Submitted by Raul Rothblatt, May 2, 2007 13:38

It is incorrect to say that AKRF found NO evidence of Underground Railroad activity at the properties on Duffield and Gold Street. Their claim is that there is not enough verifiable evidence to save the properties from confiscation and demolition. AKRF also admits that further evidence of Underground Railroad activity may be found, assuming, of course that the buildings are not destroyed.

The AKRF document was mostly written by unnamed researchers. AKRF did include the CVs and comments of several noted historians hired as peer reviewers. The AKRF document buried their comments in Appendix C, but many of these urged the EDC to preserve these buildings.

At the hearing, many City Council representatives noted that there are many buildings that have been landmarked with less historical value. Every representative present seemed to doubt the EDC's contention that the properties should be replaced with an underground parking lot and open space. Council Representative John Liu, not known as a preservationist, joined the other committee members in sharply questioning Linh Do of AKRF and the EDC.

While this history does need more research, the hearing yesterday suggested that these buildings might be the most important artifacts of the Underground Railroad in New York City.

For an account of the hearing, please visit http://undergroundrailroadsafehouses.org/

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