Those houses on Duffield Street in downtown Brooklyn that may have ties to the Underground Railroad but that could be leveled for underground parking got a hearing yesterday. Let's just say that if descriptions are accurate, supporters of preserving the buildings, which are across the street from the site of new hotels, had their say in a hearing that went from 11AM-3PM. A report from supporters of the houses says "lapdog of developers inadvertently bites master’s hand." Meantime, the Historic District Council Blog offers a rundown too, notes that a peer reviewer was "merciless in his critique" of a consultant's report that found "no proof" the Duffield Street buildings were part of the Underground Railroad. It's unclear what the four-hour City Council hearing means, though. An eminent domain hearing on the city's plan to take the buildings comes next.
· Partial Report from the Duffield Street Houses Hearing [HDC Blog]
· AKRF's Attempts to Demolish Abolitionist's Homes [undergroundrailroadsafehouses.org]
· Will Brooklyn Parking Trump Underground Railroad Houses? [Curbed]
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