BREAKING: 227 Duffield Saved From Eminent Domain Death
This just in via press release: The lawsuit filed by South Brooklyn Legal Services on behalf of Joy Chatel, owner of 227 Duffield Street, has ended in a settlement with the city that will spare the brick building in Downtown Brooklyn from seizure and destruction through eminent domain. Since the city announced its intentions to…
This just in via press release: The lawsuit filed by South Brooklyn Legal Services on behalf of Joy Chatel, owner of 227 Duffield Street, has ended in a settlement with the city that will spare the brick building in Downtown Brooklyn from seizure and destruction through eminent domain. Since the city announced its intentions to build an underground garage on the site of the 1848 building back in 2004, it’s been the source of great controversy: The owner, as well as many politicians and historians, has argued that its connection to the Underground Railroad in the 19th Century. As part of the settlement, the city has agreed to redo its plans for this section of the Downtown Brooklyn development plan. Chatel plans to offer tours of the home upon request. There will be a press conference on Monday at noon at the house. Surprised at the outcome?
The Duffield Eminent Domain Battle Continues [Brownstoner]
City Reevaluating Duffield St. Eminent Domain Plan [Brownstoner]
HPD OK’s Seizure of Duffield St. Homes [Brownstoner]
Abolition Panel a Salve for Duffield Street Concerns? [Brownstoner]
Duffield Preservationists Fight Back with Lawsuit [Brownstoner]
how are tax dollars being used for the tour of the home????? the owner is offering tours upon request, where does tax dollars enter this scene?
It pays to be polite and willing to negotiate.
yes sir….I’ll be sure to raise my little daughters this way.
Weird.
STUPID, STUPID, STUPID, EGO, EGO, EGO.
more weird
Awful little building. They should have demolished.
weirder
Tax dollars go towards tours?
Talk about “you people” never being happy.
Finally something with a little justice.
Whatever the merits of the building and its history (and they are, apparently, questionable), they ceased to matter when the dialogue heated up to racial demagoguery; the developers are wisely avoiding a political kneecapping. It is my understanding that the possible Underground RR sites are some sort of cavities or walled-up spaces in basements; the owners should contact the estimable Mr. Bob Diamond of “lost Atlantic Ave. subway tunnel” fame for some pointers on getting people to come look at an obscure hole in the ground. (No disrespect meant here; I have toured the Atlantic Ave. tunnel and it was fascinating, but it requires some interpretation. Not to mention sturdy shoes.)
” SILLY WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS.” ?
How is NOT taking someone’s home through eminent domain a waste of any money?
Do you mean the cost of re-drawing plans that were unconscionably made to use eminent domain to benefit a private hotel development? Would the City’s using our tax dollars to buy property for a favored developer be a GOOD use of our TAX DOLLARS?
I wonder if the other Duffield Street houses willalso be spared?
Awful little building. They should have demolished.
i’d take the tour once. i think that a museum like operation in this building could work very nicely – something like the tenment museum on the LES. with all the hotels nearby and proximity to popular bk tourist destinations i think that an exhibtion/tour here would work very well.
So what does that mean for the area? Wasn’t that where a park was supposed to go too?
YAY!!
Wow, I’m surprised and delighted!