Thor Begins Demolishing Historic Henderson Building Without Permits

We received this email from Save Coney Island the other day but we had trouble with our Google server yesterday and couldn't load the photo till now. So here it is:

Thor Equities has begun demolition work on Coney Island’s historic Henderson Music Hall building, "apparently without receiving any permits and without taking appropriate safety measures," Save Coney Island says.

"Workers were seen and photographed (above ) Monday August 16 on the building’s roof using mechanical equipment to remove bricks from the top of the façade of the 1899 Henderson Music Hall, where Harpo Marx made his stage debut with his brothers Groucho and Gummo.

"Thor does not appear to have acquired any permits for this sort of work. According to the New York City Department of Buildings website, no new permits have been issued for the Henderson building in the past several years. (See here.)  

"Moreover, there was no scaffolding or sidewalk shed present to protect pedestrians during the demolition work.

"While no permits appear to have been issued for the Henderson Music Hall, Thor did receive demolition permits on Friday, August 13, for two other historic Coney Island buildings: the Bank of Coney Island (a 1923 classical revival building that testifies to Coney’s past prosperity) and the Shore Hotel (built in 1903 and Coney Island’s last operating hotel).

“We urge Thor to immediately halt its demolition work and preserve these historic buildings, and we urge the City to make sure that Thor abides by the law,” said Save Coney Island spokesman Juan Rivero.

More here.

Photo courtesy of Save Coney Island

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