Aug. 22, 2014 Staff Report
The graffiti Mecca 5 Pointz is finally coming down– after more than a year of controversy surrounding its fate.
A demolition crew came out this morning and started bulldozing a section of it down– in a job that is expected to take three months.
Gerry Wolkoff, the developer who is erecting two high-rise residential towers in its place, said today that once the demolition is complete he will start putting down the foundations for the new buildings.
Wolkoff said that he had not spoken to the artists prior to the demolition.
The artwork at 5 Pointz, however, was destroyed in November when Wolkoff whitewashed the building, which he said at the time was to reduce problems come demolition time. His critics said he was guilty of “art crimes” and held a candlelight vigil.
The City Council approved Wolkoff’s application to build a larger building than zoning code permitted last October– after a number of public hearings where artists and art supporters wanted the 5 Pointz building preserved.
BREAKING: demo started at #5Pointz this morning @QueensTrib pic.twitter.com/YGi9nFEHGQ
— Jackie Strawbridge (@JNStrawbridge) August 22, 2014
George Burles, a local resident, shot the following video prior to the building being whitewashed.
5 Pointz – Gone for Good Now from George on Vimeo.
