 6:30 pm, Community Board 2’s Landmarks Committee will hold an “information session” on the proposal by the NYC Parks Department to demolish the city, state, and federal landmark Tony Dapolito Recreation Center. The city wants to raze the beloved public facility that has enriched the lives of generations of neighborhood residents and New Yorkers, and won’t even say what they want to use the site for if allowed to do so. Fortunately, permission to demolish the historic building is still many steps away, and there has been an outpouring of public opposition to the scheme.

A limited number of members of the public will be given an opportunity to speak at the public meeting, so we strongly urge all who have concerns about this wrongheaded demolition plan to sign up now to speak. Anyone who is interested can attend the meeting, which will be held in person (with limited public spaces) and virtually.

Allowing the city to demolish a landmarked building simply because it requires repairs (which the city has delayed for years) would set an incredibly troubling precedent for preservation in our neighborhood and citywide, as well as result in the loss of a beloved public facility that has served and can continue to serve the public and provide a space for the community.

TO HELP: