It's Official: Lawsuit Won't Save 5Pointz

Yesterday Federal Judge Frederic Block officially denied the 5Pointz artists a permanent injunction to stop demolition, after indicating as much earlier this week. The New York Daily News reports that the “lawyer for building owners Jerry Wolkoff and his son David argued that they stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in tax credits and other benefits if the project is not completed in the allotted period of time.” And while the judge expressed sympathy for the artists and respect for the work, he decided he couldn’t legally protect it under the VARA act, a federal law that allows for preservation of certain public artwork. He suggested the artists try to landmark the graffiti warehouse, but Landmarks already denied an application to do so. The Wolkoffs still plan to demo the building by the end of this year.

Federal Judge Refuses To Stop Plan To Demolish 5Pointz Graffiti Mecca [NY Daily News]
Judge Can’t Stop 5Pointz Demolition [Q’Stoner]

Photo by Patx11