City Council Vote Seals P.S. 133's Fate

Despite the valiant efforts of a number of concerned citizens and preservation-oriented groups (Park Slope Civic Council, Park Slope Neighbors, the Fifth Avenue Committee, the Historic Districts Council, Baltic Street Community Garden, Green Guerrillas; the Flatbush Gardener, New York City Community Garden Coalition), the City Council yesterday voted to support School Construction Authority's plan to demolish the historic building that currently houses PS 133 in Park Slope in order to build a new facility from scratch. The full council vote overwhelmingly went along with the wishes of Council Member Yassky to support the demolition; only Council Members Avella, Barron, James and Mendez opposed the plan. What a waste.
Council Subcommittee Hears Case of PS 133 [Brownstoner]
PS 133's Most Desperate Hour [Brownstoner]
New PS 133 Plans Revealed [Brownstoner] GMAP
SCA To Build New P.S. 133, Tear Down Old Building [Brownstoner]
Proposed School Replacement Facility for P.S. 133 [DOE]

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always said Yassky was a putz. He caved into Bloomberg's extended term limits. I believe Avella, Barron, James and Mendez opposed the extension.

Posted by: Petebklyn at July 2, 2009 9:39 AM

Very shortsighted and disappointing. To all those who think we preservationists win them all, this is the reality. More buildings are lost to the wrecking ball than saved. Alas, short sighted, unimaginative thinking usually wins out over community wishes, and preservationists' pleading for some kind of compromise or thought, outside of the traditional box.

Posted by: Montrose Morris at July 2, 2009 10:16 AM

What makes matters even worse, besides the wretched program and the fact that the SCA minimized environmental issues, is that they gave totally distorted numbers for a renovation scenario. For just about the cost of demolition, they could have restored the existing school and built an annex. It’s a crime, not a shame.

Posted by: Brooklyn Red at July 2, 2009 10:36 AM

"Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things."—Russell Baker

It's ironic that Yassky supported the garden's destruction. He's been a major advocate for legalized beekeeping and touts his environmental record in his mailings and on his website. I'm saddened to think of this bit of habitat—a tiny gem of green amidst a sorrowful sea of concrete—destroyed needlessly. I continue to believe that incorporating this garden (along with the beautiful old Snyder building) into the new plan could have produced a model school structure with numerous educational possibilities. Alas, expediency trumps imagination yet again.

Posted by: Gerry Gomez Pearlberg at July 2, 2009 10:39 AM

Great quote Gerry!

Posted by: Joe from Brooklyn at July 2, 2009 12:24 PM

Hey Montrose, when's the next walking tour?

Posted by: Joe from Brooklyn at July 2, 2009 12:25 PM

Yassky has no cojones when it comes to Bloomberg. We found that out the hard way in 2002-3 when he was (supposedly) fighting Bloomberg on firehouse closings. We fought for months, had meetings, he got a lot of press at rallies and then he caved. He took us aside and told us at a rally, just after a rousing we'll keep fighting speech that he was going to vote yes on the mayor's bud. That blew the battle. No cojones with Bloomberg or big bucks. He's throw his grandmother under a bus - see the coney island thread too.

Posted by: bxgrl at July 2, 2009 1:00 PM

Oops- let me just clarify because I am not against the plans for Coney Island, or asking more questions. But Yassky favors letting Thor do whatever they want (like we want another replay of AY)

Posted by: bxgrl at July 2, 2009 1:07 PM

Well, look at the bright side: since these replacement schools are typically lumps of garbage anyway, you can rest easy knowing that in 70 years it won't be necessary to fight for preserving it! You will be able to concentrate (typically meager) historic preservation funds/will-power on things that really matter! Like old, historically/architecturally significant schools!

You should really be thanking the Construction Authority!

Posted by: StructureHub at July 3, 2009 1:28 AM

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July 2, 2009

City Council Vote Seals P.S. 133's Fate

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