In the latest New York City showdown, the fate of a once-venerable Upper West Side church hangs in the balance.
West Park Presbyterian Church, a 19th-century architectural gem on West 86th Street, stands at the center of a heated dispute between preservationists and developers.
With its congregation dwindling to a mere dozen faithful, the church has set its sights on demolishing the historic structure, making way for a luxury condo development that could fetch north of a whopping $30 million, according to The Real Deal.
However, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, a bulwark for the city’s architectural treasures, is not letting it go down without a fight.
Last week, members of the commission proposed a range of alternatives that could salvage the beleaguered house of worship.
One commissioner suggested transforming the space into an event venue, citing the successful rehabilitation of 583 Park Ave. as an example.
Another option discussed was converting the site into a daycare center, reminiscent of the Cipriani family’s hospitality business operating in several historic buildings.
The church’s hardship application, claiming that the cost of repairs outweighs the potential financial gains, has garnered considerable attention.
An independent real estate consultant, Keith Brenan of Weitzman Associates, confirmed this week that repairing the church would be a massive undertaking, possibly costing double the price of selling the property for development.
However, the preservation-minded commissioners have seized on a more modest estimate from structural engineer Don Friedman, who suggested that repairing the church’s exterior could be done for as little as $1.7 million.
As the battle rages on, some high-profile voices have joined the preservationist cause.
Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo are among them, emphasizing the cultural value of the nonprofit theater currently housed within the church.
They argue that the theater is more important than another luxury condo development.
“Listen, the building needs work,” Ruffalo told ABC News.
“I mean, if you walk down any of these blocks, you’ll see, you know, 15% of the buildings have got scaffolding in front of them. But that doesn’t mean it’s falling down.”
The stakes are high, as the landmarks commission mulls over the future of this iconic church.
With more than 30 people voicing their opposition to the hardship application and only one in favor, the battle lines are clearly drawn.
The agency is accepting public comments until Nov. 14, and the nonprofit theater has a benefit event scheduled two days later, featuring none other than Ruffalo and Matt Damon.
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