Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center Reveals Facade After 3 Years

Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center is reawakening after a long slumber. Her eyes are opening ever so slowly, but there’s still plenty of crust lingering.

While checking out the debut of Rivington Court this weekend, we gazed south to a sight not seen in more than three years. The hulking, yet historic corner-hugger at 107 Suffolk Street recently uncovered a section its facade. Parasitic scaffolding and netting were removed to reveal a lighter-hued, sandblasted exterior.

While the relief is overdue, this eyesore of iron did propagate a rather popular graffiti target. Nevertheless, let’s hope this particular removal is just the beginning of the total takedown!

The non-profit Clemente Soto Velez Center was founded in 1993, and hosts two experimental theaters and studios for fifty-three visual artists. Facade upgrading began in August 2009 with funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.