“I appreciate and support Hidrock Realty’s commitment to preserve a movie theater as part of their redevelopment of the Pavilion. 

When news broke this spring that Hidrock was planning to eliminate the movie theater – and replace it with generic ground-floor retail as part of their conversion of the building into condominiums – I voiced my concern loudly. There’s been a movie theater on the spot for over 100 years, and a neighborhood movie theater is one great part of Park Slope. My family has enjoyed countless movies there, and the idea of losing a theater altogether was painful to so many of us.

At that time, I also made clear that it was essential that Hidrock respect the character of the Park Slope Historic District, both in the renovation of the Pavilion and with the new building they are proposing next door. Thanks to the efforts of the Park Slope Civic Council and many local activists, the historic district was recently expanded for the first time in 30 years—so there are special protections in place to preserve the existing building’s exterior and an opportunity to weigh in the look of the new building.

I am grateful that Hidrock has revised their plans to include a movie theater in the building’s ground floor, and is committed to a design that respects and enhances the Park Slope Historic District.

Community feedback is a critical part of the process, and I am eager to hear the community’s feedback at Hidrock’s presentation at Brooklyn Community Board 6’s Landmarks Committee meeting this Thursday night, as well as at additional presentations with the neighboring blocks and community groups, at the LPC hearing, and then again through the Board of Standards and Appeals this fall.

I am confident that with community feedback through these public processes, Hidrock will be able to achieve a development that houses a movie theater, preserves the existing building, and builds a new building that respects the character of our neighborhood.”