Community Debates Future of Dapolito Center and New Recreation Facilities in NYC's Community Board 2
A significant community debate is unfolding within New York City's Community Board 2 regarding the renovation of the closed Dapolito Center on Clarkson Street and the development of a new recreation center at 388 Hudson Street. During a recent Parks and Waterfront Committee meeting, community members, led by Andrew Berman of Village Preservation, pushed to discuss the Dapolito Center's renovation despite the agenda focusing solely on the new 388 Hudson Street facility. The Parks Department initially planned to renovate Dapolito, but a closer inspection revealed that the 120-year-old building would be more difficult and expensive to upgrade, potentially failing to meet ADA accessibility standards. The department now proposes demolishing Dapolito and building a new, state-of-the-art recreation center at 388 Hudson, which would include an indoor pool and a larger basketball court. Additionally, plans are underway to renovate and enlarge the outdoor pool next to the Dapolito site. This has led to a contentious...
