The S.I. Castle:THIS Place Matters
Four Turrets and a Staten Island community anchor await its fate .
Many generations of Staten Islanders have requested that this 1890 Chateau-inspired former hospital be preserved for future generations. Yet it has never been given a public hearing by NYC Landmarks Commission.
THIS Place Matters to many. Please visit Placematters ,
a project of Citylore and the Municipal Arts Society and Nominate the S.I. Castle, S.R. Smith Infirmary. http://www.placematters.net/nominate
Public disclosure is urged by Councilwoman Debi Rose, the Coalition to Save the SI Castle and Community Board #1. The recent June 2011 building condition report conducted by NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) regarding the S.R. Infirmary, a.k.a. the Castle has yet to be released despite promises made by both DOB and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). An Emergency demolition order has been filed by DOB and public dollars in the amount of $385,000 has been announced for demolished, as stated by DOB and HPD officials. No date for demolished has been announced.
Discussions are currently underway to stabilize or preserve a portion of the structure. NYC Landmarks Commission has refused to hold even one public hearing on the building.
The Presidents of the five New York City Chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) have voiced their support for the landmarking and adaptive re-use of the former Samuel Russell Smith Infirmary, a.k.a. S Castle.
About a year ago, NYC Landmarks responded to a request to Landmark the ‘Castle’.
They state that “A careful review of the current condition and architectural
integrity of the property found it to be in a state of advanced
deterioration and therefore no longer viable for consideration as a New York
City individual landmark. The property will not be recommended to the full
Commission for further consideration as a New York City landmark.”
This was provided as a response when no ‘forensic ‘ engineering report was conducted. The only report on record was a May 2009 report by the FDNY and DOB with generalities regarding the danger of the site and need to secure it. The former hospital has never had a public hearing despite numerous requests since the hospital was vacated in 1979. Supporters to Save the S.I. Castle urged landmarking at two public hearings during the “Staten Island landmark Day’ during public hearing sessions in August 2009 and 2010.
Contact: NYC Landmarks Commission to urge that they “calendar” the S.R. Smith Infirmary, which will provide a postponement for any demolition and allow this archiectural gem to finally get a public hearing.
Email or Fax Landmarks Commissioner, Robert Tierney at rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov or Fax to 212-669-3872. For more information on the Landmarking process and updates visit NYC Landmarks website.