Republican Club repairs not going so well

"Hello Crappy,

Here are some photos of one of Queens’ most recent landmarks, the Richmond Hill Republican Club.

Interior demolition began in the Summer of ’08, apparently with no plans for renovation or what the structure may be utilized for in the future.

Here is what the building looks like now. There is no roof and nothing but the exterior walls remain, likely further undermining the structure’s integrity and leaving what is left of it entirely exposed to the elements.

As you can see, a section of the façade has collapsed. The installation of a series of beams to prop up the walls is the only work that has gone on here since the interior was gutted.

I only hope this century old Richmond Hill gem doesn’t go the way of its former neighbor, Simonson’s Funeral Home." - Jason in Kew Gardens

Well, well, well. We have a landmark going to rack and ruin (with a stop work order on it) and right next door to it a building that should have been landmarked but was torn down during the overdevelopment frenzy with its lot left vacant for almost 2 years now. The two properties together perfectly represent the state of preservation in Queens. A trip to this spot should be required for every Columbia and Pratt student involved in historic preservation after they tour Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights.

And yes, these are in a certain councilmember's litterbox. That quote one more time: "People talk to me about developers and their support, and my answer is, ‘They are the folks who care deeply about the direction this city is going.’" - Councilmember and Comptroller Candidate Melinda Katz, Chair of the NYC Council's Land Use Committee.