Cherry Hill: we didn’t know Lundy’s was landmarked
By Michèle De Meglio
Comment
The team behind the Cherry Hill Gourmet Restaurant and Market to open in Lundy’s has finally revealed why it ripped up part of the historic building’s exterior – it didn’t know the building was landmarked.
Apparently, the architect hired for the project never checked city records.
“Our architect did not do that,” project manager Anthony Kelley told residents at last week’s Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association meeting, which was held in the famed Emmons Avenue building.
As a result, workers replaced the concrete in front of the building with small, colored tiles and installed a black iron railing near Lundy’s main entrance.
“The awnings were taken down and the outside was started – yes, our fault,” Kelley admitted.
That resulted in a stop-work order, which was recently lifted.
Now, the railing must be removed.
“The railing outside is illegal. They never got a permit for it,” Kelley acknowledged.
As for the tiles, Kelley said it’s up to the community. If residents want the tiles removed, workers will do so. If residents want the tiles to stay, the Cherry Hill team will head to court to fight to keep the illegal stone work.
Kelley and his workers had removed the Lundy’s signs. They’ve been repainted and will soon be reinstalled.
“The outside of the building will be restored back to new and will look exactly as it did years ago,” Kelley said.
Preserving the Lundy’s building has been a major concern of community residents.
Since construction work began more than a year ago, the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic has received “numerous complaints and questions about the desecration of our landmark,” said civic President Kathy Flynn.
There’s also the question of whether or not the gourmet market is a suitable fit for the Lundy’s building since supermarkets are prohibited under Emmons Avenue’s special district zoning laws, which were established in 1973 to transform Sheepshead Bay into a fishing village.
“If the zoning says you can’t do it, then why should you be allowed to do that? That sets a precedent for the city of New York,” said Steve Barrison, president of the Bay Improvement Group.
Those wanting to uphold the special district restrictions should focus on Emmons Avenue’s other new developments, particularly condominiums, asserted civic members.
“There’s so many buildings and developments that have deteriorated Sheepshead Bay. That’s something to get excited about. Not this,” said Laura LaPlant.
Kelley said the business the market will generate will help keep the entire Cherry Hill establishment afloat financially. He noted that in the current economic crisis, it’s unlikely that a developer could open only a restaurant in the Lundy’s building.
Apparently, the architect hired for the project never checked city records.
“Our architect did not do that,” project manager Anthony Kelley told residents at last week’s Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association meeting, which was held in the famed Emmons Avenue building.
As a result, workers replaced the concrete in front of the building with small, colored tiles and installed a black iron railing near Lundy’s main entrance.
“The awnings were taken down and the outside was started – yes, our fault,” Kelley admitted.
That resulted in a stop-work order, which was recently lifted.
Now, the railing must be removed.
“The railing outside is illegal. They never got a permit for it,” Kelley acknowledged.
As for the tiles, Kelley said it’s up to the community. If residents want the tiles removed, workers will do so. If residents want the tiles to stay, the Cherry Hill team will head to court to fight to keep the illegal stone work.
Kelley and his workers had removed the Lundy’s signs. They’ve been repainted and will soon be reinstalled.
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Preserving the Lundy’s building has been a major concern of community residents.
Since construction work began more than a year ago, the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic has received “numerous complaints and questions about the desecration of our landmark,” said civic President Kathy Flynn.
There’s also the question of whether or not the gourmet market is a suitable fit for the Lundy’s building since supermarkets are prohibited under Emmons Avenue’s special district zoning laws, which were established in 1973 to transform Sheepshead Bay into a fishing village.
“If the zoning says you can’t do it, then why should you be allowed to do that? That sets a precedent for the city of New York,” said Steve Barrison, president of the Bay Improvement Group.
Those wanting to uphold the special district restrictions should focus on Emmons Avenue’s other new developments, particularly condominiums, asserted civic members.
“There’s so many buildings and developments that have deteriorated Sheepshead Bay. That’s something to get excited about. Not this,” said Laura LaPlant.
Kelley said the business the market will generate will help keep the entire Cherry Hill establishment afloat financially. He noted that in the current economic crisis, it’s unlikely that a developer could open only a restaurant in the Lundy’s building.
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Reader Comments
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Simon Belsky wrote on Mar 30, 2009 5:43 PM:
" Lundy Bros. Restaurant/Cherry Hill Gourmet are Vital to the Community
What’s so terrible about the revival of a quality seafood restaurant (Lundy Bros.) and the addition of a gourmet market which allows its quality offerings such as deli, cooked/cold foods bakery items and gelato, to be enjoyed in a café atmosphere as well as taken home for dinner? What is so terrible about having organic foods and a quality bakery where none exist?
What is wrong with trying to resurrect an area in Sheepshead Bay which has been deteriorating for the past 30 plus years?
Ever since the demise of the famous Lundy Bros. restaurant in 1977, the Landmark Building has been vacant for the last 32 years except for two (2) short term failed attempts to open a seafood restaurant on a much smaller scale. It is clear that just a restaurant in this massive building cannot survive as the clientele that filled Lundy Bros. no longer exists.
In 1973 with all of the best intentions for the community Sheepshead Bay was designated as a “special district” to promote and strengthen the unique character of the area as a prime location for waterfront and recreational development and to help attract a useful cluster of shops, restaurants and related activities, which will complement and enhance the area.
Unfortunately, whether it was due to the changing makeup of our diverse community or the changes in the economy it appears that the “special district” zoning in some instances have been more of a hindrance than a help to revitalizing a community.
