This was actually the second building designed for the site. Once called ‘the most important police district in the world’ by AE Costello in his 1885 book Out Police Protectors it was perfectly situated on the waterfront. It was operational for 62 years; during the 70's New York City's Landmark Preservation Commission occupied the building. After 9/11 it was repurposed as the Police Museum which lasted until Superstorm Sandy caused substantial damage to the building. Consequently the Museum moved to temporary space on Wall Street and a new location on Governor's Island.