Historic Districts Council Newsstand

HDC's Blog Has Moved!

2008-06-06T17:53:00.001-04:00

NYU Proposes to Pulverize Provincetown Playhouse

2008-04-25T15:10:00.003-04:00

The historic Provincetown Playhouse and Apartments, 133-139 MacDougal Street

From GVSHP:

This week NYU unveiled the latest phase of their 'NYU 2031' Plan, which include plans to demolish the historic Provincetown Playhouse and Apartments at 133-139 MacDougal Street. GVSHP was swift to call upon the university to drop this proposal; NYU's plans and GVSHP's responses were covered by AM NY, the Villager, Crains NY, City Realty, the NY Sun, and Backstage.

The Provincetown Playhouse is one of the most important sites in the history of 20th century American theater -- a launching pad for works of Eugene O'Neill, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Edward Albee, John Guare, Sam Shepherd, Charles Busch, and David Mamet, among others. The apartments over the theater have housed many well-known artists over the years who wished to be near this center of cultural vitality. When NYU bought the building and then renovated it, they touted the Playhouse's rich history and their honor in owning and re-opening it. Additionally, NYU recently agreed to a set of "planning principles" with Borough President Stringer's NYU Community Task Force (of which GVSHP is a member) which says that university should "prioritize...re-use before redevelopment" in their planning. The Provincetown Playhouse is a key historic site within the proposed South Village Historic District, which NYU promised to support; demolition of a historic lynchpin in the proposed district like the Playhouse will damage the chances of landmarking the entire area moving ahead.

GVSHP wrote NYU President John Sexton strongly urging the university to rethink this plan, and wrote to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission urging them to move ahead swiftly with the proposed designation of the South Village Historic District section containing the Provincetown Playhouse to save this historic building.

'NYU 2031' Long-Range Plans: The latest stage of NYU's long-term planning process showed greater transparency and engagement with the public than in the past, but also showed some very disconcerting concepts. NYU continues to project adding as much as 3.6 million square feet of new space in and around its 'campus core' over the next 23 years. Analysis by GVSHP of NYU's growth (which was distributed to attendees at Wednesday's NYU Open House) shows that 3.6 million sq. ft. is the equivalent of all new NYU buildings built in the area over the last 42 years, or the equivalent of 20 more of their highly controversial new 26-story dorms on East 12th Street. This shows that NYU's projected growth in our neighborhoods in their 2031 plan is actually considerably accelerated over their past growth, which belies the impression the university has given.

The 2031 plans also showed that NYU is no longer considering Long Island City as potential location for satellite or remote facilities, and that the university has narrowed such options to Governor's Island, the East Side Medical Corridor, and Downtown Brooklyn -- a development we find very disappointing. At the same time, NYU is contemplating large-scale developments in and around their 'campus core,' in spite of commitments to "prioritize identifying opportunities to decentralize facilities" as part of the planning principles. GVSHP continues to push hard to get NYU to look for satellite locations if they need to grow, and to remain within their existing footprint and envelope in the Village.

HOW TO HELP:

Write to NYU President John Sexton urging him to reconsider plans to demolish the Provincetown Playhouse, and to reduce the University's plans for growth in the neighborhood -- go to www.gvshp.org/ProvincetownLtr.htm for sample letters and contact information.

Come to the Community Board #2 public hearing on NYU's plans for the Provincetown Playhouse on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30 pm at the Caring Community, 20 Washington Square North; NYU will present their plans, and the public will be given an opportunity to respond.

A New Name for the New York Public Library

2008-04-24T10:25:00.005-04:00

As people might be aware, the New York Public Library recently received an extraordinary gift of $100 Million Dollars from Stephen Schwarzman, the largest single gift to the Library ever (Andrew Carnegie gave $5.2 Million Dollars over 20 years to help build the system - but that's when $5.2 Million really meant something). Any way, the NYPL proposed to prominently engrave Schwarzman's name on the landmark Main Branch.

Here are HDC's comments:

Statement of the Historic Districts Council
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing

4/22/2008

Item 15
BINDING REPORT
BOROUGH OF Manhattan
086850- Block 1257, lot 1-
476 Fifth Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style library building designed by Carrere & Hastings and built in 1898-1911. Application is to install signage.

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the application now before the Commission.

HDC applauds the generous donation of Mr. Stephen Schwarzman, but we feel there is a need to keep the acknowledgment of this gift in historic, and aesthetic, perspective. Signage is not so much a part of this proposal as is carving into historic fabric. The amount of inscriptions and their proposed language, design and location take away from the restrained classical, austere grandeur of the Carrere & Hastings landmark and overshadows the original gifts of the Astor Library, the Lenox Library, and the Tilden Trust.

These organizations and their founders, without whom we would not have this world-famous institution, are mentioned only once on the building's facades, not five times as is proposed for this new donation. They are found in the attic of the main façade (the traditional location for such inscriptions in classically inspired architecture), not twice at eye-level at each entrance and on the floor of the portico. Those proposed for the Fifth Avenue façade are to be cut directly into areas designed to be blank, massive bases for impressive pairs of columns, not locations for inscriptions. They are to be read as part of the continuous line of large blocks that delineate the ground floor from the basement. In addition to the disruption of the original design, we are concerned about the fragile nature of the stone (illustrated by the condition of the ornament in the area just above proposed location) and question the desire to carve into the fabric of this landmark. The 42nd Street façade was treated originally as the secondary façade and no permanent inscriptions exist here. The inclusion of the new inscriptions would be inappropriate, and they should be kept instead to the primary façade.

From a design standpoint, the proposed inscriptions do not reference the Beaux Arts design idiom. Other inscriptions on the building are framed with ornament and stand out as stone plaques. We are also a bit troubled by the wording. The date of the donation should be part of whatever is approved, as the dates are included in the design of the original plaques for Tilton, Astor and Lennox. It should be made clear to visitors, now and in the future, that Mr. Schwartzman's generosity did not build the library originally, but has enabled the library’s continued growth as it proceeds into its second century. The floor plaque could possibly simply read "Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in recognition of his exceptional generosity to the library, 2008" or say "re-named" rather than "named" so as not to confuse the history of the library.

In the future, the New York Public Library will certainly grow and develop to meet the changing needs of its patrons much as it has for over a century. In those future years, untold projects sponsored by generous donors will enable the library’s continuous evolution, and these gifts will also no doubt need to be recognized. Rather than setting a precedent of carving into the library’s façade and disrupting its original design, this generosity should be recognized in other locations such as the portico floor and the interior.

However, the Landmarks Commission voted to allow the engraving to take place - perhaps reassured by President Paul LeClerc's statement that this is the last time the building will be renamed.

Well, that's let's hope that's true and the Library doesn't end up going the way of Shea Stadium.

For more coverage, see:

Public Library To Honor $100 Million Donor With Engravings, New York Sun
Public Library To Bear Name Of Donor, NY1
After Big Gift, a New Name for the Library, New York Times
Wall Street financier gets his name alongside New York lions, The Associated Press
Donor name will be library must-read, New York Daily News
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, New York Observer
The Gift Is Huge. But How Many Thanks Are Enough?, New York Times

Admiral's Row Update

2008-04-23T17:31:00.003-04:00

Admiral's Row House in August 2005

Admiral's Row - which had its first Consulting Party Meeting last Tuesday (April 15th) is featured in the Lens column of the New York Times: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/geometries-admirals-row/

And remember, check the official Admiral's Row website for materials:
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/buslinks/admiral/index.htm#public

as well as Brooklyn's Other Museum of Brooklyn: http://www.brooklynsothermuseumofbrooklyn.com/

Savior of Cheyenne Diner; A Public Profile

2008-04-23T15:38:00.005-04:00

Diner-Man to the Rescue!
by Chris Shott April 23, 2008

This article was published in the April 28, 2008, edition of The New York Observer.

Michael Perlman should start charging a commission.

On Monday, the 25-year-old from Queens announced that he had just brokered a deal to move midtown’s Cheyenne Diner to the Brooklyn waterfront.

Hey, it was either Red Hook—or the wrecking ball.

Just two weeks ago, the 68-year-old all-night diner on Ninth Avenue near Penn Station had served what appeared to be its final triple-decker burger. Landlord George Papas, who also owns the nearby Skylight Diner, planned to tear down the shiny, chrome-covered, prefab single-story railroad-car-style structure and erect a nine-story apartment building in its place.

Then Mr. Perlman stepped in, convincing Mr. Papas that he could find a buyer to relocate and restore the old neon-lit eatery, preferably some place else in New York City.

Mr. Papas initially agreed to sell the would-be scrap heap for around $7,900—a sum that Mr. Perlman said “reflects the urgency of removing it from the property so development plans can proceed.”

The landlord ended up unloading it for just $5,000 to construction manager Mike O’Connell, son of Brooklyn developer and major Red Hook landowner Greg O’Connell.

“It will gain a new lease on life in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and contribute to the appeal of an up-and-coming neighborhood,” Mr. Perlman proudly announced via e-mail on Monday, then delved into the wonky specifics of the tricky relocation ahead: “The immediate steps will be to confirm a rigger ... and then apply for demolition permits, which is a mandatory precursor to disconnecting utility lines and lifting the diner from its foundation, amongst other requirements.”

It’s the second time that Mr. Perlman has brokered one of these diner-relocation deals in New York City, which is all the more remarkable because he isn’t really a broker. At least not professionally.

A freelance writer, part-time administrative assistant and solo cabaret performer, Mr. Perlman fights to save historic places from destruction in his spare time. His efforts have generated a lot of publicity.

Most notably, last August, he helped find a new home for Soho’s long-standing Moondance Diner, the gleaming greasy spoon with the iconic crescent-shaped logo where Kirsten Dunst’s character, Mary Jane, waited tables in the 2002 summer blockbuster Spider-Man—and which, just like the Cheyenne, was about to be bulldozed in the name of development.

How appropriate, then, that its savior would swing in from the fictional web-slinging superhero’s own neighborhood of Forest Hills.

Mr. Perlman’s Committee to Save the Moondance Diner, in collaboration with the nonprofit American Diner Museum in Providence, R.I., ultimately located a buyer who, for just $7,500, drove into town on a flatbed truck and hauled the factory-built eatery off to La Barge, Wyo., where it’s expected to reopen this summer.

The sale and relocation, which was widely chronicled by news outlets across the country, was a pivotal moment for Mr. Perlman. “That was the effort that made me an official New York City preservationist,” he said.

http://origin.observermediagroup.com/2008/diner-man-rescue

Archaeology in NY: Free Public Symposium on May 18th

2008-04-23T12:15:00.003-04:00

At the Museum of the City Of New York (Gosh they're busy!)

Sunday, May 18, 2008
1:00 to 3:30 PM
FREE w/ ADMISSION

Twenty-eighth Annual Symposium sponsored by the Professional Archaeologists of New York City (PANYC) in association with The Museum of the City of New York.

An afternoon of slides and discussion of archaeology’s contribution to understanding our city.

Colonial Waterfront Development in and around Battery Park: Excavations for the New South
Ferry Subway Terminal.

Program:
“A Battery at the Point of Rocks by White Hall”: Early military fortifications in lower Manhattan
Diane Dallal, Director of Archaeology, AKRF, Inc.

Dendrochronology and the South Ferry Terminal Project: Colonial construction dates, patterns of commerce, and human behavior
William E. Wright, Doherty Associate Research Scientist, Tree Ring Laboratory, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University

Documentation, disassembly and conservation of the Battery Wall: A challenge for a new vision
Joan C. Berkowitz, Director of Conservation, Superstructures Engineers &
Architects

New York City in the Fill: Making sense of all those artifacts
Meta F. Janowitz, Project Lab Director, URS Corporation

Deconstructing South Ferry: Archaeological discoveries enable reconstruction of the past
Linda Stone, RPA, Consulting archaeologist

Upcoming Preservation Programs at MCNY

2008-04-23T12:04:00.004-04:00

Each of the following events is being held at the
Museum of the City of New York,
1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street.
For reservations and program information, call (212) 534-1672, ext. 3395.

Tuesday • May 6 • 6:30 PM
The East Side of the East River Waterfront: Transforming the View

The development of the Brooklyn and Queens East River waterfront is underway, with plans to transform former industrial sites to beaches, parks, promenades, and housing. How will infrastructure and transportation improvements meet the demand created by business and residential development? Will there be true waterfront access or “esplanadia”? How will neighborhoods that have always mixed manufacturing and affordable residences survive? Roland Lewis, President and CEO of Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance (MWA), will moderate a discussion with Gayle Baron, President of the Long Island City Business Development Corporation and Executive Director of the LIC Business Improvement District; Tom Fox, President and CEO, New York Water Taxi; Milton Puryear, Co-founder, Brooklyn Greenway Initiative; and Phaedra Thomas, Executive Director, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation. Co-sponsored by the MWA. Reservations required. $5 Museum members, seniors, and students; $9 general public.

Tuesday • May 27 • 6:30 PM
New York Neighborhoods/Preservation and Development: Re-Saving Greenwich Village

Long considered “saved” by preservationists, Greenwich Village is one of the earliest and largest districts to achieve landmark status. However, the Village also includes areas that are not protected by landmark designation, and activists now worry that new projects will threaten its character and scale. Andrew Berman, Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation; David Gruber, Chairman, Community Board 2 Institutions Committee and President of the South Village Landmark Association; and Sean Sweeney, Executive Director, SoHo Alliance, will discuss the old and new Village in a program moderated by Anthony C. Wood, author of Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City’s Landmarks (Routledge, 2008). Reservations required. $5 Museum members, seniors, and students; $9 general public.

Tuesday • June 10 • 6:30 PM
New York Neighborhoods/Development and Preservation: Remaking the Middle East Side

The United Nations is undertaking a much needed multi-year project to renovate all of the iconic structures and grounds in its campus, while preserving Le Corbusier’s master plan and without interrupting its operations. Right next door, between 35th and 41st streets, developer Sheldon Solow plans to erect an office tower and six residential buildings while providing public amenities requested by the community. Will the East 40’s ever be the same? City Council Member Daniel R. Garodnick will moderate the program, which will feature presentations by Michael Adlerstein, Assistant Secretary General and Executive Director, Capital Master Plan, United Nations; Marilyn Jordan Taylor, partner at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and planner of the Solow site; and Edward Rubin, Chair, Land Use Committee, Manhattan Community Board 6. Reservations required. $5 Museum members, seniors, and students; $9 general public.

Tuesday • June 17 • 6:30 PM
Preserving the Robert Moses Legacy: Jones Beach

Jones Beach is a part of New York City's Riviera--and a great example of visionary parkway, park, and recreational design. Yet it is unprotected by historic park designation or a master plan, and some advocates believe that Jones beach is slowly losing some elements of its special character. Alexandra Parsons Wolfe, Director of Preservation Services, Society for the Preservation of Long island Antiquities, will present a picutre tour of Jones Beach past and present, and discuss its status, stewardship, and proposed plans. She will be joined by Erin Tobin of the Preservation League of New York State, who will explain why Jones Beach was recently declared one of the "Seven to Save" locations in New York state. Reservation required. $5 Museum members, seniors, and students; $9 general public.

Grants for Neighborhood Parks Groups: Upcoming Capacity Fund Deadline

2008-04-23T10:57:00.001-04:00

Applications for Partnerships for Parks’ Capacity Fund grant program, are due on June 2nd, 2008. Applications must be received (not postmarked) by 6 p.m. on June 2nd.

Partnerships for Parks' Capacity Fund provides grants to groups working in parks across the five boroughs of New York City. The Capacity Fund supports projects that help build a community group's capacity to care for their local park. Grants range from $250 to $5,000. Strong applications will improve a group's ability to care for their park, put on programs and events, or expand collaborations with other neighborhood groups. We fund new groups seeking funds for startup costs (setting up a mailbox or voicemail, paying postage for a mailing, etc.), as well as established organizations taking on new projects (bulletin boards, outreach events or activities, fundraisers, mailings, or brochures).

Examples of potential projects include, but are not limited to:
Website, newsletter, letterhead, or other outreach efforts;
Special events or programs, if the group can show how this support would be a sustainable investment in their stewardship efforts; or
An outreach publication produced by Partnerships for Parks.

Please visit www.partnershipsforparks.org to find an application form and guidelines. For more information, call Kate Louis at (212) 227-3626 or email kate.louis@parks.nyc.gov.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
New to fundraising? Attend a Capacity Fund Consultation!

49 Chambers Street, Room 1027, Manhattan, 10007

Wednesday, April 30th from 3-5 p.m.
or
Tuesday, May 6th from 6-8 p.m.
or
Thursday, May 8th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

In lieu of our usual Capacity Fund Information Session, we will be offering Capacity Fund Consultations for potential grant applicants. Consultations with fewer attendees allow for more interaction and discussion amongst applicants, so come prepared to network and share your ideas! Sign up for a consultation to learn about what kinds of projects qualify for Capacity Fund grants. We will discuss Capacity Fund guidelines and review case studies of projects that have successfully secured funding in the past. Groups will receive tips about how to prepare a strong proposal and feedback about their project ideas.

Registration is required. To register for a consultation, please call Kate Louis at (212) 227-3626 or email kate.louis@parks.nyc.gov.

Report from CECCP's Summit

2008-04-23T10:18:00.002-04:00

On Thursday, April 17th, preservationists descended on the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen in Midtown Manhattan, for an update on the Citizen Emergency Committee to Rreserve Preservation’s (CECPP's) progress in reforming the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), and to give feedback on current initiatives.

Highlights included:
* A review of LPC's budget, which in 1991 was $3.6 Million. The Mayor has proposed a $4.3 Million budget for LPC for 2009. This is $300,000 less than their current budget and, when adjusted for inflation, represents a $1.5 Million cut to their operating budget (in 1991 dollars). CECPP updated summit attendees on their collaborative work, with other preservation
organizations, to increase LPC's budget. Attendees were also given a draft letter to send to Mayor Bloomberg, requesting that the Mayor's proposed cuts be restored. If you would like to send your own letter to the Mayor, a copy of the draft is available at
www.poorsparky.com/m2c/bloombergletter_noletterhead.doc

* An update on CECPP's new lawsuit to bring transparency to the landmark designation process. More information on this lawsuit to compel LPC action on longstanding Requests for Evaluation on potential landmarks and historic districts is available on our website at
www.savelpc.org/2008/03/cecpp-sues-to-open-citys-landmarking.html

* A summary of CECPP's efforts to introduce legislation that will make the landmark designation process more open and fair. You can download the legislation, which is currently being drafted by the City Council, at www.poorsparky.com/m2c/Landmarks%20-%20RFE%20Legislation.pdf
Right now, the legislation appears to be stalled in the drafting process at the City Council. Help encourage Council Speaker Quinn to complete the draft and introduce the legislation for public review! Download our draft letter at www.poorsparky.com/m2c/quinnletter_noletterhead.doc and send it!

* A new initiative for reviewing the qualifications of future landmark commissioners! Former Landmarks Commission chair, Gene Norman, announced that he was spearheading the creation of a formal, independent committee, consisting of former Landmarks Commissioners, to interview and evaluate future Commissioners. The process will be similar to the one used by the New York Bar Association in vetting judges. Details on this exciting program are available at www.poorsparky.com/m2c/CECPP%20Evaluation%20Committee.doc

For photos of the summit, go to
www.flickr.com/photos/72353731@N00/sets/72157604608469510 . For copies of handouts, go to www.poorsparky.com/m2c/ and download any documents that you need.

Morningside Heights Representative Seeks Answers on proposed historic district

2008-04-22T12:45:00.002-04:00

From the Columbia Spectator

O'Donnell Files FOIL Request
By Maggie Astor
PUBLISHED APRIL 22, 2008

State Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell (D-Morningside Heights and West Harlem) filed a Freedom of Information Law request last week for documents related to the possible establishment of parts of Morningside Heights as a historic district, or landmarking of particular buildings in the area. The request followed several months of attempts to obtain the documents directly from Robert Tierney, chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

According to an April 15 press release, a variety of politicians and organizations—including Congressman Charlie Rangel, New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and West Siders for Responsible Development—have expressed support for the establishment of a historical district, and written letters to the LPC to urge Tierney to schedule a hearing on the issue.

“There is overwhelming public support for a historic district in Morningside Heights,” O’Donnell said in the press release. “I remain perplexed why some proposals for designation are fast-tracked, while other equally deserving proposals remain stalled for more than a decade.”
Community Board 9 also endorsed a historic district in its 197-a plan for Columbia’s Manhattanville expansion, which the New York City Council approved in December.

“Efforts to help implement any recommendations in the 197-a plan are obviously very welcome and well-received,” said CB9 Chair Pat Jones.

Asked about the responsiveness of the LPC to requests regarding the potential historic district, Jones said, “I have no personal knowledge of that, but it has been long stated that the LPC does move quite slowly, and so we’re supportive of any information that the assemblyman can get to move forward this initiative.”

CB9 also passed a resolution in October urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider all applications after hearing concerns that the commission was ignoring some landmarking requests.

DOB Chief Resigns!

2008-04-22T12:40:00.001-04:00

From the NYT City Room Blog:

April 22, 2008, 12:19 pm
Bloomberg’s Embattled Buildings Chief Resigns
By Diane Cardwell

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced at 12:10 p.m. that he had accepted the resignation of Commissioner Patricia J. Lancaster, an architect he hired to modernize the 1,286-person city Buildings Department, which issues permits, oversees construction and enforces the building code. Ms. Lancaster had come under fire after an increase in construction deaths and other high-profile problems.

The announcement included statements from Mr. Bloomberg and Ms. Lancaster.

2008 Lucy Moses Awards

2008-04-22T11:41:00.002-04:00

The New York Landmarks Conservancy invites you to the presentation of the
Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Eldridge Street Synagogue
12 Eldridge Street
5:30 pm Check-in
6 pm Awards Program
7 pm Reception

Honoring
Kent Barwick, Preservation Leadership Award
Avi Schick, Public Leadership Award
Roosevelt Island Historical Society, Organizational Award

Project Awards
135 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Central Library
New York University Campus Preservation Plan
Eldridge Street Project, Manhattan
Scholastic Inc., 555 Broadway, Manhattan
Harlem Stage Gatehouse
Hendrick I. Lott House, Brooklyn
Herman Ridder School, Bronx
Rodin Studios, 200 West 57th Street, Manhattan
U.S. Courthouse and Post Office, Brooklyn

RSVP Click here to download a reply card.

Mail back to:
Lucy G. Moses Awards
New York Landmarks Conservancy
One Whitehall Street
New York, NY 10004

Or contact Amy Sullivan at
212.995.5260 or amysullivan@nylandmarks.org .

The Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards are The New York Landmarks Conservancy's highest honors for excellence in historic preservation. They recognize preservation leaders, public officials, owners, architects, contractors, and craftspeople who restore beauty and utility to some of New York's most distinctive architecture. The awards promote public awareness of preservation and its importance to the vitality and texture of the City.The Moses Awards are named for Lucy Goldschmidt Moses, a dedicated New Yorker whose generosity benefited the City for over 50 years. Mrs. Moses and her husband, attorney Henry L. Moses, shared a wide range of philanthropic interests, making many gifts to hospitals, universities, parks, and cultural institutions. "I don't think we're worth anything unless we do for others," Mrs. Moses said in a 1983 interview with The New York Times.

Historic Cheyenne Diner Victory: Diner To Go To….Red Hook, Brooklyn!

