A church just blocks from the Barclays Center is looking to sell a portion of its air or development rights, in hopes the sum will aid in sustaining its ministry. The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew, on Clinton Avenue and Fulton Street, is seeking $8.6 million either for 43,000-square-feet of transferable air rights or for excess land that currently houses a rectory and parking lot, DNAinfo reports. Under its landmark status, the 1891 Romanesque Revival church can not be demolished. Church officials told DNAinfo that they would not do anything to harm the church or change its streetscape in light of the sale, and strongly prefer to trade the offered air rights, which are transferable from the church's property to another lot.
The church is one of a few holy congregations these days looking to sell off the space above its rafters for a payout to sustain upkeep of the oft crumbling, landmarked structures. With the arsenal of development occurring in the rising 'hood surrounding the Barclays Center, it seems the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew has chosen a strategic time to offer up its excess. "Contrary to popular belief the Church has no money," Reverend Christopher Ballard told DNAinfo, "We need to sustain our ministry."
· Historic Church That Housed Occupy Sandy Offers Air Rights for $8.6M [DNAinfo]
· Listing: 519 Vanderbilt Avenue [Halstead]
· Charting the Changes Happening Around the Barclays Center [Curbed]
· All Air Rights coverage [Curbed]
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