Preserving NY's Industrial Buildings, Not Just for Nostalgia
Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront was named one of the 11 most endangered places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation last year. “A Civil War-era graving dock in Red Hook was paved over and is now a parking lot for Ikea; the old Dutch Mustard Company building in Williamsburg was torn down and turned…
Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront was named one of the 11 most endangered places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation last year. “A Civil War-era graving dock in Red Hook was paved over and is now a parking lot for Ikea; the old Dutch Mustard Company building in Williamsburg was torn down and turned into condominiums; and the Greenpoint Terminal Market, a former rope factory, was destroyed by fire,” writes the NY Times. The article summarizes a panel on Recycling New York’s Industrial Past: Inspiration from Home and Abroad,” held at the Municipal Art Society last week. “Panelists argued that preservation does not just serve nostalgia, but has tangible economic and environmental benefits, creating jobs and reducing the waste from demolition. And they identified several buildings that they said deserved to be saved.” Those include the National Cold Storage Buildings on Furman Street and Admirals’ Row in the Navy Yard. Losses they lament: Revere Sugar Factory in Red Hook, the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Power Plant in Williamsburg and the LIRR powerhouse in Long Island City.
Preserving New York’s Industrial Past [NY Times]
Photo by masnyc.
I believe that United Jewish Organizations (Rabbi Niederman and company) had a crack at this twice, once through an RFP- or RFEI-like process and then in a more one-on-one negotiation. I think Con Ed also tried to market the site to generating companies but it’s a direct current plant that has almost no utility (pun somewhat intended). My recollection on this topic is admittedly somewhat vague; it might not have been the environmental clean-up that scared away UJO, but perhaps that and the other conversion costs. I wish I could remember who I heard this all from. Since the issue doesn’t really concern me, I only paid partially attention. For the record, I think it’s a handsome building and if it could have been re-used, it should have been.
Altervoce – who was offered the BRT plant? I’ve never heard of anyone being offered that site at any price.
I’ve seen the environmental data on the site – its pretty tame by industrial building standards. Localized lead paint and asbestos, much of it (and petroleum products) in equipment that would be removed anyhow. The only significant environmental hazard on site was not in the buildings but in a small pit on the site.
The real environmental issue is next door (the lot to the south), at the former BUG manufactured gas plant. Big plume of shit below grade. (Apparently, it does not extend below the BRT site, though.)
I hear that the Brooklyn Bridge Park is in a lot of trouble again. No shit. Now more than ever. I wonder if the State of NY will really come through with its funding promises and if so, when. You heard it here first.
Ahhh. Good call Sam. That must be what’s going on. And I’m already on record as agreeing with you on Admirals Row as a lost cause. Now if I could only convince you that Brooklyn Bridge Park is a great project that’s actually gonna happen, we could be BFF…
I think mopar confused “navy yard” with “atlantic yards”. That’s OK, I do stuff like that too. But the derelict houses next to the Navy Yard known as “admiral’s row” is another lost cause. Not only are they totally ruined but there is no financially viable life for them even if they were rebuilt. I’m tired of lost causes.
Sorry mopar – I think you’re confused. There is absolutely no housing in the Navy Yard. None. Zero. Nada. And all the land is owend by the City or the Feds, there’s no private ownership of anything there. The only house that could be charachterised as “in the Yard” that is provately owned is the Commandant’s House up in Vinegar Hill, which was sold off years ago and is owned by some Professer at Rockefeller university. He’s got a cool collection of vintage cars in the driveway too. I haven’t heard heard of anyone forcing him to move. ALso – not sure why you think that atlantic yards has anything to do with Admrials Row?
Yup. I know someone who has lived there in a house she owns for 30 years (some kind of controlled income owned housing).
People owned houses in the Navy Yard for 30 years? huh?
Are we talking about the Brooklyn Navy Yard?
The razing of Admiral’s Row is one of the most evil things. Does anyone know if this is being reconsidered in light of the changes to Ratner’s development plan post-economic meltdown?
Also, people who’ve owned their own houses in the Navy Yards for 30 years are being forced to move. It’s controlled-income not market-rate coops, so not sure what kind of compensation they’re getting. It’s horrible.
And criminally short sighted. They should do something with it like the Presidio in San Francisco, turn it into a park and historic site, basically. And let people stay in their houses.