FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com NOVEMBER 21, 2013 • The Queens Courier 5 ‘They’ll remember you for this’ Fans left in shock after owners whitewash 5Pointz overnight BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] What took 11 years to put together at 5Pointz was erased within six hours. Days after supporters rallied at the Long Island City graffiti mecca to save it, a paint crew washed away hundreds of pieces of aerosol art with white paint. Some remnants of the pieces can still be seen, but a majority of the façade is now covered. Jerry Wolkoff, who owns the property on Jackson Avenue and Davis Street, ordered the overnight painting, according to 5Pointz attorney Jeannine Chanes and 5Pointz spokesperson Marie Cecile Flageul. “I know it’s real but I can’t believe it. Wolkoff disrespected thousands of artists overnight,” Flageul said, holding back tears. “It’s crazy when you think about it because we’re supposed to be the vandals. He’s the vandal.” According to Flageul, the paint crew arrived at the site with police protection around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19 and finished painting the building around 7 a.m. She received a call about the painting at 6 a.m. and shortly rushed to the site with 5Pointz curator Jonathan Cohen. Witnessing painters still covering the walls, the two tried to enter the building’s loading dock, she said, but were stopped and asked for identification. “I’m disgusted,” said Cohen, who now plans on moving out of Long Island City. “Jerry, congratulations. Enjoy your moment and realize long after you’re gone, your son will live on with this legacy, and his son will live on with that legacy, and no one is going to talk to you about anything you built real estatewise. But they’ll remember you for this.” Both Flageul and Cohen said they saw no safety workers or caution tape and an online search found no Department of Buildings permit. As news of the painting broke, fans and artists were left in shock after thousands filled out forms to request 5Pointz be landmarked at a peaceful gathering on Saturday, November 16. “It’s shameful. This is culture, New York is the birth place of hip hop and graffiti,” said Long Island City resident Juan Sierra, 35. “This is what happens when you just don’t care.” Last week, a Brooklyn judge ruled against a request for a preliminary injunction, seeking to protect the different aerosol pieces found around 5Pointz. The judge also lifted a temporary restraining order, allowing the owners of the property and developer G&M Realty to continue with any predemolition activities at the site. Developers and owners hope to build two apartment towers, each exceeding 40 feet, with close to 1,000 rental apartments, 32,000 square feet of outdoor public space and 50,000 square feet of retail space. Even with the art gone at 5Pointz, the fight will continue, said Chanes. The initial lawsuit filed by the group will continue and now includes claims against the owners for destroying evidence while a case is pending, potentially costing the Wolkoffs $150,000 in damages per piece of art. The group will also consider appealing the denial of their preliminary injunction, based on a written opinion by the judge. Cohen said all proceeds from the lawsuit would go towards building a community center. On Tuesday night, artists, community members and supporters gathered on the 5Pointz loading dock for a vigil, lighting candles, hanging artwork on canvases and signing pieces of paper taped to the walls. Stefanie Nava of Long Island City lit a candle and placed it along the wall. “It’s just really sad and incredibly depressing. Nobody can believe it,” she said. During the vigil, Cohen told attendees they need hundreds of people to show up for the next court date in order to let everyone know that 5Pointz means a lot to the whole community. “Wolkoff just did what 16-year-old kids do at night time,” Cohen said, “and he did it in front of police, in front of everyone, in front of people on the train and got away with it. I’ll fight in the court till the end.” Wolkoff and his attorney did not respond to a request for comment as of press time. BEFORE AFTER THE COURIER/Photos by Angy Altamirano 5Pointz curator Jonathan Cohen stands in front of the building after it was covered in white paint overnight. Fans lit candles to mourn the loss of the graffiti mecca. Artists and supporters at an earlier rally. City temporarily closes The Cliffs in LIC BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] One Long Island City business is hanging on a cliff, waiting to get the thumbs up to open shop again. The rock climbing facility, called The Cliffs, was temporarily closed after receiving a vacate order on October 25. The building did not have a valid certificate of occupancy, according to the Department of Buildings (DOB). The 30,000-square-foot climbing arena at 11-11 44th Drive held its grand opening on October 5, just a few weeks before. According to a DOB complaint, a vacate order was also served because the rock climbing apparatuses and walls were considered a “hazard and dangerous” to users. Mike Wolfert, owner of The Cliffs, could not be reached for comment. According to the business’ Facebook page, members and pass holders will be credited for the time lost during the temporary closing, and additional guest passes will also be offered. “We are excited to open our doors again as soon as we are able,” Wolfert posted. Earlier this year, Wolfert faced charges of bribery after he paid a total of $1,094 to a Department of Investigation undercover investigator posing as a DOB inspector. According to the Facebook page, an anonymous tip, which led to the inspection and vacate order, said the facility was operating without a special permit. The most recent post, dated November 15, said all required revisions have been made and submitted to the Department of Buildings.
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