2008-04-22T10:58:00.008-04:00

Michael Perlman, Founder & Preservationist
Committee To Save The Moondance Diner Founder
unlockthevault@hotmail.com

The architecturally & culturally significant Cheyenne Diner (411 9^th Ave at 33^rd St) has been purchased, and will gain a new lease on life when transported to Red Hook, Brooklyn. A contract has been signed between property owner George Papas and its new owner, Mike O'Connell of O’C Construction, son of influential Red Hook developer, Greg O’Connell. Preservationist Michael Perlman of Queens, who founded the Committee To Save The Moondance Diner in spring 2007, along with fellow Preservationist Kyle Supley of Brooklyn, have spared the Cheyenne Diner from oblivion, after sparing the Moondance last summer.

Michael Perlman of the Committee To Save The Cheyenne Diner presented a proposal to property owner George Papas (owner of nearby Skylight Diner, 402 W 34^th St, & developer for Cheyenne property) on closing day, Sun, Apr 6^th, and effectively convinced him to work together.

A 9-story condo is slated to rise on premise, which marked the end of the diner’s 68-year run for its Manhattan site.

When put up for sale on the 10^th of April for $7900, with the necessity of rigging and lot acquisition costs in mind, Committee To Save The Cheyenne received notification from 23 potential buyers, some as far as IN, OH, & WY. While the Cheyenne potentially could have landed a good home out of state, many patrons prayed that a NY-based buyer would reach out, so it can ideally remain closer to its roots than the Moondance Diner in WY. George Papas states "I'm really, really happy the Cheyenne's not being demolished, and will stay in NY." In the short-term, a rigger will be enlisted and permits will be secured. In the long-term, O’Connell plans on restoring the diner to its '40 splendor, and Perlman feels it will be great once he polishes up that gem, so patrons can experience the Cheyenne as it was initially conceived.

The Cheyenne Diner is a highlight in terms of its diverse patronage including celebs i.e. Jerry Lewis & David Letterman, & since it’s the last streamlined railway car-inspired diner in Mid-Manhattan, & a scarcity borough-wide. It was pre-assembled by Paramount in 1940, and known as the Market Diner through ’86 after the popular chain. It retains a majority of its original &/or distinctive elements. The streamlined façade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, & a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. The interior features a streamlined barrel roof, ccounter & stools, & Indian tribal coins. The Cheyenne was recently granted 1^st prize on NYC-Architecture.com’s “Top 10 NY Diners/Restaurants. Spiros Kasimis was the 18-year Cheyenne tenant.

Be sure to check out current and historic photos of the Cheyenne here, here and here!

The Persecution of a Citizen Preservationist

2008-04-21T19:44:00.004-04:00

From Landmark West!

Virginia Parkhouse, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer: What Really Happened

A recent New York Times article (April 12, 2008, Metro Section, pB1) tells the story of Virginia Parkhouse—devoted preservationist, long-time Landmark West! volunteer, hardy citizen and, not coincidentally, target of small-minded, vindictive politicians. Click here for the “back story” behind the Times report...

In addition to a couple of minutes' worth of mandatory reading for any civic-minded New Yorker, you will find links to court papers filed by attorney Whitney North Seymour, Jr., defending Parkhouse against a NYC Department of Investigation subpoena issued after she testified at a Landmarks Preservation Commission public hearing in October 2006. You'll also find a link to a fascinating Amicus Curiae Brief filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union in support of Parkhouse's first amendment rights. Excerpts from the brief are included below.

Excerpts from the New York Civil Liberties Union Amicus Curiae Brief (dated December 27, 2007) in Parkhouse v. Stringer

“Virginia Parkhouse has spoken as a private individual before theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and now finds herself investigated and subpoenaed by the Department of Investigation of the City of New York (“DOI”) for non-perjurious statements made at the hearing.” (p. 2)

“The very purpose of the First Amendment is to foreclose public authority from assuming a guardianship of the public mind.” (citing Supreme Court decision Meyer v. Grant, 486 U.S. 414, 419 (1988)). (p. 2)

“Exercise of subpoena power to demand an individual to account for their speech before a public commission subverts those constitutional values that allow the people to decide the merit of political debate. By forcing Ms. Parkhouse to testify under oath concerning her statements to a public commission and by threatening prosecution, DOI has burdened her right to free speech without any connection to a legitimate governmental interest.” (p. 3)

“An individual’s representations before a public commission are expression, pure political speech to which the most rigorous First Amendment protection applies.” (p. 4)

“Much like the additional speech required in McIntyre, the subpoena issued to Ms. Parkhouse undoubtedly burdens her First Amendment right to speak before a commission concerning issues
of public importance. The practical burden of compliance with a subpoena includes hiring an attorney, appearing before the DOI at the appointed time, and facing a battery of hostile questions under oath. Undoubtedly these increased personal costs would make even a civic-minded individual such as Ms. Parkhouse secondguess whether he or she should express their opinion before a public commission.” (p. 8)

“The First Amendment interests in this case are not confined to the personal rights of [the recipients of a subpoena.] Although their rights do not rest lightly in the balance, far weightier than they are the public interests in First Amendment freedoms that stand or fall with the rights that these witnesses advance for themselves.” (quoting decision Bursey v. United States, 466 F.2d 1059, 1083 (9th Cir. 1972)). (p. 9)

“The First Amendment does not convey a “right” to the public to hear only a sanitized and government-approved version of the truth; rather the public holds a right to state what they believe the views of their leaders to be, even if those beliefs are mistaken.” (p. 11)

“Any further investigation serves only a retributive interest in prosecuting Ms. Parkhouse for her speech.” (p. 16)

Related Co. to Redevelop Landmark Kingsbridge Armory

2008-04-21T14:44:00.001-04:00

From Commerical Property News

Related to Redevelop Kingsbridge Armory
April 21, 2008
By: Eugene Gilligan, Senior Hotel Editor

The New York City Economic Development Corp. announced that it has selected the Related Cos. to redevelop the 575,000-square-foot Kingsbridge Armory in the Kingsbridge Heights section of the Bronx.

The armory, which occupies a full city block, was built between 1912 and 1917, and features Romanesque arches, vaulted ceilings, decorative brick and terra cotta, and large battlement towers.

Related’s plans for the structure, The Shops at the Armory, includes destination anchor retail development, coupled with specialty and local retail, restaurants, a cinema and community space. Other proposed features include a recreational facility, catering and banquet space, outdoor open space with a seasonal farmers’ market and café, and parking for 400 cars. Related plans to invest about $310 million to acquire and redevelop the armory.

The project will include 25 to 35 retail stores, rooftop public open space and a landscaped public plaza. Related’s proposal was selected as the result of a Request for Proposals issued by the New York City Economic Development Corp. and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Task Force, which included city, state and federal elected officials, community representatives and city agencies.

Related will use low-impact development techniques and green building technology, and will strive to achieve at least a LEED Silver rating for the core and shell of the armory, according to a statement released today from the New York City Economic Development Corp. The project must receive a number of approvals in connection with its design, including those required by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and the New York State Historic Preservation Office.

Related has another large redevelopment project in the Bronx, as it is remaking the blighted Bronx Terminal Market into a new retail center, park and esplanade on the Harlem River. The Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market is planned to house approximately 1 million square feet of retail space, consisting of four newly constructed multi-tiered buildings, and one building to be restored due to its historical significance. A 250-room hotel is also planned as part of the second phase of the project.

Upcoming Events from the Manhattan Borough Historian

2008-04-21T11:16:00.003-04:00

Nerd Nite, Take Two (The 1898 Consolidation of the Boroughs)
Thursday, May 1
Michael Miscione's April presentation at Nerd Nite, a monthly event has been aptly described as "the Discovery Channel with beer," was given the hook due to a lack of time, so he's been invited back to do it all again on Thursday, May 1. NN is held at an East Village bar where two or three invited presenters give lighthearted, but fact-filled, 20-min. slide presentations on quirky, nerdy topics. Michael will give an abridged version of his talk about the 1898 consolidation of the boroughs. As you might imagine, NN attracts a lot of college and grad student types, but everyone is welcome. Read an article about April's Nerd Night here .

Nerd Nite NYC
Thursday, May 1
7:00p
Angels & Kings, 500 East 11th St. (between Aves. A and B), Manhattan
Free admission, but there's a 2-drink minimum

Native New Yorkers:
Judith Perez, a PhD candidate at Fordham University is seeking Native New Yorkers to participate in her doctoral dissertation research. She's looking for people who were born and raised in NYC proper -- the five boroughs only -- who are home seekers, home owners and renters. Her dissertation will examine why middle class individuals from the City choose to live in certain communities or neighborhoods. She hopes to learn how different types of urban individuals determine their destinations and understand what residential options are available to them. She will require an hour per interview, at a location that is convenient to the participant. Interviews will begin this summer, starting no later than July 1st. Please contact judithperez@fordham.edu for more information.

Free Online Zoning Workshop
Doris Diether, one of our Community Historians (CD#2) and a long time preservation activist and zoning expert, recently presented "An Overview of Zoning, Past and Present" at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her talk was videotaped and can be viewed on-line at the WNET/Thirteen website. Her lecture discusses New York City zoning, from pre-1916 to today. She covers different types of districts and what they permit, different types of zoning uses, as well as the difference between zoning and landmarking. See her presentation here.

Whaling & New York City at the New York Public Library
Saturday, April 19
Think the only whale in Manhattan is the one suspended from the ceiling at the American Museum of Natural History? Think again. Whales have been part of the fabric of New York City life for more than a hundred years. The trial to determine whether a whale was a fish or a mammal took place in 19th century New York, and Melville's canonical Moby-Dick begins in lower Manhattan, amid the docks and wharves of the pre-Civil War city. And whales are still being researched in New York today. On Saturday, April 19, as part of a citywide celebration of Earth Day, the New York Public Library will host a free symposium on the whale: its controversial history in New York City; its complex and haunting language; and its endangered future. (This event presented by the Cullman Center for Scholars & Writers at The New York Public Library, the New York Institute for the Humanities & the Humanities Initiative at NYU.)

Whalesong: Past and Future, New York and the World
Saturday, April 19, 2008
11:00a to 4:00p
New York Public Library, Fifth Ave. & 42nd St., Manhattan
South Court Auditorium,
Click for details and registration

Talking Trash at the NYPL
Tuesday, April 22
Last time we promoted a talk by Robin Nagle, the Anthropologist-in-Residence at the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, so many people showed up they had to turn people away. Apparently people just can't get enough about New York's trash, so we're passing along two new items from Robin. First, she will also be presenting a talk at the Mid-Manhattan Library on the evening of Tuesday, April 22, entitled "Death in an Angry Sea: One Hurricane, Eight Scows, Twelve Tugboats, and a Hundred Tons of Trash." In January of 1892, a hurricane that walloped New York Harbor sending five garbage boats adrift in a ferocious sea. Robin will talk about the street cleaning men lost in the deadly storm, and the sailors who risked their lives to save their colleagues. See details here.

Also, Robin and her colleague Haidy Geismar, who hope to create a permanent Sanitation Museum one day, have erected a storefront display about the history of trash in NYC at the corner of West Third Street and La Guardia Place in Greenwich Village. Read about it here.

Upcoming Events from the Preservation League of Staten Island

2008-04-17T12:53:00.002-04:00

The Preservation League of Staten Island is pleased to present:

STATEN ISLAND--THEN AND NOW
Friday, April 18, 7:30 PM
Third County Courthouse, Historic Richmond Town. Free!
Dr. Thomas Matteo, Borough Historian of Staten Island, expands on his popular book, Staten Island Then and Now, one of three he has written about our Island. He will talk about some of his interesting and funny experiences in researching the book as well as plans for his next book. Building on the success of the Channel 13 Walking Tour of Staten Island, Tom hopes to bring more of our Island treasures to the public airwaves. For the first time publicly, Tom will discuss the activities surrounding several documentaries he is developing.
The annual meeting of the Preservation League of Staten Island will proceed this talk.
________________________________________________

THE 2008 AWARDS for HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Saturday, May 3, 1:00 pm
Christ Church, 76 Hamilton Avenue, New Brighton
Join us as we honor those who have made a positive difference in preserving Staten Island's historic built environment. Luncheon tickets can be purchased for $35 each. Pay online with credit card or Pay Pal at www.preservestatenisland.org
_____________________________________________________

RESTORING EXTERIOR HOUSEWORK with RUSSELL POWELL
Friday, May 16, 7:30 pm FREE!
Courthouse at Historic Richmondtown
Preservation contractor Russ Powell will share the secrets and knowledge that he has accumulated over the last 30 years. Those who attend will learn about reasons for wood rot, correct replacement wood species, modern epoxy repair methods, and appropriate painting and waterproofing.
________________________________________________

HILLS TO HARBOR: Annual Preservation League of Staten Island House Tour
Sunday, May 18, 1:00 PM
Starting at Christ Church, 76 Hamilton Avenue, New Brighton
Pay on line with credit card or Pay Pal before Thursday, May 15 at $20, a $5.00 discount!
Visit our website: www.preservestatenisland.org
Discover the fascinating history, architecture and ambience of this planned and established Staten Island community!
____________________________________________
For further information on all events please call 718/980-1551 or write to info@preservestatenisland.org

Improv Comedy Show in Support of Marx Brothers Place

2008-04-16T16:27:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends, Neighbors & History Lovers,

PUNCH 59 is doing a Comedy Show this Thursday evening, April 17th at 8pm, and will be plugging Marx Brothers Place and the 93rd Street Beautification Association's efforts to help protect this historic treasure!

Tickets for all performances are available at the box-office day of show. Industry comps are always available. Please email us at punch59comedy@yahoo.com.

Open:	04/17/08
Close:	04/17/08

Schedule: Tickets are available at the door.

Theater:	Gene Frankel Theatre
Address:	24 Bond St. New York, NY 10012 Show Map
Location:	North side of Bond Street, between Lafayette and Bowery
Directions:	Closest subway: 6 to Bleecker, walk north to Bond, west to the theatre

Cost:$10

Company: PUNCH 59 Sketch Comedy Official Web Site: http://www.punch59comedy.com

Be sure to make it to the show to support the efforts of Marx Brothers Place! See website for details. And please circulate this info to all your friends & colleagues!

Hope to see you there!

best regards,

Susan Kathryn Hefti

Co-Chair, 93rd Street Beautification Association

93rdst.beautification@mail.org

212.969.8138

A Guided Visit Inside the Old Croton Aqueduct

2008-04-16T16:17:00.001-04:00

Driving Directions: From Highland Ave./Route 9 in Ossining, turn onto Broadway, a small side street opposite Croton Ave. (Rte. 133). The Community Center will be on your right. Northbound drivers: make the first left after Main St., at the large blue “Ossining” sign. Southbound drivers: turn right at the brown and white sign “Ossining Heritage Area Visitor Center.”

Train Directions: Take Metro-North’s Hudson Line from Grand Central to Ossining (for schedule and fares, see http://www.mta.info/). Walk uphill (allow about 20 min.) on Main St. Turn left shortly before getting to Highland Ave./Route 9 - look for special paving and a restaurant – to reach the Community Center. Best to buy your ticket beforehand; there is a $5. surcharge if you buy it on the train.

Huge Turnout at St. Vincent's Hearing Part Deux; LPC Chair says design "should be rethought"

2008-04-16T12:15:00.005-04:00

From the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation

Yesterday's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) hearing on the Rudin/St. Vincent's plan was again a big success -- thank you to the more than 100 people who were able to attend. The hearing room was packed, and speakers ran 7-to-1 against the current proposal. After ending the public hearing, members of the Commission asked tough questions indicating deep skepticism about some elements of the plan, and the Chair of the Commission stated that "aspects of this proposal should be rethought and restudied."

Click here and here for coverage of yesterday's hearing from Metro NY, and here for coverage from the NY Sun.

However, no decision has yet been made, and the LPC will discuss the proposal further at another meeting in May (date TBD; the public will be allowed to attend, but not testify at, this meeting). GVSHP will be submitting further information to the LPC in response to arguments made by St. Vincent's and Rudin, and we will let you know when the next meeting has been set and what you can do to help. While the final outcome is still very much to be determined, clearly the hundreds and hundreds of people who have turned out to testify before or write letters to the LPC, the Community Board, or elected officials have already had an impact, and we have every intention of continuing to work hard to affect the ultimate decision in this precedent-setting case.

Thank you for your support and participation, and let's keep the momentum going! Go to GVSHP's St. Vincent's/Rudin webpage for more information about the project and go to GVSHP's YouTube page to view our 360 degree animated views of the proposed developments in context.

Preservation:Sustainability - A 4-part Program in June

2008-04-16T12:01:00.003-04:00

Preservation: Sustainability is a program of four all-day programs on the vital link between historic preservation and a sustainable future, to be held June 2-5, 2008 in New York City.

Presented by Cornell University's Historic Preservation Planning Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension-NYC, these one-day classes are intended for design professionals in private practice, government and non-profit agencies, and students in architecture, landscape architecture, planning and historic preservation.

Each one-day course addresses a different aspect of sustainability—green building, environment, equity and economics— through the strategies, tools and ethos of historic preservation. Classes are limited in size to facilitate site visits and interaction. Courses can be taken individually.

Instructors will include practicing architects, planners and engineers,and experts from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Vacant Properties Campaign, Association for Preservation Technology, US Green Building Council, Regional Plan Association, Bronx River Alliance, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Beczak Center for Environmental Education, Jackson Heights Beautification Group, City of New York, City of Yonkers, and the faculties of Cornell University, Columbia University, and Pratt Institute.

The program is co-sponsored by the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Regional Plan Association, the Historic Districts Council and the Neighborhood Preservation Center.

The four classes are:

Monday 6/2
Green Building: Tools and Strategies for Sustainable Re-Use

50 W. 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan

8:30 Registration and Coffee
9 - 5 Course

Instructors and Presenters: Theo Prudon, Jeffrey Chusid, Walter Sedovic, Jill Gotthelf, Gilbert Delgado, Stephen Tilly, John Anderson

Green buildings are key to solving global warming; green preservation is even more important. What is green preservation? Not only reusing buildings wherever possible but also rehabilitating them to reach the highest level of environmental performance compatible with their historic values. This class introduces preservation professionals and community activists to the basics of green preservation: issues like life cycle assessment and embodied energy which preservationists need to understand in order to reach good decisions and make the case for preservation. We’ll hear from representatives of the City of New York, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the US Green Building Council about critical policy developments in New York and Washington. We’ll talk with architects about opportunities for green rehab and review successful case studies in the New York region, with a focus on the special environmental challenges of dealing with modern buildings.

Tuesday 6/3 (Note: Class meets in Jackson Heights, Queens)
Equity: Historic Districts and Fluid Communities: The Case of Jackson HeightsCommunity

Church Library, 81-10 35th Avenue, Queens

8:30 Registration and Coffee
9:00 - 12:00: Classroom Presentations and Discussion
12:00 - 12:40: Walking Tour of Roosevelt Avenue
12:40 - 1:30: Lunch at Delhi Palace with speaker
1:30 - 2:15: Walking Tour of 74th Street
2:15 - 4:15: Walking Tour of Commercial and Residential Scapes in the Historic District
4:15 - 5:00: Panel and Discussion, Community Church Upper Meeting Room

Instructors and Presenters: Arturo-Ignacio Sánchez, Hiram Monserrate, Emily Goldman, Daniel Karatzas, V. Gandhi, Jeffrey Chusid

Jackson Heights emerged as an upper-income residential planned community during the early twentieth century, a period in New York City’s history indelibly marked by the rise of light-industrial labor markets, massive waves of international migrants, and accompanying anti-immigrant practices. As Jackson Heights enters the twenty-first century, the neighborhood once again is confronting a dramatic structural shift in the larger economy, large waves of ethnically heterogeneous immigrants, and a national political climate that includes significant strains of anti-immigrant sentiments, discourses and practices. This suggests the need for planners, architects and preservationists to discuss and rethink historic preservation initiatives. As a contemporary iconic immigrant neighborhood, Jackson Heights can help open up a larger professional conversation on how to craft and design inclusive and sustainable historic preservation strategies/practices in multi-ethnic immigrant communities. The class will include presentations from a number of historians, city officials and scholars, walking tours of the Jackson Heights Historic District, lunch in the New Delhi restaurant, and one-on-one conversations with local immigrant community leaders and historic preservationists.

Wednesday 6/4
Economics: New Life for Vacant and Abandoned Housing: The Case of the South Bronx

50 W. 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan

8:30 Registration and Coffee

9:00 - 10:30: Morning Session at AAP Center: Preservation Economics
10:30 - 12:00: Mobile Workshop
12:00 - 12:30: Box Lunch
1:00 - 4:00: Mobile Workshop Continues
4:00 - 5:00: Panel Discussion
5:00 Optional Return to AAP Center (arr: 5:45)

Instructors and Presenters: Ned Kaufman, Ted Weinstein, Joe Schilling, Roberta Lane, Jeffrey Chusid.

All over the country, historic urban centers are confronted with the problem of abandoned buildings deteriorating, burning down, or being demolished as public nuisances. Once upon a time, the South Bronx faced a similar crisis, but determined residents and public officials fought a desperate and successful battle to bring back housing and entire neighborhoods to health. From the fabled apartment buildings of the Grand Concourse to the urban activists of Banana Kelly, the Bronx is living proof that seemingly hopeless neighborhoods can be saved—and that preserving the buildings is a key part of the solution. We’ll tour the Bronx, meeting with city officials and community activists and studying diverse examples of successful revitalization projects ranging from income-assisted housing to historic districts. And we’ll hear from policy experts at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Vacant Properties Campaign about financing, development, and design techniques for renovating buildings in troubled neighborhoods and about how they contribute to bringing dying cities back to life.

Thursday 6/5 (Note: Class ends in Yonkers, near train station)
Environment: Rivers Lost, Resources Rediscovered: The Bronx and Sawmill Rivers

50 W. 17th Street, 2nd Floor, Manhattan

8:30 Registration and Coffee
9:00 - 10:30: Morning Session at AAP Center: Cultural Landscapes
10:30 - 12:00: Mobile Workshop begins
12:00 - 12:30: Box Lunch
1:00 - 4:00: Mobile Workshop Continues
4:00 - 5:00: Panel Discussion, Beczak Center

Instructors and Presenters: Ned Kaufman, Robert J. Pirani, Paul Mankiewicz, Alexei Torres-Fleming, Lee Elman, Jeffrey Chusid

Rivers are the life-blood of cities. However, in many cities, including New York, industrialization and neglect have left rivers polluted, degraded, and ugly. Restoring them can revive important cultural landscapes, bring health to underserved neighborhoods, and anchor development. We’ll study the role of rivers in regional planning and development, then focus on current efforts to restore two important rivers, the Bronx and Saw Mill. Rising in Westchester County, the Bronx River flows southward through some of New York’s most socially environmentally challenged neighborhoods before emptying into Long Island Sound. We’ll tour the river and learn from community organizers and scientists how neighborhood residents, experts, and government are cooperating to roll back a century of industrial pollution, bring back habitats for fish and wildlife, and create recreational opportunities for community residents. The Sawmill River also rises in Westchester County, then disappears into a culvert underneath long-depressed downtown Yonkers before emptying into the Hudson. Now a controversial $3 billion development plan proposes to bring daylight back to the river as a centerpiece for new housing, offices, and a stadium. We’ll meet on the site with city officials, developers, and community activists to assess the plans. The day concludes at the beautiful Hudson River headquarters of the Beczak Center for Environmental Education.

For more information and to register for the program, please visit:
http://www.preservation-shortcourse.org/

Congregation Shearith Israel Gets a "Do-Over", Community Wins to Fight Another Day

2008-04-16T11:29:00.001-04:00

From Landmark West!

At this afternoon's public hearing, the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) gave Congregation Shearith Israel yet another opportunity to get its act together. It's been over a year since Shearith Israel filed its original application for 7 zoning waivers to construct 5 floors of luxury condos on top of a new community house on the midblock of West 70th Street, well beyond what zoning allows. And now a fourth (fourth!) public hearing has been scheduled for June 24, 2008.

