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Queens Borough President Helen Marshall has decided to support the demolition of 5Pointz, the graffiti-drenched former water meter factory in Long Island City. The developer, David Wolkoff, plans to build two towers on the site over 40 stories tall. He says the buildings will include retail space, outdoor art installations and perhaps a climbing wall and swimming pool. Because Wolkoff wants to build 1,000 units of housing, 370 more than is allowed, he needs approval from the city council and the mayor. His original plan was rejected by the community board. He then added 56 units of affordable housing. That was enough to garner the backing of the area’s city councilman Jimmy Van Bramer earlier this week. The developer appears to have changed plans again, offering to include a total of 75 units of affordable housing for seniors, veterans and residents of northwestern Queens. That apparently was enough to bring Marshall on board. Wolkoff hopes to begin demolition by the end of the year. Supporters of the building still hold out hope that the city council will block the project. A 5Pointz representative told the Daily News, “We’re going to lose the most iconic building in Queens. We welcome over 1,000 artists (annually) who can express themselves legally without damaging public property. We’ve attracted tens of thousands of visitors.”

Queens Borough President Supports Tearing Down 5Pointz to Make Way for Towers [NY Daily News]
Councilman Not Interested in Saving 5Pointz [Brownstoner Queens]
5Pointz Developer Commits to 54 Affordable Units, Artist Space [Brownstoner Queens]
Community Board 2 Votes Against 5Pointz Development Plan [Brownstoner Queens]

Photo: Patx11


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