More than 150 neighbors and concerned Villagers showed up for Monday’s Community Board 2 Information Session on the city’s potential proposal to demolish the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center at Carmine Street. At the meeting, Village Preservation presented the history and significance of the building, and condemned any move to destroy the Center. The nearly unanimous sentiment expressed by the public was staunch opposition to demolition and a call for repairs and reopening. Speakers testified passionately about their personal experiences with and connection to the center, the need for it to remain a part of the community, and the importance of both the place and the historic building. Watch the video of the meeting here.

The no-show for the evening? The Parks Department and the Landmarks Preservation Commission, both of whom refused to attend, answer questions, or hear feedback from the public. But the Community Board showed up. In fact, they passed a very strong resolution blasting the demolition plan and the Parks Department’s ongoing neglect of the building, called for it to be restored and reopened, and condemned the Parks Department’s misrepresentation of their position — read the resolution here.

So what happens now? The Parks Department has not yet made a decision about whether they will actually pursue a demolition application for the landmarked building, which would then have to go through a very extensive public hearing process via the Landmarks Preservation Commission. They promised to come back later this year with more information about the building and its future. The firestorm of opposition to the prospect of demolition, and the strong Community Board position against it, will no doubt discourage them from pursuing this plan. Opposition from City Councilmember Erik Bottcher and Borough President Mark Levine, who have not yet taken a position on the possibility, would no doubt even further help ensure any plans for demolition are dropped. And Community Board 2 is continuing to collect statements of opposition to demolition.

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