The good news is that the community - with help from our remarkable team of expert attorneys, architects and appraisers (many of them providing hours and hours of pro bono services) - will also get its chance to reiterate all the reasons this application falls far short of the standard for zoning variances. The bad news is that the BSA, despite months of hearings and mounds of paper submissions, does not seem inclined to reject Shearith Israel's application outright, even though Shearith Israel repeatedly fails to make the case for why this project deserves exemption from the zoning rules that govern all other development in this area (which is protected by low-rise, contextual zoning and historic district designation).

A key issue is Shearith Israel's contention that it cannot possibly construct a profitable building on the site (yes, you read that correctly and, yes, Shearith Israel is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt institution - playing the same real estate games as St. Vincent's, Ramaz, the New-York Historical Society, and [insert YOUR block here]). But at a public review session yesterday, April 14, the BSA Chair referred to certain aspects of Shearith Israel's feasibility study as "not credible" and another BSA commissioner cited the community opposition's feasibility analysis as more convincing than the applicant's.

Congregation Shearith Israel's condo project gets another "do-over" in June. Still, the community can give itself a well-earned pat on the back for showing up, meeting after meeting, and winning to fight another day. And keeping both the applicant and the BSA on their toes!

We couldn't have made it this far without significant financial and volunteer support. If you want to help us beat this thing - and send a strong signal to all of those other, similar projects waiting in the wings - please respond to this email! We'll figure out how to get you involved.

Thanks to all.

The Sunnyside Gardens Preservation Alliance Announces a Spring Walking Tour

2008-04-14T12:42:00.007-04:00

Sunnyside Gardens: Queens’ Newest Landmark District, New York’s most famous Planned Community

Saturday, May 17, 1:00–3:30 PM

Just 20 minutes from Manhattan, Sunnyside Gardens was designed by noted architects Clarence Stein and Henry Wright from 1924-28 as a “garden city” for working families. Linked by common walkways, its streets and open areas feature a combination of rowhouses and small-scale apartments, many with beautiful landscaping.

Photo: Herbert Reynolds

Highlights include:
- A walk through the Gardens at its most beautiful time of year
- A visit to one of only two private parks in New York City.
- Phipps Garden Apartments: another fascinating model development.
-The former homes of actress Judy Holliday and urban historian Lewis Mumford.

The cost of the tour is $20.00. Proceeds will benefit the Sunnyside Gardens Preservation Alliance. Reservations are required, is limited to 30 persons. The tour will meet by the flagpole in the small park at 52nd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, adjacent to the subway exit. Take a local 7 train to 52nd St/Lincoln Ave. Exit using the 52nd Street stairway.

For Reservations and Information: Please call 646-298-8669, or e-mail tonythetourguy@gmail.com.

Petitions to Protect 93rd Street

2008-04-14T12:37:00.003-04:00

From the 93rd Street Beautification Association

Please join us in supporting the effort to protect the future of this Historic NYC neighborhood and its environment by adding your name to these two (2) petitions, it just takes a second, and your support will make a really big difference. Like they say, every vote counts !!!

Here are the Petitions and their corresponding links:

1.) Petition to Extend Carnegie Hill Historic District one block so as to include Historic East 93rd Street. Please click on the link and add your name to the list (just TYPE in your name): http://www.PetitionOnline.com/CHHD93st/petition.html

2.) Petition to Co-Name East 93rd Street 'Marx Brothers Place' in honor of the extant childhood home of the Comic Icons. Please click on the link and add your name to the list (just TYPE in your name): http://www.petitiononline.com/coname/petition.html

Thanks for caring about NYC's historic neighborhoods !

A Guided Visit Inside the Old Croton Aqueduct

2008-04-14T12:19:00.009-04:00

Saturday, April 26, 2008, 1 pm. See a video and exhibit about the Aqueduct’s history, and visit the interior of the brick tunnel via a flight of stairs in the Ossining weir chamber. Allow about one to one and a half hours. Meet in Ossining’s Joseph G. Caputo Community Center/Ossining Heritage Area Visitor Center, 95 Broadway. Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct. Free. No advance registration required. Questions? Call 914-478-3961.

Driving Directions: From Highland Ave./Route 9 in Ossining, turn onto Broadway, a small side street opposite Croton Ave. (Rte. 133). The Community Center will be on your right. Northbound drivers: make the first left after Main St., at the large blue “Ossining” sign. Southbound drivers: turn right at the brown and white sign “Ossining Heritage Area Visitor Center.”

Train Directions: Take Metro-North’s Hudson Line from Grand Central to Ossining (for schedule and fares, see http://www.mta.info/). Walk uphill (allow about 20 min.) on Main St. Turn left shortly before getting to Highland Ave./Route 9 - look for special paving and a restaurant – to reach the Community Center. Best to buy your ticket beforehand; there is a $5. surcharge if you buy it on the train.

The End for the Cheyenne Diner?

2008-04-10T14:30:00.009-04:00

Photo of the Cheyenne Diner, Michael Perlman

From the Committee to Save the Cheyenne Diner, adapted

Sunday, April 6th marked the death of a New York City icon. A nine-story condo is planned to go up in place of the 68 year old Cheyenne Diner, the last of the streamlined railway car-inspired diners in Mid-Manhattan. Located at 411 9th Avenue and 33rd St, the diner was pre-assembled by Paramount in 1940, and known as the Market Diner through 1986. Its streamlined façade features vertical and horizontal stainless steel securing bowed colorful enamel panels, wrap-around windows, a curved entryway with glass block, and a reverse channel illuminated neon sign. The interior features a streamlined barrel roof, counter and stools, as well as Indian tribal coins. It retains a majority of its original and distinctive elements and was recently granted 1st prize on NYC-Architecture.com’s “Top 10 NY Diners/Restaurants. Because “Diners are amongst the ‘ultimate public institutions’, which harbor countless memories and bridge the generations”, their loss is truly heartfelt, says Michael Perlman.

Though, there may be hope some glimmer of hope for this nostalgic gem. A movement is underway which may grant the Cheyenne a new lease on life. After his victory sparing the Moondance diner last summer, Preservationist Michael Perlman of Queens, along with fellow Preservationist Kyle Supley of Brooklyn, are now campaigning to spare the Cheyenne Diner from oblivion. The diner is up for sale with an asking price of $7,900. The buyer is responsible for rigging and lot acquisition costs. Michael Perlman will be working in conjunction with the George Papas, developer of the Cheyenne property and owner of the Skylight Diner (402 W. 34th St) to save the diner from demolition by finding it a new home.

Perlman has already received notification from potential buyers from Indiana and Ohio. While the Cheyenne can potentially land a good home out of state, many patrons are praying that a New York based buyer will contact the Committee at unlockthevault@hotmail.com, so it can ideally remain closer to its roots than the Moondance Diner, now in in Wyoming.

The Committe is certain that "A steady market for such nostalgic gems, coupled by the fact that they were manufactured to move; can ensure a victory for the Cheyenne Diner.”

-----------------------
Cheyenne Diner May 2007 day scenes, Courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman:
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157604354225329/

Cheyenne Diner night scenes & memorabilia, Courtesy of Jeremiah Moss of Jeremiah’s Vanishing NY (http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11205114@N03/tags/cheyenne

’83 Cheyenne as Market Diner, courtesy of roadside photographer Larry Cultrera of Society for Commercial Archeology & Diner Hotline (http://dinerhotline.wordpress.com/about/):
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/2383404269/

Dec ’79 Cheyenne as Market Diner, serigraph courtesy of photorealist John Baeder (www.johnbaeder.com):
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/2383392233/

The Fight to Preserve PS 64 Continues!

2008-04-07T16:02:00.004-04:00

Our friends at the East Village Community Coalition are steadfast in their dedication to save PS 64, the past headquarters of CHARAS/El Bohio, on East 9th Street between Avenues B & C. Though owner/developer Greg Singer continues to allow this landmarked structure to fall into disrepair, the surrounding community refuses to be quieted in their opposition to his actions (or rather, his lack thereof).

To voice your own opinion, send your thoughts via email to EVCC's David Leslie at david@impactaddict.com. EVCC will compile all responses and deliver them to Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Robert Tierney.

Send your thoughts soon to ensure that they are included!

"Beauty of the Bungalows" Walking Tour

2008-04-07T15:51:00.006-04:00

BEAUTY OF THE BUNGALOWS

A Sixty-Minute Walking Tour

Lead by Richard George,

Director of Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association

Historic beach bungalows built from 1918 to 1920

Adjacent to a seven-mile boardwalk

Cleanest public beach in New York State

Fire Island experience within New York City limits

Emerging Soho/Noho neighborhood as featured in PBS’s A Walk Through Queens, hosted by Barry Lewis & David Hartman, and upcoming PBS film The Bungalows of Rockaway

Attractive urban waterfront environment

Accessible by A train, LIRR and express buses

Saturday, May 17, 2008
Walking tour begins at noon, rain or shine.

$10.00 donation to benefit the BBPA.
Brown bag your lunch. Beverages provided.
RSVP to BBPAOrg@aol.com or (718) 327-3797.

Crown Heights North Association: Annual Meeting April 16th

2008-04-07T11:32:00.003-04:00

The Crown Heights North Association invites you to attend its 2nd Annual Town Hall Meeting on April 16th, 2008. The event will commence at 6:45pm in the St. Gregory's RC School auditorium on St. Johns Place at Brooklyn Avenue.

Phase I of the Crown Heights North Historic District was landmarked in 2007. The designation of Phase II will likely prove the biggest challenge because it is the largest of the four (4) proposed phases identified by the Landmark Preservation Commission. CHNA looks forward to your continued support as they prepare for the designation of over 1000 homes and buildings located within the Phase II outline area.

Prospect Heights: LPC to Present Historic Designation Forum April 9

2008-04-07T11:30:00.002-04:00

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The movement for designation of a historic district in Prospect Heights is gathering momentum. Following PHNDC's request to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for an evaluation of a Prospect Heights Historic District, LPC will present its proposed boundaries for the district at a community forum on Wednesday, April 9 beginning at 7:00PM. The forum will be held at P.S. 9, 80 Underhill Avenue (between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street). Representatives from LPC will also answer questions from residents and business owners.

Come to find out more and show your support at this important moment in this critical initiative to protect the scale and character of Prospect Heights!

More information on historic designation for Prospect Heights:

Background of local efforts to win designation
PHNDC's proposed boundaries for a Prospect Heights historic district
Frequently asked questions
Other ways you can help

Preservation Vision - Last Week to Respond!

2008-04-04T17:28:00.001-04:00

Join in this very important year-long initiative to engage those interested in preservation about their aspirations for New York City in the year 2030 and the actions needed to make those hopes a reality. As part of the first phase of the project, an on-line survey has been launched to gather feedback, ideas and opinions from New Yorkers interested in the future of historic preservation in the city -- go to www.preservationvision-nyc.org to learn more and take the survey (which closes April 15, so please respond soon!).

Historic Ridgewood Theatre Shuttered & Movement To Reopen

2008-04-02T16:36:00.007-04:00

RIDGEWOOD, NY (March 24, 2008) – Ridgewood Theatre (55-27 Myrtle Ave) patrons, locals, and preservationists are disheartened that the historic theater shuttered last week without warning, marking the end of its nearly 92 years as a first-run theater. Opening its doors on December 23, 1916, it was considered the longest continuously operating neighborhood theater citywide, and potentially throughout the U.S. It staged Vaudeville, silent films, saw the advent of photoplays, & the first ‘100% All-Talking’ feature, Lights of New York (1928). Its original seating capacity was 2,500, but currently contains 5 screens and seats 1,950.

Modeled after Times Square’s (former) Strand Theatre, the $250,000 gem was designed by the prolific Thomas Lamb & built by the Levy Brothers. The 3-story Indiana limestone & terra cotta façade is highly ornate, incorporating unique geometric patterns, medallions, a frieze, pilasters, and proudly boasts Ridgewood Theatre across the top. Interior murals originally depicted the history of Ridgewood.

Perlman explains: “Theaters are the ‘ultimate public institutions’ which bridge the generations, as they foster community growth and pride, harbor countless memories, and often exhibit the work of our country’s most skillful architects. Commissioned architects hoped to leave a long-lasting impression of grandeur, confidence, serenity, and comfort; a bold step away from the pressures of society.”

Perlman further explains “With the onset of DVDs, and vastly improved home entertainment centers, movie theaters with a minimal number of screens are a highly endangered species citywide. When sacrificed in the name of progress, their loss is most heartfelt. Local theaters with an unfortunate fate include the Oasis, Parthenon, Irving, & RKO Madison Theatre (retail), but the Ridgewood Theatre can be economically viable if preserved and adaptively reused for theater-related purposes. If the owner respectfully held back from selling out to a typical chain store, and considered Albert Allie’s proposal, it would not only complement the theater’s architectural & historical significance, but be highly beneficial for a much-needed arts & entertainment venue that would touch numerous lives. It would also contribute to an up & coming neighborhood and a diverse borough. Al and I are determined to continue our partnership in making a proposal a realization.”

Mr. Allie is considering partnering up with fellow non-profits that share common cause. Text from his proposal is as follows:

The Purpose of this proposal is to obtain funding to start up a non-profit community theater and independent film screening house with acting classes, utilizing the Ridgewood Theatre. Funding will cover the cost of building rental or purchase, equipment, employees, renovations/restorations to the property, and to help cover the costs of operations for at least the first year.

Our mission is to serve the community of Queens by offering quality theatrical performances, acting classes and independent films, both contemporary and classic for children and adults. We will provide an excellent opportunity to bring the love of theater and independent film, to the community along with cultural awareness, by attending performances, taking classes, coming out to view independent films and taking part in our film and theater festivals. They also have the opportunity to volunteer their time to the theater, and become personally involved in the whole arts experience. Besides our regular ongoing acting courses, we will set up an after-school youth program teaching drama. We will also offer discounted rates for families with low or moderate incomes, who may be receiving assistance from the city, i.e. Public assistance, food stamps or Medicaid. People dream, but that doesn't mean their dreams should cost them everything.

GOALS

* To provide the Queens Community with quality theatrical productions and acting classes at affordable prices.

* To introduce children and adults in the community to the theatrical and visual arts.

* To encourage participation in theater by the community.

* To provide people of all ages with an opportunity to develop theatrical talents by participating in acting and other technical aspects of theater.

* To provide a venue (space) for fledgling repertory companies and filmmakers, to rent out for their upcoming productions and film screenings at affordable prices.

* To implement acting classes for the youth in the community, both ongoing and as an after- school program.

* To collaborate with other non-profits, and find ways to join their programs with ours.

* To help raise funds to keep our theater running, and to raise funds to make charitable donations to other non-profit organizations that deal with children, including but not limited to those that help children that have leukemia, or other terminal and non terminal illnesses. We will raise funds through our theater festivals and special run live shows.

* To create Jobs and employment opportunity for the community.

Ridgewood Theatre recent & vintage visuals:
http://flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/2340129010/ (Courtesy of ScullyStef@yahoo.com)
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/181107127/sizes/o/ (Ken Roe, cinematreasures.org)
http://flickr.com/photos/kencta/116481293/in/photostream/ (Ken Roe)
http://timesnewsweekly.com/Archives2007/Jan.-Mar.2007/011107/NewFiles/OURNEIGH.html

For more information, please contact Michael Perlman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council at 917-446-7775/unlockthevault@hotmail.com or Albert J. Allie of Allie-Way Films at 718-530-8455/alliewayfilms@aol.com.

And click here for two great articles recently published on the Ridgewood Theater's closing and preservation in Queens!

St. Saviour To Be Moved To Safety

2008-04-02T11:07:00.002-04:00

From the Daily News: St. Saviour's Saved!

BY DONALD BERTRAND
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, April 2nd 2008, 4:00 AM

Preservationists have reached an agreement to move St. Saviour Church from the 1 1/2-acre lot where it now stands.

"I have somebody who wants to buy the property and I need to give it clean," said Tomer Dafna of Maspeth Development LLC, which owns the property bounded by 58th St., 57th Road, Rust St. and 57th Drive.

A church group also is interested in the lot, but it also wants it minus the church, Dafna said.

Robert Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, was among those who persuaded Dafna to save the historic church from demolition.

At a news conference Monday, Holden said he is meeting with building movers to determine the feasibility of hauling the church and its tower a few blocks down Rust St. to a site owned by Phil Galasso, president of the Maspeth Industrial Development Corp.

Another plan would be to take the church apart for reassembly. In either case, it would go to the Rust St. site for safekeeping.

"The good news is that St. Saviour's will be saved and that is the key," Holden said.

Plans call for its final destination to be at All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village.

"The location will be ideal for the church. We hope we can accomplish this in three to four months," said Dan Austin, president and CEO of the cemetery.

Christabel Gough of the Society for Architecture of the City said St. Saviour was designed by Richard Upjohn, who is also the architect of Trinity Church in lower Manhattan.

"He [Upjohn] built this little wooden church for the people of Maspeth and he published a book on how to build small wooden churches" that enabled others to build similar churches, Gough said.

Paul Graziano, president of the Historic Districts Council, hailed the preservation campaign as "the heart [and] soul of grass-roots preservation efforts in New York."

Tom Vitale, 48, who has lived across the street from the church since 1967, said he was happy the church will be preserved.

"We would like to save the property [also], but that is not going to happen. As long as the church is going to be saved, we are happy," Vitale said.

The trees, a parsonage and a meeting hall were recently leveled. Only the church remains on the otherwise cleared property.

dbertrand@nydailynews.com

And of course, see Queens Crap: http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2008/04/site-eyed-for-st-saviours.html

Move the Sheffield Stables?

2008-04-02T10:30:00.003-04:00

NEW YORK, NY—The owner of the historic Sheffield Farms Stable, a 100-year-old stable built for one of the largest dairy companies in the country, is threatened by Columbia University’s expansion in Manhattanville. The building’s owner has a unique solution: Move it out of the way.

“Moving the building would let Columbia have the land and would let me keep on using the architecturally beautiful and historic building which I love,” said Anne Whitman. Ms. Whitman’s family has owned the building for 36 years and it currently houses her businesses, Hudson Moving & Storage, a company that specializes in handling fine furniture and art, and Hudson Fine Arts, Ltd., which organizes exhibits of work by undiscovered urban artists.

To have any chance of remaining on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, the building’s new location would need to be within the neighborhood and in proximity to Prentis Hall, the former Sheffield Farms pasteurization and bottling plant on 125th Street, according to the New York State Historic Preservation Office. The NY SHPO implements National Register standards in New York on behalf of the National Park Service. The agency does not recommend moving buildings out of their historic contexts, but looks upon the proposed move of the Sheffield Farms Stable as one way to mitigate against losing the building if no feasible alternative to demolition can be found.

The seven-story masonry structure would be among the tallest moved in this country. The 208-ft.Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton, North Carolina, is taller and was successfully moved by the National Park Service in 2001.

Ms. Whitman has proposed several alternative sites in the area for relocating her building. First choice is the current site of a McDonald’s at 125th Street and Broadway. Ms. Whitman hopes that she can swap land with Columbia rather than sell and see her building demolished. Her property is one that may yet be taken by the Empire State Development Corporation using the power of eminent domain. It would then be turned over to Columbia for development.

Industrial archaeologist, Mary Habstritt, said, “The power of the state should not be used to destroy a building that the state itself has determined to be of national significance.” Sheffield Farms, formed in 1902 from several smaller dairy companies to deliver milk to New York City, became, by 1926, the largest dairy products company in the world. The company was a pioneer in pasteurization, installing the first pasteurizing machine in the country at one of its New Jersey dairies in 1892.

Michael D.D. White, an attorney and urban planner, called the threat of using eminent domain an example of, “New York style developer-initiated, developer-driven eminent domain abuse.” This government power was intended to be exercised only to take property for public use, such as subways and parks. In recent years, it has repeatedly been abused to take property for private development, including corporate headquarters, shopping malls, and now a private university campus.

3229 Broadway was purchased in 1972 by Joseph A. Zuhusky, father of Anne Whitman, and it has been owner-occupied for 36 years. Hudson Moving & Storage is a certified Woman Business Enterprise—100% woman owned. The company’s workforce is 100% women or minority and union-affiliated. Whitman has developed it into a specialty firm providing services to architects, designers, artists, and manufacturers in the design trades. It provides worldwide transport for art and other high-value products and proximity to clients in the city is vital. The location in Manhattanville provides access to major thoroughfares that allow company trucks to reach any borough location in roughly 15 minutes.

The 1903 Sheffield Farms Stable was expanded in 1909 to house the horses and wagons of New York City’s largest dairy company at a time when most milk was delivered to customers’ homes. It is a uniquely beautiful stable linked to the history of providing a pure milk supply to New York City in the days before refrigeration when farms were increasingly further away from the growing urban center. The stable is half of a pair that includes today’s Prentis Hall, built as a Sheffield Farms pasteurization and bottling plant in 1909 and owned by Columbia University since 1949. For more on the Manhattanville’s role in supplying milk to New York City, see www.archiveofindustry.com.

The Manhattanville Preservation Alliance is a neighborhood-based organization that seeks to identify, document, and designate historic structures in west Harlem. Manhattanville is undergoing major changes that will dramatically change the face of the neighborhood for those who live, work, and own businesses here. Our aim is to ensure that vital connections to the past are retained, through the preservation, re-use, and rehabilitation of the historic buildings that define the character of our neighborhood.

Statement of the Historic Districts Council: Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing for the St. Vincent's Expansion Proposal

2008-03-31T18:08:00.005-04:00

April 1, 2008

Items 1, 2, 3

CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF manhattan
08-4933, 08-4934, 08-4935 - Block 617, lot 55, Block 607, lot 1, Block 617, lot 1
20 7^th Avenue, 1 7^th Avenue, 76 Greenwich Street - Greenwich Village Historic District

A contemporary institutional building designed by Arthur A. Schiller and Albert Ledner and built in 1962-63. Application is to demolish the building and construct a new hospital building.

Two contemporary hospital buildings built circa 1980; a modern hospital building designed by Eggers and Higgins and built in 1961; a brick and limestone hospital building designed by Crow, Lewis and Wick and built in 1940-1941; two brick and limestone hospital buildings designed by Eggers and Higgins and built in 1946 and 1950; a brick and limestone hospital building designed by I.E. Ditmars and built in 1924; and a brick and limestone hospital building designed by Eggers and Higgins and built 1953-1954. Application is to demolish the buildings and construct townhouses and apartment buildings.

A brick building built in the mid-1980s and designed by Ferrenz and Taylor. Application is to alter the building and the surrounding landscape.

The Historic District Council is the advocate for New York City's designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the application now before the Commission.

Introduction

For decades the Historic Districts Council has reviewed and testified on Certificate of Appropriateness applications at the Landmarks Preservation Commission, projects ranging in scope from modifying a window opening to the demolition of a building and the construction of another in its place. This plan is the largest development proposal we have ever seen suggested in a designated New York City Historic District. HDC has grave concerns about this proposal – the massive, unprecedented amount of demolition requested as well as the out of character massing and design of the new construction – and what an approved plan would mean both to the Greenwich Village Historic District and the city’s 90 other historic districts.

In addition to these concerns there are other issues to consider including the blurring of the line between non-profit and for-profit ventures, of community facilities and private development. The practical needs of a community for an up-to-date medical facility and the need to preserve the city’s architectural heritage and a neighborhood’s character are also vital in this conversation. We are convinced that these last two matters are not mutually exclusive, and must work together for residents of this community and the city at large.

