A Century Later, Watchtower Leaving Brooklyn
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which in the past couple of years has begun to unload its vast portfolio of buildings accumulated in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo over the last century, is officially pulling up its roots and moving upstate. We have submitted a proposal to the Town of Warwick to build a complex…
The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society, which in the past couple of years has begun to unload its vast portfolio of buildings accumulated in Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo over the last century, is officially pulling up its roots and moving upstate. We have submitted a proposal to the Town of Warwick to build a complex there that we’re calling the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Richard Devine told the Brooklyn Eagle yesterday. The liquidation of the Brooklyn properties is not on a fast track at this point, though, because of the relatively weak real estate market. The Jehovahs Witnesses began selling back in 2007, managing to unload the Standish Arms before the market turned. A deal for the Bossert Hotel on Montague Street fell apart when RAL had to walk away from a signed contract in late 2008. In addition to its massive headquarters at 25 and 30 Columbia Heights (700,000 square feet combined), other properties in the area that still need to be sold but are not actively being market include 165, 161 and 183 Columbia Heights as well as 105 Willow Street and 34 Orange Street. We’re particularly curious about what this means for the two large parking lots in Dumbo.
After Century in Brooklyn, Watchtower Pulls Out of Heights [Brooklyn Eagle]
Jehovah’s Witnesses Plan Exodus from Brooklyn Heights [Gothamist]
Watchtower Officially Bugging Out of Brooklyn Heights [BHB]
Photo by madams girl
“One of the founding principals of the United States is that people are free to worship as they wish without government interference or the taxman closing them down.”
Really? I’m with you on part one of this statement but show me where in the Constitution where it says religions should not be taxed.
I agree that many religions provide valuable social services, but they could easily spin off those parts of their programs as non-profits. Many religions, especially those of the Christian megachurch variety, are nothing more than huge business corporations working the ultimate tax dodge.
Add me to Ringo’s fans. biggest knock on religions is how they separate themselves. Those faiths basically say, “Oh, you’re f*cked, but we’re not. Nothing can change that though! Sorry.”
And I think in a few years or decades the religious tax exemption will be an avante-garde, progressive political topic. Actually I can see it being advocated on the right as well as the left.
I think it’s pretty selective to think of religions as beyond the reach of the taxman. Who is to say what is a religion and what isn’t? Is my yoga studio a religion? Says who? You? The government? So in other words, we support the religions that get the AOK for the government. Does that sounds right?
We’d all be able to do more charitable work if we didn’t have to pay taxes. I’d much prefer to fund soup kitchens and not Blackwater.
Or wait — we’re waiving their taxes to preserve historic buildings? I’m Catholic — pretty buildings, but the Church has more money than god. They can pay real estate taxes. Do we say no taxes to the people in the pretty buildings and not the people worshipping in the giant Pizza Hut-looking megachurches (hey, those churches are actually full of worshipping people)?
I’m tolerant alright, which is why I think the playing field should be even. Pay your taxes or don’t expect the fire engines to show up when you have a fire.
quote:
You are free to dislike religion but like it or not it forms a very important part of the social structure, even today, even in NYC. One of the founding principals of the United States is that people are free to worship as they wish without government interference or the taxman closing them down. Geesh, you all surprise me sometimes!
yep. me too, minard. people only seem to be selectively tolerant of others.
*rob*
Its absolutely a great thing that these huge buildings are going back on the tax rolls, to be occupied by people who actually interact with the surrounding areas supporting the local businesses and creating even more taxable income.I’m all for the separation of church and state. Churches, temples, mosques, religious university s, should not be taxed but all this tax free real estate wheeling and dealing with vast industrial and rural properties is a bit much.
Will they at least be taxed on the profits?
For those of you who are grateful for the “stewardship” over the years, I’d like to inform you that the undeveloped parking lot (the entire square block)between Bridge and Jay at York street was not long ago filled with historic buildings and active businesses all bought out and leveled by the Jehovahs. There was a Victorian red brick school building and a large civil war era loft building occupied buy the Bourum and Pease company that was the oldest active business in Brooklyn until the buy out, just to mention two.
“The HQ building really would make an incredible condo conversion. Basically, would be a much better version of One Brooklyn Bridge Park (better views, much more convenient location, less BQE issues). What about all of the buildings in DUMBO? Beyond the parking lots, they own all of the interconnected buildings, as well as the crazy dorm like skyscraper. If redevelopment results in some street life near those locations, that would really grow DUMBO into being a considerably more substantial neighborhood.
Posted by: aishling at February 24, 2010 10:05 AM”
NAIL MEET HEAD
+1
religious organizations pay taxes?
that would have a serious downside.
Kiss goodbye to all the historic church buildings and synagogues. People would have to start meeting in each other’s houses again. Most religious institutions, including schools and hospitals, are barely hanging on as it is. Most major religions are not as aloof as the witnesses. They invest in community programs and provide community services. Beautiful religious buildings are anchors in many communitites. Brooklyn, the Borough of Churches, would be a much poorer place if denominations across the board defaulted on their real estate for failure to pay taxes. What a disater!
You are free to dislike religion but like it or not it forms a very important part of the social structure, even today, even in NYC. One of the founding principals of the United States is that people are free to worship as they wish without government interference or the taxman closing them down. Geesh, you all surprise me sometimes!
All good points, Ringo.
I think we still see them proselytzing in the hood and in the subways even if all the buildings are sold.