Mayor Adams’ Christmas Gift to Greenwich Village: A “Hudson Mosaic” Tower to Replace the Tony Dapolito Center

By Arthur Schwartz

A rendering of the proposed “Hudson Mosaic” residential complex, which would end up replacing the landmarked Tony Dapolito Rec. Center on Clarkson St. Rendering by Hudson Mosaic Development Team.

After months of review, the outgoing Adams administration has announced plans to build a residential complex called “Hudson Mosaic” on Clarkson Street—demolishing and replacing the landmarked Tony Dapolito Center. Preservationists are livid. But a new political reality promises more.

The project would take the form of a 35-story tower. Local preservationists, who would rather see the shuttered landmark repaired than obliterated, are furious. Some housing advocates and city officials, meanwhile, are quite pleased. The new development—which would be spearheaded by Camber Property Group, Services for the UnderServed, and Essence Development, none of which are traditional profit-making enterprises–would include a new recreation center.

The residential tower is slated to include amenities such as an outdoor terrace, a fitness room, a computer room, a kids’ playroom, in-building laundry services, a social services suite, and multiple “community lounge” rooms.

Acting Housing Preservation & Development Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said in a statement, “Hudson Mosaic is a demonstration of HPD’s commitment to building homes and neighborhoods that give every New Yorker the chance to thrive and live a life with dignity.” He added that the project would be a “rich and vibrant community [asset].” New York City Parks Commissioner, Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, issued a laudatory statement as well. “The new recreation center at Hudson Mosaic will offer year-round access to affordable, accessible, high-quality amenities that support health, wellness, and community connection. We’re proud to help bring this transformative space to life,” she said.

Village Preservation Executive Director Andrew Berman has been spearheading a campaign to “Save Tony Dapolito,” pointedly described the Hudson Mosaic rollout as “shocking and disappointing.” They added the plans “are neither surprising from the outgoing mayor nor are they anywhere near approved or assured.” This past summer, the advocacy group demanded that $51 million in earmarked funds go towards conducting much-needed repairs, which were initially supposed to move forward after the decaying space was closed to the public in 2020, as well as a promise to preserve (and move) its famed poolside Keith Haring mural. Berman argued that such a sum is cost-minimal compared to the $164 million–according to the latest city estimates–that would go towards building something such as Hudson Mosaic.

“There is broad support for development on this site that would include both public recreation facilities and affordable housing…[but] this plan is really a big middle finger to this community,” Berman added. He clarified that any new recreational facilities should “supplement,” rather than replace, the recreation center.

Berman noted that Village Preservation was looking to have “a much more reasoned and rational conversation” on the project with incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani, City Council Member Erik Bottcher (who has since this statement announced his move to run for state senator), and incoming Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. In other words, by April an entirely new local political leadership will be in place. Hopefully, the community will be dealt a new hand of cards… and a quickly revised replacement to Mayor Adams’ parting “gift.”