Proposed Demolition on the East Side of 7th Avenue

Eight structures, roughly half the block bounded by 7^th Avenue, 6^th Avenue, 12^th Street, and 11^th Street, are proposed for demolition. They range from a 1924 Nurses Residence to 1980’s LPC-approved pavilions, each one a piece of St. Vincent’s Hospital’s history. Six of these structures – the Nurses Residence, the Reiss Pavilion, and the Spellman, Cronin, Smith, and Raskob Buildings – exhibit an unusual level of detail and design for 20^th-century institutional buildings, obviously built to complement the historic district, decades before the idea of an historic district was ever conceived.

These hospital buildings were designed to compliment, but be subservient to, the main structure – the now demolished Seton Building designed by Schickel & Ditmars in 1897. The buildings are primarily of brick with limestone bases and trim similar to Seton, the window openings similar scale and similar decorative detail can be found in door and window surrounds. In addition, the buildings’ material and scale compliment their non-medical neighbors. The Greenwich Village Historic District designation report described the south side of 12^th Street, “There is a sameness in the design of the large hospital buildings and yet, in their use of brick and individual window openings, they harmonize, as a group, remarkably well with their neighbors.” Of the Nurses’ Residence, “It should be noted that one of these buildings near mid-block is set back above the second story, and had it been located in a row of town houses, would have blended remarkably well with them, as it does with those across the street.” (This is praise from a designation report that is not shy about criticizing other 20^th-century building ventures with comments like “They are not designed to harmonize with their neighbors, in scale, detail or use of materials. A cursory look at the relatively harmonious apartment house of the Nineteen-twenties, which line Fifth Avenue, might have given the architect at least a clue as to how he might have achieved some degree of harmony when designing these buildings.” or “Obviously no design controls were exercised here, and the result is a building which in every way defies its surroundings.”)

HDC is opposed to the demolition of these buildings as they are vital pieces of Greenwich Village’s history and are part of the neighborhood’s character. They are residential in nature and could be readily adapted for residential use.

HDC could approve of the demolition of the Link and Coleman Pavilions. In 1979, LPC approved the demolition of the Seton Building, the last 19^th century building on the St. Vincent’s Hospital Campus, and the construction of Link and Coleman. The newer buildings are sadly out-of-context with the district. In addition, they are not as readily adaptable to residential use as the other hospital buildings on this block. What is to go in their place is another matter of concern.

HDC would like to note the existence of the chapel annex of the Seton Building. A newspaper article from 1899 mentions the structure on the east end of the main building that contained a second floor chapel and “a spacious room on the first floor, to be devoted to community purposes.” While we are happy to hear that the chapel room may be moved to the new hospital building, we are concerned that more historic material exists than just the room – from Google Earth maps and a site visit it appears to still be an annex. HDC feels that what remains of the structure, the only link to the hospital’s 19^th-century past, should be preserved.

Proposed Construction on the East Side of 7th Avenue

While the presentation claims the construction of new townhouses on 11^th and 12^th Streets will restore the low-scale, residential character of these streets, as the designation report indicates, this is not an issue in need of a solution. Additionally, at five stories tall, the proposed buildings are larger than the typical Greenwich Village townhouse, more along the lines of a tenement building. HDC believes that what belongs most in an historic district are structures that help tell the story of a community, and the existing, not the proposed, buildings do.

While we approve of the demolition of Link and Coleman, HDC does not approve of the proposed replacement. The two existing buildings were already larger than the 1899 hospital building demolished for their sake, and the proposed is now larger than them. This incremental increase in the size of buildings on this block is worrisome. HDC feels whatever is to be built should be no taller than what exists now.

Proposed Demolition on the O'Toole Building

There was some debate amongst HDC’s board over the O’Toole. Some felt it was out of context, not the best example of modernism, and could be demolished. Others felt strongly that the building’s size made it contextual on 7^th Avenue and that it should be preserved as an example of modernism and a part of the design history of the Village. Still others, not necessarily fans of the building itself, felt uncomfortable demolishing a structure in an historic district described not unfavorably in its designation report.

Proposed Construction on the Site of the O'Toole Building

If a new building is to be built in a historic district, it must be more contextual than what it is replacing. This is not the case at the site of the O’Toole Building. The proposed is simply far too tall. At 330 feet, it would tower over the Avenue as the proposal illustrates. In addition, its elliptical shape, while interesting, is neither good for the hospital nor good for the neighborhood. If the aim of this whole project is to consolidate hospital functions in one building and space is an issue, a squared off floor plan would make much more sense. It would also allow for a shorter building, more in context with its surroundings. Also, the shape is not one found on buildings in the Greenwich Village Historic District.

Conclusion

In community meetings, this plan – massive demolition and the construction of out-of-scale buildings – has been presented as the only possibility. We believe strongly that it is not. While it may be the plan that will make the most money, it is not the plan that best serves the neighborhood or the historic district. The six historic hospital buildings on the east side of 7^th Avenue should be restored and adapted for residential use, more contextual, residential buildings designed for the site of the Coleman and Link Pavilions, and a plan for a hospital building of proper size, massing and style, including the possibility of renovating the O’Toole building, be created.

Finally, HDC feels we must address references to this being a “green project”. Reusing an existing building is the greenest of projects. It does not require tons of building materials to be demolished, transported and dumped into landfills. Neither does it use the vast amounts of energy needed to create new materials, to transport them to the construction site, and to finally build a new structure. Most of the buildings proposed for demolition in order to build the residential project are residential in character and are excellent candidates for reuse. Beyond the basic tenants of preserving New York City’s historic districts, this can be an even “greener project.”

Landmarks Commission to Consider Demolition of 9 Buildings in Designated Historic District

2008-03-28T19:14:00.001-04:00

Dear Friend of Preservation,

As you may be aware, St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Greenwich Village Historic District is currently bringing forward what may be the largest development proposal ever suggested in a designated New York City Historic District. In short, the hospital is proposing to build a new hospital tower on the west side of Seventh Avenue South between West 11th and 12th Streets, and a massive apartment building complex on the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 11th and 12th streets, with adjoining lower-rise residential development continuing along the side streets into the mid-block. The full proposal can be found here: http://www.svcmc.org/newfacility_body.cfm?id=1592&oTopID=1592 and analyses of the proposal and community concern can be found here: http://www.gvshp.org/StVincents.htm

HDC has profound concerns about this proposal, but please take a look at the materials and decide for yourself. An over-riding concern that we have, however, is the precedent that this proposal if approved might set. In order to build the proposal in full, St. Vincent’s is asking for permission from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to demolish 9 buildings in a designated New York City Historic District. Such a massive demolition has NEVER been granted or (to our knowledge) even been applied for in the 43 year history of the LPC. We are gravely concerned about what approval of such massive demolition might mean for the future of all of New York’s 90 historic districts.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is holding a public hearing on the proposal on Tuesday, April 1st in Theater One at Borough of Manhattan Community College, located at 199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich and West Streets), starting at 9:30 a.m. (doors will open at 9 a.m.) The applicant's presentation is expected to end around 12:30 p.m. and public testimony to begin around 1:30 p.m. (these times are approximate). Please bring a picture ID for entrance to the building.

HDC is asking you now – as a person concerned about and involved with preserving historic neighborhoods in New York – to reach out to the Landmarks Preservation Commission and express concern about the massive demolition of protected historic buildings contemplated in this proposal. Make no mistake, this is a complex plan which balances a number of differing agendas and affects a variety of buildings within the historic district, not all of which are equal in significance, We urge you to take a look at the plans and make your decision. However, we feel strongly that the planned destruction of nine buildings within a designated historic district should not pass without comment.

Please take the time to tell the Landmarks Commission your opinions about this plan. If you cannot make the meeting on Tuesday, send your comments to comments@lpc.nyc.gov(with a cc to hdc@hdc.org).

This is an issue that reaches beyond Greenwich Village into ALL our historic districts. Your voice matters and needs to be heard.

Third Annual Preservation Summit

2008-03-28T14:38:00.001-04:00

PRESERVATION SUMMIT III
Thursday, April 17, 2008
General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library
20 West 44th Street, Manhattan
(between Fifth and Sixth Avenues)

The program will begin promptly at 6:00 PM.
A wine reception and opportunity for discussion will follow.
Invite a friend—or ten!

Summary of Agenda

1) Special presentation by former Landmarks Chair Gene A. Norman on a new, independent process for evaluating candidates for appointment as Landmarks Commissioners
**CECPP’s 2007 lawsuit succeeded in getting Mayor Bloomberg to reappoint or replace commissioners serving on expired terms, strengthening their ability resist political pressure.
2) Update on advocacy to increase the LPC budget
**Last year’s advocacy helped the LPC get resources to increase its designation activities to the highest levels since before the Giuliani administration.
3) Report on CECPP’s new lawsuit to compel LPC action on longstanding Requests for Evaluation on potential landmarks and historic districts

This event builds on two previous Preservation Summits, each attended by over 100 New Yorkers concerned about the future of our city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
The first Summit, held on May 2, 2006, officially launched the Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation to lead a strategic campaign designed to 1) ensure fairness in the LPC’s process, 2) re-establish LPC independence, and 3) secure appropriate resources so that the LPC has the budget and staff it needs to perform its crucial mandate.

The emergency is still on! Please join us on April 17.

RSVP: Send an email to citizens@savelpc.org or call 212-380-8612.

Civil War Book Talk at Green-Wood Cemetery

2008-03-28T14:13:00.004-04:00

The Green-Wood Historic Fund presents:

Two Brothers: One North, One South
A book talk with author David H. Jones

Sunday, April 6, 2008 1:00 PM@
Green-Wood Cemetery’s Historic Chapel

A Union officer. A Confederate solider. Joined by blood and united in death.

Clifton Kennedy Prentiss and William Scolay Prentiss were Maryland brothers who fought on opposing sides during the Civil War. Both were mortally wounded in the same late-War battle, as Clifton led an attack on the fort William was defending. Both were taken to Armory Square Hospital in Washington, D.C., where poet and military hospital volunteer Walt Whitman became the link between them.

David H. Jones gives a book talk and signing on his exceptionally researched fictionalized account of the Prentiss brothers, Two Brothers: One North, One South. From battlefields to the drawing rooms of wartime Richmond, Jones keenly depicts four turbulent years of America’s costliest and most commemorated war.

Admission is free but space is limited. (Suggested $5 donation at the door.)
Call for reservations 718.768.7300.

Following the book talk, Green-Wood historian Jeff Richman will lead a trolley tour to adjoining graves of the Prentiss brothers, as well as other significant Civil War gravesites.
The trolley tour is $20 / $10 for Historic Fund members.

A national historic landmark–Est. 1838– Our main entrance is located at 500 25th Street (on 5th Avenue) in Brooklyn. Via subway, take the R to the 25th Street station. For more info, call 718.768.7300 or visit us at www.greenwoodcemetery.org

Preserving Place in Time & Space

2008-03-28T10:01:00.003-04:00

Adrian Benepe, Commissioner New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Historic House Trust of New York City, and The New York Preservation Archive Project

invite you to a presentation in the Uncommon Ground Lecture Series

Preserving Place in Time and Space:
A Conversation with Franny Eberhart and Anthony C. Wood

Thursday, April 9, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.

At the Arsenal Gallery, Central Park
64th Street and Fifth Avenue

Reception to follow

RSVP required
call 212-360-8737, or e-mail rsvp@parks.nyc.gov
By invitation only
Seating is limited

Preserving Place in Time and Space:
A Conversation with Franny Eberhart, Co-Chair of the Historic House Trust
and Anthony C. Wood, author Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City’s Landmarks

The unknown story of how New York City, after decades of tragic losses, found a way to officially protect its cherished landmarks is full of drama, heroes, tragedy and hope. Whether a battle over Castle Clinton, a struggle over Central Park, or a threat to the Wyckoff House, New York’s parks and historic houses are prominent in this story. This history, finally captured in Anthony C. Wood’s recently published Preserving New York: Winning the Right to Protect a City’s Landmarks, offers inspiration, instruction, and insight as New York contemplates the future of its historic sites and special places. Join in as noted preservationist and Co-Chair of the Historic House Trust, Franny Eberhart, explores the history of preservation and its implications for the future with author and preservationist Anthony C. Wood.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase, courtesy of program co-sponsor, the New York Preservation Archive Project.

Press Conference for St. Saviour's

2008-03-28T09:52:00.002-04:00

There will be a press conference Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 1pm to announce the agreement between Maspeth Development, LLC and JPCA to move St. Saviour's to All Faiths Cemetery. It will take place inside the St. Saviour's site, located at 57-40 58th Street in Maspeth. We expect to be able to provide access to the building for photography, etc.
Expected to attend are Councilman Tony Avella, representatives of Maspeth Development, LLC, the Historic Districts Council, Queens Civic Congress, Sano Demolition, McLoughlin Brothers and All Faiths Cemetery.

Any questions, please call Robert Holden, President of Juniper Civic at 718-651-5865.

Recent news coverage:
Forgotten-NY: http://forgotten-ny.com/SLICES/saviours/saviours.html
AM-NY: http://weblogs.amny.com/entertainment/urbanite/blog/2008/03/salvation_for_st_saviors.html
It's our history! Save St. Saviour's!

"It Ain't Over 'til It's Over " Department - St. Saviour's Comes to Light

2008-03-27T14:19:00.004-04:00

In an astonishing turn of events, the Juniper Park Civic Association has convinced the owner of St. Saviour's to donate the church so it can be moved to All Faiths Cemetery. The Church, currently being dismantled, has recently been revealed to have a whole lot more historic fabirc than some believed. You've got to check these pictures at Queens Crap: http://queenscrap.blogspot.com/2008/03/upjohns-country-wooden-church-returns.html

What can you do? Email Speaker Christine Quinn (sorry - it's a form contact, but she does get these ~ http://www.nyccouncil.info/html/actioncenter/contact_speaker.cfm) and ask her to intercede to transfer the capital funds CM Dennis Gallagher placed in the budget to acquire St. Saviour's to help JPCA to move the property.

Warning: we have been told that the funds can't be reallocated - but it's only numbers that need to be moved on their end - JPCA has to move a whole church and so far, they're making headway. Now it's the City's turn at bat.

Modern Architecture Panel and Walking Tour

2008-03-26T15:27:00.001-04:00

Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Preserving the Moderns: The Next Steps

Opening Remarks: David Childs, FAIA, consulting partner, SOM
Frederic Schwartz, FAIA, Frederic Schwartz Architects
Nina Rappaport, publications director, Yale School of Architecture; chair, Docomomo U.S.-New York-Tri-State
Carol Willis, director, The Skyscraper Museum
Barry Bergdoll, chief curator, Department of Architecture and Design, MoMA
Moderator: Frank Sanchis, senior vice-president, MAS

Among New York City’s architectural treasures is a wealth of modernist buildings, including such world-class icons as the Seagram Building, Lever House, and the TWA terminal. Those three and more than a score of others are designated New York City landmarks, but there are more modernist buildings worthy of preservation throughout the five boroughs. This panel will explore the challenges to preserving mid-20th century architecture and discuss which of the city’s undesignated modernist buildings are the most significant.

Program will take place at the Municipal Art Society, 457 Madison Avenue at 51st Street, New York, NY 10022. $15, $12 MAS members. Reservations and prepayment required: www.mas.org/programs or call 212 935 3960.

Saturday, April 5, 11:00 a.m.
Downtown Modern: A Field Guide

This walking tour considers the history and status of a number of important mid-20th century modern buildings in Lower Manhattan, from the Financial District to midtown. Familiar masterpieces will be discussed, as well as various lesser known works, including Chase Manhattan Bank by SOM, 88 Pine Street by I.M. Pei, and a pair of residential complexes by Kelly and Gruzen. Leader: Matt Postal, architectural historian and specialist in 20th century architecture and urban design. Meet at the S.E. corner of Liberty and Church streets, at the west end of Zuccotti Park, one block west of Broadway.

$15, $12 MAS members. Reservations and prepayment required: www.mas.org/tours or call 212 935 3960.

State Supreme Court Rejects Faux Dorm Plan in East Village

2008-03-26T12:50:00.005-04:00

From the East Village Community Coalition, http://evccnyc.org/

Today, the State's highest court unanimously upheld the City's refusal to issue a permit for a "dormitory" without a lease in place!!!

The EVCC led the Friend of the Court Brief effort in this crucial victory preserving old PS 64 former El Bohio as a Landmark (HDC was amicus).

Sarah Furguson has a Village Voice blog update (http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2008/03/high_court_deal.php#more)

AND... LOOK AT THE TRAGIC DECAY ALLOWED AT OLD PS64, FORMER EL BOHIO!
Go To:
http://evcc.blogomat.com/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=3&catid=1

OUR PHOTOGRAPHS DOCUMENT THE TRAGIC NEGLECT OF THIS LANDMARK!

It is being left to decay.

THIS MUST STOP!
Please let NYC LANDMARK COMMISSION CHAIRMAN ROBERT TIERNEY know!

EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS, NAME & AFFILIATION REGARDING THIS UTTER DISREGARD OF OUR COMMUNITY AND LANDMARK PRESERVATION to: ps64landmarkdecay@gmail.com

YOUR NAME AND COMMENTS WILL BE ADDED TO OUR LETTER TO CHAIRMAN ROBERT TIERNEY! Your email address will be kept confidential.

Auction for Advocacy in the Aalto Rooms

2008-03-24T17:50:00.001-04:00

There are still limited tickets available to the Historic Districts Council’s Auction for Advocacy in support of the Historic Districts Council’s League of Preservation Voters.

The event will be held on Thursday, April 3rd at 6:30pm in the Kaufmann Conference Center, on the twelfth floor of the Institute of International Education. The Conference Center is the only space in New York designed by renowned Finnish Humanist Architect Alvar Aalto, and one of only four of his designs left in the United States. For more information on this one-of-a-kind venue, click here, here and here. Gain exclusive access to this hidden gem of modern architecture and enjoy panoramic riverside views of the East River overlooking the United Nations complex. Tickets to the Party and Auction are $100 per person. To RSVP for this event, please contact Kristen Morith at 212-614-9017 or kmorith@hdc.org. You can also RSVP on our website, http://www.hdc.org/auction.htm.

Your support of the League of Preservation Voters initiative is crucial and we need your help now more than ever! Just this week we have launched our latest campaign with the upcoming special election for City Council District 30, encompassing parts of Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Middle Village, Glendale, and Forest Hills in Queens. We are currently scheduling meetings with local organizations to talk about the preservation issues that matter to them, compiling a voter guide with candidate responses to many important questions and planning a candidate forum where the public can address the candidates directly on a range of community-related preservation and development concerns.

Donate now to the Auction for Advocacy & help
make the League of Preservation Voters a reality!

HDC is amassing a variety of exciting artwork, tours, historical artifacts and more that will be up for the bidding at this year’s auction event. Below are a few of the highlighted auction items:

· Behind the Scenes Tours of New York City’s Historic Houses! Donated by Alice Austen House Museum, Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, Merchant's House Museum, Morris-Jumel Mansion Museum, and King Manor Museum. Four (4) tickets to a private behind-the-scenes tour of these five noted historic houses led by museum staff. This is a rare opportunity to see spaces not generally seen by the public and hear the exciting history of the homes and their inhabitants. Estimated value: $750.

· “Puddle,” An Original Painting by Nicholas Evans-Cato! Painted in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, when looking at this painting one can make out the reflections of both the Washington Bridge and a ramp of the Major Deegan Expressway overhead. Evans-Cato resides in Brooklyn and in May 2008 will have a solo show at the George Billis Gallery in Chelsea. Unframed, 9" x 11". Estimated value: $1,000.

· Terra-Cotta Books! A variety of fascinating and beautiful books on Terra Cotta - its history and its use in architecture around the world. Including, TWO books autographed by the authors! Susan's Tunick's "Terra-Cotta Skyline" and "Paris and the Legacy of French Archiectural Ceramics", autographed by Susan Tunick and Susan J. Montomery. Estimated Value: $200.

· Inside the Greenwich Village Historic District! The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation’s Annual House Tour allows two (2) guests to go inside a selection of private homes within the Greenwich Village Historic District. Estimated Value: $300.

This is just a sampling of the items being auctioned at the event. A complete list can be viewed by clicking here. If you are unable to attend the Auction event but would like to make a bid, you can contact Kristen Morith at 212-614-9107 or kmorith@hdc.org.

LPC to hold hearing on St. Vincent's MEGA demolition

2008-03-24T16:47:00.004-04:00

Please come to the CRITICALLY IMPORTANT Landmarks Preservation Commission Public Hearing on the St. Vincent’s/Rudin Development Plan

Tuesday, April 1 at 9:30 am
at Borough of Manhattan Community College
Theater One, 199 Chambers Street (at West Street)

Bring Photo ID to enter; arrive as early as 9:00 a.m. to sign up to speak
Take the 1,2,3 or A,C to Chambers Street, or the R,W to City Hall

Dear friend:

The most important hearing YET on the plan by St. Vincent’s Hospital and the Rudin Company to demolish nine buildings and construct 1.3 million sq. ft. of luxury condos and new hospital facilities will be held by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) on Tuesday, April 1 at 9:30 am at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, 199 Chambers Street. The proposed demolitions and new development cannot move ahead without the approval of the LPC, which is charged with protecting the character of New York City’s historic districts, including the Greenwich Village Historic District within which these sites are located.

WE NEED YOU TO COME TO AND TESTIFY AT THIS HEARING. This case is entirely precedent-setting – no one has ever proposed demolishing nine buildings in a New York City historic district, and no one has ever proposed a development of this scale in any historic district.

The hearing is likely to take several hours, so please plan now if at all possible to stay there long enough to testify. If you cannot stay that long, you can also submit written testimony at the hearing. If you do testify, you will be asked to submit 10 copies of your written statement, so please bring copies of your testimony regardless. Testimony should be limited to 3 minutes.

Whether or not you come to the hearing, we also ask that you write to the Landmarks Preservation Commission IMMEDIATELY to express your concerns about the current proposal. Go to www.gvshp.org/StVincentsLetter.htm for an electronic version. You can also use the sample letter as the basis for your testimony at the LPC hearing on April 1st.

Please note that the LPC hearing on April 1st ONLY deals with the issue of the ‘appropriateness’ of the proposed demolitions and new development in relation to the character of the Greenwich Village Historic District; it does NOT deal with other very important issues like the impact the proposal would have on traffic, noise, environmental concerns, school overcrowding, affordable housing, or the finances or functioning of the hospital. All of those issues are supposed to be dealt with through other processes, but are not under the jurisdiction of the LPC to consider at this hearing, and thus testimony and letters at this time to the LPC should focus exclusively on the “appropriateness” issue.

For more information on the St. Vincent’s/Rudin proposal, see www.gvshp.org/StVincents.htm . I hope to see you on the 1st.

Sincerely,

Andrew Berman
Executive Director
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
212/475-9585 x38
232 East 11th Street
New York, NY 10003

Tribeca Landmark Efforts Revive

2008-03-21T10:59:00.003-04:00

From the Downtown Express

Board looks to extend one of Tribeca’s historic districts
By Julie Shapiro

In northwestern Tribeca, the buildings span two centuries. Crumbling brick homes and corniced warehouses stand among more modern structures. Over time, developers replace the old with the new, a cycle Community Board 1 is hoping to stop.

C.B. 1 is seeking to landmark the northwestern corner of Tribeca, which was left out when the rest of North Tribeca was landmarked in 1992. The V-shaped swatch, a roughly 10-block area, is bordered by Canal and West Sts. and extends south to Laight St. and east almost to the Holland Tunnel entrance.

“It’s long overdue,” said Roger Byrom, chairperson of the Landmarks Committee, in a phone interview. “This is completing unfinished business, really.”

Carole DeSaram, chairperson of the C.B. 1 Tribeca Committee, helped lead the 10-year effort to get the North Tribeca Historic District in 1992. The inclusion of the rest of North Tribeca would unify the neighborhood, she said.
“It’ll keep the texture together, the lines, the continuity,” DeSaram said in a phone interview. “You cannot have monstrous glass-fronted buildings next to buildings built prior to 1900. It just doesn’t look right — it just doesn’t work.”

Basha Estroff, a Columbia University urban planning student who works for the board through the borough president’s fellowship program, put together a presentation on the landmarking. The idea received unanimous approval at the Landmarks Committee last week. Estroff’s presentation, based in part on DeSaram and board member Andy Neale’s research, will go to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which will make the final decision.

Landmarking Harlem?

2008-03-21T10:55:00.002-04:00

Landmarking the Black cultural capitol of the world
Amsterdam News

Is the LPC doing enought to preserve Harlem in the face of the 125th Street rezoning? Some advocates don't think so.

http://www.amsterdamnews.com/News/article/article.asp?NewsID=87039&sID=4

Icon of Downtown Modernity Considered Up For Landmark Status

2008-03-21T10:51:00.003-04:00

From The New York Times

March 19, 2008
A Landmark From the Start, Now Getting Its Official Due
By DAVID W. DUNLAP

The news may be that 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza — the towering silvery monolith that forever changed the Lower Manhattan skyline nearly a half century ago — has not been made a landmark already.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission now intends to make an official landmark out of the aluminum-and-glass-skinned tower, which was completed in 1961 as the bank’s headquarters and is still 70 percent occupied by JPMorgan Chase & Company.

“One Chase Manhattan Plaza is among New York City’s most important mid-20th-century skyscrapers,” the commission said in a statement released on Tuesday, when it voted unanimously to consider the designation, making it all but a foregone conclusion.

And the building’s plaza, where the work of the sculptors Jean Dubuffet and Isamu Noguchi are set in a canyon among the financial district cliff sides, was renamed Tuesday in honor of David Rockefeller, the former chairman of Chase and the man most closely identified with the bank tower.

This is all by way of marking the 50th anniversary of the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association. Mr. Rockefeller was chairman and the prime moving force of that group, which he has called an early effort “to breathe life into a moribund downtown.”

New Yorkers of a certain age and sharp memory will detect a paradox in celebrating the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association with a landmark designation, since the group was a forceful opponent of the original landmarks law in 1965. And its first redevelopment proposal, 50 years ago, called for the demolition of hundreds of old buildings in what would later become four officially protected historic districts: South Street Seaport, TriBeCa North, TriBeCa South and TriBeCa West.

Meanwhile in Queens....

2008-03-19T12:22:00.003-04:00

Broadway-Flushing residents pushing Landmarks Commission to act
BY JOHN LAUINGER daily news staff writer
Tuesday, March 18th 2008, 4:00 AM

Frustrated residents of verdant Broadway-Flushing blocks are struggling to safeguard the neighborhood's stately homes against redevelopment - but are finding that having a history does not a historic district make.

The leafy refuge of Tudor, Colonial and Arts and Crafts gems dating from the early 1900s, the area has found a home on both the state and national historic registers.

Yet, for all its historical importance in a borough besieged by overdevelopment and cookie-cutter modern architecture, the city Landmarks Preservation Commission has thus far balked at making Broadway-Flushing a historic district.

"We thought we would succeed because we have overwhelming local support," said Mel Siegel, president of the Broadway-Flushing homeowners association.

The proposal to landmark some 1,330 homes in the suburban enclave has the support of local elected officials and was unanimously approved by Community Board 7.

"We have all these things in place," Siegel said, "and we sort of got deluded into thinking it was a fait accompli - but it's not."

Plus:
Preservationists say Qns. often ignored
New York Daily News, NY - Mar 18, 2008
That may change in the wake of a city-commissioned survey of 12495 buildings in Queens.

New Landmarks and more to come...

2008-03-19T12:13:00.005-04:00

New Landmarks Include Webster Hall
New York Times - United States
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission today designated five new city landmarks.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/new-landmarks-include-webster-hall

A New York Grand Canyon Rides on Landmark Lane
New York Times - United States
LPC considers Chase Manhattan Plaza as a possible landmark.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/a-new-york-grand-canyon-rides-on-landmark-lane

Landmarks Tosses 125th Street A Bone
New York Observer - New York,NY,USA
by Lysandra Ohrstrom March 18, 2008

The Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted to hold hearings on a pair of New York Public Library branches in Harlem.
http://www.observer.com/2008/lpc-put-two-libraries-125th-landmark-track-today

Webster Hall gets NYC landmark status for its colorful history
amNewYork - New York,USA
The Landmarks Preservation Commission gave Webster Hall official status on
Tuesday.
http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--websterhall-landm0318mar18,0,5907568.story

'Gateway to Douglaston' considered for historic status

New York Daily News, NY - Mar 18, 2008BY JOHN LAUINGER

The effort to expand the Douglaston Historic District could take a major step forward this week.

Issues with the East Village Rezoning

2008-03-14T14:59:00.001-04:00

From Rob Hollander, Lower East Side Residents for Responsible Development
http://savethelowereastside.blogspot.com/

Friends and neighbors,

There are serious problems with City Planning's now published zoning proposals. The CB Zoning Task Force will meet, March 19, 6:30, 273 Bowery at Houston Street, to discuss those proposals. I hope you will attend. Here are my concerns:

1. The IZ affordable housing is not required on-site. Since renovation of existing affordable housing qualifies for the IZ bonus, off-site allowance means that, in effect, the R8B alternative for the avenues upzones them to FAR 4.6 without the guarantee of adding a single unit of affordable housing to our community.

For example, 1st Avenue is lined with four and five story buildings dating from the Civil War and earlier. Very few structures there are taller than five stories. Under this alternative, the avenue will be vulnerable to as-of-right additions and redevelopment that will add many luxury units transforming it beyond recognition. We will see displacement of residents and businesses, loss of light, context and history without benefit to the local community.

This feature of DCP's Final Scope of Work is contrary to every principle and goal with which CB3 entered the rezoning project.

2. The C6-3A alternative (8.5 FAR, with off-site IZ renovations of existing units counting toward the bonus) upzones Chrystie Street to allow 150-foot tall buildings, once again without the guarantee of a single unit of new affordable housing. This again is contrary to the principles enunciated by CB3, dangerous to the Chinatown community and without redeeming value for either Chinatown or the LES.

3. DCP proposes to include R8B zones in the commercial discontinuance exemption clause (article V, 52-61). Under this proposal, all commercial storefronts in R8B will remain available for commercial use regardless how long they have been out of such use. This proposal will allow yet more nightlife establishments in saturated areas.

Klein Farm Still At Risk

2008-03-14T11:49:00.001-04:00

From the Queens Times-Ledger

03/13/2008
Klein Farm climbs to $6M
By Alex Christodoulides and Jeremy Walsh

Another week, another half-million dollars added to the asking price of the Klein Farm site in Fresh Meadows, which was listed with a Little Neck realtor about two weeks ago.
According to the listing on Good Choice Realty's Web site, the asking price for the farm is now $6 million, up from $5.5 million last week. The Internet listing stated that the site would be a "perfect location for school or church," but made no mention of the fact the farm lies in a special preservation district.

City Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis) organized a rally Sunday to call for the preservation of the farm. Weprin said he would submit a request for evaluation of the property to the Landmarks Preservation Commission this week, in hopes of getting the entire property designated a landmark.

"Klein Farm is a visible piece of Queens' history. This farm was in business before Queens was incorporated into New York City," Weprin said. "It is a reminder of where Queens once was and is a constant reminder of how far Queens has come."

The site was originally 200 acres and purchased at $18 per acre for a total of $3,600 in 1895 by Adam and Catherine Klein. It was a working farm that sold seasonal produce from a roadside stand up until 2003, when the last two acres were sold to Audrey Realty for $4.3 million.

Audrey Realty is owned by members of the Huang family, of which developer Tommy Huang was convicted of a felony in 1999 for a 1996 oil spill in the basement of the landmarked RKO Keith's Theater in Flushing, which he bought in 1986.

The siting of the Klein Farm in a preservation district would mean that no building or alterations would be done on the structures on the lot.

Last November, the city Buildings Department fined Audrey Realty $2,500 for work done without a permit in the basement of 194-15 73rd Ave. to install a shower, toilet and sink. A hearing was scheduled for Jan. 22 and a compliance date of Feb. 27 to obtain permits for the work, but no money had been paid toward the fine as of Tuesday.

City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), who chairs the Council's Environmental Protection Committee, called the precarious position of the farm an example of northeast Queens' landscape being threatened.

"We should protect Klein Farm not just for its historical value but also for the precious open green space it provides," he said.

Reach reporter Alex Christodoulides by e-mail at achristodoulides@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 155.

Owner of Landmark School now tries Demolition By Neglect to Destroy it

2008-03-14T11:44:00.003-04:00

From the Villager

Landmarked old P.S. 64 left exposed to the elements

Michael Rosen, a founder of the East Village Community Coalition, recently called attention to the fact that tarps atop the old P.S. 64’s denuded dormer windows have become shredded, exposing the bare brick to the elements — like last Friday evening’s heavy downpour — surely damaging the landmarked building. Last Friday, Lisi de Bourbon, a spokesperson for the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, said the agency is aware of the situation and is taking action. “A site visit has been made and a letter is being sent to the owner regarding the need to protect the building,” de Bourbon said. She said if the problem is not fixed, L.P.C. will send another letter, and, if it’s still not fixed after that, will issue a violation, which could include fines. Some believe the negligence is purposeful on the part of the building’s owner, Gregg Singer, who is fighting in court to overturn the landmarking of the old school just east of Tompkins Square Park.

Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct: Annual Meeting & Lecture

2008-03-13T16:52:00.013-04:00

An invitation to

Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct
Annual Meeting
featuring
Dr. Sidney Horenstein

THE OTHER LIVES OF DAVID DOUGLASS & JOHN JERVIS

You know them as the creators of the Croton Aqueduct: Major Douglass for championing the Croton River as a water source and conducting the survey; and Mr. Jervis for designing this 41-mile engineering triumph and supervising its construction. But the two men had other passions and other accomplishments--other lives examined here by Dr. Horenstein, popular lecturer, geologist, and educator emeritus of the American Museum of Natural History.

Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 2:00pm
Irvington Public Library
Main & Astor, across from the Metro-North Hudson Line Station
No reservations necessary.

Landmark Campaign Updates from Greenwich Village

2008-03-12T16:50:00.002-04:00

South Village: A little over a year ago, GVSHP submitted a proposal to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for designation of a South Village Historic District; this proposal culminated more than four years of research and community outreach. In December, we held a Town Hall attended by over 200 people in support of the proposed designation. GVSHP has received across-the-board support for the proposal from local elected officials, community groups, historic preservation organizations, and Italian-American organiztions.

Now the Landmarks Preservation Commission has informed GVSHP that they will begin considering the South Village Historic District proposal by surveying the proposed district west of 6th Avenue for potential designation. This is a critically important first step, and considering that the proposal was submitted only a little over a year ago, it is actually a very speedy response for the LPC. However, since the area is facing so much immediate pressure, and because the LPC has not yet made a commitment regarding the area east of 6th Avenue, GVSHP wrote to the LPC urging them to move ahead with the promised survey as quickly as possible and to begin work on the remainder of the proposed district as soon as possible as well. Special thanks go to State Senator Tom Duane, who also wrote to the LPC with a similar request.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Write to the Landmarks Preservation Commission thanking them for beginning work on the proposed South Village Historic District, but urging them to move ahead with designation of the entire proposed district as soon as possible. CLICK HERE for a sample letter you can use.

Proposed NoHo Historic District Extension: GVSHP has long joined NoHo neighborhood groups, other preservation organizations, and local elected officials in calling for an extension of historic district protections to the remainder of NoHo. The LPC is considering a proposed expansion of the existing NoHo Historic District, and will be holding a hearing on the proposal on Tuesday, March 18, at 9:30. Given the amount of new (and in many cases totally inappropriate) development which has taken place and is planned in NoHo, it is critical that long-overdue landmark designations move ahead as quickly as possible. Information about and pictures of the proposed NoHo Historic District expansion can be accessed through the LPC's website.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Write to the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging them to designate the proposed NoHo Historic District extension right away, but also urging them to include adjacent sites in NoHo which were left out. CLICK HERE for a sample letter you can use.

Come to the hearing on Tuesday, March 18th at 9:30 am at the LPC, One Centre Street (at Chambers Street), 9th floor; show support or (even better) testify at the hearing, using the sample support letter as a basis for your testimony.

Silver Towers Calendared for Landmarking: In late 2003, GVSHP proposed landmark designation of the I.M. Pei-designed Silver Towers complex, with it's "Portrait of Sylvette" sculpture by Picasso in its center. We have since been working hard with the board and residents of 505 LaGuardia Place (one of the three towers in the complex; the other two are NYU faculty housing), Councilmember Alan Gerson and other elected officials, and other preservation organizations to make this landmarking proposal a reality.

After a four-year effort, in February the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to "calendar" the complex for consideration for landmark designation, with a first hearing expected in June. This could not have come a moment too soon, as NYU has recently announced that it is considering building in and around the complex, including on sites which would now be protected by landmark designation (NYU Originally opposed designation, but is now supporting it). The ground-breaking landmark proposal received considerable press attention, including in the New York Times, the New York Sun, The Architect's Newspaper, and The Villager.

Designation Day at LPC on March 18th

2008-03-12T14:49:00.004-04:00

NEW YORK CITY LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008

Research Department

ITEMS TO BE HEARD

LP-2287
Time: 9:30-10:45 A.M.
PROPOSED NOHO HISTORIC DISTRICT EXTENSION, Borough of Manhattan

LP-2297
Time: 10:45 – 11:00 A.M.
(FORMER) AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS CLUBHOUSE,
220 West 57th Street aka 218-222 West 57th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2299
Time: 11:00 – 11:10 A.M.
(FORMER) FIRE ENGINE COMPANY NO. 54,
304 West 47th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2281
Time: 11:10 – 11:45 A.M.
ST, MICHAEL’S CHURCH, PARISH HOUSE AND RECTORY,
201-225 West 99th Street aka 800-812 Amsterdam Avenue and 227 West 99th Street.

ITEMS PROPOSED FOR DESIGNATION

Time: 11:45 – 12:00 p.m.
PROPOSED FISKE TERRACE-MIDWOOD PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT,
Borough of Brooklyn

LP-2274
Time: 12:00 – 12:15 P.M.
CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY, ELIZABETH HOME FOR GIRLS,
307 East 12th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2261
Time: 12:15 – 12:30 P.M.
(FORMER) CONGREGATION BETH HAMEDRASH HAGADOL ANSHE UNGARN, (Great House of Study of the People of Hungary),
242 East 7th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2273
Time: 12:30 – 12:45 P.M.
WEBSTER HALL and ANNEX,
119-125 East 11th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2252
Time: 12:45 – 1:00 P.M.
FREE PUBLIC BATHS OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, EAST 11TH STREET BATH,
538 East 11th Street, aka 538-540 East 11th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2296
Time: 1:00 – 1:15 P.M.
THE ALLERTON 39TH STREET HOUSE,
145 East 39th Street, aka 141-147 East
39th Street, Manhattan.

ITEMS PROPOSED FOR CALENDARING

LP-2302
Time: 2:00 – 2:10 P.M.
PROPOSED WEST CHELSEA HISTORIC DISTRICT,
Borough of Manhattan

LP-2301
Time: 2:10 – 2:20 P.M.
PROPOSED DOUGLASTON HISTORIC DISTRICT EXTENSION,
Borough of Queens

LP-2304
Time: 2:20 – 2:25 P.M.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, GEORGE BRUCE BRANCH,
518 West 125th Street aka 518-520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; 518-520 West 125th
Street, Manhattan.

LP-2305
Time: 2:25 – 2:30 P.M.
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, EAST 125TH STREET BRANCH,
224 East 125th Street aka 224-226 East 125th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2286
Time: 2:30 – 2:35 P.M.
275 MADISON AVENUE BUILDING,
275 Madison Avenue aka 273-277 Madison Avenue; 22-46 East 40th Street, Manhattan.

LP-2294
Time: 2:35 – 2:40 P.M.
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, aka 16-18 Liberty Street, 26-40 Nassau Street, 28-44 Pine Street, 55-77 William Street,Manhattan.

Celebrate Friends of the Upper East Side's 25th Annual Meeting

2008-03-11T18:07:00.002-04:00

FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts
Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony

New York School of Interior Design
170 East 70th Street

Tuesday March 18, 2008
6:00-8:00 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. Seats are available but limited.

A RESTORATION AWARD will be presented to the Central Park Conservancy and their team of conservators for the meticulous and stunning restoration of the Minton tile ceiling in Central Park's Bethesda Terrace Arcade.

A HATS OFF AWARD will be presented by Councilman Daniel Garodnick to the owners and craftsman behind the cornice replacement of 1046 Madison Avenue. A second Hats Off Award will be presented to the owner and architects of 145 East 74th Street for the preservation of the impressive lion studded cornice.

An ADVOCACY AWARD will be presented to Councilwoman Jessica Lappin for her dedication to the landmark designation of City and Suburban Homes Company, First Avenue Estate. In addition, two neighborhood activists will be honored, Joy Kieras and Liz McCracken, who have
fought for the protection of this building for nearly two decades.

A PRESERVING CLASSIC NEW YORK AWARD will be presented to the Café Carlyle for the impressive restoration of the Marcel Vertes murals decorating the walls of this world famous cabaret.

A RESTORATION AWARD will be presented to The Vilcek Foundation for the careful renovation and adaptive re-use of a carriage house at 167 East 73rd Street, an individual New York City landmark.

Help Stop The Power Plant & Save the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway

2008-03-10T15:23:00.002-04:00

From the Community Based Planning Task Force

As many of you know, Brooklyn Community Board 1’s 197-a plans for the Greenpoint and Williamsburg Waterfronts were approved in 2001. The Bushwick Inlet is the centerpiece and historical point-in-common of the Williamsburg and Greenpoint 197-a plans. Both plans call for a continuous waterfront promenade that would culminate at the Inlet, bringing both communities together and linking them to upland neighborhoods, including McCarren Park. This waterfront park would also serve as a piece of the coming Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, linking Brooklyn neighborhoods along the waterfront from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge.

The City’s planned, 28-acre Bushwick Inlet Park has been in jeopardy for the last seven years, because TransGas Energy Co. has plans to construct a 1,100 megawatt power plant on the site. The proposed plant would be the fifth power plant in North Brooklyn, have 325-foot smokestacks, and would spew a total 1,075.32 tons per year of toxic emissions into what is already one of the most environmentally overburdened communities in the United States. What’s more, local groups have shown that this plant is not needed to meet NYC’s energy needs. (See: http://www.stopthepowerplant.org/html/inside_story/energy_quest.php )

On March 20th, the New York State Siting Board is set to convene in Albany to determine the fate of TGE and the fate of the park. Last year 10,000 residents of the Greenpoint and Williamsburg communities signed postcards stating their opposition to the proposed TGE power plant. Now, you can add your voice to the opposition. Two Task Force Groups, Greenpoint Waterfront Association for Parks & Planning (GWAPP) and Neighbors Allied for Good Growth (NAG), as well as the Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn, have created an online petition opposing the power plant and supporting the park. Please take a moment to fill it out online here: http://www.openspacealliancenb.org/form.php.

For more information, please visit: http://www.stopthepowerplant.org.

Extend the Carnegie Hill Historic District!

2008-03-06T10:55:00.003-05:00

There's a new preservation campaign in town, led by the 93rd Street Beautification Association. The group is pushing to extend the Carnegie Hill Historic District one block east, so as to include historic East 93rd Street between Lexington & Third Avenues. Currently endangered by the continuous threat of demolition, this historic block needs immediate protection from further devastation.

Inclusion in the Historic District, the boundary for which is currently just one block shy of this remarkable collection of some of NYC's most important homes, will help protect the unique catalogue of architectural and cultural history, as represented by the distinctive homes on this block, for future generations. The incomparable stories told by the 19th century houses on East 93rd Street are the Rosetta Stone to understanding our particular urban culture and the patterns of development as they unfolded throughout New York City's important history.

Houses in the collection on this block pre-date any of the homes already in the Carnegie Hill Historic District, but for one wood frame house on 92nd Street between Lexington & Park Avenues. These extant houses on East 93rd Street stood on the block before there ever even existed a Lexington Avenue, now famous throughout the world.

In addition to this extraordinary catalogue of NYC's architectural history, and the story it tells regarding the evolution of the Borough's development, the block also features one of the most remarkable cultural treasures in the City's vast collection. Making regular pilgrimages to the block are tourists from all across the globe eager to see the extant childhood home of the world's most Iconic Comic Genuises - the Marx Brothers. Described in loving detail in the critically acclaimed memoir 'Harpo Speaks', the Marx Brothers House is an irreplaceable jewel in the crown of our city's cultural history.

Click here to sign a petition urging the City of New York and the Landmarks Preservation Commission to act with all due speed to protect this historic block from further devastation.

HDC Op Ed on Community-Based Planing

2008-03-05T13:47:00.002-05:00

From Chelsea Now:

Talking Point

City development agenda starts in your backyard
By Simeon Bankoff

New York City’s Zoning Resolution determines the physical height and shape of the city by guiding development. Among the various existing zoning districts, contextual zones have been specifically drafted to produce buildings that are consistent with existing neighborhood character. In an attempt to preserve their quality of life and the scale and character of their neighborhoods, communities throughout New York City, including Chelsea/Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen’s Community Board 4, have worked long and hard to alter their zoning appropriately. Over the past few years, due to the unprecedented development pressure affecting every neighborhood in the city, the Department of City Planning and community groups have worked together to create balanced, contextual zoning on thousands of blocks in all five boroughs.

Numerous other neighborhoods have been working, in some cases for years, to try to gain these protections. Unfortunately, these community-based efforts were recently threatened by a series of Zoning Text amendments proposed by the American Institute of Architects, New York Chapter, a private organization representing 4,200 Manhattan-based design professionals. These proposals sought to undo the hard work of community planners and institute blanket rules that not only allow, but encourage out-of-context development. Fortunately, earlier this month the AIA withdrew its proposal at the behest of the Department of City Planning. It is nevertheless worthwhile to examine the implications of this effort, in order to better understand the process of how development in our neighborhoods can be influenced in our city’s race to the future.

In addition to objecting to specific elements of the proposal, which sought to institute “one size fits all” rules to our varied neighborhoods, the Historic Districts Council was deeply concerned about the way in which these changes were proposed. Typically, a change in the citywide Zoning Text is proposed by City Planning, which then bears the responsibility of presenting the proposal to each of New York’s 59 Community Boards to seek their advice and consent. While this might sound onerous, every community board has a DCP liaison who serves as the voice of the agency in the area, and should be able to easily address area-specific concerns. Often community liaisons, like local police sergeants or local parks managers, are among the most knowledgeable people available about their aspect of community concerns and can even serve as effective advocates for area residents to city government.

However, because these changes were being proposed by a private group, the AIA was responsible for arranging outreach and presentations about them, which resulted in most of the city’s 59 boards not getting a presentation or explanation of this proposal, despite its potential to affect the majority of New York City residents and property owners. Even worse, the first public disclosure of their effort was in late October 2007, which did not allow for the issue to be brought up at community board meetings until December, during the holiday season. In addition to community boards and neighborhood organizations, elected officials were also caught off guard by these amendments and their timetable. Only once public concern began to mount was the initially projected approval date of Jan. 7 revised.

