Historic Buildings Under Brooklyn Bridge In Peril From Neglect
Tragically, there currently exists a situation in the Fulton Ferry Landing Historic District which highlights the very real need for more education and awareness of how to care for historic buildings. For several years, community residents have been watching as the three Greek Revival buildings built between 1836-1839 at 11-15 Old Fulton Street have grown decrepit through neglect and deferred maintenance. This spring, alerted to the now-crisis-level problem, the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Department of Buildings inspected the buildings and instructed the negligent owner to begin curative actions.
Unfortunately, months passed without action and the buildings’ condition worsened. Currently, the buildings are under threat of an already-issued emergency demolition order as workers are finally beginning stabilization work. There is serious question if these landmark buildings, which were built almost 50 years before the neighboring Brooklyn Bridge, can be stabilized and saved. Local officials have rallied around the community’s concerns and LPC and DOB are keeping a very watchful eye on the properties but it’s a tragedy that the situation has gotten to this point. Hopefully, these historic buildings can be saved. Regardless, it is obvious that there needs to be a public discussion about how the City and concerned New Yorkers can work together to better prevent our protected historic buildings from crumbling in front of us.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please contact CM Steve Levin [email protected]; Assembly member Joan Millman [email protected]; and State Senator Daniel Squadron [email protected] and urge them to continue to support the City’s efforts to fix this problem and save these historic buildings.