Councilman Lander Says Kentile Sign Owners "Making a Big Mistake"
News that the owners of the Kentile Floors building in Gowanus had filed for a demolition permit for the iconic sign set off a spate of articles in the press and prompted local Councilman Brad Lander to issue a statement denouncing the plan. He asked the owner, Ely Cohen of Regal Home Collection, to reconsider…
News that the owners of the Kentile Floors building in Gowanus had filed for a demolition permit for the iconic sign set off a spate of articles in the press and prompted local Councilman Brad Lander to issue a statement denouncing the plan. He asked the owner, Ely Cohen of Regal Home Collection, to reconsider and, at the very least, to save the sign and donate it to a “conservation organization.”
However, reported the Times, demolition according to the permit requires fitting the enormous sign, more than 20 feet high by 15 feet wide, into a chute that is only four feet square. Of course, it could be removed by crane.
A real estate broker for the building reached by the Times said the owners told him a few days ago they had “no plans to demolish the sign” and that the scaffolding is only for maintenance. But, considering the demo permit, perhaps that information is now out of date.
“I have written to the owner of the Kentile Sign (and the building it sits on), Ely Cohen of Regal Home Collection, imploring him to reconsider removal of this important piece of Brooklyn’s industrial landscape,” said the statement from Lander, quoted in Curbed. “At the very least, if Mr. Cohen is unwilling to reconsider, he should commit to preserve the sign intact and donate it to a conservation organization for future re-use in the Gowanus area.”
Lander said if the sign removal is part of a plan to demolish the building, rezone it, and build condos on the land, the owners “are making a big mistake.” He wrote:
In recent months, the Gowanus has witnessed the demolition of several older structures. And many properties have changed hands, at prices far beyond what is merited by the manufacturing zoning in place around the canal.
Let me be clear: those who are paying big price tags for industrial buildings in Gowanus and demolishing historic structures on the assumption that they will be able to build market-rate condo buildings like those on 4th Avenue are making a big mistake.
Closing Bell: Is the Kentile Sign Coming Down? [Brownstoner]
Photo by Chuck Loesner
Where is Councilman Lander’s leadership and concern when it comes to NY Methodist Hospital’s plan to demolish 16 historic buildings, containing over 100 units of affordable housing, including 5 brownstones on 8th Ave that pre-date virtually any other building in the area? Is his view: save historic signs but demolish historic buildings?
Take the damned sign down – it’s a disgrace in the NY skyline
councilman Lander is a phony progressive. He wants to save signs and destroy libraries. he has come out in favor of the destruction of the brooklyn heights library before UlURP and community broad hearings . This destruction plan is not even in his district. A little bit of power is a dangerous thing. some of us will see to it that his obvious ambitions of higher office never happen. He has made himself toast by being in favor of the sale of public assets. A young man in a hurry, too smart for his own good.. and arrogant
Councilman Lander should consider how much it costs to maintain such signs.
Its strange how only a few months ago when a similar sign ( OK a billboard, but a similar structure) crashed down in Williamsburg along the BQE there was a rush to ban them and remove them; now another bureaucrat wants to save them?!!
This reminds me of when I lived in Boston and the owners of the massive neon-lit Citgo sign tried to take it down. After years of not batting an eye when lovely old buildings in the West End were paved over, suddenly an ugly sign was an iconic symbol of the city and couldn’t be touched.
The Kentile Floors Sign? Really? It would look better all lit up on the wall of some mega loft in DUMBO anyway. Sheesh.