By Steve Mosco
The future of a graffiti-ridden warehouse in Long Island City does not seem like the type of project that warrants contentious meetings packed with raucous residents — unless that warehouse is aerosol art haven 5Pointz.
Famous for its artistic freedom and graffiti-covered façade, the building, at 45-46 Davis St., is set to bow to the changing times as owner David Wolkoff expects to raze it by the end of the year in favor of two high-rise luxury apartments.
Wolkoff presented his plans at a Community Board 2 meeting at PS 1 last week and asked for a zoning change to allow 1,000 residential units, all rentals, in a 41-story tower and a 47-story tower, which would be connected on the fifth floor with an esplanade.
The design plans show an indoor pool, a gym, an art gallery and a 200-spot parking garage. Wolkoff also envisions a courtyard with a 50-by-200-foot mural honoring the building’s graffiti glory. CB 2 will vote on Wolkoff’s application at its monthly meeting June 6, the first step in the building’s last days.
“It is not the end until that last day,” said Mare Flageul, a 5Pointz volunteer who lives two blocks from the warehouse. “We are going to keep doing what we do until we are told to vacate.”
Flageul said she speaks on behalf of Jonathan Cohen, 5Pointz’s founder and curator known widely by his tag name, Meres One. According to Flageul, Cohen said his 11 years at 5Pointz have been the most memorable of his life and his only disappointment is that the owners do not see it as the cultural gem it has become.
But while Cohen tries to put a brave face on his disappointment, many who attended the CB 2 meeting last week, including Flageul, are venting their frustrations about a lack of respect they feel the owner and the community board are dishing out.
“They don’t love the art and they don’t respect it,” she said. “People come from all over the world to see this place and for a chance to contribute to it. Now it’s going to be replaced with two glass towers that will be obsolete in 10 years.”
Neither Wolkoff nor the community board returned requests for comment, but City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) responded to Flageul’s criticism of his “words, but no action.”
“The Wolkoff family’s proposal to redevelop the 5Pointz Aerosol Art Center is currently being debated by the community,” Van Bramer said. “Last week Community Board 2 held its first public hearing on this proposed project, which garnered much attention from the public. Next week, the community board will provide the public another opportunity to provide their feedback on this proposal.”
Van Bramer said the public has a right to comment on the owner’s actions, just as the owner has the right to make the proposal and everyone will get their say.
“The public has the right to have their voices heard on this matter because I know they care about their community,” he said. “I look forward to hearing the entire community’s perspectives on proposal. Until this happens, I believe it is not my duty to circumvent the community review process until everyone has had their say.”
