Development threatens popular Staten Island attraction

The New York City Farm Colony is set to receive a senior community

New York City Farm Colony
New York City Farm Colony

WEEKENDEDITION Once a hot spot for urban explorers, Staten Island’s New York City Farm Colony, a 70-acre campus of crumbling buildings, will soon see new development – cutting tourists off from one of the islands most popular destinations.

Last year, Staten Island’s current Borough President, James Oddo, announced plans to develop 46 acres of the site into the Landmark Colony—a 300-unit senior citizen complex, according to Curbed. And although construction will not begin until 2016, those who wish to run amuck among the decaying buildings may not have much longer before security on the site tightens.

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Plans call for five of the farm’s eleven buildings to be rehabilitated under the supervision of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which designated the area as a Historic District in 1985. The remaining buildings will be demolished. [Curbed] Christopher Cameron