Dumbo NYC

Remembering that Dumbo artists were kicked out of their lofts in 2000, Dumbo’s Smack Mellon is asking everyone to show their support of the 475 Kent Street artists who were evicted last week by gathering support for a letter writing campaign to Mayor Bloomberg. In an email, Smack Mellon is asking to support the artists by faxing a letter to the Mayor:

Dear Friends of Smack Mellon,

In support of the artists living at 475 Kent Street who are in a terrible situation we ask that you to please fax a letter to Mayor Bloomberg. We urge you to please do so now. And please forward this to your friends. With all of our efforts, hundreds of letters can be on his desk by tomorrow morning.

For more information about what’s happening at 475 Kent Street, click here to read the article published by the New York Times on February 10.

Thank you for your support!
Smack Mellon

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The FAX #s: 212 788 2460, 212 341 3810, 212 788 7745

**If your fax does not go through, please email your letter to the Mayor at:
mike@cityhall.nyc.gov
mbloomberg@cityhall.nyc.gov

A similar situation occurred in Dumbo in 2000. Approximately 60 artists were evicted from their lofts at Joshua Guttman owned 247 Water Street. In December, 2000, the city’s Department of Buildings ordered the building vacated, citing fire hazards. After the artists were allowed back in, the developer then tried to evict the tenants who sued Mr. Guttman, seeking protection from eviction under rent-stabilization and tenant-rights laws. In 2003, seven days after Mr. Guttman applied to have the zoning for the building changed to allow for legal apartments, the building was mysteriously burned down. Let’s hope the residents at 475 Kent Street will get better results.

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(Sample letter to the Mayor after the jump.)

Here is a sample letter:

To:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

My attention has recently been drawn to the problem of the artist’s building at 475 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

You are certainly aware by now that over 200 artists are in danger of losing their homes and workplaces permanently – which usually spells financial ruin in a community already subjected to considerable risk.

In the spirit of the cultural tradition that has long prevailed in this great city, I urge you to do everything you can to help the artists return to their professions immediately and to foster our common creative capital.

Sincerely,
****

{Glimmers of Hope for 475 Kent Residents, 11Feb2008, Brownstoner}
{The Lofts, a Landlord and a Battle to Remember, 14May2006, NY Times}
{Amid Old Brooklyn Factories, A Shrinking Canvas, 24Jul1995, NY Times}
{The Fire Down Below, 17Mar2004, Village Voice}