Demolition proposal for Tony Dapolito Recreation Center in Greenwich Village sparks outrage among preservationists
In the heart of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, a contentious issue has arisen: the proposed demolition of the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center. The city's plan, part of a $164 million Clarkson Street corridor revitalization project, aims to replace the center with a modern outdoor aquatics facility [1][5].
The Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, located at 1 Clarkson Street, has been closed since the pandemic due to structural issues. The city intends to tear down this center and build a new pool complex on the site [1]. Across the street, an indoor recreation facility is planned within a new affordable housing development at 388 Hudson Street [2].
Mayor Eric Adams and Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa have expressed a commitment to honoring the site's history by preserving Keith Haring's iconic interior mural and potentially reusing parts of the exterior façade in the new development [3]. However, this measure seems insufficient for preservation groups such as Village Preservation, which has led campaigns to save the building. The group describes the demolition plan as "outrageous," criticizing the city for ignoring widespread community opposition and omitting restoration as an option in public engagement [4].
Preservationists are pushing the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to force the Parks Department to repair and maintain the building. They have also urged the LPC to pursue a "failure to maintain" case against the city for neglecting the landmark [4]. The groups argue that the city should not allocate any funds to demolition until detailed, vetted proposals with full public review are presented [2][5].
Although the city has set up a public input portal on recreational programming, Village Preservation and community advocates argue that demolition remains a possible outcome. They are determined to oppose the proposal "every step of the way" until the building is restored and reopened [1].
The city currently has $120 million in funds previously allocated to repair the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center, but the mayor is instead moving ahead with demolition plans [1]. This decision has sparked concerns about the commission's independence, as LPC members are appointed by the mayor, leading the group to worry that it "may simply do his bidding" [6]. This concern may delay any decision until the end of the year, and the identity of the mayor at that time is uncertain.
In a July 22 letter, Village Preservation and over 40 organizations urged the mayor to restore the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center [7]. The groups called the facility "much-beloved" and "landmarked," arguing its deterioration was due to years of deferred maintenance and neglect [8].
As the battle over the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center continues, it serves as a testament to the community's commitment to preserving their historic landmarks and the ongoing struggle between development and preservation in New York City.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/nyregion/tony-dapolito-recreation-center-greenwich-village.html [2] https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/nyc-crime-blotter/nyc-crime-blotter-greenwich-village-recreation-center-demolition-plan-sparks-outcry-2025-08-05-1.23723421 [3] https://www.nycgovparks.org/news/press-releases/2025/08/05/mayor-adams-announces-plans-for-new-outdoor-aquatics-facility-in-greenwich-village [4] https://www.villagepreservation.org/greenwich-village/save-tony-dapolito-recreation-center/ [5] https://www.cbsnews.com/nyc/2025/08/05/greenwich-village-tony-dapolito-recreation-center-demolition-sparks-outcry/ [6] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/greenwich-village-tony-dapolito-recreation-center.html [7] https://www.villagepreservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Letter-to-Mayor-Adams-on-Tony-Dapolito-Rec-Center-07-22-2025.pdf [8] https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2025/08/05/greenwich-village-community-outraged-over-plans-to-demolish-tony-dapolito-recreation-center
In the midst of the debate, preservationists are advocating for the reallocation of funds from the proposed demolition of the landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center to a more sustainable investment in its restoration [1, 7]. Proponents argue that such a move would not only preserve the center's historical significance but also foster a sense of community and promote local recreational opportunities, as opposed to investing in real-estate or other financial ventures [2, 4].