HDC first heard about this proposal in mid-November from one of our neighborhood partners, who we depend on to alert us to their concerns about the physical character of their communities. We quickly spread the word among other partners; singling out constituents who sat on community boards, many of whom were completely unaware of this proposal despite sitting on their board’s zoning or land-use committees. This effort resulted in some boards taking a hard public look at the proposal and others reconsidering the issue after dismissing it as not impacting their community. Indeed, it ended in a positive exercise in community-building when we convened an overflow crowd of concerned citizen activists from all five boroughs, as well as elected officials and their representatives, in the auditorium of the Institute of Classical Architecture to examine the proposal.

HDC presented the proposal and explained its possible effects on our city’s neighborhoods, pointing out the potential impacts it would have on low- and high-scale residential areas by maximizing allowable building bulk at the expense of a community’s light and air. Queens Councilmember Tony Avella, chairperson of the Council’s Zoning Committee, stated strongly that this proposal needed to be stopped in its tracks because of the dangerous precedent it would set for other private groups seeking to take control of the development agenda in New York. Today the architects, tomorrow the builders.

The municipal decision-makers heard our call and responded, and the AIA withdrew the proposal. We applaud this decision and welcome a constructive, inclusive discussion of the Zoning Resolution to better help create the city we all want to live in. There are many real concerns facing New York City in the coming years: an aging infrastructure, the continuing erosion of neighborhood character, a dearth of open space and affordable housing, to name just the most obvious. It falls to all New Yorkers who are concerned about the continued health of our city to get involved, make our voices heard and determine that a future New York that we all want to see comes to pass. This is why the Historic Districts Council is sponsoring a conference at the New School on Sat., March 8 called “Preservation 2030” responding to the Mayor’s plan for the future (see our Website at www.hdc.org for details and to register). If we just stand idly by, these decisions will be made without us and as the saying goes, “if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu”.

Bankoff is executive director of the city’s Historic Districts Council

Help Preserve East 93rd Street, the Onetime Home of the Marx Brothers

2008-03-04T11:19:00.004-05:00

Marx Brothers Place is a community effort to celebrate the creative genius of New York City’s favorites sons; Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Gummo & Zeppo; and to preserve the unique architectural and streetscape appeal of the little New York City block East 93rd Street (off Lexington Avenue) they called home.

Marx Brothers Place is all about making sure that the block the “boys” called home is properly designated to honor the Marx Brothers contribution to our collective cultural history and New York City’s gift to the world. The childhood home of these atomic-comic icons still stands, at 179 East 93rd Street off Lexington Avenue, as an architectural symbol of the comic genius these irrepressible brothers continue to share with the world. And, in turn, out of gratitude, curiosity and deep devotion, the world continues to visit the “boys” making weekly pilgrimages to this classic New York House. Listed in countless European Travel Guides and Walking Tours of New York City, Marx Brothers Place has remained a mecca for devoted fans who come with little more than a camera in one hand and a travelers guide in the other. Their visit to this wonderful house brings joy to both the tourists and the neighborhood which is steeped in pride for their favorite sons. Each visit also brings, yet, one more foreign language we proudly add to the list of welcome visitors.

The fact that after years of silence, Harpo Marx so passionately, and with such great detail, described his cherished childhood home, 179 East 93rd Street, in his highly acclaimed Memoir speaks volumes (see, Harpo Speaks). This block, and its wonderful mix of artists and artisans, had a profound influence on the attitudes and perspectives that shaped the world as seen by the Marx Brothers. Late in life, Groucho himself came home for a visit. Sitting in silence, while soaking up years of memories in his childhood home, he was saying goodbye to the ghosts of his mother and father - both of whom some believe still move about the building. Groucho died shortly after this emotional farewell to his beloved childhood home.

Tell these people how much the Marx Brothers mean to the world. Tell them how much the Marx Brothers mean to you. And tell them how much you love the idea of co-naming the block - Marx Brothers Place!

Click here to sign the petition to Co-Name East 93rd Street ‘Marx Brothers Place’ in honor of the extant childhood home of the Comic Icons.

New Updates from the Landmarks Preservation Commission

2008-02-29T17:01:00.003-05:00

Glass boxes seemed to be the theme for February at the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

On February 5^th a proposal to alter windows and construct a five-story glass rooftop addition on the landmarked Domino Sugar Factory was presented. The pictures are truly worth a thousand words, but if you need words – the addition and its mechanicals are far too massive. In addition to the addition, the size and shape of nearly every window opening was proposed to be changed and more windows added subtly changing the look of the façade (if you are able to tear your eyes away from the roof long enough to look at the façade, that is.) HDC’s testimony questioned had these alterations happened before landmarking, the LPC may have declared it too altered to be considered for designation. The Municipal Arts Society, Williamsburg Greenpoint Preservation Alliance, Society for the Architecture of the City, and Brooklyn’s Community Board 1 amongst others spoke against the addition. Although some commissioners questioned why the addition was essential to enable the affordable housing component of the plan as the applicants claimed and a few began to comment on the size of the addition, the discussion was cut off and will continue at some point in the future (no word when exactly).

A week later, the proposal to add a glass boutique hotel to the Battery Maritime Building, the 1909 Beaux-Arts style ferry terminal that was recently restored, returned to a public meeting. Compared to the plan presented at a Public Hearing in October, this plan included adding replicas of the long-lost spires and setting the addition back a foot or so to accommodate them. Commissioner Roberta Brandes Gratz voted against the addition as she could not justify adding five stories to what is essentially a four-story landmark. Meanwhile, Commissioner Margery Pearlmutter voted against the proposal as she preferred a rooftop addition like that seen in the first proposal that did not act as a backdrop. Despite those two rather opposite opposing votes, the proposal was approved. Since the meeting, it has been announced that there will not be a food market in the terminal’s great hall as had been hoped for and a search for another public use continues. At least we can rest assured there will be a hotel.

Coming up on March 18^th is an all Research Department Day at LPC. We hear that Fiske Terrace-Midwood Park will finally be designated. The neighborhood of free-standing homes in Victorian Flatbush was calendared in September of 2006 and had a very positive public hearing in October of last year. FTMP residents, HDC looks forward to congratulating you in next month’s e-bulletin!

Rumored to be heard on the 18^th is the NoHo Historic District Extension. NoHo is defined roughly as the area between Astor Place and Houston Street and bounded by Mercer Street and the Bowery. About half of the neighborhood was designated as the NoHo Historic District in 1999 and the eastern stretch of Bleecker Street to Bowery was protected in 2003, but this left the rich historic streetscapes of Bond, Great Jones and East Fourth Streets vulnerable to teardowns and inappropriate new construction and a greater NoHo historic District has long been on HDC’s wish list. HDC and others advocated for more inclusive boundaries than what was presented at a community meeting in December, and LPC has now included two more buildings on the north side of East 4^th Street in the proposed district. We continue to ask that soft sites including empty lots and garages on corners and the north side of East 4th Street and along the Bowery. You can send a statement of support for the district to comments@lpc.nyc.gov. For more information on this neighborhood, you can also visit HDC’s Neighborhood at Risk.

While they might be a long shot for calendaring at the 18^th’s meeting, possible historic districts are brewing in West Chelsea, Douglaston Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Alice and Agate Courts.

Rally to Save St. Savior's

2008-02-28T10:49:00.001-05:00

From Christina Wilkinson, Secretary, Juniper Park Civic Association,
cwilkinson@junipercivic.com

For those of you who could not view the attached photo, the rally information may be found here: http://www.junipercivic.com/

RALLY TO PROTEST DESTRUCTION OF ST.SAVIOUR’S
Join Councilman Tony Avella, Juniper Park Civic Association and Newtown Historical Society in calling for the city to stop the destruction and acquire & convert the historic former St. Saviour's Church property into a museum, community center and public park for the people of Maspeth.

DATE: FRIDAY, FEB. 29th
TIME: 8:30AM
PLACE: 58th St.& 57th Rd., Maspeth

Say YES to preservation.
It's our history. Save St. Saviour's!

For more information, call (718) 651-5865 or (718) 747-2137

STOP DESTROYING OUR HERITAGE

Saint Savior's Being Demolished; Salvage Efforts Thwarted

2008-02-27T16:18:00.004-05:00

We have been told by the owners that the heavy machinery will come tomorrow to demolish the building.

HDC tried to arrange a salvage of the historic church bell but when the volunteers who were going to get the bell got to the church, there was no bell to be found.

See our friends at Queens Crap for updates on this unfolding horror-show.

PRESERVATION 2030: HDC's 14th Annual Preservation Conference

2008-02-27T11:24:00.003-05:00

PlaNYC 2030 is a broad initiative put forth by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to enhance New York’s urban environment for the future focusing on sustainable goals for land, air, water, energy and transportation projects. One of the main premises of the plan is that New York City will receive an additional one million residents in the next two decades. Many in the preservation community want to know how the city can accommodate this growth and still retain its historic character.

Using the Mayor’s PlaNYC as a starting point, the Historic Districts Council’s 14th Annual Preservation Conference will focus on preservation and its relation to a broad framework of urban issues and how they relate to New York’s many diverse neighborhoods. The HDC conference will utilize original research, real-life case studies, panel discussions and community tours to talk about preservation and development in the future, especially through the lens of the 2030 Plan and its land use initiatives. A distinguished group of preservationists, planners, elected officials, government agency representatives, architects and educators from across New York City’s five boroughs will address these issues. These panelists are all intimately invested in the development and land use concerns of their communities and will dissect PlaNYC and it’s implications for our city’s future.

The Conference will consist of two free Pre-Conference Lectures, an Opening Night Reception, a series of provocative Panel Discussions, and a selection of Walking Tours in neighborhoods throughout the city.

To register for the conference, click here or call 212-614-9107. Inquiries can also be emailed to kmorith@hdc.org.

The Future of Coney Island

2008-02-27T11:04:00.004-05:00

MCNY's New York Neighborhoods/Development & Preservation:
The Future Of Coney Island

Wednesday, March 19th. 6:30pm

Coney Island, which achieved near-mythic status in the 20th century as the quintessential amusement park and a New York seashore accessible to millions, is today a neighborhood in transition. A coalition of city agencies and the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC) are planning to transform the area into a year-round entertainment complex featuring dozens of new attractions, restaurants, and hotels. Lynn Kelly, President of the CIDC, will present the latest proposal for the area and join a panel discussion moderated by Brad Lander, Director of the Pratt Center for Community Development. Additional panelists include David Gratt, Managing Director, Coney Island USA, Domenic Recchia, representative to the City Council from the 47th District, and Chuck Reichenthal, District Manager of Community Board 13.

Reservations required. $9 for non-members, $5 for Museum members, seniors & students. For reservations and program information: 212-534-1672, ext. 3395.

Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street
http://www.mcny.org/

Funding for Preservation Work - including non-landmark buildings!

2008-02-27T10:48:00.002-05:00

As you may know, the New York Landmarks Conservancy is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and reusing architecturally and historically important buildings in New York City. Much of the Conservancy’s work takes place in low and moderate income neighborhoods, demonstrating over and over again the positive effect of historic preservation on community development and revitalization. Through its Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy has provided millions of dollars in grants and low-interest loans, as well as countless hours of project management and technical assistance, to owners of all types of buildings.

There are funds available in our Neighborhood Preservation Programs to help finance exterior (and interior structural) capital work and related costs on older buildings. The properties need not be designated landmark buildings in all cases, as the funding programs have different guidelines. All of the programs are accompanied by project management assistance to foster landmark quality work and facilitate public approval processes. The Neighborhood Preservation Programs are:

Historic Properties Fund – a revolving loan fund for any type of property or owner. Low interest, collateralized loans for preservation work on buildings that are officially landmarks, within historic districts, or minimally eligible for listing in the State or National Register of Historic Places. (Conservancy staff can help you to obtain this determination from the State Historic Preservation Office; it involves little further public regulation or compliance cost.) Loans range from $20,000 to approximately $300,000 per project.

City Ventures Fund – a grant program for nonprofit owners/developers of properties that serve lower income people. Although there is a priority for projects that provide affordable and special needs housing, properties that provide services to lower income people, such as employment training, socials services, and other educational purposes, are also eligible for funding. Capital grants of up to $30,000 are available for preservation work on older buildings that generally do not have any landmark status but have good architectural quality and integrity; consulting grants of up to $10,000 are available for professional services.

Emergency Preservation Grants – capitalized by The New York Community Trust, a grant program for nonprofit owners of historic properties for emergency repair work. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for immediate work that addresses public safety, water penetration, or other issues that threaten the preservation of the property.

In addition to the Neighborhood Preservation Programs, the Conservancy also provides city and statewide matching grants specifically for houses of worship. Our website at www.nylandmarks.org provides more information on all of our programs.

Please any of the people listed below to see if your project may be eligible for one of our programs.

Karen Ansis, Fund Manager New York Landmarks Conservancy
karenansis@nylandmarks.org
One Whitehall Street, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10004
Telephone: 212-995-5260
Fax: 212-995-5268

Program Coordinators:

Andrea Goldwyn:
andreagoldwyn@nylandmarks.org

Jim Mahoney:
jamesmahoney@nylandmarks.org

www.nylandmarks.org

Preview of East Village Rezoning

2008-02-27T10:38:00.001-05:00

From Rob Hollander, LES Residents for Responsible Development
http://savethelowereastside.blogspot.com/

City Planning has issued its statement of final intent for rezoning the East Village and Lower East Side ("Final Scope of Work").

The good news is: it's not final. They will continue to consider alternatives as they study the area for their final rezoning proposal. So it is possible to influence the final plan, though time is short.

Also good news:
1. the study will cover a quarter mile around the rezoning area, so all of the Bowery to Pell Street and a large part of Chinatown will be studied
2. the rezoning will end most hotel development south of Houston between Essex and Allen
3. EV sidestreets will remain, in effect, unchanged
4. the end of the Community Facility bonus will protect larger sites like Mary Help of Christians and P.S. 64 from being developed into towering dormitories. Both sites will be limited to eight stories, though Mary's, on the avenue, will be allowed greater bulk
5. underbuilt tenements on 4th-7th Streets between A&B will be protected.

There's bad news too.

A.
Developers will be allowed to build larger buildings on 1st and 2nd Avenues and Avenue A if they develop or recycle affordable housing anywhere in the district or within a half mile of the district.

So the three, four and five story townhouses and tenements from the 1840's through the Civil War which line 1st Avenue and Avenue A, filled with long-term tenants paying truly affordable rents, will be vulnerable to demolition and redevelopment into seven- or eight-story buildings. To get the bonus size, the developer has merely to promise to rent some apartments somewhere at stabilized rates forever.

There appears to be no meaningful oversight for this permanent off-site stabilization, so, in effect, anything goes. And affordable housing bonuses are bought and sold -- according to HPD it's quite a market -- so developers will be getting their height bonus for free and without contributing any affordable housing to our community.

This sad excuse for an affordable housing program is called "Inclusionary Zoning," widely known as "yet another scam."

Since many stabilized rents have already risen to market rate, developers will feel no pain. However, this plan will add to the pressure to evict tenants and warehouse empty apartments. Currently, large buildings can be developed only on multiple lots. This seems to have protected the avenues from development in recent years. Under the rezoning, larger buildings could be built as-of-right on single lots, facilitating the spread of development at every level, even among smaller owners.

B.
The rezoning plan will protect the Lower East Side from Allen to Essex from new hotel development, but it will allow large developments on Houston, Chrystie, Delancey, Pitt (forming a wall surrounding the LES south of Houston) and on Avenue D. This wall of market-rate luxury development will exacerbate the up-scaling of the LES as a nightlife and tourist destination and the decline of its day-time, residential and arts community.

C.
Upzoning D will threaten the projects, bringing up-scale development and gentrification, adding to the pressure to move the projects out of subsidy and into the market.

D.
The rezoning itself does not include the Bowery or Chinatown, so we can expect that hotel developers, prevented by the rezoning from developing in the LES, will turn all their attention to the Bowery and Chinatown.

E.
In addition, City Planning is changing the zoning text so that residential storefronts in all the planned residential zones can be reverted to commercial use, no matter how long they have been out of commercial use. In plain English: more bars encouraged.

For the intrepid, here are the technical details:

The sidestreets of the EV: FAR 4 (about the size of a six story tenement) -- R7A

The large avenues of the EV (2nd,1st,A): IZ bonus to FAR 4.6 (seven stories) -- R8B

The LES south of Houston: FAR 4 (six stories) -- C4-4A&R7A

EXCEPT
Houston, Delancey, Chrystie, D and parts of Pitt: IZ bonus to FAR 7.2 (with required setbacks this maxes out at 12 stories) -- C6-2A

AND
City Planning is considering an alternative which would allow IZ up to FAR 8.5 (maxing out at 15 stories). So far this alternative is only being considered for Chrystie Street, but their language is vague and evasively non specific.

The plan downzones 7th - 4th Streets between A&B from FAR 3.44 to 3.

Finally, the city will add R8B zones to those zones in which commercial storefronts are deemed perpetually available for commercial use, no matter how long they have been used as residences.

Free Upcoming Event! Preserving Historic Religious Structures

2008-02-26T17:55:00.005-05:00

Preserving Religious Structures
with Ann-Isabel Friedman

Director, Sacred Sites Program
New York Landmarks Conservancy

Monday, March 3rd, 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Neighborhood Preservation Center
232 East 11th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, Manhattan

As part of our Neighborhood Partners Program, HDC is pleased to announce our new Monday Morning Coffee Talks, a free monthly discussion series that examines some of the most common questions asked by community preservationists. Join us on the first Monday of every month as we sit down with professional practitioners and community activists to discuss the tactics, techniques and strategies for preserving our historic buildings and neighborhoods. Bring your questions and prepare to engage in this informal setting with some of the city’s most respected preservation advocates. And of course, coffee will be served.
Join Ann-Isabel Friedman, director of the Sacred Sites Program at The New York Landmarks Conservancy, as she discusses development pressure and other threats to historic New York City religious properties and the preservation tools the Sacred Sites Program promotes, from shared use models to financial assistance for restoration. Because the accelerating loss of older religious buildings – often the most architecturally distinguished buildings on any given city block – will diminish the character of every neighborhood, Ms. Friedman will also discuss the Conservancy’s ongoing call for the establishment of a Mayoral/City Council Commission to address the problem and the Conservancy’s efforts to survey historic churches and synagogues throughout the city. She will also discuss the perspectives and opinions often held by religious authorities on the subject of preservation.

These events are FREE to the public, though space is limited. Reservations are required. For more information on this series or on becoming a Neighborhood Partner, please contact Lauren Belfer, HDC’s Community Coordinator, at (212) 614-9107 or lbelfer@hdc.org.

HDC Releases 2007 Conference Summary & Evaluation

2008-02-26T16:43:00.004-05:00

Just in time for this year’s Preservation Conference, Preservation 2030, HDC is pleased to announce the release of an official summary and evaluation of the 2007 conference, “Preserving the Past, Planning for the Future.”

The topics covered at last year’s event linked preservation to a host of other urban planning principles and new, progressive trends in sustainable design. This year’s lineup will likewise address new ideas and resources for community preservation, using the Mayor’s PlaNYC 2030 as a starting point. We hope that you will join us this year as we move the conversation forward, examining preservation and its importance to the future of our city.

Click here to view the entire document and click here to register for this year’s conference event, Preservation 2030.

Celebrate the Destruction of Historic NoHo! Oh wait, that's not it...

2008-02-26T15:24:00.003-05:00

Bond Street Reborn, hosted by the Skyscraper Museum

March 6, 2008 6:30 PM
NYPL Donnell Library Auditorium
20 West 53rd St. between 5th and 6th
Free for Skyscraper Museum members
$5 Students and Seniors; $10 Regular Admission
1.5 AIA CEU credit available

To register, visit www.skyscraper.org/reny

Seemingly overnight, a quiet strip of Bond Street between Lafayette and the Bowery has become one of the most interesting blocks of new architecture in New York. Three high-style residential developments, 25, 40, and 48 Bond Street offer diverging essays in homage to the cast-iron commercial storefronts and nineteenth-century row houses. At the edge of the Noho historic district, these innovative projects press the boundaries of contextualism and play with the mix of old and new. A distinguished panel of the architects and developers behind these cutting-edge buildings will present their projects and give an insider’s account of the transformation of Bond Street. Tony Goldman, one of the first developers of Soho and Miami Beach, will introduce his new project, 25 Bond, and George Schieferdecker and Stephen F Byrns of BKSK Architects will discuss their design for the residence. Farther east, developers Romy Goldman, Donald Capoccia and their architect Deborah Berke will discuss 48 Bond’s modern interpretation of the vernacular loft. Justin Davidson, critic for New York Magazine, will moderate the panel’s discussion of development, design, historical influences and the rebirth of a block and a neighborhood.

Bond Street Reborn is the second event in The Skyscraper Museum’s Winter/Spring lecture series, Re:NYRecycle, Retrofit, Reinvent the City.

Recognizing the need for a great majority of New York’s buildings to be modernized, but not replaced, the Museum will examine “greening” the city by spotlighting a range of innovative projects that feature landmark preservation, adaptive re-use, reinvented industrial sites, and sustainable development. Each of the five programs will feature a spectrum of professionals, including architects, engineers, community advocates, academics, and developers. The series will connect leading innovators in sustainable strategies to a diverse audience of community members, educators, and policy makers.

Queens Civic Hosts Panel on Preservation

2008-02-26T11:30:00.003-05:00

From amNY.com

Groups working to save Queens buildings from wrecking ball
By David Freedlander

February 26, 2008

It's too late for the 19th-century parsonage at St. Saviour's Episcopal Church -- it was leveled in December -- and Long Island City's Hackett Building, a Flatiron-like structure that was built in 1884, that was torn down last year to make room for condos.

Before any more of Queens' history disappears, a group of activists and preservationists is organizing to save what's left.

The Queens Civic Congress, an umbrella organization of more than 100 civic groups, will host a workshop tonight in Glendale to build interest in landmarking in a borough whose protected sites number less than 20 percent of Manhattan's.

"We need to get the landmarks commission to pay the same attention to Queens that they pay elsewhere," said Corey Bearak, president of the organization. "We have a history that goes way back and we have places that merit protection before the wrecking ball comes. If we were our own city we would have that kind of attention for our historic structures."

After a funding infusion from the City Council during the past two years, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has made a greater effort to protect sites in the outer boroughs after what many feel has been decades of neglect.

See the photo gallery at Preserving Queens' past

And come to the meeting tonight

Queens Civic Congress Historic Preservation and Landmarks Workshop
Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Atlas Park Community Room, The Shops at Atlas Park, 80-00 Cooper Avenue, Glendale

Speakers: Hon. Jessica Lappin (Chair, City Council Landmarks Subcommittee); Simeon Bankoff (Executive Director, Historic District Council); Herb Reynolds (Sunnyside Gardens Preservation Alliance); Kevin Wolfe (architect & Preservationist, The Douglaston & Little Neck Historical Society); Frank Emile Sanchis (Senior Vice President, Municipal Arts Society)
Moderated by James Trent, President, Metropolitan Historic Structures Association

Limited seating; Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Free on-site parking courtesy of the Queens Civic Congress Foundation to all pre-registrants.
RSVP and for parking info call (718) 343-6779 or (718) 275-9771

St. Savior's Featured in Preservation Magazine

2008-02-21T15:58:00.003-05:00

Awaiting a demolition permit, Maspeth Development LLC has cleared the site, including 160-year-old trees and an 1849 parsonage. (Robert Holden)

Rolling hills and foliage don't exactly come to mind when one thinks of New York City, but green spaces do exist in the Big Apple. Case in point: St. Saviour's Church in Maspeth, Queens. Some call the 1.5-acre area on which the church is located "a bit of country in the city." However, St. Saviour's is now under the threat of demolition by developers Maspeth Development LLC.

Yesterday a grassroots group announced it has found a site on a nearby churchyard for St. Saviour's. "We're at the 11th hour," says Robert Holden, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, which sued Maspeth in 2006 to delay demolition. "It's a miracle it's still standing because they filed a demolition permit two years ago."

Built in 1847 by architect Richard Upjohn, St. Saviour's Church is a wooden structure that some call "Carpenter Gothic."

In 1997, a Korean Methodist Church bought St. Saviour's and in 2005 later sold it to Maspeth Development. In spring of 2006, the developer announced plans to destroy the building and build 70 new residences on the site, to the outrage of preservationists and Maspeth citizens who are rallying to nominate the building as a landmark. However, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission recently deemed the church ineligible for landmark status due to extensive repairs made after an accidental fire in the 1970s.

"The church is altered beyond recognition," says Elisabeth de Bourbon, commission spokeswoman. "We first evaluated the building in 1995 and then in 2001, and the commission determined on both of those occasions that the building does not meet criteria for designation as an individual New York City landmark; the original fabric was highly altered. We visited the site again in May 2006, and our staff of very qualified researchers and historians all agreed that it still did not meet our criteria."

Some city activists criticize the commission's decision. "The alteration phrase is a hoax," writes Michael Perlman, chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council, in an e-mail. "In St. Saviour's case, it has not been altered beyond recognition,' as the [commission] often states, while playing favoritism. Some buildings have been landmarked in Manhattan with greater alterations at designation time, and some of have been entirely rebuilt and designated, not containing any of their original fabric.' This is a double standard." cil, in an e-mail. "In St. Saviour's case, it has not been altered beyond recognition,' as the [commission] often states, while playing favoritism. Some buildings have been landmarked in Manhattan with greater alterations at designation time, and some of have been entirely rebuilt and designated, not containing any of their original fabric.' This is a double standard."

Click here to view the original article.

Come Support the Legal Challenge Against the Trump SoHo "Condo-Hotel" at the BSA

2008-02-21T15:17:00.004-05:00

From the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation:

Wednesday, February 27th
10:00am
NYC Board of Standards and Appeals
40 Rector Street, 6th Floor, Room E
between Washington & West Streets

The first hearing of the legal challenge against the city's approval of the Trump SoHo 'Condo-Hotel," now under construction at Spring and Varick Streets, will take place on Wednesday, February 27th at 10am. This is a critically important hearing, and your attendance and support are crucial at this point.

While the City has done everything in its power to stall this challenge, filed by our friends at the SoHo Alliance, it is now finally getting its day in court. As you know, GVSHP, the SoHo Alliance, and a host of organizations from across the city have fought this project from the very beginning, contending that the ‘condo-hotel’ use violates zoning restrictions for this and other neighborhoods (unfortunately the size and height of the building are legal under the current zoning – a situation we are also trying to change, through separate means).

Success in this legal challenge has the potential not only to affect this project, but to prevent similar projects from getting built in areas with similar zoning. This is the first ‘condo-hotel’ the city has ever allowed in zoning districts that prohibit residences or residential hotels, and so allowing the project to go forward – or stopping it – will set a far-reaching precedent. Areas with similar zoning that will be affected by the outcome of this case include the Far West Village below Morton Street, the Meatpacking District, and much of Hudson Square, SoHo, NoHo, Tribeca, the Flatiron, West Chelsea, western Hell’s Kitchen, and areas of Brooklyn and Queens (click for more info).

Here’s what you can do to support this effort and FIGHT THE TRUMP PROJECT:

Send a letter to the BSA supporting the appeal and urging that the city's approval of the Trump project be overturned -- go to www.gvshp.org/trumplet.htm for a sample letter you can use.
Come to the hearing on the 27^th at 10 am to show support, and use the enclosed letter at www.gvshp.org/trumplet.htm as the basis for your own testimony at the hearing on the 27th. Bring 10 copies with you to submit, and limit your testimony to three minutes (the maximum allowed).
Spread the word! Pass this along to friends and neighbors, or post in your building

Please try to stick to the talking points in the sample letter; raising other issues (such as traffic, height of the building, construction safety, etc.), which are not under the jurisdiction of the BSA, will not help the cause.

To find out the latest news or more information about the Trump fight, go to www.gvshp.org/trump.htm, or call GVSHP at 212/475-9585.

Hope for St. Saviour's?

2008-02-11T11:49:00.001-05:00

ALL FAITHS CEMETERY SAYS, “WE’LL TAKE ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH”

All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village has stepped up to the plate in the battle to save neighboring Maspeth’s historic St. Saviour’s Church. They have agreed to receive the building as long as funds are raised for the move. The Juniper Park Civic Association has been trying to save the Gothic wooden structure, designed in 1847 by master architect, Richard Upjohn and founded by town pioneers, including James Maurice, a U.S. Congressman, since early 2006.

“At this point, saving the land is still questionable, but we certainly can save the building right now with the million dollars that was set aside for its acquisition, and we are grateful to Dan Austin and All Faiths Cemetery for agreeing to host the church,” said Robert Holden, President of Juniper Park Civic Association.

Tony Nunziato, Chair of the Maspeth-Middle Village Task Force said, “Since Councilman Dennis Gallagher secured $1 million last year for the purpose of saving St. Saviour’s, this money can be used toward the cost of moving the church.” He added, “I am sure this development company would be happy to have the building taken off of their hands.”

Dan Austin, Sr., President of All Faiths said, “These folks have worked extremely hard to keep this place standing for so long, and we would be honored to have such an historic building on our property.”

Christina Wilkinson, Chair of JPCA’s Committee to Save St. Saviour’s is relieved that the offer was made. “At this point, the church is in imminent peril and we need to get it out of harm’s way right now,” she said. On January 22, an expediting service notified property owners in the
vicinity that there was a plan to demolish the church building in “5+ days”. However, it remains standing. “This church has been waiting for a miracle to save it for 2 years, and it looks like it may finally have found one,” Wilkinson stated.

The civic association is currently obtaining estimates for the move and reaching out to Maspeth Development to work out the details. It should be noted that several historic Queens structures have been successfully relocated and renovated, including the Latimer House and Kingsland
Homestead in Flushing.

Juniper Park Civic Association: http://www.junipercivic.com
All Faiths Cemetery: http://www.allfaithscemetery.org/home.htm
Why Richard Upjohn Wanted to Build a Country Church in Maspeth:
http://www.junipercivic.com/HistoryArticle.asp?nid=8
Biography of James Maurice:
http://www.junipercivic.com/HistoryArticle.asp?nid=9
Gallagher's million dollar promise:
http://www.queensledger.com/StoryDisplay.asp?PID=1&NewsStoryID=6084
Demolition notice:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_kulnm8Gjhh8/R5f6WRiuDNI/AAAAAAAAFRI/LTAZaON4Tpc/s1600-h/demonotice+001.jpg
Maspeth Development, LLC's website: http://kdhllc.com
Latimer House: http://www.historichousetrust.org/item.php?i_id=39
Kingsland Homestead:
http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_divisions/historic_houses/hh_kingsland_homestead.html

Rally to Save the Green Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn!

2008-02-11T11:27:00.000-05:00

Join the Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church from Demolition!

RALLY on Saturday, February 16th, 10 am
Meet at the corners of Ovington & Fourth Avenues

Did you know that the parsonage, the first row house on Ovington Avenue,is scheduled to be demolished too?
Did you know that a documented slum lord is the developer?
Fight to protect the neighbors who share a common wall with the parsonage as well as all the neighbors on this block of attached homes which may be compromised by destroying the end house.
Fight to force the developers to find an adaptive reuse of the existing buildings.

Destruction is not the only answer!

For further information:
Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church
718-748-5950
Box 57 • 6904 Colonial Road
Brooklyn, NY 11209
SaveTheGreenChurch@yahoo.com

St. Savior's Needs Your Help!

2008-02-07T16:43:00.000-05:00

We previously reported on the ongoing struggles over of St. Savior's in Maspeth, Queens, and released a statement urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to hold a public hearing on the site's historic merits. As this remarkable historic structure faces the threat of immediate demolition, voicing your support of its designation is imperative. Please submit letters in favor of landmarking St. Savior's Church to Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Robert Tierney and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. A sample letter that you may cut-and-paste has been provided below.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

February 2007

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Commissioner Robert Tierney
Chair, Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg and Chairman Tierney,

I am writing to urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission to calendar a hearing to consider St. Savior’s Church in Maspeth, Queens for designation as a New York City individual landmark. This distinctive local icon and community anchor has been under threat of demolition since being sold to Maspeth Development in 2005. Despite sustained public outcry and seemingly obvious merit, this 1847 church remains unconsidered by the full Landmarks Preservation Commission. Now, with the threat of this historic structure’s demolition looming, the time has come for the City to act to save this important landmark before it is torn down and lost forever.

St. Savior’s was designed and built beginning in 1847 by Richard Upjohn (1802-1878). Among his surviving New York City works are designated landmarks such as Trinity Church and Church of the Ascension in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Church of the Pilgrims, Grace Church and the gates of Green-Wood Cemetery. The church was founded by prominent local pioneers, including U.S. Congressman James Maurice and the son-in-law of Dewitt Clinton, Judge David S. Jones. Its architectural importance is increased by being a rare New York City survivor of a once popular building type, a wooden village church.

That the LPC has refused to even consider scheduling a Public Hearing for St. Savior’s, regardless of its outcome, points to a failure of the City to follow its mandated responsibility of surveying, identifying and protecting New York’s historic buildings. Requests to consider St. Savior’s as a landmark have been rebuffed by the Landmarks Commission on the basis of the apparent condition of the building’s integrity. Despite a detailed report by a professional building conservation firm stating that St. Savior’s still possesses sufficient historic integrity and significance to warrant a fair consideration by Landmarks, the property still has not been brought forward for consideration. New York City’s historic buildings and the Landmarks process deserve fairer treatment than this.

Over the past few years, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has stepped in several times at the 11th hour to save buildings from demolition. Wood-framed 19th-century buildings such as the Elwell House in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, and the Richardson House in Arrochar, Staten Island, are only still standing because of the courageous and principled stance of the LPC in bringing these structures forward for consideration despite (in one case) a pending demolition permit. Like those buildings, there is almost a unanimity of community, scholarly and political support for the designation of St. Savior’s.

It is true that consideration and even a hearing by the LPC is not a guarantee of preservation, but the integrity of the process and the agency were strengthened by these actions. Evidence should be openly submitted by both sides, people’s opinions should be heard, and the Commission’s decisions and reasonings should be made public.

Again I urge you allow a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider St. Savior’s Church in Maspeth, Queens, as a potential New York City landmark. This important historic site is about to be torn down and so far, the public and this historic church has been denied its “day in court”.

Sincerely,

Your Name Here!
Address

Now It's Your Turn: Oppose the Proposed AIA Zoning Text Amendments

2008-02-06T16:05:00.000-05:00

As you may have heard by this point, the American Institute of Architects, NYC Chapter (AIA) is proposing a series of blanket zoning text changes to amend contextual zoning in all five boroughs. Contextual zones have been embraced across New York City as means for communities to protect the scale and character of their neighborhoods by guiding development to be in context with existing buildings. Contextual zones have been instituted in hundreds of blocks across the city, often after long, community-based struggles against inappropriate development. If adopted, the AIA's proposed amendments will undo the hard work that's gone into these campaigns and will not only allow, but encourage out-of-context development. And beyond these tangible, negative effects, the way in which the proposal has been brought forward is flawed and seeks to circumvent the public review process which allows communities to have a voice in guiding development in their own neighborhoods.

Last week HDC released its official response in opposition to the proposed AIA zoning text amendments. Now is the time for the public to weigh in and voice its opposition to these proposals. It is crucial that concerned citizens make their opinions known. This can be easily done in just a few moments by sending letters urging your local representatives and the Department of City Planning to reject this proposal. A sample letter has been provided below.

These sample letters should be send to
-your local Council Member
-City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
-your Community Board
-Hon. Amanda Burden, chair, NYC Dept. of City Planning

Because this is a citywide text amendment, this proposal is not going through the usual ULURP process and has a flexible time table. At this point, it is tentatively scheduled to be heard before the City Planning Commission on February 27, meaning that there is little time left to speak out. Please send your letters as soon as possible to ensure that this flawed proposal is sufficiently addressed and responded to.

For more background on the proposed amendments, visit the AIA's official website here.
_________________________________________________

Dear Council Member/Community Board/Hon. Amanda Burden,

As you may know, the American Institute of Architects/NYC (AIA) chapter has recently proposed a series of amendments to the Zoning Resolution. I am writing to urge you to reject this proposal.

Over the past few years, numerous neighborhoods throughout New York have worked long and hard on campaigns to protect their quality of life and preserve the scale of their neighborhoods by pursuing zoning changes. Thanks to community activism and response from the Department of City Planning, thousands of blocks across the city have been rezoned in order to encourage development that is more appropriate for their existing neighborhoods. Thousands more will hopefully be rezoned soon. If approved, the AIA’s proposal will undo all this hard work, not only allowing, but encouraging out-of-context development.

In addition to the many negative effects that would result should the proposal be approved, the way in which these amendments have been brought forward is flawed and seeks to circumvent the public review process which allows communities to have a voice in guiding development in their own neighborhoods. These amendments, which affect the majority of New York City residents and property owners, have largely gone without review at the majority of New York City’s 59 community boards and are now scheduled for consideration of adoption by the City Planning Commission. Some community boards were confused by the ambiguity of the proposal and chose not to review them fully. This confusion was only increased by the fact that this proposal is being forwarded by the AIA, a private organization which represents 4,000 professionals, and not the Department of City Planning, therefore not requiring a full explanation by City Planning as to the effects of this proposal on development in the City. Frankly, a private institution should not be given leeway to amend citywide zoning and help determine the development agenda for the city. If the Department of City Planning feels that this is a worthwhile proposal then the agency should bring it forward for consideration. Real estate pressures are extreme enough in New York without privatizing zoning.

Regardless of possible merits of any aspects of the proposals, I believe that the process by which they have been proposed is flawed in the extreme and runs counter to every approved framework of community-based planning. In the best possible scenario, this proposal would be withdrawn and the City Planning Commission would embark on a proper study of these amendments, which, if deemed desirable, could be introduced individually by the agency to all of its community partners. Anything less would be a betrayal of New Yorkers’ faith in our Planning Commission and an enormous and unnecessary concession to those who wish to spur development at any cost to the welfare and continued health of our city.

With regard to the specifics of the proposed amendments, it is important to note that while none of these amendments increase allowable Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.), they aim to maximize buildable F.A.R. by modifying and increasing the allowable building envelopes. In practice, this may result in larger buildings than what would otherwise be built on the same lots. This also results in increased development pressure on existing buildings, many of which are currently “under-built” for their zones if all restrictions other than buildable F.A.R. are loosened.

Proposal 1: Full Lot Coverage on Small Corner Lots in R6-R10

Current zoning for residential zones R6-R10 allows for a maximum lot coverage of 80% on corner lots. This proposal would allow full 100% on lots less than 5,000 square feet. While this could potentially reduce the height of some new structures, it would in return decrease open space at the street level, The resultant ceaseless solidity of the street wall has the potential to become over-bearing, especially when it leads to an extended commercial presence turning the corner from the avenue onto residential side streets, a pattern which is typical in many high-density rowhouse areas. In addition, this proposal could also have the unintended consequence of blocking side windows in adjacent buildings not presently blocked because of the set back.

Proposal 2. Allow Multi-family buildings on Small Lots in R6-R10

Current zoning regulations state that on building lots less than 18 feet wide or smaller than 1,700 square feet in R6-R10 zones, only a one- or two-family unit can be built. The proposed amendment seeks to change that so that the density regulations would determine the number of dwelling units, not exceeding an R8B envelope (a maximum of 75 feet).

This change has the potential to be extraordinarily detrimental to buildings and streetscapes throughout the city. While the typical New York building lot is 20 feet wide, it is not uncommon in older neighborhoods or areas with irregular street patterns to have existing buildings on smaller lots. While there are some multi-family buildings on small lots, these are the exceptions. If multi-unit buildings were allowed as-of-right on smaller lots, there would be a large incentive to demolish the existing buildings and replace them with new, larger buildings. In addition to the potential damage to the city’s historic fabric, this scenario would cause displacement of current residents and is a back-door allowing the proliferation of uncharacteristically tall “sliver” buildings.

Proposal 3. Allow Dormer on Rear setbacks in R6-R10

Currently, “dormers” are allowed in R6-R10 zones only on front setbacks. The amendment would permit “dormers “ on rear setbacks. One specific problem with this proposal is the meaning of “dormer”, which is not defined under the building code. As it stands, this proposal would allow potentially massive incursions into the rear sky exposure plane, further cluttering the already miniscule backyards of apartment rows and diminishing the light and air of valuable garden cores. In addition, by raising the rear profile, these new dormers could block existing lot line windows in adjacent buildings and throw rear balconies into shadow.

Proposal 4. Increase Maximum Base Height in R6-R10

Currently, base heights for new construction are determined by zoning. In the contextual zones, maximum base height is mandated. The proposed amendment would allow a base height to be increased by up to 25% to match that of neighboring buildings. On many blocks, there are buildings which pre-date the current zoning and are taller than what is currently allowed. By matching new construction to the highest example available, a situation could evolve where the new predominant base height on a block was 25% higher than allowed by zoning, transforming whole streets into dark canyons of shadow. This domino effect would be devastating to our city’s streetscapes.

Proposal 5. Allow Bigger Building Bulkheads

Present zoning limits the surface area of rooftop structures, such as bulkheads, to four times the street wall width. The proposed would double the allowed surface area if the structure is set back 20 feet from a wide street or 25 feet from a narrow street. These larger structures would have an adverse effect on issues of light and air as well as visual clutter from the shared garden core. Under these new guidelines, a proliferation of multi-story towers could sprout from the tops of buildings. This would serve to mainly benefit building owners, freeing up valuable usable interior space for rentals and other profit-making uses rather than the mechanical needs of the buildings’ residents.

Proposal 6. Waive Side Yards Requirements in R3-1, R3-2, R4 and R5 (non-contextual)

In R3-1, R3-2, R4 and R5 zones, side yards are presently required unless the adjacent building is located on the side lot line. The proposed amendments would allow for a special permit from the Board of Standards & Appeals to waive this requirement if the adjacent lots are vacant. While this would require a permit from another agency, it would regularize the process, thereby making it easier to get this variance.

This measure could encourage tear downs of existing buildings to create a situation for increased lot coverage. Subsequent buildings adjoining the new, full-lot building would be free from side yard requirements, and the result would be a continuous street wall in a zone intended to encourage semi-detached and detached houses. This would include a loss of vistas, diminished architectural diversity, loss of neighborhood character, minimal landscaping and inappropriately high density. Finally, this proposal seems in direct opposition to the recent proposed zoning amendments mandating increased yards in some residential areas, which was promulgated to increase healthful open space.

As a New Yorker who cares about our city’s neighborhoods, I urge you to reject this proposal in its entirety.

Sincerely,

(Your Name Here)

Playing with Dominos

2008-02-06T09:59:00.000-05:00

So at the Landmarks Preservation Commission yesterday, a number of people spoke in deep support of the 5 story addiiton to the landmarked Domino building, saying that without this glass accretion, the affordable housing component of the plan would not go forward.

Let's look at the numbers.

Community Preservation Corporation is intending to build 2,200 units of housing, 30% of which are to be "affordable" (whatever that means...), so approximately 1,500 units will be market rate. Let's say that the recession hits with a vengeance and the unit price drops to $500,000 per unit. $500,000 X 1,500 = $750 million dollars. That's supposing that CPC will be giving away the 700 "affordable" units for free; in truth, there are substantial tax credits and subsidies for those apartments.

$750 million dollars.

Now, in reality, those units are going to be sold for something more like $1,000,000 each (1,500 x $1,000,000 = $1.5 Billion dollars), there is going to be retail space incorporated into the project and you can bet it's going to be big box retail at least partially, since the enormous floor plates + the rent will not be feasible for local small businesses and people living in $1,000,000 high rise waterfront apartments are probably going to want a certain level of consumer goods.

Now, this is all going to take money to build, that's obvious....but when CPC spent $55 million to buy the land....well, in investment circles, that's called putting 7% down. That's 7% considering a return of an incredibly conservative $800 million profit. Make that a $1.5 Billion Dollar profit and you get 3.5% down.

Therefore, could someone please tell us why:

1. They NEED to put that inappropriate glass thing on top of a landmark building

2. They NEED to utterly destroy the windows of a landmark building, and

3. They CAN'T save the sign.

because the financial argument just doesn't make sense.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HDC's Statement on Domino

Item 28
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
BOROUGH OF Brooklyn
084774- Block 2414, lot 1-

292-314 Kent Avenue - Individual Landmark Historic District

Three American round-arch style industrial buildings, designed by Theodore A. Havemeyer and others and built in 1881-1884. Application is to construct rooftop and rear additions, modify and create masonry openings; and install bulkheads, mechanical equipment, windows, ground floor infill, signage, a canopy and awnings.

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the application now before the Commission.

While there are many things we could comment on, such as the loss of the other structures in the historic complex or the lack of illustrations showing the altered landmark in context surrounded by towers as planned, HDC will cut to the chase.

If the proposed came to you as an application for an individual landmark - a building overwhelmed by five glass floors and enormous boxes of mechanicals on top, a building whose fenestration has been completely altered due to new masonry openings and window modifications, a building whose windows had lost all their historic varying details, their lintels, their sills and were now aluminum instead of wood, a building with strange geometric bays, incongruous with the round-arched style factory, jutting out of it – would this highly altered, differently detailed, differently massed building be designated? If these changes would make the building barely recognizable and unworthy of landmarking (we have seen buildings less dramatically altered rejected by the Commission or refused any Public Hearing at all), then these alterations are not appropriate for an individual landmark that is designated.

HDC strongly urges you to reject this application and instead guide a suitable restoration for the landmarked Domino Sugar Refinery.

Free History Lecture: People v. Boyd, the Murder Trial that Nearly Redrew the Map of NYC

2008-02-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

You are invited to attend a free illustrated lecture

PEOPLE V. BOYD, THE MURDER TRIAL THAT NEARLY REDREW THE MAP OF NEW YORK CITY

by Michael Miscione, the Manhattan Borough Historian.

Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30pm
Mid-Manhattan Library*
455 Fifth Avenue
(212) 340-0849
No Reservations required. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

In 1984, an otherwise unremarkable murder case generated a startling legal decision that threw the long-standing boundary of New York County into question. The ruling, which threatened to wreak havoc with New York City's criminal justice and electoral systems, sent state legislators scrambling and reignited an age-old border dispute between Manhattan and the Bronx.

Michael Miscione, the Manhattan Borough Historian, will describe the history of the disputed area and recount this little-known trial using vintage photographs and videotaped interviews of several of the principal players in the story. Mr. Miscione has lectured often about the creation of today's five-borough city.

More information: http://www.nypl.org/events/breventsdetail.cfm?EventID=59423.733092

* Not the one with the lions out front! The Mid-Manhattan library is on the south-east corner of 40th Street, on Fifth Avenue.

