Seizures Coming for Underground Railroad Buildings

The Department of Housing Preservation and Development has formally approved the seizure via eminent domain of a number of buildings in Downtown Brooklyn, including the Underground Railroad Buildings on Duffield Street. The formal HPD action was reported by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. A total of 21 properties were actually approved for seizure on different blocks, including one in the BAM Cultural District on a property for which there are no current development plans. The city wants the the Duffield Street buildings in order to building an underground parking garage. Last week, the Bloomberg Administration announced $2 million for a project to commemorate abolitionist activity in Brooklyn, which supporters of saving the Duffield Street buildings suggested was a way to sugarcoat the impending seizures and demolitions. In the meantime, Duffield Street Underground reports that one of the city's seizure letters, for 227 Duffield Street, went to a dead property owner.