By: Knuckles
Published: Jan. 15, 2008 - New York, NY

The Boogie Down Bronx is responsible for the most iconic landmark in hip hop history: 1520 Sedwick Avenue. At this address, DJ Kool Herc and partygoers came together in the early 1970s and unintentionally birthed the founding elements that would become hip hop culture. Now, tenants of this same housing project are fighting for the right to purchase the real estate and secure its fate as a national landmark.

DJ Kool Herc and Senator Charles Schumer have worked aggressively to take back ownership from BSR management, who initiated plans in February 2007 to sell the housing to a private investment firm. Last summer, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was recognized as a potential addition to New York's Register of Historic Places, as well as the national list.

The New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) have also come forward with help, offering several million dollars in subsidy for the tenants to identify a purchase plan for the building.

A press conference was held today at the historic address by Kool Herc and Senator Schumer to document the tenant's financial plans for obtaining the real estate. More details will be made available shortly.