New Owner for Birthplace of Hip-Hop

NY1 reports that Bronx apartment building 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was sold to a new owner. The address is known as the "Birthplace of Hip-Hop" because DJ Kool Herc first "introduced extended break beats" in the apartment building's rec room back in 1973. Tenants had been trying to preserve its Mitchell-Lama status and keep it affordable by buying it themselves, but the landlord chose developer Mark Karasick to buy the building. Last week, Housing Preservation Department commissioner SHaun Donovan questioned the sale, "It is difficult to understand why the owners would choose to put the affordability of over 100 families’ homes at risk.” DJ Kool Herc himself told NY1, "We have landmark status in our hearts. The fight will continue."

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By Jen Chung in News on October 4, 2008 11:33 AM

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FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

People get Bloomberg out, he sold Manhattan to the rich and the outer boroughs are next. That is why he wants another 4 years.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

oin THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN COALITION Sunday October 5th, 2:00 PM at City Hall for a rally. The People Have Spoken Coalition has formed to galvanize New Yorkers into defending their referendum vote(s) that imposed two-term limits on New York City's elected officials (Mayor, Controller, Public Advocate, City Council members, and Borough Presidents). The People Have Spoken Coalition is a cross-section of New Yorkers-diverse in race, age, ethnicity, and occupation-who oppose any legislative override of the People's Term Limits Law. "We call upon our fellow New Yorkers anyone and everyone to join us in this important citywide effort in maintaining the existing law," Norman Siegel, who is a member of the coalition, said. "The City Council should not undo the people's will." LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Reflect

the birthplace of hip hop? This doesent even belong on a map or in the yellow pages.

thefacts

"DJ Kool Herc himself told NY1, "We have landmark status in our hearts"

Haven't it in your hearts won't help, bro'.

The White Folks Downtown get landmarked because they take it to the streets and to City Hall.

NY1 also said the response from the hip-hop community (whatever the hell that is) was non-existent. Pretty pathetic. Too busy shooting up and rowdying at hipper joints, I guess

Bling ain't king if you can't sing.

JacqueMehoff

maybe the new owners just got a bit of that bail out deal.

ides_of_march

Why don't all the rich hip-hop artists pool some money together and buy it or are they too busy spending it on drugs, jewlery and guns?

Snoopy

"It is difficult to understand why the owners would choose to put the affordability of over 100 families’ homes at risk.” And people wonder why this city is in trouble.

It is very easy to understand. It's called profit. It's called $$$. It's called Mitchell-Lama status is of another era. Why would an owner care about affordability of 100 families? He is concerned about his family. Charity begins at home.