E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL

June 2004 Volume I Number 5

Federal Buildings in the Village Proposed For Landmark Designation

The Historic Districts Council is pleased to report that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has held public hearings in April and May to consider 127, 129 and 131 MacDougal Street and 4 St. Mark’s Place for designation as individual landmarks. HDC has long been advocating the designation of these buildings which we consider important examples of the Federal Style and valuable to Greenwich Village history.

The MacDougal Street buildings have all been altered in various ways, yet they maintain the unity of the original row and the shape and feel of typical Federal row houses. One alteration is almost iconic of the Village: the similar studio windows, created by throwing together the original two dormers on each pitched roof, that herald the “artistic” character traditionally associated with this area in particular and represent an important aspect of its historic development.

Four St. Mark’s Place is a remarkable survivor on a fascinating block. The building and its not-far-off neighbor number 20 (a designated landmark) are rare survivors of two full-block facing rows in a fashionable development of the early 1830’s and are valuable witnesses to the last stages of Federal style. The architectural and cultural interest on this block, especially towards Cooper Square, only begins with the two Federal survivors. Most of the buildings show exceptionally handsome variations on the architectural eclecticism of the late 19th Century, and on the northern side of St. Mark’s Place at Nine St. Mark’s Place, there is an unusual early 19th-century four-storey Federal-style townhouse.

In addition to our gratitude for the progress long-awaited designations of these buildings (the MacDougal Street houses were originally considered for designation in 1966), HDC is particularly appreciative of the LPC’s recognition of the cultural history of these sites. In the draft designation reports, the Landmarks Commission made special efforts to acknowledge the vibrant history of these buildings as they adjusted to the changing needs of their neighborhoods – from the staid center of society in the early 19th century to the headwaters of bohemian New York in the late 20th century. Recognition and discussion of a site’s history is just as important as cataloging its architectural features in terms of creating a full picture of our city’s past and HDC is very pleased that the LPC is taking pains to provide that information.

Landmarks Gains Fees Not Funds

Much to HDC’s dismay, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted unanimously on May 18 to adopt fees for permit applications. This proposal was brought up during the dire budget days of Winter 2002, when the new Administration was looking for ways to increase the city’s revenue while hewing to the state’s dictum of “no new taxes” during the election process. Unfortunately, bad ideas seem to linger. Despite wide-spread public outcry against this proposal (including editorials in The New York Times, the Daily News and the New York Sun) and a general up-swing in the economy, a fee schedule was crafted that mirrored the Department of Buildings permit fees in that the fee amount was determined by the cost of the work being performed. These application fees will apply to almost all LPC applications requiring DoB permits (including most interior work) and will be collected by DoB – in essence becoming a “Landmarks surcharge” on renovation and construction work. Work that does not require DoB permits – such as window and door replacement, regular maintenance and repainting – are exempt from this charge. Thanks to advocacy efforts, the original proposal, first heard in July 2003, was amended to create a flat fee of $50 for any work costing under $25,000 (above which the sliding scale takes effect). There is no maximum to the amount that may be charged. The fees will go into effect at the start of the 2005 fiscal year on July 1, 2004.

The only positive aspect of this poor public policy would be if the LPC budget was increased to allow for a larger staff. Unfortunately, this is not the case and the hard-working LPC staff unfortunately remains at record lows. As recently as 1995,the agency had at least 10 more staff members than currently, who were responsible for far fewer landmark properties. At its current level, designation and regulation resources are extremely strained – to say nothing of the agency’s meager enforcement department. HDC will continue to advocate for the removal of these fees and the increase of the agency’s budget as the budget process continues and in future years. Click here to send a letter of support to Speaker Miller.

Douglaston Hill and Stapleton preservation efforts honored at HDC Preservation Party

Neighborhood groups representing historic suburban neighborhoods in Queens and Staten Island were honored for their thus-far successful advocacy efforts to gain historic district designation. For almost 30 years, the Mud Lane Society for the Renaissance of Stapleton has advocated for a historic district in their late-19th century Staten Island neighborhood (featured on our web site as one of the neighborhoods at risk). On March 30, 2004 the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on the proposed historic district attended by dozens of proponents. More recently, on May 11, Staten Island Community Board 1 voted in favor of the designation, despite some vocal opposition including the Staten Island borough president. The next step is for the LPC to vote to designate this area, which will hopefully happen soon.

The Douglaston-Little Neck Historical Society was also honored for their vociferous defense of the mid-19th century suburban neighborhood of Douglaston Hill. Mobilizing neighbors for rallies, enlisting public officials such as Councilmember Tony Avella and State Senator Frank Padavan, and using lawn signs to protest the threatened teardowns, the Society’s efforts were rewarded when the LPC voted to calendar the district on April 13, 2004. The next step for the preservation of this interesting community will be a public hearing at the Landmarks Commission, which will hopefully happen soon. HDC applauds these groups as well as our other grassroots award winners, and especially thanks the LPC for their responsiveness to these worthy communities.

Other Grassroots honorees included Andrew Scott Dolkart, Nicholas Evans-Cato & Susan Tunick for their successful campaign to designate the Thomson Meter Building in DUMBO; the Brooklyn Heights Association for their ongoing diligence in preserving their historic neighborhood over the past 94 years; and Leo J. Blackman Architects for their sensitive, contextual addition to the Village Community School in Manhattan’s West Village, an undesignated landmark. Special awards went to State Senator Liz Kruger from Manhattan’s Upper East Side, The Staten Island Advance and Queens Borough Historian Stanley Cogan. Click here to view pictures from the event.

Neighborhood at Risk: Sunnyside

Visit the “Neighborhood at Risk” section of our website to learn about Sunnyside where inappropriate alterations threaten the integrity of the first “Garden City” development in the nation.

2 Columbus Circle Named One of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, America’s largest preservation organization, recently named Edward Durell Stone’s Gallery of Contemporary Art at 2 Columbus Circle to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. HDC, together with our colleagues at the Preservation League of New York State and Landmark West! nominated the building as part of our ongoing effort to preserve its distinctive façade from “demolition by design”. To learn more about this effort, click here.

Raise a glass to downtown’s future!

Join HDC for a benefit cocktail party to kick off our campaign to preserve the John Street/Maiden Lane historic district! The proposed district, located east of Broadway between Fulton and Liberty Streets is a 60 building collection of late 19th and early 20th century skyscrapers. In November 2003, the Preservation League of New York State named the area one of “New York State’s Seven Most Endangered Historic Sites.” HDC will be hosting a cocktail reception at a fantastic residence downtown in order to raise funds to perform building research and forward a nomination for the district to the National Register of Historic Places. The event will be held on Wednesday June 23rd, at 6:00 pm. Tickets cost $100. For more information, click here.

Upcoming Panel
June 8, 2004 (Tuesday) 6:30 pm – Preservation Panel: Preserving the Historic Bronx, co-sponsored by the Bronx Museum of the Arts. The panel will be held at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse. Municipal officials and neighborhood advocates will discuss successful strategies for protecting your historic neighborhood. Click here for more information on the event.

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The Advocate for New York City’s Historic Neighborhoods
232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003
tel: 212-614-9107 fax: 212-614-9127 email: hdc@hdc.org