Gowanus Lounge: Serving Brooklyn

BREAKING: Underground Railroad House Spared

November 30th, 2007 · No Comments

2007_11_227%20Duffield.jpgThe Underground Railroad House at 227 Duffield Street will be spared from eminent domain and the wrecking ball. A press release has gone out from the owner and several groups working to save the building that the city “has pledged that it will not use eminent domain to condemn” the building and that it “has agreed to re-draw its plans for Downtown Brooklyn so that the condemnation of 227 Duffield Street will not be necessary.” The building is on the site of the proposed Willoughby Square Park atop a big underground garage that will serve some of the massive developments planned downtown. The city was planning a commemorative of the Underground Railroad. Could the shift indicate that after enduring bad publicity in what became a national story, the city might be planning a museum that would include an actual Underground Railroad structure? (The other buildings on Duffield aren’t involved in the agreement.) There will be a press conference on Monday. Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn has posted the press release.

Tags: Duffield Street