The Fight for 5 Pointz: Hip Hop Artists, Educators, Arts Lovers Urge Community Board to Help Protect Famed Graffiti Site

In a June 6 Community Board 2 meeting held at a community center in Queens, discussion turned to the future of the 5 Pointz graffiti complex and arts haven, as proponents took the opportunity to speak in favor of protecting the iconic building against planned development by its owner.

The actual vote had little to do with whether or not the developer, David Wolkoff, can continue with the planned demolition and rebuilding (legally, at this point, he can), but was to determine if the community board would recommend an expansion of that already approved plan.

Despite the specifics, members of the New York hip hop community, several educators, members of the community and arts lovers, took to the microphone to express their opposition to any destruction of 5 Pointz. Some spoke passionately, as in the case of Stones Throw recording artist and Queens resident Homeboy Sandman, while some recounted the many problems the developer has faced in conjunction with this property, most notably, the 2009 incident where a staircase collapsed, causing great injury to artist Nicole Gagne.

As reported by the Daily News at the time, “The preliminary investigation revealed the collapse was caused by neglect and failure to maintain the building,” a fact articulated by several who spoke.

For those seeking to preserve 5 Pointz, the vote against Wolkoff’s planned expansion was a small only, and in fact, largely symbolic. Assuredly there will be other attempts made, and again, at the moment, there is no legal reason why Wolkoff cannot demolish the building.

However, efforts are being made, led by 5 Pointz’ curators Jonathan “Meres One” Cohen and Marie Cecile Flageul, to petition New York City to declare the site a protected landmark.

Birthplace Magazine will keep you updated as to the status of such proceedings, and urge those interested in helping the cause to contact 5 Pointz through their website or their Facebook page.

Below are several of the speakers who stepped up and offered their testimony in favor of 5 Pointz.