The West Park Presbyterian Church is at the center of a heated debate as it seeks approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to sell the deteriorating building to Alchemy Properties. The plan is to demolish the 135-year-old structure at Amsterdam Avenue and West 86th Street and replace it with an apartment tower.

The Center at West Park, an arts center that was evicted from the church two years ago, is leading the opposition against the sale. They argue that the building can be restored for less than the estimated $30 million needed and claim a right to reclaim their former space.

However, the state’s highest court upheld the arts group’s eviction, and they have failed to raise the promised funds to help preserve the church.

The Presbytery of New York, which oversees 88 congregations, has applied for a hardship exemption to secure funding for the church’s mission of worship and service. They believe this designation will allow them to expand their services across all five boroughs.

On the other hand, the arts center’s opposition seems to be driven by a desire to preserve the views of board members living nearby who would lose them once the new building is constructed.