Date Set for Cultural Landmark To Be Torn Down; 5 Pointz Files Lawsuit
UPDATE: The founders of 5 Pointz have filed a lawsuit to prevent plans to have the graffiti mecca torn down at the end of the year. More details to follow soon.
The 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center, is an amazing and unique outdoor art space in Long Island City, New York. It’s a place to see real, living, breathing, street art, from many different artists, all in once place. It’s an ever-changing three dimensional canvas. A true urban art park that came into being organically, and would be impossible to recreate. You can go to 5 Pointz and see the art, as well as watch artists working, creating new art.
And it’s being torn down.
On October 9th, The New York City Council approved the Wolcoff family’s request for a special zoning permit that would allow them to build two residential towers on the 5 Pointz site. The approval was heavily influenced by a deal that made between Councilman Jimmy Van Bremer and the Wolcoff family. Under the new agreement, the following changes have been made:
- 210 affordable housing units as opposed to the 54 in the original plan. Long Island City residents, seniors and veterans will get preferred status
- 12,000 square feet of artist and gallery space which will include 10,000 square feet of art panels and walls. Jonathan ‘Meres’ Cohen, the current curator of 5 Pointz will have the opportunity to curate the art panels and walls.
- A 32,000 square foot public park
- 50,000 square feet of street level retail
- A 250 space public parking garage
- The new towers will be built and staffed 100% with union workers from SEIU/32 BJ and the Building Trades Council.
Critics of the plan – which included 5 Pointz supporters and residents (the community board soundly voted against the plan in the spring) were quick to point out the proposal’s flaws which included the public park’s location (directly under the 7 train subway line), where the art walls and panels were situated (in partial-to-fully obscured areas) the cost to rent an artist studio (not made known), Van Bremer’s ties to the Wolcoff family (5% of Van Bremer’s campaign contributions come from The Wolcoffs) and the Wolfcoff’s patchy real estate history (37 building violations in 37 years and the other residential project they spearheaded out in Long Island has been in limbo for over a decade).
Nevertheless, it’s all systems go and barring a miracle, 5 Pointz will have a date with the wrecking ball in December.
In the meantime, we highly encourage you to go out to Long Island City and see the graffiti and aerosol art mecca while you can.
Read more about 5 Pointz in our Series following the hearings:
