Trylon Theater
98-81 Queens Boulevard,
Rego Park,
NY
11374
98-81 Queens Boulevard,
Rego Park,
NY
11374
18 people
favorited this theater
Showing 126 - 150 of 207 comments
DAILY NEWS: www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/387070p-328448c.html
“War of words plays at Trylon”
(Pol, activist swap barbs)
January 31, 2006
BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON
DAILY NEWS WRITER
A preservationist who wants landmark status for a historic Forest Hills movie theater is trading verbal jabs with an elected official who recently criticized his efforts.
In a Jan. 1 letter, City Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills) accused Michael Perlman and the Committee to Save the Trylon Theater of “creating an unnecessary atmosphere of community turmoil” by staging an October rally outside the theater before they even contacted her office.
In an interview with the Daily News, Katz confirmed sending the letter to Perlman and the approximately 1,000 people who signed his petition to landmark the Trylon, an Art Deco theater built in tribute to the 1939-40 World’s Fair.
Although Katz insisted she just wanted to explain her position on the landmarking issue, Perlman said he thinks differently.
“She was trying to destroy the reputations of individuals who were trying to protect the interests of the local community,” he charged.
Katz explained, “It was a shame to see” that conditions had deteriorated at the Trylon after it closed in 1999, and she said she fondly remembers seeing her first movie at the theater.
But with the building being converted into the Educational Center for Russian Jewry – which plans to keep the Trylon’s marquee and glass projection tower intact – Katz remains optimistic.
“Now, I so look forward to new life in there,” she said. “I think it’s going to be beautiful.”
According to Perlman, Chairman Robert Tierney of the Landmarks Preservation Commission promised in December to grant a hearing on the Trylon if Katz sent him a note approving it, leading preservationists to believe the councilwoman’s consent was vital.
But Katz says any steps to landmark the theater start with the commission, which has not yet contacted her office. She also said she wondered why Tierney often ignores potential landmark sites in Queens in favor of others in Manhattan.
“I have asked him to landmark several things [in Queens] and it doesn’t seem to help,” Katz said.
Even if Tierney initiated an investigation into the Trylon immediately and determined that it has historical value, Katz said, it would take six months to a year to actually landmark the theater.
But preservationists, citing Katz’s comments to reporters over the past few months, say her inaction slowed the process.
“What’s the reason why she would oppose its landmarking from the very start?” Perlman asked. “This whole scenario could have been avoided.”
In the meantime, the city’s Environmental Control Board is holding hearings on whether the Trylon’s owners violated a stop-work order last year by illegally continuing construction at the site.
FOREST HILLS LEDGER: View link
Katz defends position on Trylon Theater
By Zach Patberg
01/26/2006
Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills) has gone on the defensive in the controversy over the Trylon Theater, writing a letter to preservationists saying she supports protecting the former movie theater’s historical integrity as development ensues and that “false accusations” claiming otherwise have created “an unnecessary atmosphere of community turmoil.”
Renovation of the Forest Hills World’s Fair centerpiece, slated to become a Jewish community center, has sparked protests from some preservationists that the construction has been far too callous in handling the trademark facade of the 66-year-old relic.
One group in particular, the Committee to Save the Trylon Theater, has come out against Katz, whom it says is siding with developers and resisting the idea of having the theater landmarked.
The group points to damage inflicted on some of the Trylon’s signature features since July, including that of an Art Deco ticket booth, hand-painted cloth murals and the mosaic-tiled floor.
In her Jan. 11 letter, which was sent to Bob Tierney, chairman of the Landmarks Preservation Committee, and around 150 Trylon supporters, Katz said she has taken steps to ensure that the theater is protected but that preserving history while encouraging growth in the area is a balancing act.
She said she reached an agreement with the center under which the theater’s signature marquee and the crystal tower would remain intact and the Trylon name would stay lit up on Queens Boulevard.
“I am dismayed, however, that protests and the dissemination of false information has obscured the fact that the preservation of the Trylon Theater has always been a component of building the new Education Center for Russian Jewry,” she wrote.
Her office pointed out that a $200,000 allocation originally earmarked for the center’s construction will instead be used for purchasing service equipment such as computers.
As for landmarking, Katz has insisted the process starts with Tierney, whom she says has not contacted her office to discuss the issue. While this may be true, Tierney said the councilwoman’s blessing is crucial for landmark passage since she is head of the City Council’s Land Use Committee and would eventually vote on it in the Council.
“I agree that the Trylon qualifies under all conditions as a New York City landmark,” Tierney said. “I request a note from Councilwoman Katz’s office indicating her consent on a hearing and that she supports my landmarking notions, since Katz opposed (it) from the very beginning.”
But Katz spokesman James McClelland said the councilwoman cannot approve of a landmarking without first seeing a package from the commission that includes input from community civic leaders, planners and historians. “It’d be like putting the horse before the cart,” he said.
Michael Perlman, the head of the Trylon advocacy committee who also received the letter, was not satisfied. “This is a key element of Queens and the World’s Fair history and deserves to be treated with respect and ultimately designated an official landmark,” he said in an e-mail. “The bottom line is that Katz is supposed to serve the public (her community’s interests) rather than her own interests and that of the developer.”
Please help me with this favor. Does anyone have a photo of the Trylon Theater’s exterior, that was taken prior to the tale end of 1999 (the theater’s closing)? I am looking for a photo that shows NO missing tiles on the central portion of the marquee. The photo can even be as far back as the 1970’s. Please e-mail Thank you!
It is wonderful to see how Cinema Treasures'exposure can help assist in trying to save the Trylon and other theatres worthy of preservation.
The most recent article documenting the Trylon Theater preservation effort was published on 12/29/05, & reported by Zach Patberg of the Forest Hills Ledger. It’s entitled “Work Stops on Trylon Renovation…Bad Permit Stops Trylon Work.”
View link
The renovation of the historic Trylon Theater has hit a snag after the city ordered the developer to stop work due to a faulty permit.
The property, at 98-81 Queens Blvd., also received a violation on Dec. 16 for doing work while the stop work order was still active, city Department of Buildings spokeswoman Ilyse Fink said.
The delay brought a glimmer of hope, or at least a hint of satisfaction, to a group of preservationists who have long protested the revamping of the Forest Hills theater, a relic of the 1939 World’s Fair that is slated to be converted to a Jewish community center.
Construction began last summer and the crew has so far gutted the interior, removed the mosaic tiles that lined the ticket booth and boarded up the windows. The preservation group, Committee to Save the Trylon, has been pushing for a reversal of this construction as well as a restoration of the Art Deco building’s marquee and glass block projection tower, which have been crumbling since the theater closed in 1999.
“To respect the Trylon’s significance and grandeur…a complete rebuilding of all destroyed architectural features is of utmost importance,” said Michael Perlman, the committee’s chairman.
Perlman, who led a rally in front of the theater in October, said he has recently asked the State Historic Preservation office to assess whether the Trylon was eligible for listing on the National Registrar for Historic Places. If so, the theater’s new owner and soon-to-be tenant, the Educational Center for Russian Jewry, would be required to limit renovation to state standards that preserve the building’s historical integrity and in return receive federal tax credit and other possible funding grants for the property.
Virginia Bartos, a Queens representative with the Preservation Office’s National Registrar and Survey Unit, said she was still waiting to hear from the Jewish center before conducting the assessment.
Messages left with the center went unreturned.
The stop work order, issued in April, was in response to a construction permit filed under the wrong owner, Fink said. An amended application was submitted and the stop work order taken away, but the property’s owner, 99th Street Realty, still cannot resume construction until it files for a new permit and hires new contractors, Fink said.
Robert Forester, of 99th Street Realty, would not comment on the stop worker order or the subsequent violation, saying the project was in the hands of the Jewish center.
According to Perlman, the city’s Landmark Preservation Commission has deemed the Trylon worthy of being landmarked – which would seriously restrict what work can be done on the building , but it would first need approval from Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills). Calls made to the commission went unreturned.
Katz, who gave $200,000 to the center for renovation, has been reluctant to give her blessing to the landmarking, saying it would slow down construction. Yet a spokesman, James McClelland, said that landmarking starts with the landmarks commission and the councilwoman would follow its lead.
I wonder, somehow, if it may be a prejudice on their part. It is my opinion that Russian Jews have the same rights as any other faith, or ethnicity. I was raised to respect people no matter what belief they are. I may have been raised a Gentile, but the school I attended as a boy had many members of the Jewish Faith and they invited me to their homes. As for Russians, I am able to put any cold war feelings aside and look at them as people. If they think that people are against them because they are who they are then they should ‘get real’. I don’t care whether a person is Christian or not because a good person is a good person. The same holds true for whether they are from Russia or America.
Letters to the editor of the Queens Tribune concerning the Trylon (Week of 11/17):
1 No Hate Movement
To The Editor:
In response to Jeff Feinman’s article, entitled “Bukharians Plan To Preserve Trylon,†that was published on the week of Nov. 3-9, the committee would like to voice their opinion.
It is very shocking, frustrating, and wrongful of Education Center for Russian Jewry director, Nahum Kaziev, to accuse The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater of a “hate movement.†On Oct. 23rd, NYC residents, historical societies, and community groups, gathered in solidarity for a lawful and peaceful expression of their concerns. Our points were as follows:
The Trylon is a rare surviving Art Deco treasure that is worthy of preservation and official landmark status, and should be restored. This refers to the presently intact facade and glass block projection tower (which once illuminated Queens Boulevard), and calls for a restoration of all facade elements, including the marquee and mosaic-tiled entrance pavilion;
That the proposed use for the property is commendable, and through creative planning, the Trylon can accommodate it without the sacrifice of its architectural beauty;
The Education Center for Russian Jewry is a much-needed center for the growing Bukharian community, but they should be willing to work with us, hand in hand, and listen to our concerns;
That the broad coalition of support for saving the Trylon should be recognized and not ignored;
That New York’s Art Deco architecture and art, once disparaged, is truly a major part of our 20th century heritage and deserves to be treated with respect.
How does encouraging landmarking, preservation, restoration, and adaptive re-use, come anywhere near discrimination?
Addressing Mr. Kaziev, the reason “no backlash ensued when treasured theaters such as the Elmwood and Valencia were converted into churches,†was because the new owners preserved and restored their facades.
The title of the article is also very misleading. The Education Center for Russian Jewry plans to preserve very few elements of the theater (stage, balcony, and air-conditioning system). How does saving the 5-year old air-conditioning system bear any significance towards preserving an architectural, cultural, and historical gem?
As much as we are in favor of having some interior aspects preserved and/or donated to a local museum for safekeeping, we are ultimately in favor of having the exterior preserved and landmarked, since it represents a major part of our 20th century heritage. It pays homage to the 1939 World’s Fair, and is responsible for the transition which led to a new wave of immigrants to set foot in America. Why can’t the Trylon be an educational resource for the Russian Jewry, and a prime example of how we can assimilate our cultures and values?
Our request for a meeting with the project team has been completely blocked, making it impossible for any dialogue between the Education Center for Russian Jewry and the community. If we can’t work hand-in-hand with this public facility now, does this foreshadow their bond with the community once it opens?
-Michael Perlman,
Committee To Save The Trylon Theater
2 Trylon Theater
To The Editor:
Irony appears in different ways: The Trylon Theater in Forest Hills, a legacy of the 1939 World’s Fair and an architectural treasure, has been the focus of citizens concerned about the preservation of the theater as part of Queens history as well as architectural history.
Enter irony: The Bukharan Jewish Community is currently dismantling the Trylon for a youth center. Bukharan spokesman Nokhim Kozio referred to the preservation efforts of the Trylon as a “hate movement.â€
To justify destruction of a significant historical structure along racist lines is offensive, misguided and shocking.
-Sona Kludjian,
Forest Hills
The following article has relevance towards saving our treasures, including the Trylon Theater & several other theaters. It’s entitled “CM Perkins Seeks To Amend Landmarks Law.” City-wide preservation advocates met on Mon, Nov 15th to testify in City Hall, & discuss their point of view on Perkins' proposed Landmarks Hearing Bill. Most were in favor of the new legislation. A Queens Ledger article can be accessed as follows:
View link
The following is my reaction to the bill & the hearing:
It is true that the LPC might have as half as many commissioners in 2005, and they may lack adequate funding to grant every landmark worthy structure a hearing. Rather than the city allocating an excessive amount of funds towards demolition, why can’t preservation-oriented funds exceed that rate, to safeguard priceless structures? A landmark is in the eyes of the majority, and it is of utmost importance for the LPC to hold fair hearings on worthy buildings, determined by the bulk of citywide preservationists' consent. In addition, buildings on the Nat'l Register should be granted a hearing. True Democracy ensures that the people would have a say in government. It is inexcusable and unforgivable for the LPC to ignore the public. At this point, too much power lies in the LPC, which terminates in the demolition of our buildings & BELOVED THEATERS!!! If this “denial of a hearing” trend continues, slowly but surely, a rather large percentage of our heritage will be eradicated, like chalk from a blackboard. The Trylon Theater in Forest Hills, paints a picture of the ‘39 World’s Fair and 66 years of sentiments. The Trylon Theater clearly qualifies under all conditions (architecturally, historically, culturally), and the majority’s consent, as an official landmark.
Check out some superb coverage of the Sun, Oct 23rd “Rally To Save The Trylon Theater!” The article is entitled “Residents Rally To Save A Controversial Movie House: Last Art Deco Theater In Queens.” It is featured in the Times NewsWeekly (Week of Oct. 27th), written by Robert Pozarycki, & can be accessed as follows. This is the UPDATED link:
View link
I also thought that maybe you can ask some of the former employees (ushers, candy concession, projectionists) and they could help.
The only other person who may be able to help you is Bruce1 in the Loew’s Kings section of this site
/theaters/1360
I don’t know if he will take an interest, but he may. He runs a cable access show called That’s Brooklyn.
Hi! I have tried contacting many celebrities, informing them about the Committee To Save The Trylon Theater’s endeavors. However, most of the time, I only reach a secretary, who doesn’t relay the message. Can you please give me some other tips? Do you know of anyone who might have some connections? Thank you!
NativeForestHiller;
One of the things that got me interested in joining my first theater restoration committee, the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn, was the fact that many people who are now celebrities worked there as ushers. I stated to you many times that the way to grab people’s attention is through famous people. In other words let the masses know what famous people ever came there, especially stories from before their celebrity. I am on your side, and I think the best thing you can do is tell about famous people who may have worked there. Even if some mobster was gunned down like by the Biograph in Chicago, people will be more interested in saving the theater because a mobster was killed there. One of the reasons I joined the Kings was that Barbra Streisand, and Sylvester Stallone ushered there while they were in Erasmus High School. Face facts, celebrity sells more than architecture. From the picture above it looks like it was once a beautiful theater (It still looks nice in the condition its in), but the style is not going to sell. The Kings is a grand piece of architecture, but its the celebrities that are bringing it ahead of other theaters in so far as possible restoration. The same may hold true for the Trylon.
Check out some superb coverage of the Sun, Oct 23rd “Rally To Save The Trylon Theater!” The article is entitled “Residents Rally To Save A Controversial Movie House: Last Art Deco Theater In Queens.” It is featured in the Times NewsWeekly (Week of Oct. 27th), written by Robert Pozarycki, & can be accessed as follows:
View link
The article says 15 people attended, but those were actually the participants who posed for the photo. At least 50 people participated throughout the hour. Rather than having a second rally, we hope to negotiate at a sit-down meeting. If no compromise is reached, we are committed to take further action. We will continue to encourage landmarking for this rare surviving cultural icon!!!
