Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Activity has increased in recent weeks at the former P.S. 64/CHARAS-El Bohio community center on Ninth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.
As these photos show, workers have been spotted at the long-vacant landmark, where new scaffolding and construction netting have also appeared.
What's happening inside — and where plans for the building stand — remains unclear.
Since then, little public information has emerged about the project, including whether any progress has been made toward lifting the long-standing vacate order.
The most recent approved work permits at the Department of Buildings show job descriptions of "exterior repair and restoration" and "general construction to make building safe for future work."
Last fall, owner Aaron Sosnick told Crain's that restoring the building could take three to seven years and cost an estimated $200 million — twice the figure discussed earlier. The project would be financed through philanthropy, government support and leasing income.
We've been seeking answers from the owner's representatives about the work underway, the status of the vacate order and what comes next.
Sosnick, who owns the property through 605 East 9th Community Holdings LLC, has now agreed to meet with EVG in December to discuss the building and its future.
We'll hope to have more to report then. We're certainly not the only ones asking questions.
10 comments:
Wow i remember going to play basketball against this school. My neighborhood def has changed !
I recently learned that Sosnick is also a huge donor to at least one political campaign in Los Angeles: one of the mayoral candidates there, Nithya Raman.
I'm not against a lot of the things he supports, but, it feels really weird to have this new feudalism of hedge fund managers offering nobless oblige contributions to communities.
Well said Olympias. I’d much rather the oligarchs pay their fair share of taxes and communities decide what they need through a transparent process of true representative governance than a “community contribution” from the overlord’s foundations that are setup to again, give them huge tax breaks..
Mr. Sosnick is a very generous man. But $200 million is a waste of money for whatever project his arts group is planning. It would be cheaper and more successful a project to tear the building down... put up a moderate sized building that respects the neighborhood and use it for senior housing with a set-a-side for the arts group. Today is not the 60s/70s. The building should serve a wider group of people who live and work in the EV. I know the building is landmarked. But sometimes preservation gets in the way of reality... $200 million worth of reality.
I disagree and support his well-intentioned generosity. His foundation was why the old Boys Club building on corner of Ave A & E 10th St was saved and Joyce Dance Company moved in with an "angel" discounted lease while they raised money from donors to continue There is a long history of wealthy patrons supporting the arts. Please don't make this a housing vs the arts fight. The MAGAs would like nothing better than to see us fighting among ourselves. Thank you.
Do any of you know Aaron? I know him well. He lived in the neighborhood for many years and has supported a wide range of community groups and is far from an oligarch. He rode his bike in the hood and favored pizza from 11b and burritos from paquitos. He also saved the Boys Club. Its funny to hear cmarrtyy advocating to knock this building down while trashing the new senior housing planned for East 5th Street. Lastly he spent countless thousands of his own money to fend of a lawsuit from Singer and his dormitory. Would you prefer that?
Hello, I suggested knocking the building down because of the staggering $200 million cost to rehab the building and a potential 7 year time line... Also the idea of resurrecting a group that hasn't existed In 30 + years is also insulting to the community. The EV has moved on. We are not what we were in the 60s and 70s. Our needs and politics are different in the new millennium. The building should serve a wider audience. I suggested senior housing because the building on E. 5th is out of place .And will never be built because 5 stories isn't enough of an incentive for a builder to come in and make a profit.
$200m is quite a lot of money! Hard to imagine this is the highest and best use for those funds.
Amazing, always something to complain about.
@cmarrtty- Well said. Never found this building to be a stunningly original work of architecture. Smart design for 1902 and nicely detailed but I never thought I was walking down a street in Paris. Alternately a small section could have been preserved as nod to the design and founders of the arts program. And nod is right as this was the heroin capital of the world in the 70s/80s. If we're being historically accurate lets include a shooting gallery or two. My, my how times have changed. So yes, knocking it down and building a state of art structure would seem to be a very sensible way to go. As for the $200 million cost I guess Sosnick got the engineering report. The Folly continues.
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