For the past 15-plus years, Kalodop II Park Corp. has been trying to put in a new development at the current site of a one-level garage that stores food carts.
The developers need approval of a zoning text amendment and special permits to facilitate the building. Last month, Community Board 2's Landmarks Committee disapproved the plan.
On Tuesday afternoon, the plans go before the Landmark's Preservation Committee. The hearing is at 253 Broadway, 2nd Floor. (Attendees should arrive by 1:15 p.m. Testify info here.) You can also watch via Zoom at 2 p.m. You can also send an email to the LPC.
Preservationists, not to mention the leadership of Merchant's House, the circa-1832 building, were concerned that the construction could permanently damage the structure, one of only six residences in NYC that is both an exterior and an interior landmark.
As Museum officials have noted about the latest proposal: "New research has revealed that the 1832 Merchant's House is an intact site of the Underground Railroad. If the LPC approves the development, this piece of history will be gone forever. We can't let our history be destroyed!"
participate....save invaluable n.y. history !!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if Chobani ever moved in to that huge building across the way from Merchant's House? I have yet to see anyone come in or out...The fact that they're proposing building *another* office space next to this fragile landmarked building when there is a whole tower sitting empty right across the street is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t seen any movement there yet. In addition to being the national headquarters for Chobani, this building will house Chobani’s charitable foundation and include training programs and business incubator support for world refugees. The founder of Chobani is a Turkish Kurd and came up from a nomad goat herding family to a billionaire today. His foundation has been supporting refugee programs for decades. While more office space is not what’s needed in our neighborhood, I’m glad this one will be used for good purpose.
DeleteHot take but this lot AND the plaza on the other side of the merchants house should be used for housing. The Merchant's House does not need to be taking up that much space.
ReplyDeleteMerchant House doesn’t own either of those properties a and is itself owned by and on NYC Parks department.The issue is not about MH wanting that space, it’s about the size and footprint of whatever is built there and how the building process itself will impact the MH structures. The plaza lot is owned by the city and has waterworks beneath it and cannot be built on. There was no land grab here.
DeleteIt isn't a question of the amount of space the Merchant's House takes up, it's a question of the fragility of the house itself. Are you saying the Merchant's House should be demolished—because that's pretty much what will happen if this mega-development goes up next door to it.
DeleteI wish these developers would leave Merchant House alone.
ReplyDelete@10:42. Am tired of seeing the greenwashing of Chobani about their foundation etc. Chobani has faced numerous legal issues, primarily in the form of class action lawsuits alleging false advertising, misleading labeling, and, as of 2025, potential contamination of its products. Key legal challenges include allegations that its "natural" products contain chemicals, disputes over its "zero sugar" labeling, and trademark battles with competitors. That building is new and empty and looks so worn and decaying already. We do not need more outsize buildings that will remain empty.
ReplyDeleteMost of the class action lawsuits were dismissed by the judges while several others are still going through legal processes. The contamination issue was from one factory for one lot and Chobani did a voluntary recall ( and most large food companies have had recalls at one time or another). The “misleading” natural claim had to do with a sweetener that the FDA has not labeled as chemical and the plastics issue had to do with leaching from the container, not an additive to the yoghurt. As far as the foundation, I’ve worked with/for NGOs for 30 years and the work of this foundation is legitimate and the donations from the founder are real.
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