On June 13th, the Historic Districts Council celebrated New York’s brightest community preservationists at their Annual Grassroots Preservation Awards, held at Saint Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery. Angel Ayón, principal of AYON Studio, was honored to present Justice for 441 Willoughby with one such award.
A resident of Brooklyn and a frequent passerby of 441 Willoughby, also known as the Jacob Dangler Mansion, Angel shared a personal account of the historic building’s impression on him and also told of the group’s advocacy that “rallied the community, the local elected officials, and preservationists across the city.” Their extraordinary efforts were effective but ultimately thwarted by the developer, who was able to activate permits and demolish the 125-year-old BedStuy building last summer.
Angel also recognized the group’s ongoing fight for the site and demands for accountability and LPC historic district designation of the immediately surrounding blocks. “The coalition remains an inspiration to the preservation community for their continued vigilance… Justice for 441 Willoughby cares about a place that makes their neighborhood unique, a place that afforded their neighborhood with a distinctive sense of place. Their cries for justice and long-overdue preservation protections hit a roadblock fueled by bureaucratic non-sense and government inaction. It is impossible not to recall Dr. King reminding us that ‘Justice delayed is justice denied.’
Other 2023 Grassroots awardees included Eric K. Washington and the Manhattan Community Board Five Land Use, Housing and Zoning Committee. The event also honored The Village Sun and City Council Member Christopher Marte.