Developer Would Cut Historic Victoria Theater In Half
AM New York today examines the controversy surrounding Harlem's shuttered Victoria Theater:
Local developer Steve Williams of Danforth Development Partners, LLC, wants to transform the 1917 burlesque theater into a 30-story condo/hotel, cutting up the ornate 2, 400-seat theater into two mini-theaters while preserving the facade and parts of the lobby.
Neighborhood activists argue that the Thomas Lamb-designer theater shoud be restored to its original grandeur.
But others contend that such a large performance hall doesn't make sense, especially one right down the street from the famous Apollo:
"It's the white elephant that no one can afford to rent, because it's too damn big," said Curtis Archer, president of the Harlem Community Development Corp.
Mr. Williams is aiming to reopen the Victoria by 2011.
16 Park Avenue
"On the corner of Park Avenue & 35th Street, in the heart of Murray Hill... " More details |
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"It's the white elephant that no one can afford to rent, because it's too damn big," said Curtis Archer, president of the Harlem Community Development Corp.
That is the irresponsible comment from a community leader. I would not follow him over the cliff...
If Lincoln Center and City Center takes grants and endowments to stay alive, why not the Victoria? Is Harlem and Harlemites so lowly and discarded? I think not! We can play too- with magnificence and grandeur. All that the world celebrates of our richness, art and culture.
We will no longer be the "object of entertainment." We will take stakes and be franchised in it? We will produce, own and profit for ourselves.
I suggest decline these "NICE" sounding morsels that will have us forsaken the prize.
"SAY NO TO" ESDC , HSDC and Danforth Development Partners. We decline to give away to you or anyone:
our dignity;
our jewels;
our legacy;
our history;
our today;
and... our tomorrow!
As an alternative approach, I suggest that Harlemites take a look at a better thought out proposal found at- http://www.haarlemvictoria.com.
It would be a shame to loose the Victoria- a big piece of Harlem History in exchange for a few bones thrown to the Harlem community to build a coupla matchbox auditoriums and s’more hi-priced condominiums.