There have been times when YIMBYs (Yes In My Back Yard) like me, who want to build extensively, are at odds with preservationists and NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) who don’t. But there are also times when we can come together on a common goal, like preserving historic areas of lower Manhattan.
Most prominent in leading the demand for Dapolito renovation was Andrew Berman, director of Village Preservation, who was present by Zoom. I have enthusiastically supported many of VP’s proposals, but not this one. Berman encouraged the audience to ignore Caccapolo’s direction and discuss both Dapolito and 388 Hudson as they are linked by community needs, budget, and geography.
The Parks Department has again confirmed plans to demolish the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center. It has been closed since 2020, despite $120 million previously allocated to its repair and Mayor Mamdani’s campaign promise to restore the 118-year-old landmarked facility at Clarkson Street and Seventh Avenue South.
Housing expert Ron Shiffman condemned the current “affordable housing” agenda as a “Trojan horse” benefiting real estate developers, a stealth strategy that actually results in luxury condos, higher rents, and displacement of low-income renters.
Recently, I had a conversation with Hartman at his Two Boots Pizza in the West Village. This conversation has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.
As a supporter of the Abundance Movement and a dedicated YIMBY (Yes in My Back Yard), I have frequently had arguments with NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) opponents over housing proposals.
Village Preservation recently released a raft of wonderful new resources that highlight and bring to life the Village’s rich history.
Condemning the city’s “coverup” and “lies,” activists rallied to save the shuttered Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, asserting the youth and adult sports hub at Clarkson Street and 7th Avenue South “can be fully repaired,” as the city’s own architect confirmed in newly-released public records.
For many years, Village Preservation has energetically and successfully advocated to protect our treasured neighborhoods and structures. Now they hope to save the crumbling Dapolito Recreation Center at the corner of Seventh Avenue South and Clarkston Street. They also hope to stop the creation of a new recreation center at 388 Hudson Street.
The Mamdani administration appears poised to move ahead with a 400-foot tall tower on public land at 388 Hudson Street (at Clarkson Street) originally planned by the Adams administration. The proposed project is riddled with serious problems — including design, demolition, and choice of developer. If not changed now, it will become a permanent reality in our neighborhood.
