Art matter: Frick’s foes lose
A judge decided Monday that an upcoming Landmarks Preservation Commission vote on the Frick Collection’s controversial expansion can take place — thwarting opponents’ last-minute efforts to delay the proceeding.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Franc Perry’s decision stemmed from an emergency petition filed late Sunday by Stop Irresponsible Frick Development.
The group — supported in part by Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, who lives near the E. 70th St. art museum — opposes changes proposed by Frick, such as demolishing a beloved music room in the landmarked building at Fifth Ave.
Stop Irresponsible Frick Development requested immediate court intervention to prevent the Landmarks Preservation Commission from voting on the proposal Tuesday.
In denying Stop Irresponsible Frick Development’s request, Perry said the group hasn’t presented enough information to justify intervening in the commission’s operations.
“Based upon the information before this court, I find the petitioner has not met its heavy burden,” Perry said. “Absent a demonstration of irreparable harm . . . the court denies the application for a temporary restraining order.”
Before Perry handed down his decision, lawyers for Stop Irresponsible Frick Development had argued that the Landmarks Preservation Commission couldn’t vote on the issue because of recent leadership shakeups.