Decaying Mansions May Fall To Supermarket

Unused except by vandals and wildlife since the closure of the Navy Yard in 1966, the once-grand mansions of Admiral's Row are on the brink of demolition, as the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation considers replacing the historic site with a supermarket.

"Even hidden by vegetation, the half-dozen houses that make up Admiral's Row are among the grandest remnants of Brooklyn's once-bustling Navy Yard. Dating from 1863 to 1901, the buildings include some of New York City's earliest and most impressive examples of the French Second Empire Style."

"Many preservationists say there's hope for the mansions of Admiral's Row. Alex Herrera, director of technical services at the New York City Landmarks Commission, allows that the houses 'are in deplorable condition' but says that 'they're very sturdy structures and are perfectly restorable. Many homeowners in the Fort Greene area have handled much worse. The problem is that there is no will on the part of the current administration to save them.' "