Patrons gather at the Knockdown Center in Maspeth. Tumblr
The city Department of Buildings last week rejected an application for a permanent place of assembly, as well as its alteration permit and change in certificate of occupancy, submitted by the Knockdown Center, a Maspeth art center that has drawn criticism from area residents who worry it will draw thousands of drunken patrons to the area but which center representatives say will respect the neighborhood and create jobs.
The center, which set up shop in an abandoned glass factory at 52-19 Flushing Ave. in Maspeth, has for the past year been hosting such events as art shows and concerts by applying for temporary permits – but in order to continue operating it must receive a place of assembly permit and a certificate of occupancy from the city. The Knockdown Center filed in August for a place of assembly and in October for a certificate of occupancy and a permit to conduct alteration work at the site – all of which was rejected last week.
The place of assembly application had requested that up to 5,000 people be allowed at the spot – something that raised eyebrows for area civic leaders and legislators, who have said they are concerned thousands of people would end up partying in a residential area.
“It’s frightening,” Community Board 5 District Manager Gary Giordano said in a previous interview. “They’re going to have 5,000 people there? There’s a residential community right next door.”
Tyler Myers, the manager at the Knockdown Center, has said the center wants to work with the neighborhood on concerns residents have. Community Board 5 recently
“We exist because of our building – the building is the thing that drove the enterprise in the first place,” Myers said in a previous interview. “It’s totally gorgeous, so we’re not moving. We’re all ears, and we’re thankful for the time and attention the community board gave our proposal and understand their objection. It’s something we’re looking to resolve.”
Numerous legislators and civic leaders have denounced the site’s plan to serve liquor to thousands of center-goers, including state Sens. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), the Queens Civic Congress, the Juniper Park Civic Association, and COMET – Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together.
The only legislator who has come out in support of the center is Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), who has said the site could be an important job creator. The topic was a hotly contested issue at a recent debate between Crowley and the Republican challenging her for her Council seat, Craig Caruana.
“Do I support good jobs?” Crowley asked at the debate. “Yes. Do I support arts as an economic engine? Yes.”
Caruana said Knockdown “isn’t about jobs, it’s about hipsters coming in from out of the area and creating a club.”
By Anna Gustafson
