The fate of a beloved West Village recreation center – featuring a one-of-a-kind Keith Haring mural – is once again up in the air after mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani signaled support for preserving the aging facility instead of tearing it down.

The landmarked Tony Dapolito Recreation Center in the West Village, which was initially approved for $120 million in capital repairs after it closed to the public in 2021, has been destined for the bulldozer since the Adams administration changed its tune and announced the site would be demolished , citing irreparable damage .

Mamdani — who is leading in the polls in the 2025 race for Gracie Mansion — has given hope to backers of the current building by expressing support for rehabilitating the site. 5

Mamdani made the comments at

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