Preservation concerns surface at Community Board 2 as members press for repairs to 34½ East 12th and more detail on 388 Hudson
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Summary
Public commenters and Village Preservation urged City action to address long‑standing scaffolding and disrepair at a municipally owned historic school building and pressed for clarity on affordable housing commitments for a proposed 388 Hudson Street development; Landmarks recommended an immediate condition survey and upgraded emergency funding for the Police Athletic League building at 34½ East 12th Street.
Several public commenters used the board's public session to press for action on local historic buildings, and Landmarks followed with a formal board position urging expedited survey and repairs for a city‑owned school building.
Resident Robert Score described the PAL building on East 12th Street as "architecturally beautiful" but long neglected, with scaffolding in place for decades; he asked the board for support in prompting city action. Andrew Berman, speaking for Village Preservation, strongly supported the Landmarks Committee’s resolution on 34½ East 12th Street, called for urgent city repair and restoration and asked the board to press for a permanent plan for the site. Berman also raised concerns about a proposed 400‑foot building at 388 Hudson Street, saying the design and scale are out of context and noting questions about the developer’s track record and the specifics of any HPD regulatory agreement guaranteeing permanent affordable housing.
Landmarks reported a unanimous board position calling for: an immediate condition survey of the Police Athletic League building; expedited emergency‑status funding to prevent further deterioration; a committed schedule for full restoration; and a public meeting with the Police Department and relevant agencies to discuss responsibilities and repair plans. Brian Pape, presenting the Landmarks report, said the committee had sought details from the facilities division and urged prompt city attention.
Borough officials: The Manhattan borough president (present at the meeting) said his office is organizing follow‑up meetings with Parks and other agencies, and indicated the borough office will convene stakeholders to discuss preservation options, including whether portions of affected structures can be retained.
Why it matters: Board resolutions on emergency restoration accelerate requests for city funding and interagency attention; any commitments from HPD about permanent affordability at 388 Hudson will require scrutiny and written regulatory agreements.
Quote: "We must call upon the city to finally repair and restore it...we must have a conversation about the best use for its future given the inability of the current occupants to use it productively or keep it in a state of good repair for nearly 20 years," said Andrew Berman of Village Preservation.
Next steps: Landmarks asked the relevant agencies and elected officials for a public meeting and a timeline of repairs; committees and elected‑office staff indicated they will follow up and request HPD and Parks presentations on the projects during future committee meetings.
