Save the Savings Bank, Say Activists

By ALEXANDRA STEVENS

Community activists braved the biting cold on Tuesday in a protest to halt the demolition of the 1889 East New York Savings Bank, seeing it as a symbol of the gentrification that has gripped many other Brooklyn neighborhoods since the construction of the Barclay’s Center.

Internal demolition began last week on the four-story building on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, its façade now veiled in scaffolding and building permits. New York City never declared the building a landmark, despite its historical significance to the area.

“The community has been left in the dark,” said Chris Banks, community activist and founder of the East New York United Concerned Citizens. “The permit has been issued already to move forward with the demolition, what we’re hoping is to bring awareness to the issue.”

The Department of City planning recently revealed a rezoning proposal of East New York that includes up to 7,000 new housing units, and buildings up to 12 stories high.

“The East New York community is under attack,” said Banks. “We have to make sure we can fight against it, and win. Folks are kind of scared right now. Affordability is of concern; we’re constantly dealing with gentrification, you know, being priced out. This is the first bomb that’s being thrown. One of the things we’re really worried about is things just popping up and happening, without the community having input, or knowing anything about it.”

According to an application filed by the Department of buildings, the proposed structure at 2644 Atlantic Avenue will become a seven-story medical facility. Official papers describe “ambulatory diagnostic or treatment health care facilities.”

Jonas Rudofsky, a real estate broker from Squarefeet.com, is listed as owner of the property. Banks and other community members suggest that the bank and similar buildings be retrofitted instead of torn down, preserving the original and respecting the views of the community.

“We don’t mind the development, internally; the external destruction of the building is the main issue,” said Banks. “At the end of the day, developers want to make money, but it shouldn’t be at the loss of such a beautiful building that represents East New York.”

The East New York Savings Bank was designed by Richard Upjohn, Jr., son of one of the most notable architects in North American history. Upjohn Senior was known for his Gothic Revival style, one of the most well-known examples being Trinity Church in lower Manhattan. According to the FDIC, the East New York Savings Bank has been inactive since 1997.

“The community knew nothing about it; the building was hiding in plain sight,” said Ellie MacPhearson, a longtime East New York resident. “It might be too late for this building, but it’s not too late to raise awareness.”