Posted on 01/28/2007 1:33:06 PM PST by restornu
Jan. 26, 2007 — A proposed 45-story development spearheaded by real estate mogul Donald Trump has unearthed human remains that may belong to abolitionists from an abolitionist New York City church founded in 1811, according to an archaeological report recently filed with the city.
Trump and project partners Bayrock/Sapir LLC were issued a "Stop Work Order" on December 12, 2006, when news of the remains came to light.
"At that time, it was requested that the developers work with an archaeologist," NYC Department of Buildings spokesperson Kate Lindquist told Discovery News.
She added, "They (the developers) keep submitting and resubmitting plans that the department determines are noncompliant."
The archaeological report mentions that the remains — possibly belonging to 15-20 individuals, including two children — appear to be from a 1820-1835 burial vault under the Spring Street Presbyterian Church, which suffered a fire and was razed shortly thereafter in 1963.
The report states, "The church's fierce abolitionism was known almost from its inception," and goes on to suggest that sermons often addressed racial tolerance.
Interracial marriages were also performed at the church, according to the report. Such acts were deemed radical and resulted in an 1834 attack by an anti-abolitionist mob.
"At the Spring Street Church, the rioters entered the church through smashed windows, took the remnants of the organ, pew and galleries that they had destroyed and used them to create a barricade outside against the approaching National Guard, who had been called out to control the crowd."
Despite the building permit rejections, Trump and his colleagues have a permit to excavate the site, which concerned locals say may have harmed the burial vault and its contents.
Andrew Berman, director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, told Discovery News, "Neither the living nor the dead are pleased with this development."
Berman explained that he and many locals have been dismayed by the project from the outset, since the 454-foot proposed condo-hotel would be the tallest building between midtown Manhattan and the city's financial district. They also believe it is out of character with the rest of the neighborhood and it could cause traffic jams due to its location near a Holland Tunnel entrance.
He said Trump and his colleagues were given an "as of right" pass by the city, "which basically means they can just start digging."
This enabled the developers to bypass a procedure that would have required a review of historic records of the site, field testing, and analysis to determine if historically important resources are present.
In addition to the human remains and the historical significance of the church, Berman believes the site may have been part of the Underground Railroad, a vast network of people who helped fugitive slaves to escape to northern states and to Canada.
If that were the case, other regulations would apply to the proposed development, similar to laws that are meant to protect former Native American burial grounds.
Berman said, "Who would ever think that we'd be uttering the name Donald Trump in the same breath as 19th-century abolitionists?"
While final decisions have yet to be made, the developers continue to work at the site, where they expect to complete the building's foundation by May.
Is not this the crux of the whole thing it is the nay Sayers?
“Berman explained that he and many locals have been dismayed by the project from the outset, since the 454-foot proposed condo-hotel would be the tallest building between midtown Manhattan and the city's financial district. They also believe it is out of character with the rest of the neighborhood and it could cause traffic jams due to its location near a Holland Tunnel entrance.”
“The archaeological report mentions that the remains — possibly belonging to 15-20 individuals, including two children — appear to be from a 1820-1835 burial vault under the Spring Street Presbyterian Church, which suffered a fire and was razed shortly thereafter in 1963.”
There is a solution to this by relocating the 20 or so individuals to the African Burial Ground
And on the Trump site put up a Memorial Plaque about the History and also at the same time will bring attention to the African Burial Ground where the remains reside today!
This is not the first time burial grounds have been relocated at one time or another for all races!
If it was as establish visible burial site there might be a legit reason but I think in those days there were no laws where people were buried. Which makes it difficult if no grounds were designated by the community and local government, this is history but not really acknowledge officially by the local government?
They should do an DNA on those bones the way the world is today anythings possible when contenting with the Opposing forces.
I can hardly wait to hear Rosie talk about this! /sarc
Almost anywhere you dig nowadays, you can uncover something...
just move the bones somewhere else and let progress progress...
Indian burial grounds and African burial grounds and now
Abolitionist burial grounds are important, White Cracker
burial grounds on the other hand have little or no significance. Im reminded again of Animal Farm, "some pigs are more equal than others!"
This illustrates how big developers are often given a pass when it comes to regulations and law. Normally a project in this area would be required to have a phase 1 archaeological assesment performed. This would have identified the cultural resources on the property and allowed for mitigation before construction began. This is the law.
For some unknown reason Trump was given a pass on this. I wouldn't doubt that the parties involved were hoping that they could make anything they found, "go away" without raising suspicions. Having worked professionally in this field, I've seen it happen many times.
Bottom line, Trump should be ordered to stop work until the remains are mitigated (as per law) and whoever granted him a waiver to existing regulations better have a good reason why they allowed this to happen.
P.S. the remains from the African Burial ground were largely removed during the construction of the Javits Federal Building. The rest of that cemetery sits under buildings. There really is no way to inter anyone there now.
Good, we need more of that.
My point was
If it was as establish visible burial site there might be a legit reason, but I think in those days there were no laws where people were buried. Which makes it difficult if no grounds were designated by the community and local government, this is history but not really acknowledge officially by the local government?
They should do an DNA on those bones the way the world is today anythings possible when contenting with the Opposing forces.
What was on this site before Trump started digging? The article says that the church burned down in 1963. Was there just a parking lot there, or something else?
If there had been an archaeological study done (as per law) then the vault possibly could have been located prior to construction. In 19th century New York THERE WERE LAWS dictating where people could be buried and almost every pre Civil War urban church in NYC has a graveyard directly adjoining it. This one was no different.
My point is that laws and regulations were waived here for Mr. Trump. I would like to know how he got this special treatment that you or I could never hope to get.
The homosoreass rex.
Isn't it a load!
Better yet they should do a burial check there maybe they will find Jimmy Hoffa!:)
A thought just occured that UN Land is not held to by any laws in our US Government, wonder what unsolved mysteries might be found there???
"Neither the living nor the dead are pleased with this development."
M'kay.
This whole story is Bias
Trump Project Disrupts Historic Site
Instead it should have read
Construction Site Halted due to Historic Finds
Your post was dead on.
P.S. Trump also is a big fan of eminent domain seizures for people who get in the way of his projects. I am astounded that some Conservatives look up to him.
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Nope.
Wrong.
Unless federal funds were involved or a federal lead agency (eg. FERC for a gas pipeline) was involved there was NO NEED for a Phase I survey in the state of New York. The last time I worked there, there were no state laws requiring archaeological investigations for privately funded projects not overseen by a federal agency. [DISCLAIMER: I haven't been a shiftless digger for almost 10 years]
And as for your claim that a Phase I investigation would've "identified the cultural resources on the property and allowed for mitigation before construction began"--I'm slapping my thighs and laughing! It could just as well have turned up nothing more than bits of glass, coal and rusty nails (along with condoms and hypodermic syringes--wear those gloves, kiddies, 'cause you can never tell what will show up in your screen!) and missed the site.
Bottom line: if there are human remains there work will have to stop until the remains that would be disturbed are disinterred. That's how it works everywhere in America whenever human remains are found. But you don't have to conduct an archaeological investigation every time you want to construct a new building. I hope that helps.
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