Yesterday (Monday, July 24, 2006), Gregg Singer, representative of the owner of old PS 64, formerly CHARAS, moved the hanging scaffolding from the center north courtyard to the eastern wall of that courtyard, and this morning workers began destroying a dormer there - this work is the first willful defacing of a NYC Landmark building that we know of.

See Sarah Ferguson's Village Voice article for info and photographs of the demolition.

Also, watch an online video of today's demolition.

Gregg Singer called Michael Rosen (unsolicited and unexpected), one of our EVCC members, at approximately 7:25 this evening -- saying that the permit for so-called "façade repair and restoration" work expires three months from today [we believe it expires in October], that it will take three months to destroy the façade, that he has asked the City to extend the permit, that the City refused to do so, and "it's unfortunate the work had to start," as he put it.

The permit Mr. Singer spoke about was issued approximately three years ago, and it allows the architectural detail to be stripped. The permit predates and survives the building's Landmark Designation.

The EVCC is not privy to the details of the meeting held among Mr. Singer, City Councilmember Rosie Mendez and US Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez two or three weeks ago.

Mr. Singer did complain that Rosie Mendez has refused to set a date or meet with him subsequent to their most recent meeting, and that, left without communication, he was "forced" to begin demolishing the façade.

We do not believe that any lack of communication - if such lack exists - legitimates defacing a landmark building. We believe that Mr. Singer will isolate himself even further.

In a recent previous email, we stated that we are looking to our elected officials for leadership regarding this building. Such leadership is more necessary now than ever. The 100-year-old architectural detail of old PS 64, formerly CHARAS, was partially destroyed today.

See photos.