Keith Haring mural at old NYC rec center featured in Raging Bull could be endangered by site demolition, advocates fear

A historic Keith Haring mural at an aging former West Village community center featured in the classic flick “Raging Bull” could be in danger when the site is demolished, advocates fear.The 116-year-old Tony Dapolito Recreation Center on Clarkson Street in Manhattan was set to be repaired when it closed in 2021, officials said at the time.But now the city contends the building is too far gone to fix – and critics fear its demolition could impact the site’s 18-foot-tall, outdoor, poolside mural painted by the iconic late street artist in 1987.“If demolition does move forward, we would strongly advocate for measures to preserve the mural in some form,” said Gil Vazquez, executive director of the Keith Haring Foundation, to The Post.

“However, there has been no clear indication from city officials whether the mural is guaranteed to remain intact or if it might be affected by any future redevelopment plans,” Vazquez said.City Hall policy adviser Zachary Campbell said at a recent hearing that the city intends to keep the site – which was featured in the 1980 Academy Award-winning Martin Scorsese film “Raging Bull” – for some kind of “public park use.”The pool was where Robert DeNiro’s “Raging Bull” character Jake met Vickie, played by Cathy Moriarty.“We would like to explore building an aquatics [center] … and building a new outdoor pool there essentially,” a Parks rep said at the hearing.Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura added that a vision for the future of the site isn’t fully realized because the agency is still seeking funding for the project.The building is landmarked because it is located in the Greenwich Village Historic District and also because of its history as the former Carmine Street Public Baths.A Parks rep added to The Post that the agency is “exploring potential options” for the mural and that “any future site design will involve coordination with Haring Foundation to preserve the mu...