One Structure to Remain on Admiral's Row

Long have the houses on Admiral's Row in the Brooklyn Navy Yard been crumbling, and long have the preservationists fought developers who would like to tear them down and put in their place a supermarket. Crain's is now reporting that "a compromise deal between the National Guard and the Brooklyn Navy Yard's operator is set to raze all but one of the crumbling historic homes." Word comes from unnamed sources at this point, who say the plan will be revealed in late April and will salvage the structure known as the Timber Shed (which is allegedly "the oldest surviving wooden timber shed in the United States"). The supermarket will bring jobs and fresh produce to the surrounding Brooklyn neighborhoods, the developers have argued, but the preservationists have noted that all ten houses could be saved even if a supermarket moved in. Just no one tell Wal-Mart about the soon to be vacant lot.

UPDATE: The Municipal Art Society emailed us with the following statement: “If the reported compromise on the future of the Admiral’s Row buildings is true we are deeply disappointed because the majority of these buildings could and should be saved. We will continue fighting to save these important structures.

It is not necessary to demolish the buildings in order to build on the site. MAS developed 11 alternative plans that that meet the Navy Yard's program for a grocery store and retail and industrial space while allowing for the restoration and reuse of the historic buildings. If there is to be a compromise, it should be with the size of the 356-car parking lot, and not come at the expense of preserving these significant American treasures.”