A fight in a church is like a riot in a city hall.
Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo brought Hulk-sized star power to the hallways of a New York City government office on Monday for a secret closed-door meeting.
Ruffalo and fellow actor Fisher Stevens are part of a long-running celebrity-backed fight to stop the demolition of West Park Presbyterian Church, a 19th-century church in the Upper West. A secret meeting was held with the first vice mayor. Side, sources confirmed to the Post.
The celebrity architecture buffs met in Room 9, City Hall's press room, and posed in front of front pages of the Post and New York Daily News featuring the biggest headlines since Eric Adams took office as mayor. .
“Oh my god, is that Fisher Stevens from Short Circuit?” one reporter gasped, referring to the 1986 comedy starring white actors. Unfortunately, he had a brown face. To play an Indian character.
While Ruffalo toured the building, another said he was “impressed.”
Beyond the buzz from reporters, Ruffalo's visit caused little commotion inside City Hall.
The private meeting with Torres Springer addressed the bitter dispute between preservationists and developers over the fate of West Park Presbyterian Church, said City Councilor Gale Brewer, who attended the summit with city officials. (Manhattan Democratic Party) said.
West 86th Street Church's membership dwindled to just 12 people, who tried to sell the historic building to a developer to avoid $50 million in renovation costs.
To that end, they filed and ultimately withdrew a “hardship” application to strip it of its landmark status and clear the way for demolition.
The move raises funds to save the site through a lawsuit and a local nonprofit backed by A-list stars including Ruffalo, Stevens, Matt Damon, Amy Schumer and Matt Dillon. It sparked lawsuits and battles.
Mr. Brewer, who worked to make the building a landmark, objected that it was beyond repair.
“The building is not collapsing,” she said. “I went there two nights ago. It's beautiful, not crumbling. We need money to put the roof on, but we have a roof. Then we can take the scaffolding off.
“We are here today because we needed the help of the Presbyterian Church.”
Center at West Park executive director Debbie Hirschman told the Post they are committed to preserving the building.
“We reflected that this landmark building is safe and economically viable to maintain itself and its maintenance,” she said.
“[It] An anchor to Upper Manhattan. ”
City Hall spokeswoman Liz Garcia confirmed to the Post that the celebrities only met with Torres Springer, adding that authorities are working with both sides to find a solution.
“He was very nice. I didn't expect an Avenger to come to the office,” Garcia said of Ruffalo.
