(01 of17)
Open Image ModalPeople stand near the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(02 of17)
Open Image ModalThe \'5 Pointz\' is an outdoor art exhibit space in New York. The project was first established in 1993 to to discourage graffiti vandalism by encouraging artists to display their work in a formal showcase. July 5, 2010. (THEO ZIEROCK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of17)
Open Image ModalA mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of17)
Open Image ModalThe \'5 Pointz\' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of17)
Open Image ModalThe \'5 Pointz\' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of17)
Open Image ModalThe \'5 Pointz\' building is seen from a passing subway car on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(07 of17)
Open Image ModalThe \'5 Pointz\' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of17)
Open Image ModalA slab of concreted painted as a United States flag is seen next to the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(09 of17)
Open Image ModalA mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(10 of17)
Open Image ModalSteve Lew, who goes by the artist name \'Kidlew,\' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(11 of17)
Open Image ModalA mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building is seen on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(12 of17)
Open Image ModalA woman has her picture taken next to a mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(13 of17)
Open Image ModalA woman watches as Steve Lew, who goes by the artist name \'Kidlew,\' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(14 of17)
Open Image ModalA woman has her picture taken next to a mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of17)
Open Image ModalSteve Lew, who goes by the artist name \'Kidlew,\' paints a new piece on a section of wall of the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(16 of17)
Open Image ModalA man walks past a mural painted on the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(17 of17)
Open Image ModalA man walks around the \'5 Pointz\' building on August 9, 2013 in the Long Island City neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. 5 Pointz is a series of properties that graffiti artists use as an outdoor art exhibit space - it is considered the Mecca of the graffiti world. The space has been used as a space for graffiti artists since the early 1990s, though in 2011, Jerry Wolkoff, the owner of the property, announced he planned to demolish the building to build high-rise residential buildings. The 5 Pointz graffiti community has since been in a battle to keep the space as is; they are currently petitioning the government to consider the space a protected cultural landmark. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)