Help Save Admiral’s Row

- Join the FGA Landmarks Committee
(email to [email protected])
Write a letter to the current owners of the property the US Federal Government
Senator Charles E. Schumer
757 Third Avenue
Suite 17-02
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-486-4430
Fax: 212-486-7693

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
780 Third Ave
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 688-6262
Fax: (212) 688-7444

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez
268 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone (718) 599-3658

Copy the letter to:
Councilperson Letitia James
67 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY, 11217
Phone: 718-260-9191
Fax: 718-260-9099

Admiral’s Row visual tour August 4, 2005.
Views of Officer’s Quarters in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Another interior. Again, walls & floor appear stable.

Interior of one of the buildings. Interior walls are stable, as are the majority of floors.

Two views of interior staircases. Again, stairs and masonry walls appear to be stable.

Interior of one of the buildings. Note stability of hearth

Exterior walls, note that windows have been covered with Lexan to prevent further water penetration.

Interior of one of the buildings. Note stability of hearth

Notes by Simeon Bankoff, Historic Districts Council.
-

July 26, 2005 The Fort Greene Association [FGA] warns the com-
munity of New York of the imminent destruction of the historic
structures known as Admiral’s Row located in the Brooklyn Navy
Yard.
As presented to Brooklyn Community Board 2 on June 23rd by Eric
Deutsch of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation
[BNYDC] the buildings which are currently owned by the US Army
Corps of Engineers have been seriously neglected and are to be dis-
charged to the City of New York. Upon completion of this trans-
action the BNYDC plans to demolish them to make way for
retail box stores.
According to Paul Palazzo, chair of the FGA Landmarks Action
Committee “It is ironic that the Federal Government which owns
Admiral’s Row has chosen to neglect the same structures which
served to protect it. Now we have the opportunity to rectify this
wrong by acknowledging our past while building for the future.
The restoration and incorporation of Admiral’s Row into the over-
all development plans for the Navy Yard will enhance BNYDC’s
previous and ongoing restoration efforts and importantly provide
a more complete depiction of the area’s history. The FGA calls
for the adaptive reuse of Admiral’s Row thereby saluting the
Navy Yard’s historical service while at the same time providing
the surrounding community with needed retail services.”
Simeon Bankoff of The Historic Districts Council [HDC] agrees
with the FGA on its position of adaptive reuse and urged BNYDC
in writing stating “Today, seven of the ten Admiral’s Row houses.
Which were built between 1864 and 1901, still remain. While in
declining condition, they certainly could be restored to their original
grandeur and serve as vital components, both historically and
practically for this neighborhood. They could be easily incorporated
into the Navy Yard plans and provide much needed retail or com-
mercial spaces for the community.”

The FGA asks BNYDC to reconsider their inflexible position as
formerly they have been a great steward of the Navy Yard performing
other restorations which have revitalized and preserved the Navy
Yard’s character. In addition the FGA calls on the entire City Council
to act appropriately and link the transfer of these properties to the
City of New York to historic preservation when this issue comes be-
fore the body for vote in the city ULURP process.
“One thing is certain, once these building are destroyed so will be a
piece of New York’s history; a piece of history that demonstrates
New York’s service and sacrifice to the Nation. It is shameful that we
choose not to honor this history especially in a time of war.”
–Paul Palazzo, FGA
For further information please contact
the Fort Greene Association 718-875-1855
e-mail: the [email protected]
web: www.HistoricFortGreene.org
For general information on Admiral’s Row visit
www.Officersrow.org

July 26, 2005 press release