Why should a significant part of our 20th century heritage be eliminated, eradicated, & exterminated with the jackhammer, & be tossed in the wastebasket??? The LPC needs to act more independently, since a politician’s approval for a hearing is not an official law, and the politicians should stop using an area with so much history, as their “ECONOMIC WASTELAND!”
An easier link to access the Trylon rally article in the Preservation (online) NTHP publication:
View link
An article entitled “Preservationists March To Save The Trylon Theater” with subtitle “Protestors blast Katz!” came out in the FH Ledger: View link
(For copyright issues, I can’t post the article here. You have to register to view it. It’s free.) Photos aren’t visible online.
The following is in the Queens Chronicle: View link
Other articles that came out were in the Qns Courier (Page 8) & the FH Times/Qns Ledger/Examiner/Leader Observer, and the Times NewsWeekly.
CONTACTS UPDATE: SAVE THE ‘39 TRYLON THEATER!!! – HOW YOU CAN HELP DESIGNATE IT A LANDMARK
You can help by sending certified letters &/or e-mails to BOTH:
Councilwoman Melinda Katz
104-01 Metropolitan Ave
Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375-6735
.ny.us
~AND~
Mr. Robert Tierney, Chairman
c/o NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre St, 9th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10007
.gov
Key points that should be addressed:
Trylon Theater historical significance
Personal insight (including Melinda Katz’s views on landmarking. There’s also a still active stop work order)
The fact in which you’re not opposed to the Education Center’s occupancy, but the Trylon’s historical integrity MUST be respected (20th century heritage building).
Halt further demolition, restore what was lost during the dismantling of entrance pavilion, etc, and ensure preservation of this truly rare icon, by designating the Trylon Theater a LANDMARK!
For additional background info:
The Art Deco/Moderne 1939 Trylon Theater (98-81 Queens Blvd. Forest Hills, N.Y.) is currently under heavy alteration, as it is being converted into an Education Center for the Russian Jewry. It
is one of the last standing structures which has a strong architectural, cultural, & historical significance to the 1939 World’s Fair, with its “Trylon & Perisphere” monuments. The Landmarks Preservation Commission was in favor of designating the Trylon Theater a landmark, but when Councilwoman Melinda Katz opposed, the Landmarks Preservation Commission was reluctant to designate it. Now, in a 10/6 Newsday article, Melinda Katz said she is “powerless when it comes to landmarking decisions.” Also, in a 9/29 Queens Chronicle article, Katz said that “any issues regarding the Trylon’s landmarking, should be taken up with the LPC, which is
where the process begins.” Another dilemma is a construction violation & a stop work order as of April 11, 2005. Even though the stop work order is still active, demolition men ignored the order, &
on July 26, 2005, they gutted the interior and the entrance pavilion. It featured hand-painted cloth murals, an inlaid mosaic floor & ticket booth with the Trylon monument memorialized. As of now, October 2005, the only fairly intact features are: the marquee, the Art Deco facade, & the glass block projection tower, which once illuminated Queens Blvd.
RALLY COVERAGE: We landed a great article on October 24th in “Preservation (Online),” published by the National Trust For Historic Preservation. The story is by Meghan Hogan, & it’s entitled “Supporters of Queens Theater (Trylon) Hold Rally”: (Put in Trylon in general search if the page moves or the current link becomes inactive)
View link
Reporter Nicholas Hirshon of the Daily News also composed a wonderful article on October 25th, entitled “Battle To Save A Legend: Protest Seeks Landmark Status For Trylon Theater.” It can be accessed as follows:
View link
It made the front page of the Queens section, but the photo isn’t visible online. The photo shows participants marching with signs stating the following:
-Trylon Trashed: Restore What Was Lost!
-66 Years Standing Proud!
-Now Playing: “Gone With The Jackhammer” at the Trylon Theater!!!
-Now Playing: “Nightmare on Queens Boulevard!"
-A Queens Landmark To Be Cherished…NOT demolished!
-Last standing ‘39 World’s Fair Art Deco treasure!
-LPC: Grant the Trylon a fair hearing (This is a democracy!)
-Councilwoman Katz: Meet with your constituents now!!!
…& many more!!!!!!!
The Oct 23rd RALLY TO SAVE THE 1939 TRYLON THEATER had a succesful turnout. It featured community residents (including the Rego Park Group), good semaritans from neighboring boroughs, as well as historical societies, & media coverage.
Speeches were delivered by the following: Michael, Mr. Trylon/founder of “The Committee To Save The Trylon,” & my co-founder, Sonia. Also, Glen Leiner, Executive Director of the Art Deco Society of N.Y., & Mitchell Grubler, Executive Director of the Queens Historical Society. The Theater Historical Society of America also supported our effort, as well as the Four Boroughs Preservation Alliance, the Historic Districts Council, & Nancy Cataldi, President of the Richmond Hill Historical Society. I would also like to thank David Oats & his wife, World’s Fair historians. Media coverage: NY Post, Daily News, Times NewsWeekly, Queens Chronicle, Queens Ledger/FH Times/Queens Examiner. Check it out this week!
WE ALL ACHIEVED A GREAT EFFORT TOWARDS PRESERVATION. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING. We will continue, since the Trylon (& other significant structures which paint a picture of the history of Queens & NYC) deserves some JUSTICE! As I stated earlier, the LPC (Chairman Robert Tierney) not granting a fair & adequate hearing, & Councilwoman Melinda Katz ignoring the requests of her community/constituents, violates our Democratic rights. WE MUST WORK IN UNISON TO PRESERVE OUR 20TH CENTURY HERITAGE. WE MUST ALL REMEMBER: VICTORY IS DETERMINATION!!!
WRITE LETTERS TO LPC CHAIRMAN TIERNEY, COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ, & MAYOR BLOOMBERG ASAP to support landmarking of this highly endangered, rare iconic gem of a theater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I unfortunately can’t attend the rally, I will be in Connecticut.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW THAT THE TRYLON IS NOW ON THIS WEEKS CINEMA TREASURES POLL. I VOTED FOR THE KINGS, I ADMIT, BUT I WANT THE TRYLON TO HAVE A GOOD SHOW. THE SECTION OF THE SIGHT IS ON NEW YORK THEATERS THAT SHOULD BE RESTORED. TO ACCESS THE CLICK TO TO THIS ADDRESS
http://cinematreasures.org/polls/79
URGENT: TRYLON THEATER RALLY
DATE: Sunday, October 23rd
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Trylon Theater; 98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, N.Y.
**Points of the rally:
1. LANDMARK the ‘39 Trylon Theater; a last standing structure which bears strong significance to the 1939 World’s Fair.
2. PRESERVE the presently intact Art Deco facade, glass block projection tower (which once illuminated Queens Blvd.), & the marquee.
3. RESTORE what was lost during a summer 2005 conversion, despite an active construction violation & stop work order since April 2005.
4. ADAPT the site for the Education Center For Russian Jewry, with a preservation-minded re-use strategy, rather than demolition.
Participants: Historians, preservationists, community residents, as well as residents of neighboring boroughs, politicians, possible FH celebrities, the media, & members of The Committee To Save The Trylon Theater.
For Trylon Theater then & now visuals, please follow these 2 links: http://cinematreasures.org/news/13577_0_1_0_C/
http://cinematreasures.org/news/13576_0_1_0_C/
To sign the Trylon Theater petition, click or paste the following: www.PetitionOnline.com/Trylon/petition.html
FOR MORE RALLY INFO, CONTACT: (212) 679-DECO or
NativeForestHiller;
Can you give us any idea of the history? It may also help to find if any famous people worked or went to the theater. I am also on the committee to save the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn where people like Barbra Streisand, and Sylvester Stallone were ushers.
