From Nothing to Something
An old courthouse, an interview on crime, and a prescription antipasto van
lucky #13!
The courthouse in the 1940s (NYC Municipal Archives)
I guess this year I’m writing about the abandoned buildings that represent the city’s long-standing neglect of the small peninsula I grew up on – first the Neponsit home, and now the former Rockaway Courthouse.
It opened in the 1930s and for three decades was a magistrate’s court, before closing in the 1960s as part of the state’s consolidation of courts. The former felony court in Ridgewood became a YMCA, and Rockaway’s court became nothing.
For 60 years, nothing. It was built well, because it survived hurricanes after it closed – Agnes, Gloria, Irene, Sandy – and barely even moved. But still, nothing.
As a kid I imagined this abandoned courthouse could be a catering hall, or an apartment for me to live in one day. As a teen the cooler kids would sneak in, do ecstasy, and tag up the walls, just as they did at the abandoned nursing home in Neponsit. In 2002, a developer tried to do something with it, but that didn’t work. More years of nothing.
Former borough president Helen Marshall thought about making it “CUNY by the Sea” around 2007, but those plans fell through. That same 2002 developer came back around and got it for a song in 2015 to build badly-needed medical facilities, but those needs changed, as I wrote this week for THE CITY. Another change: the board of the Economic Development Corporation voted unanimously this week to allow a deed variance for the former courthouse to also do regular commercial – like a co-working space, which the owner already has a whole website for.
After so many years of nothing, at least it’s something.
Also: I’m speaking on a panel next Thursday hosted by the Municipal Art Society about Riis Park alongside my co-author Annie Iezzi and a few other cool people. It’s virtual, and during lunch. Check it out!
One other story this week
+ An inside look at how judges end up on your ballot. [THE CITY] (and a bonus track)
LISTEN
This week Dr. Chrissy Greer and I spoke with Sen. Zellnor Myrie for the FAQ podcast about crime – particularly his thoughts on the messaging around crime in New York City. He has interesting insights into his Brooklyn neighborhoods, his constituents who feel both “overpoliced and underprotected,” and what the city can do.
It’s here!
And: In honor of this Saturday’s dancehall meets hip hop Summerstage concert in Central Park, highlighting dancehall and hip hop, two classics:
“Breeze Off” by Lady G
“No Letting Go” by Wayne Wonder
WHAT IS THIS
Walking past the courthouses this week I spotted this weird truck that seems to specifically cater to doctors and pharmacists. I thought everybody liked raviolis! But I suppose medical professionals need their own guy.
May your only prescription be for mortadella this week.
Thanks for reading!
No letting go! 😩