In one of his final acts in office, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans for development of empty City-owned land at 388 Hudson Street (at Clarkson Street) across from James J. Walker Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Lower Manhattan.
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is calling the plan “an outrageously oversized, tall, and inappropriately designed tower that includes a plan to demolish the cherished and landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center across the street.”
“The plan shows the contempt — which was a hallmark of the Adams Administration — for the clear and consistent public input received about the plan over a nearly three-year process,” the organization told supporters last week.
“As shocking and disappointing as the plans are, they are neither surprising from the outgoing Mayor nor are they anywhere near approved or assured,” the organization said.
“Any such development must be approved by incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, as well as local Councilmember Erik Bottcher and the City Council, and incoming Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. We have written to all three as well as other key players in the decision-making process and local representatives outlining our objections and demanding changes.”
The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, originally the Carmine Street Public Baths (1906-1908), is a landmarked historic building known for its community role, architecture (Renwick, Aspinwall & Tucker), and iconic Keith Haring mural, serving generations before its recent closure, and sparking a major preservation battle with the city over its future, as advocates fight to restore it instead of demolition.
These include:
Eliminating plans to demolish the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center as part of the plan and instead repair and renovate the building, which would also reduce the size of the proposed 388 Hudson Street development.
Reducing the height of the 350-plus feet tall tower building, which would be the tallest in the neighborhood, and instead massing the building as a lower, bulkier structure that steps back from the park and Greenwich Village Historic District.
Changing the “monotonous pock-marked facade design, which looks like an office tower with measles.”
Providing clear and ironclad guarantees and mechanisms that the housing in the development would be 100% permanently affordable, which so far has not been offered.
You can read their letter here and learn more here.
Read more about historic preservation in New York State.
Illustrations, from above: The plan for development of 388 Hudson Street in Greenwich Village; and the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center.
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