Abandoned Harlem school stirs conflict

A 107-year-old former public school in Harlem has spawned a storm of controversy, according to the New York Times, with the building’s owner angling to demolish the dilapidated structure. P.S. 186 closed on West 145th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue in 1975, but was bought 11 years later by the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem for $215,000. But while the non-profit had planned to use the building as a community facility, no work was done on the property. Now, the organization says the only plan that makes fiscal sense is to demolish the erstwhile school and develop a new community center. Preservationists, however, are none too pleased. Christa Giesecke, an architect and Community Board 9 member, is among many who plan to fight for the building’s survival. “I think we will revisit the whole landmarking issue,” Giesecke said. [NYT]