Vacant lots and vacant buildings only led to an abundance of garbage, rodent infestation and crime further deteriorating the community.
A July 9th, 1995 article in The New York Times it states, it was clear to Mr. John E. Nikas, Community Board 15 Chairman and Mr. Mitchell Corby, Director of the City Planning Department’s Brooklyn Office that “We’ve just got to accept that the district’s goals were never realized.”
Why can’t the few complaining pundits wake up to the reality of history and the existing situation and help Cherry Hill resolve the zoning issue?
Recently my wife and I spent two (2) hours with Mr. David Isaev, President of Cherry Hill Gourmet discussing his plans and objectives in detail regarding the new Lundy Bros. Restaurant and Cherry Hill Gourmet. I have come away with an understanding as follows:
• The exterior of the building will be completely restored to conform to the Landmark Preservation requirements.
• The original Lundy Bros. lettering and awnings will also be restored to its original condition even though the lettering is not part of the façade and not a requirement of Landmark Preservation.
• The restaurant part of the business will be promoted and marketed to make every effort to revitalize the Lundy Bros. name and restaurant stature.
• The restaurant will be opened approximately 4-5 months later, due to construction timetable.
• Baskets in the gourmet area will only be allowed to exit the rear of the building into the parking lot. No baskets will be allowed on Emmons or Ocean Avenues.
Mr. Isaev has invested an enormous amount of money rebuilding a structure in shambles with the hope of building a successful business and revitalizing an area which is in desperate need of help. The work he has done in the parking lot appears to be a bigger investment that most businesses in the area have made.
Almost everyone I have spoken to that has seen the interior and had a preview of the plans are extremely positive and are eagerly awaiting the Grand Opening of the Cherry Hill Gourmet and Lundy’s New 4* Restaurant.
The battle needs to end for the benefit of the community. The issues regarding Landmark Preservation appear to be resolved. With Loehmann’s and condos already on Emmons Avenue, I believe, the zoning has changed dramatically from its original intent. It is time to sit down and together move forward with a solution instead of pointing fingers for politics or personal desires.
The community should also immediately address possible solutions for additional parking areas and a multitude of promotions to bolster the viability of our fishing/cruising fleet. "
What’s so terrible about the revival of a quality seafood restaurant (Lundy Bros.) and the addition of a gourmet market which allows its quality offerings such as deli, cooked/cold foods bakery items and gelato, to be enjoyed in a café atmosphere as well as taken home for dinner? What is so terrible about having organic foods and a quality bakery where none exist?
What is wrong with trying to resurrect an area in Sheepshead Bay which has been deteriorating for the past 30 plus years?
Ever since the demise of the famous Lundy Bros. restaurant in 1977, the Landmark Building has been vacant for the last 32 years except for two (2) short term failed attempts to open a seafood restaurant on a much smaller scale. It is clear that just a restaurant in this massive building cannot survive as the clientele that filled Lundy Bros. no longer exists.
In 1973 with all of the best intentions for the community Sheepshead Bay was designated as a “special district” to promote and strengthen the unique character of the area as a prime location for waterfront and recreational development and to help attract a useful cluster of shops, restaurants and related activities, which will complement and enhance the area.
Unfortunately, whether it was due to the changing makeup of our diverse community or the changes in the economy it appears that the “special district” zoning in some instances have been more of a hindrance than a help to revitalizing a community.
Vacant lots and vacant buildings only led to an abundance of garbage, rodent infestation and crime further deteriorating the community.
A July 9th, 1995 article in The New York Times it states, it was clear to Mr. John E. Nikas, Community Board 15 Chairman and Mr. Mitchell Corby, Director of the City Planning Department’s Brooklyn Office that “We’ve just got to accept that the district’s goals were never realized.”
Why can’t the few complaining pundits wake up to the reality of history and the existing situation and help Cherry Hill resolve the zoning issue?
Recently my wife and I spent two (2) hours with Mr. David Isaev, President of Cherry Hill Gourmet discussing his plans and objectives in detail regarding the new Lundy Bros. Restaurant and Cherry Hill Gourmet. I have come away with an understanding as follows:
• The exterior of the building will be completely restored to conform to the Landmark Preservation requirements.
• The original Lundy Bros. lettering and awnings will also be restored to its original condition even though the lettering is not part of the façade and not a requirement of Landmark Preservation.
• The restaurant part of the business will be promoted and marketed to make every effort to revitalize the Lundy Bros. name and restaurant stature.
• The restaurant will be opened approximately 4-5 months later, due to construction timetable.
• Baskets in the gourmet area will only be allowed to exit the rear of the building into the parking lot. No baskets will be allowed on Emmons or Ocean Avenues.
Mr. Isaev has invested an enormous amount of money rebuilding a structure in shambles with the hope of building a successful business and revitalizing an area which is in desperate need of help. The work he has done in the parking lot appears to be a bigger investment that most businesses in the area have made.
Almost everyone I have spoken to that has seen the interior and had a preview of the plans are extremely positive and are eagerly awaiting the Grand Opening of the Cherry Hill Gourmet and Lundy’s New 4* Restaurant.
The battle needs to end for the benefit of the community. The issues regarding Landmark Preservation appear to be resolved. With Loehmann’s and condos already on Emmons Avenue, I believe, the zoning has changed dramatically from its original intent. It is time to sit down and together move forward with a solution instead of pointing fingers for politics or personal desires.
The community should also immediately address possible solutions for additional parking areas and a multitude of promotions to bolster the viability of our fishing/cruising fleet. "
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jay wrote on Mar 16, 2009 11:36 PM: