LIC graffiti could soon make way for residential development

Fromt left: Developer Jerry Wolkoff with his son, and the 5Pointz Arts Center

Graffiti art is still continuing for the time being at the 5Pointz
Arts Center situated among abandoned buildings in Long Island City
beneath the No. 7 subway line, even as developer Jerry Wolkoff hopes to soon turn
the location into a residential development, the New York Times
reported. He envisions 2 million square feet of development on the current location of a 200,000-square-foot deteriorating warehouse
decorated by 350 graffiti murals and tags created by about 1,000
artists each year. Wolkoff is planning two 30-story apartment buildings, and
promises that the buildings would include affordable loft space for
working artists and a rear wall for graffiti artists.

“It’s time for
me to put something else there,” Wolkoff said. “It’s a great location
for young people and empty-nesters who can’t afford Manhattan.” Wolkoff has allowed the art as he has waited for the real estate market to improve.  He
added that he did not think noise from the nearby
7 train would discourage potential renters. Supporters are rallying to
save the graffiti space, with 11 million online signatures and
comments on a “Show Ur Love to 5Pointz” petition expressing
anger that the building will disappear and force graffiti artists
back underground, and outrage at the censorship of street art. [NYT]