Show Up for Dapolito

Many of us at VID have been involved in the fight to save the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center—meeting with elected officials, working alongside community groups, and getting Mayor Mamdani on the record at our town hall committing to repair and reopen it.

Where Things Stand

Dapolito has been closed since 2021, and despite years of community opposition, Parks continues to push for demolition rather than restoration, with recreation facilities shifted to the planned development at 388 Hudson Street. Earlier this year, State Committee Member Sommer Omar obtained records through a FOIL request showing that the city’s own assessments found Dapolito could be repaired and reopened, further undermining the case for demolition.

Now there is a new threat: more than $100 million allocated for Dapolito may be redirected to 388 Hudson and other projects.

What We Need Now

Despite that evidence—and Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to restore Dapolito—Parks is still pursuing demolition. 

Next Wednesday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m., the Parks Committee of Community Board 2 will hold a public hearing on 388 Hudson. This is an important opportunity to ensure that decisions about 388 Hudson do not come at Dapolito’s expense. We’re asking community members to speak up for two things:

1. Keep the public funding allocated to Tony Dapolito in place and oppose any effort to divert it elsewhere.
2. Plan the recreational facilities at 388 Hudson to complement—not replace—a restored Tony Dapolito Center.

Hearing Details:

• Where: Both in-person and Zoom options are available. The in-person location is Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital, 200 West 13th St, 6th Fl. Please check this link regularly to confirm the location before the hearing, as it sometimes changes.
• How to sign up to attend: You can sign up in person or via Zoom here.
• To actually speak at the hearing: To speak virtually, you'll need to select the "raise your hand" reaction on Zoom. To speak in-person: you'll need to sign up at the hearing location to have your name called.

 Keep Dapolito’s funding in place, repair and reopen the center, and make 388 Hudson complement—not replace—this historic public resource.