Change can be good, but not at the cost of our heritage or sustainability. As documented on the history page of this site, the Poppenhusen Institute was, itself, almost sold off in 1980. Had it been sold and torn down, what would have taken it’s place? It was only by the activism of concerned College Point citizens that this cultural landmark was preserved.
Over recent years, dozens of century old single family homes have been razed to make way for multiple family dwellings that both create congestion and stress vital services in this community. To replace a Victorian home with cement cookie cutter boxes is something the community should and has resisted.
Dr. James Cervino, an environmental scientist, discusses development of 20th Ave, at the Institute.
The Poppenhusen Institute has hosted community board meetings where these issues and others are discussed. Without community involvement ambitious developers will continue to erode what makes College Point what it is. The management and board of the Institute encourage all citizens to get involved. Come to community meetings and have a say in the direction your community takes.
Here, an angry community resident posts an opinion on the makeshift walls outside an all-too-common scene; the demolition of a Victorian home.
Did You Know?
On College Point Blvd., this 100 year old single family home, once owned by the Stratton family, along with its beautifully landscaped yard was demolished in 2008 to make way for an appartment complex houseing a dozen families.
Flessel’s was one of the last remaining testaments to the summer resorts and beer gardens that once marked College Point. It was one of the first buildings to fall in the construction boom.