Real Estate

Landmarks Moves to Save Sunset Park Ex-Police Station

by Cate Corcoran

08/27/2012 2 minute 0

The exotic Venetian-Norman Romanesque Revival red brick former police station and stables on 4th Avenue and 43rd Street in Sunset Park is the subject of a feud between city landmark officials and the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, which owns it, reported the New York Daily News. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is threatening to sue the nonprofit for “demolition by neglect,” which could fine the group as much as $5,000 per day, unless emergency repairs are made immediately. Meanwhile, the Chinese-American Association is asking for grants and breaks on fines to restore the falling-apart building, which is open to teens, vagrants and stray cats. The former 68th Precinct stationhouse at 4302 and 4310 4th Avenue was designed by architect Emile Gruwe and built in 1886. It features dogs’ faces carved into courses of Byzantine leafwork, now mostly hidden under scaffolding. The building was used as a precinct house until 1970, and a fire damaged the building in 1980. It was individually landmarked in 1983. The Brooklyn Chinese-American Association already owes more than $70,000 in fines on the building, according to the Daily News. On Aug. 6, the nonprofit and Community Board 7 met with Landmarks staff, where city officials threatened to file legal action in the form of a “demolition by neglect” suit. “We are prepared to pursue legal action unless the owner takes the necessary steps to repair this historic building,” said Elisabeth de Bourbon, a spokeswoman for the Landmarks Commission, in a statement. Click through to the New York Daily News to see photos of the crumbling interior.