Greetings Trylon fans!
The latest article that came out was today’s, Oct 6th article in Newsday, entitled “Theater Reeling In Controversy.” It can be accessed as follows:
View link
My take is as follows:
*Please pay close attention to the wording of the article, & the complexity of the Trylon issue on various levels (Katz, Kaziev, DOB, LPC). In a Queens Chronicle & FH Ledger article last week, spokeswoman Jennifer Givner of the DOB stated that the April 2005 stop work order & construction violations were “probably” lifted already. Now, for this aticle, she states that the “order will likely be lifted soon.” Can’t she make up her mind??? Kaziev said not much was salvageable & the Trylon was vandalized. (The demolition men of course made it look vandalized, since prior to their work in July, all the mosaic tiles & significant features were almost intact from ‘39. I pass it everyday!) Notice how Kaziev also said the theater is being “RESTORED to its former glory.” Who’s he kidding? When it’s too late & they manipulate the now intact facade prior to Dec 10th (when the bizarre permit expires)??? Other articles said the facade will undergo a complete reconstruction shortly. Notice how on Katz’s level, she tries defending herself in regard to the Trylon’s landmarking issue, by saying that she “was trying to push the LPC for years to designate Richmond Hill & 10 blocks in Kew Gardens, but they designated the Ralph Bunche House instead. Why change the subject? Hmm… (In regard to the Ralph Bunche House, she made it difficult for the LPC to designate, but they did anyway). After all, M. Katz said she’s "powerless,” when it comes to landmarking decisions. Then why won’t the LPC grant any designations without the approval or “blessings of a councilmember” as the LPC stated in the NY Times article? M. Katz sure is integral regarding the Trylon landmarking scenario, & that’s a major burden (we have all the proof)!!! The LPC should have a mind of its own!
There will be 3 more articles coming out shortly, regarding the Trylon; Tribune, Newsday, & FH/Times Ledger. Today’s Queens Chronicle article can be viewed at the following link:
View link
As of April 4th, a Department of Buildings inspector said that the Trylon has a construction violation (which is still active). On Apr 11th, a STOP WORK ORDER was issued, & it is still in effect. Despite the stop work order, demolition men started demolishing the entrance pavilion & gutting the interior on July 26th. Hmmm… It’s also really strange that the latest article in the Queens Chronicle didn’t quote anything relating to the Stop Work Order.
Freelance reporter Nicholas Hirshon wrote an article in the 21st anniversary issue of Qns Courier last week (Sept 21; page 148), entitled “Trylon Demolition Raises Questions.” It should be available online shortly. It refers to the active construction violation & the stop work order at the Trylon, which is still in effect!
URGENT: Please click on the following link to sign a petition to save the ‘39 Trylon Theater:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/Trylon/petition.html
The petition:
To: Robert Tierney (Chair, NY Landmarks Preservation Commission) & Melinda Katz (Councilwoman, District 29)
The signers of this petition agree that the 1939 Art Deco/Moderne Trylon Theater (98-81 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY) is one of the last standing structures which has a strong cultural, historical, & architectural significance to the 1939 World’s Fair, with its “Trylon & Perisphere” monuments. On behalf of residents and historical societies, it is of utmost importance to halt further demolition, restore what was lost during the conversion, preserve this icon, and officially landmark this truly rare gem of a theater!!!
I am happy to report that today’s Trylon Theater preservation event in Forest Hills was well-attended by community residents and out-of-towners, historians and preservationists, and the media. Thank you for such informative lectures, & a special thanks to all who participated! – Committee To Save The Trylon, Founder
Get the word out that the theater should be open. I am on the commitees for several theaters including this one and the Loew’s Kings in Brooklyn, /theaters/1360 ,and if anyone from Brooklyn crossed the Queens Border, and went to the Trylon (I only went to theaters in Brooklyn and Manhattan) they may be interested in saving both.