Campaign to Landmark Townhouses at 272, 274, 274 & 278 West 86th Street

2008-02-04T16:22:00.000-05:00

HDC recently received this petition from a Friend of HDC and member of the West End Avenue Preservation Society (WEPS). To voice your support for their efforts, please send the sample letter below (filing in your own contact information, of course) to LPC Chairman Robert Tierney. Click here to send him an email and here to sign the online petition. Hard copies of letters may also be sent to:

Commissioner Robert Tierney, Chair
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9^th floor
New York, NY 10007

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To: NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission
Re: Landmarking the Townhouses at 272, 274, 276 and 278 West 86^th Street

Dear Sirs / Madams,

I am writing to strongly urge you to preserve and landmark the four townhouses on the south side of West 86^th Street between Broadway and West End Avenues (#’s 272, 274, 276, and 278). These four townhouses were built in 1895 by the famed architect Charles Pierrepont Henry Gilbert. Gilbert (often known as CPH Gilbert) was a renowned and prolific architect of his time. Gilbert designed mansions for many important New York families, including, the Woolworth family home on 80^th Street and Fifth Avenue, (unfortunately, now demolished); the home of Joseph R. DeLamar on 37^th Street and Madison (now the Polish Consulate); and the Felix Warburg home (now, the Jewish Museum on 92^nd Street and Fifth Avenue). His Fletcher mansion at 79^th Street and Fifth Avenue, built from 1897 to 1899, (now known as the Ukrainian Institute of America) is one of his finest and most recognizable works. Both this mansion and his house for Philip Kleeburg at 3 Riverside Drive, built in 1896, are an expression of Gilbert’s exuberance in the French Gothic style. With curlicues, lacy motifs, pinnacles, and other details, Gilbert’s elegantly ornamental designs garner positive reviews as his designs evoke fantasy as well as architecture. Many of Gilbert’s buildings have already been landmarked and, in 2000, the “A.I.A. Guide to New York City,” by Norval White and Elliot Willensky had indexed 24 of his buildings. We believe for the reasons stated below that the four West 86^th Street Gilbert Townhouses (#’s 272, 274, 276, and 278) should be landmarked as well.

These four West 86^th Street Gilbert townhouses are built in the French Neo-Renaissance style with delightful details worked into their stone facades. These buildings exhibit rounded bays running up three stories of the buildings, petite balconies, intricate floral swags atop the tall windows and mirror-image placement with respect to one another. This unique architectural design allows each of the four structures to be differentiated from the other yet at the same time exhibits a smooth, sensuous curve when viewing the four together. West 86^th Street was once all townhouses from Central Park West to Riverside Drive. Now, with the majority of West 86^th Street buildings being large-scale structures, it has become the exception to find four unique townhouses together in a row. Thus, the four Gilbert townhouses on West 86^th Street have come to represent a historical rarity.

In addition, directly across the street from the buildings is the landmarked St. Paul and St. Andrew’s Church (on the northeast corner of 86^th Street and West End Avenue). Since this is a small block and there are few other buildings, the most noticeable structures are Gilbert’s turn of the century townhouses and the ornate, stone and terra-cotta Mantuan church. Together these structures are able to set the tone of the block and create a small enclave reminiscent of an older time. The block’s mature trees further the sense that, in this one small space, one has been transported to a different historical time in New York City.

This stretch of West 86^th Street with these four unique Gilbert townhouses, as well as the lofty trees, the St. Paul and St. Andrew Church across the street, and the openness of the sky at sunset due to Riverside Park being so proximate imbue this block with a truly special aesthetic. The loss of any one of these elements that now exist would destroy the uniqueness of this historical and beautiful scenario. I hope that you will find CPH Gilbert’s buildings worth preserving and worthy of a landmarks preservation designation.

Sincerely yours,

Name: _______________________________

Signature: ____________________________

Date: ________________________________

Address: _____________________________

Email address: _________________________

Phone: _______________________________

Updates at the Landmarks Commission

2008-02-01T16:58:00.001-05:00

While some of us pine for spring and digging in gardens, more than a few applications have appeared lately before LPC to dig for other reasons. It seems people have realized that LPC will not allow rear yard extensions that take up the full garden space, so why not build under ground?An application was presented in November to excavate the entire yard at 52 West 11th Street and build an underground regulation length lap swimming pool and wine cellar.

Neighbors expressed concern for the safety of their homes and the health of their trees, and HDC, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and the Society for the Architecture of the City all spoke against the proposal. Commissioners were uncomfortable with that much excavation and asked the applicant to come back with a scaled down plan. They returned in December with the same plan and reassurances that it would be safe. Although the Commissioners were soothed by the applicant’s use of very reliable, respected engineers, they still wanted a less intrusive excavation. Besides concern for the safety of neighboring structures, there was debate among the Commissioners over how to keep the garden cores of historic districts like Greenwich Village green (although they were told by LPC counsel that that is not something the Commission regulates). In January the plan was approved two feet shorter in the rear (the set back was required after it was discovered that the building behind 52 had footings right up to the property line), the ceiling reduced a bit, a light and air shaft filled, and reassurances that all sorts of plantings including “serious trees” could grow in the 30 inches of soil that would be atop the pool.

In December, the owners of 61 Bank Street also presented an application that called for a significant amount of excavation in order to attach their Greek Revival 1840 rowhouse with the backhouse built in 1841 (the ultimate rear yard addition). Concern was voiced about the excavation, and the applicants were asked to narrow the connection and not go so deep. A commissioner or two wanted to see an alternate plan for an at grade connection also in order to avoid the whole matter. The revised proposal has not yet returned to the LPC.

The Commission did allow for the excavation and redesign of the back yard at 13 West 9^th Street. The owners, not looking to building anything, wanted to lower their yard about six feet so that the basement door opened into the garden. Vice Chair Pablo Vengoechea voted against the plan wanting terracing rather than a full excavation.

Last year HDC’s District Lines addressed the perils of excavations. The latest victim is 287 Broadway/55 Reade Street, aka “The Leaning Tower of Broadway”. In November excavation for a new structure on the adjacent property led to unsafe conditions in 287, closing the ground floor pizzeria and putting the residents out on the street. The individual landmark, just one door down from the edge of the TriBeCa South Historic District (that one door happens to be a part of the new building that wraps around onto Reade Street), is now rather precariously braced and tilting ominously. For conspiracy theorist out there – the building is across the street from the Department of Buildings at 280 Broadway.

The NoHo Historic District Extension was calendared for a March 18^th hearing. The map of the proposed district differs slightly from an earlier map presented at a public meeting. The new boundaries include 25 and 27 East 4^th Street, but omits large portions of the north side of 4^th Street, development sites along the Bowery and the Lafayette/Mulberry Triangle, all of which HDC and other advocates had asked to be included.

There was a nice change in the air in Individual Landmark land – property owners who are in favor of landmarking. The 1911 Congregation Tifereth Israel in Corona, Queens, had a favorable hearing and will be voted on on February 12^th. The Bukharian congregation has been working with the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites program for the past decade on the restoration of the synagogue, and city landmarking would make the project eligible for further funding. The American Bank Note Company Printing Plant Building in the Bronx, first heard back 1992, also had a positive hearing.Its owners Taconic Investments, who also own the landmarked Child’s Restaurant on Coney Island’s Boardwalk, said they plan to create office space in the building. The former Fire Engine Company No. 54 at 304 West 47^th Street (home to Forbidden Broadway), nearly identical to the former Fire Engine Company No. 53 on East 104^th Street heard last October, was calendared.

Historic Resources Survey: Religious Properties

2008-02-01T15:01:00.000-05:00

As part of an ongoing effort to catalog historic religious properties throughout the city, the New York Landmarks Conservancy has asked HDC to enlist the support of its friends, specifically those in the outerboroughs, to help identify pre-WWII churches and synagogues in their neighborhoods.

With help from HDC and other preservation groups, the Conservancy has been able to survey Catholic churches and synagogues; but, the more obscure and independent the denomination, the more difficult it is to locate the property without the guidance of the guidance of the surrounding community. The majority of the buildings the Conservancy seeks to find were built originally by mainline denominations (Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Congregational, Reformed, AME and AME Zion). However newer denominations (Pentecostal, Baptist, evangelical, etc.) and independent churches and synagogues often recycle older houses of worship. Such changes of hand make these properties difficult to identify.

If there is a religious property in your neighborhood that you believe is historic and worthy of landmark consideration, or that you're just concerned about, please send digital photos and all relevant information to:

Ann-Isabel Friedman
Director, Sacred Sites Program
The New York Landmarks Conservancy

(212) 995-5260
annfriedman@nylandmarks.org

Historic Districts Council Calls for Landmarks Hearing on Historic Queens Church

2008-02-01T11:16:00.000-05:00

1840’s Church Designed by Architect of Trinity Church To Be Demolished Without Question Unless Action Taken By City

On January 22, 2008, notice was posted that Always Fast expediting firm will be obtaining demolition permits for St. Savior’s Church in Maspeth, Queens. A distinctive local icon, St. Savior’s has been under threat of demolition since being sold to Maspeth Development in 2005. Despite sustained public outcry and seemingly obvious merit, the 1847 church never received a Public Hearing before the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

The time has come for the City to act to save this important landmark before it is torn down and lost forever.

St. Savior’s deserves its day in court.

The Case For Landmarking

St. Savior’s was designed and built beginning in 1847 by a significant architect, Richard Upjohn. Upjohn (1802-1878) was arguably the nation’s finest architect of churches. Among his surviving New York City works are designated landmarks such as Trinity Church and Church of the Ascension in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Church of the Pilgrims, Grace Church and the gates of Green-Wood Cemetery. The design for St. Savior’s was used as a prototype for other churches, and sketches very similar to the church were included in Upjohn’s influential 1852 book Upjohn’s Rural Architecture. The church was founded by prominent local pioneers, including U.S. Congressman James Maurice, poet Garrit Furman and the son-in-law of Dewitt Clinton, Judge David S. Jones. and its importance is increased by being a rare New York City survivor of a once popular building type, a wooden, village church. Finally, in addition to its architectural and historical significance, St. Savior’s is an archaeologically sensitive site. Uncovered artifacts date from the Revolutionary War and there are believed to be buried remains of both early parishioners and Native Americans. For more information about St. Savior's, see http://www.junipercivic.com/HistoryArticle.asp?nid=9

Lack of Rationale for City Inaction

After a 2006 Request for Evaluation, a staff committee of LPC ruled that repairs undertaken after a 1970 fire made the church ineligible for landmarking stating, “the original fabric of the complex has been altered beyond recognition”. This decision runs contrary to other findings and practices of the agency:

*A requirement of original fabric (or a certain percentage of) is not set forth in the Landmarks Law. The Law states only that a building needs to at least 30 years of age and be of architectural, cultural or historic significance.

*The architectural conservation firm of Jablonski Building Conservation studied the structure and concluded that most of its historic fabric, including the decorative wood shingles and other Gothic Revival details, remained intact.

*Among the church’s alterations is its vinyl siding, an easily removable offence. LPC recently held a very positive hearing for the Congregation Tifereth Israel in Corona, Queens. The 1911 wood-framed synagogue is now covered in stucco, and its wood porch has been replaced with brick steps. Many other landmarks throughout the city have had similar alterations. The synagogue is expected to be landmarked in February.

Landmarking is not only reserved for pristine buildings, but is used to promote and encourage the proper restoration of historic structures.

Another 2 Columbus Circle?

That the LPC has refused to hold a Public Hearing for St. Savior’s, regardless of its outcome, points to a failure of the City to fulfill its mandated responsibility of surveying, identifying and protecting New York’s historic buildings. This is not the first time in recent years that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has failed to respond to a community’s pleas to consider historically and architecturally significant buildings. Like the recent case of another architecturally significant building, 2 Columbus Center, St. Savior’s is an unfortunate example of an important building that mysteriously has not even been given a chance for survival. Unlike 2 Columbus Circle however, there is almost a unanimity of community, scholarly and political support for the designation. So what’s the hold-up?

The Path to Preservation

Over the past few years, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has stepped in at the 11th hour to save buildings from demolition. Wood-framed 19th-century buildings such as the Elwell House in Prospect Heights, the Elkins House in Crown Heights North, the Bedell House in Tottenville and the Richardson House in Arrochar are only still standing because of the courageous and principled stance of the LPC in bring these structures forward for consideration despite (in one case) a pending demolition permit. Consideration and even a hearing by the LPC is not a guarantee of preservation – the Dakota Stables, 150 Taylor Street and Mariner’s Asylum were all recently heard by the LPC and rejected for landmark status – but the integrity of the process and the agency were strengthened by these actions. Evidence should be openly submitted by both sides, people’s opinions should be heard, and the Commission’s decisions and reasonings should be made public.

HDC demands that the Landmarks Preservation Commission hold a public hearing to consider St. Savior’s Church in Maspeth, Queens as a potential New York City landmark. This important historic site is about to be torn down and so far, the public has been denied “our day in court”. The next move is up to the City and the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

HDC Response to AIA Zoning Text Amendments

2008-01-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

The Value of Contextual Zoning to Communities

The Zoning Resolution determines the physical height and shape of New York City by guiding development. Among the various existing zoning districts, contextual zones have been specifically drafted to produce buildings that are consistent with existing neighborhood character. In an attempt to preserve their quality of life and the scale and character of their neighborhoods, communities throughout New York City, have worked long and hard to alter their zoning appropriately. Over the past few years , due to the unprecedented development pressure affecting every neighborhood in the city, the Department of City Planning and community groups have worked together to create balanced, contextual zoning on hundreds of blocks in all five boroughs. Numerous other neighborhoods have been working, in some cases for years, to try to gain these protections.

The citywide zoning text amendments proposed by the American Institute of Architects/New York City Chapter seek to undo this hard work and revert to blanket rules that not only allow but encourage out-of-context development. One-size-fits-all, blanket zoning measures do not fit the rich variety of New York City’s neighborhoods. The Historic Districts Council is opposed to the adoption of these amendments.

Flawed Proposal Process That Circumvents Public Review

In addition to objections to individual parts of this proposal, HDC objects to the way in which these amendments have been proposed, which sought to circumvent the public review process which allow communities to have a voice in guiding development in their own neighborhoods. These amendments, which affect the majority of New York City residents and property owners, have largely gone without review at the majority of New York City’s 59 community boards and are now scheduled to consideration of adoption by the City Planning Commission.

The AIA claims that it has been working on the proposed amendments for three years, during which time many communities were working on their own rezoning campaigns and unprecedented number of blocks within the city have been rezoned. However, the first public disclosure of their effort was in late October 2007, which did not allow for the issue to be brought up at Community Board meetings until December during the holiday season. In addition to Community Boards and neighborhood organizations, elected officials have also been caught off guard by these amendments and their timetable. Only once public concern began to mount, was the initially projected an approval date of January 7th revised. Since this proposal is coming from a private organization and not the City Planning Commission, the city is not responsible for necessary educational outreach these changes require. Instead, the AIA, an industry group which represents 4,000 professionals, has taken the lead in determining the development agenda for the city.

Regardless of any possible merit of any aspect of the proposals, HDC believes that the process by which they have been proposed is flawed in the extreme and runs counter to every notion of community-based planning.

Runs Counter to City Goals for Future Development

In addition to disregarding the years of work from communities about how the people of who live in neighborhoods would like to see them thrive, these amendments also disregard and ignore many of the planning principles articulated in Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030. A principle tenet of the Mayor’s plan is the goal of making New York the world’s greenest city over the next generation. Three of the proposals (nos. 2,4 and 6) act to encourage the demolition of existing buildings to clear the way for larger development. Preservation and adaptive reuse is “green;” restoration produces less waste and less landfill than demolition, rehabilitating older buildings uses less energy than new construction and preservation efforts create a market for skilled local labor. As the AIA’s Newsletter of the Committee on the Environment noted in Spring 2007, reporting on the National Summit of the Greening of Historic Properties, “the greenest building is the one already built”. Furthermore, the decrease in open space suggested by two of the zoning amendments (proposals 1 and 6) would probably result in less plantings and landscape, which in addition to its esthetic detriment, would diminish needed absorption of ground water – a situation which the recently-approved yard amendments have sought to remedy. Finally, the overall probable loss of air and light due to many of these proposals (specifically nos. 2,3,4 and 5) certainly does nothing to improve the quality of life for residents.

Affordable Housing Trojan Horse

Additionally, PlaNYC 2030 proposes the development of affordable housing to remedy both the existing affordable housing crisis as well as the projected shortage. It should be noted that while affordable housing is mentioned as a goal of these proposed changes, nothing states that these must or will be used for such housing. Developers could just as easily, and most likely will, build larger, market-rate residences whenever possible. This is a given. HDC finds it particularly galling for citywide zoning text to be revised with such broad strokes for more “flexible design” and “more efficient floor plans” while ignoring the very real problem of providing adequate affordable housing.

What Should Happen

In the best possible scenario, this proposal would be withdrawn and the City Planning Commission would embark on a study of these amendments, which, if deemed desirable, could be introduced individually by the agency to all its community partners. Anything less would a betrayal of New Yorkers’ faith in our planning commission and an enormous and unnecessary concession to those who wish to spur development at any cost to the welfare and continued health of our city.

The Proposed Amendments

Note: None of these amendments increase allowable Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.). What they do is maximize buildable F.A.R. by modifying and increasing the allowable building envelopes. In practice, this may result in larger building than what would otherwise be built. Also please note that all image and diagrams courtesy of AIA/NYC.

Proposal 1: Full Lot Coverage on Small Corner Lots in R6-R10

Proposal 2: Allow Multi-family buildings on Small Lots in R6-R10

Proposal 3: Allow Dormer on Rear setbacks in R6-R10

Proposal 4: Increase Maximum Base Height in R6-R10

Proposal 5: Allow Bigger Building Bulkheads

Proposal 6: Waive Side Yards Requirements in R3-1, R3-2, R4 and R5 (non-contextual)

Proposal 1: Full Lot Coverage on Small Corner Lots in R6-R10

2008-01-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

Existing: 80% maximum lot coverage

Proposed: 100% lot coverage on corner lots of 5,000 sq. ft. or less.

The current zoning for residential zones R6-R10 allow for a maximum lot coverage of 80% on corner lots. This proposal would allow full 100% on lots less than 5,000 square feet. While this could potentially reduce the height of some new structures, it would in return decrease open space at the street level. Part of the characteristic rhythm of New York City’s streetscape are their irregularity. While many rowhouse districts do have unbroken street walls, most city blocks tend to have irregular gaps somewhere on the street. Although a desire for consistency is admirable, the resultant ceaseless solidity of the street wall has the potential to become over-bearing, especially when it leads to an extended commercial presence turning the corner from the avenue onto residential side streets, a pattern which is typical in many high-density rowhouse areas. In addition, this proposal could also have the unintended consequence of blocking side windows in adjacent buildings not presently blocked because of the set back. While windows at the lot-line windows of buildings are not protected even by current zoning, in many instances, these windows are existed in place for over 70 years and under current zoning, would continue to exist.

Proposal 2: Allow Multi-family buildings on Small Lots in R6-R10

2008-01-29T18:29:00.001-05:00

Existing: Lots less than 18’ wide or smaller than 1700 sq. ft. limited to 1 or 2 dwelling units.

Proposed: Number of dwellings determined by density regulations. New building would be in the R8B envelope (75 foot height limit).

Current zoning regulations state that on building lots less than 18 feet wide or smaller than 1,700 square feet in R6-R10 zones, only a one- or two-family units can be built. The proposed amendments seeks to change that so that the density regulations would determine number of dwelling units, not exceeding an R8B envelope (a maximum of 75 feet).

This change has the potential to be extraordinarily detrimental to existing historic building stock throughout the city. While the typical New York building lot is 20 feet wide, it is not uncommon in older neighborhoods or areas with irregular street patterns to have existing buildings on smaller lots. Many of these buildings are multi-family and thus they are protected against demolitions by the current zoning. If multi-unit buildings were allowed as-of-right on smaller lots, there would be a large incentive to demolish the existing buildings (the majority of which are under-built according to their current allowable F.A.R.) and replace them with new, larger buildings. In addition to the potential damage to the city’s historic fabric, this scenario would cause displacement of current residents and is a back-door allowing the proliferation of uncharacteristically tall “sliver” buildings.

Proposal 3: Allow Dormer on Rear setbacks in R6-R10

2008-01-29T18:21:00.000-05:00

Existing: dormer allowed in front setback, but not rear setback.
Proposed: allows dormers in rear setback.

Proposal 4: Increase Maximum Base Height in R6-R10

2008-01-29T18:18:00.000-05:00

Existing: Fixed base height determined by zoning.

Proposed: Allow 25% taller maximum base to match existing buildings.

Currently, base heights for new construction are determined by zoning. In the contextual zones, maximum base height is mandated. The proposed amendment would allow a base height to be increased by up to 25% to match that of neighboring buildings. While this might seem like a reasonable nod to urban consistency, this amendment has the potential to transform whole streets into dark canyons of shadow. On many historic blocks, there are buildings which pre-date the current zoning and are taller than what is currently allowed. By matching new construction to the highest example available, a situation could evolve where the new predominant base height on a block was 25% higher than allowed by zoning. This domino effect would be devastating to our city’s historic streetscapes.

Proposal 5: Allow Bigger Building Bulkheads

2008-01-29T18:15:00.000-05:00

Existing: Surface area limited to 4x street wall width.

Proposed: If set back 20’ from wide street and 25’ from narrow street, area limited to 8x street wall width.

Present zoning limits the surface area of rooftop structures, such as bulkheads, to four times the street wall width. The proposed would double the allowed surface area if the structure is set back 20 feet from a wide street or 25 feet from a narrow street. These larger structures would have an adverse effect on issues of light and air as well as visual clutter from the shared garden core. Under these new guidelines, a proliferation of multi-story towers could sprout from the tops of buildings. These impositions on the visual public realm would serve mainly to benefit building owners, who could then free up valuable usable interior space for rentals and other profit-making uses rather than the mechanical needs of the buildings’ residents.

Proposal 6: Waiver of Side Yards Requirements in R3-1, R3-2, R4 and R5 (non-contextual)

2008-01-29T17:53:00.000-05:00

Existing: A side yard is required unless adjacent building is located on side lot line.

Proposed: BSA special permit side yard waiver when adjacent lots are vacant.

In R3-1, R3-2, R4 and R5 zones, side yards are presently required unless the adjacent building is located on the side lot line. The proposed amendments would allow for a special permit from the Board of Standards & Appeals to waive this requirement if the adjacent lots are vacant. While this would require a permit from another agency, it would regularize the process, thereby making it easier to get this variance.

This measure could encourage tear downs of existing buildings to create a situation for increased lot coverage. Subsequent buildings adjoining the new, full-lot building would be free from side yard requirements, and the result would be a continuous street wall in a zone intended to encourage semi-detached and detached houses. This would include a loss of vistas, diminished architectural diversity, loss of neighborhood character, minimal landscaping and inappropriately high density. Finally, this proposal seems in direct opposition to the recent proposed zoning amendments mandating increased yards in some residential areas, which was promulgated to increase healthful open space.

Learn How To Research A Building

2008-01-25T19:09:00.000-05:00

Monday Morning Coffee Talks: Preservation Roundtable Discussions

As part of our Neighborhood Partners Program, HDC is pleased to announce our new Monday Morning Coffee Talks, a free monthly discussion series that examines some of the most common questions asked by community preservationists. Beginning in February, join us on the first Monday of every month as we sit down with professional practitioners and community activists to discuss the tactics, techniques and strategies for preserving our historic buildings and neighborhoods. Bring your questions and prepare to engage in this informal setting with some of the city’s most respected preservation advocates. And of course, coffee will be served.

The first installment will feature Andrew Scott Dolkart, the James Marston Fitch Professor of Historic Preservation at Columbia University and architectural historian extraordinaire. Professor Dolkart is well known for his research on historic structures across the city, including many proposed landmarks and districts submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Listen as he details firsthand his research strategies and procedures, as well as his favorites sources to consult. From the Municipal Archives to property deeds, participants will leave having learned the basics of how to compile comprehensive reports on historic properties and neighborhoods.

This event is FREE to the public, though space is limited. Reservations are required.

For more information on this series or on becoming a Neighborhood Partner, please contact
Lauren Belfer, HDC’s Community Coordinator, at (212) 614-9107 or lbelfer@hdc.org .

The Historic Districts Council’s Monday Morning Coffee Talks are supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation and The New York Community Trust.