St. Joseph's Planning Gymnasium for Clinton Avenue

We haven't been able to track down any details yet, but according to this weeks LPC agenda, St. Joseph's College wants to tear down this one-story religious building at 254 Clinton Avenue in Clinton Hill in order to build a gymnasium. Presumably it would take up more space than the 20-foot-wide footprint of this lot. Anyone know more? GMAP

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The new gymnasium is unfortunately going to take up almost half of the existing yard. Construction's supposed to take a year, and during that time almost all of the yard will be off-limits. I'm not sure of the exact start date. They're going to build an enclosed play-yard on the roof of the Dillon Child Study center so the children have a place to be outdoors during construction.

Once it's completed there's talk of making the gymnasium - at least for now - available for neighborhood events.

Posted by: dreamking at April 6, 2009 11:00 AM

Disclaimer: This is 100% Laundromat Gossip

I ran into an acquaintance who was at the Society for Clinton Hill presentation for this project. Keeping in mind there may be some hyperbole attached to this report, he said that they intend to take over the entire lot, including eliminating the Dillon Center (which I presume would be moved). So the pretty garden behind the iron fence would be lost.

Will The Landmarks Commision approve this? The laundromat word is "probably because they're in bed with somebody". (there were no details regarding this avowal, just serious belief in Landmarks malevolence on the part of the informant).

I know St. Joe's needs some added facilities here, but wouldn't the HUUUUUGE parking lot on Vanderbilt Ave. be a better location for an auditorium? Even better, a new auditorium there might cover up the lot-line side of that wierd Black Maria-esque building next to it.

Posted by: Stonergut at April 6, 2009 11:01 AM

I've been hearing about various iterations of these plans for years. The real shame is that the Dylan preschool will lose its outdoor playground, a hidden treasure unique to Clinton Hill.

Posted by: Schultz at April 6, 2009 11:03 AM

Schultz - I agree - Dillon's playground is one of the best places in New York City. I've often reflected if even I'd searched for the sweetest most child friendly pre-k in the entire city (with price as no object) Dillon STILL would have won hands down as the best and only choice for my kid. As it was, I consider myself lucky to have just lucked into it.

Walking by, I get nostalgic seeing the little kids racing around on those trikes and scooters.

Posted by: Stonergut at April 6, 2009 11:13 AM

Well said Stonergut and I feel the same way about Dillon. I guess it is the same feeling as the Nelson George thread, from a slightly different perspective.

Posted by: Schultz at April 6, 2009 11:56 AM

I also don't understand what purpose is served in tearing this down and leaving the parking lot standing. Dillon is wonderful -- if our daughter had been old enough to go to their full-day program she'd be there next year. I am still a little sad about it.

Then again, next year is also the year the construction is slated to start, and that lovely playground will be gone.

It would also be a shame if they tore down the existing preschool building -- are they doing that? It's pretty charming and -- rare these days -- pretty enormous.

Posted by: Heather at April 6, 2009 12:18 PM

Looks to me like they are going through landmarks first before going full-on with the plans. Nothing filed at the DOB yet...

Posted by: architect66 at April 6, 2009 12:52 PM

About the parking lot.. St Joseph's is a commuter school. That HUUUUUGE lot is full every school day. Where will all those cars go?

About the playground... The sandbox and jungle gym can be relocated. The only land that's going to be taken away is the hill with all the nice flowers. But the teachers already keep that area off limits for most of the year. The only real loss would be the sledding hill in the winter. Which my kids have fond memories of.

Posted by: Colonel Steve Austin at April 6, 2009 1:01 PM

To the best of my knowledge--and that pre-dates what sounded like a very ugly Society for Clinton Hill meeting--there are no plans to demolish the Dillon Center.

Posted by: g man at April 6, 2009 1:18 PM

Speaking as someone whose kid will be attending Dillon this fall, tearing down Dillon was never something discussed or planned. St. Joseph's is dedicated to Dillon and its value as a teaching resource.

Posted by: dreamking at April 6, 2009 2:19 PM

Colonel - I bet a good design could be provided including parking AND an auditorium. Making a building doesn't necessarily get rid of parking spots!

Posted by: Stonergut at April 6, 2009 8:00 PM

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April 6, 2009

St. Joseph's Planning Gymnasium for Clinton Avenue

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