The historic Poppenhusen Institute‘s foundation sits on sand and its façade deteriorates with age. After 30 years of weathering wind from the bay, the College Point cultural center is going to be restored.
The city granted funds to the historical landmark building in order to complete overdue repairs to its exterior and to also build an elevator for the three upper floors, according to city documents. The last time the building’s exterior was working was in 1980s.
Executive Director Susan Brustmann believes the repairs and construction will cost $10 million but the city has only approved $5 million. The two major jobs will begin in early 2015 and will last for at least a year, according to Brustmann.
At a time when the nineteenth century building is in danger of closing down, the city grant is a welcome relief, according to Brustmann.
“We’re facing the most challenging time in our history,” she said. “So we’re very grateful that the city has given us money. The construction will be a great thing once it’s done.”
When the repairs are completed, Brustmann hopes to attract new revenue sources like getting the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire” to come back and film another scene in the building’s party hall.
As the last season of Boardwalk Empire is scheduled to start in a few weeks, you'd best find another show to have filmed there...
9 comments:
Happy to hear and long over due. Can't wait to see the improvements
Long overdue - I hope it becomes a more active cultural center!
Let's see who raises her hand and takes credit for this....
Good news for a change. Susan deserves a lot of credit for her efforts to save this historic building for decades!!! I can't wait to see it after the renovations.
Who wants to go visit this shit-box anyway? 20 people per year? take the 5 Mill and use it on education
As usual there's always one person who thinks its a waste to renovate any historic buildings or houses. Meanwhile everyone complains when vintage homes and buildings get bulldozed all over queens and not enough is done to save them. So for once its good to see something saved h ere in Queens.Maybe needing tons of money for education wouldn't be needed if there werent so many illegals here with huge families crowding all the schools.
Ahh yes why don't we dump a few million more into our schools. The kids are dumb as rocks and have no desire to learn but a few extra million will change all of that I'm sure.
you know who said...
Who wants to go visit this shit-box anyway? 20 people per year? take the 5 Mill and use it on education
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Did your parents have any children who weren't born brain dead???
Great news! Hope they offer many events and programs as well! At least it is getting restored at a time we are losing a lot of older homes in Northeast Queens to knockdowns and being placed with 2 family homes and Asian brick Mcmansions. Whitestone is taking a big hit since the last year and a half, very saddening. People have no taste in building/ construction and no one cares to save these old homes that make neighborhoods picturesque or desirable.
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