The New York City council recently approved a plan to for developers to replace an iconic factory in Queens with luxury high rise condos. For 20 years, the owner of that Queens factory has allowed artists to cover the building’s exterior in elaborate graffiti and the area, known as 5Pointz, has become an iconic draw for tourists from around the world.
From Atlantic Cities:
Developers Jerry and David Wolkoff offered to provide 10,000-square-feet of "art panels and walls" in the new buildings. But that arrangement did not satisfy artists, who immediately filed a lawsuit and were granted a 10-day injunction. On Tuesday afternoon, the court ruled against a permanent injunction.
That decision leaves the artists scrambling to re-apply for landmark status before the Wolkoffs rush in with the wrecking ball (a previous application to the Landmarks Preservation Commission was rejected in August). A spokesperson for 5Pointz insists, however, that the fight is not over. "The building is not going to go down before 2014," she told The Queens Courier, explaining that a demolition permit still needs to be issued and tenants have until January to move out.
So far, the public has been split on the news. Banksy, whose New York residencyspurred street art mayhem last month, left these parting words on his website: "It’s been fun. Save 5pointz. Bye." But others support the plan, saying the current site is in noticeably bad shape and an inefficient use of space.