A number of celebrities have joined ranks with local activists in the battle to preserve the historic landmark status of an Upper West Side church at risk of demolition.
The West Park Presbyterian Church was the site of a protest on Saturday against a proposal to revoke the structure’s landmark status in order to complete its sale to a luxury condo developer. Among the dozens of protesters were also well-known showbiz faces, such as Mark Ruffalo, Amy Schumer, and Wendell Pierce.
The church, which is situated at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, has been a center for both religious and artistic programs in addition to activism for decades. Church leaders, however, claim that they are unable to afford the building’s care and are requesting the city’s Landmark Preservation Commission to revoke the building’s landmark designation.
“Even a decade after our building was landmarked and local officials promised to raise money to help us, we continue to exhaust our limited resources to address these needs with little support,” reads a statement from West Park Presbyterian Church.
The church has therefore reached a deal with Alchemy Properties, which intends to replace the religious building with high-rise apartments, in an effort to solve its financial woes, while “also unlocking tens of millions of dollars to advance the Presbytery’s mission and works in communities across New York City”.
However, opponents of the relocation argue that the building is in good shape for a structure established in 1890. They are pleading with the municipal officials to deny the congregation’s request so they have time to acquire the funds necessary to purchase the facility.
“What is the point of these laws if a new developer can come along and claim that they don’t have the funds to preserve the building and then get the designation reversed and demolish it?” said state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal of Manhattan, who joined the rally.
The application will be the subject of a hearing before the Landmark Preservation Commission on Tuesday.
