E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL

July 2006, Volume 3 Number 7

Homeowners Rehabilitative Tax Credit Bill Passed!

Overnight before heading off on summer recess, both houses of the New York State Legislature passed a “landmark” measure (A.11987/S.8392) providing a State Income Tax credit for the rehabilitation costs of historic commercial and residential structures. Our colleagues at the Preservation League of New York State - who have been lobbying to get this bill passed since 1998 – are hopeful that Governor Pataki will approve the measure in the coming weeks.

Under this new legislation, approximately 11,000 State and National Register-listed, owner-occupied residential structures in distressed areas would be eligible for a New York State Income Tax Credit covering 20% of exterior rehabilitation costs, up to a credit value of $25,000. National Register-listed or -eligible commercial properties that qualify for the Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit would also qualify for a New York State Income Tax Credit covering 30% of rehabilitation costs, up to a credit value of $100,000. Implementation of this new program is hoped to begin in 2007.

HDC has been supporting the efforts of the League in this campaign, and in years past has gone to Albany to lobby New York City representatives for it. We congratulate our colleagues and our representatives for passing this measure, and hope once its success is shown, that the program will be expanded to include all owner-owned properties that are locally-designated or on the Register. As it is drafted, we believe that this measure will have a significant impact on community renewal in the areas that need it most throughout the state and in the city. We’ll keep you up to date on this program as its guidelines development.

More Support for Preservation from Government:
LPC Budget Increased by $250,000!

As our regular readers know, one of HDC’s long-standing concerns has been the under-funding and lack of resources for the Landmarks Preservation Commission. This year, our concerns found traction with CM Tony Avella (District 19, Queens), who asked Commissioner Robert Tierney during his confirmation hearing in January if the agency could use the money if it was given. After being assured by the Commissioner that the LPC would definitely find a use for it, once budget negotiations began, CM Avella and CM Jessica Lappin (District 5, Manhattan) drafted and promoted a budget initiative to grant the agency $500,000. Although this money could not be specifically allocated, the Council members made it clear during budget hearings that it was intended to be used to increase the agency’s efficiency, particularly in its research and survey functions and to help clear up the agency’s backlog of requests for evaluation. CM Avella and Lappin were joined in their effort by CM Diana Reyna (District 34, Brooklyn) who, along with members of the Council’s Manhattan delegation, played a crucial role in preserving the initiative during the final budget negotiations. And while the LPC did not receive the full amount proposed, the agency fared better than others – such as City Planning – whose Council allocation was unfortunately cut.

Support for this initiative came from dozens of individuals and organizations – a huge THANK YOU to everyone who wrote in – you proved our voices can be heard! Thanks also to the Council and Speaker Christine Quinn for their support and very special thanks to Council members Avella, Lappin & Reyna for recognizing the LPC’s need for aid and doing something about it. While the LPC didn’t get the full amount we asked for, it’s still more than it had before. The next task will be ensuring the money is adopted into the Mayor’s baseline budget, and that the money is well spent so it will be renewed in the future.

Recently Designated

On June 20th the LPC unanimously designated 4 individual landmarks, all outstanding examples of civic architecture.

The oldest of the quartet is Fire Engine Company No. 258, Hook and Ladder Company 115 in the Hunter’s Point section of Queens built in 1904. The firehouse was part of a campaign to expand fire protection and improve working conditions for firefighters in the borough. The rare Dutch Renaissance Revival-style structure is the only firehouse designed by Bradford Lee Gilbert, architect of the city’s first skyscraper. The building is the 16th firehouse designated in the city, the second in Queens.

Just in time for summer, the Orchard Beach Bathhouse and Promenade in the Bronx and the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center in Queens have been recognized as landmarks. Both facilities were projects of the LaGuardia administration, built under the supervision of Parks Department Commissioner Robert Moses, himself an avid swimmer, with federal funds from the Works Progress Administration. Orchard Beach Bathhouse and Promenade are part of the complex dubbed the “Riviera of New York City.” The City’s most ambitious park project under the New Deal, it is considered to be one of the nation’s most remarkable public recreational facilities. The Astoria Park Pool and Play Center, built in a whimsical Art Moderne style, includes the city’s largest public pool, the site of the 1936 Olympic trials for the United States swimming, water polo and diving teams.

When summer ends and school begins, waiting there will be the newly designated former Public School 64 in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The importance of the school (its architecture, alumni, teachers, and community groups) and the fight to save it are by now well known. The Commission’s vote was not only unanimous, but also emotional. A number of moving speeches were given. “The designation of P.S. 64 will be one of the most significant decisions of the Landmarks Preservation Commission in recent years,” Commissioner Roberta Brandes Gratz said, “For the first time, the commission will be recognizing a building not only of enormous architectural merit but one of unique cultural significance that for the first time acknowledges and celebrates the contribution to the robust regeneration of our city made by community-based efforts.” Commissioner Robert Tierney remarked that after the long, hard fight, the building is even more of a landmark and a tribute to community. Tierney called it an honor and a privilege to designate the former P.S. 64 a New York City Landmark.

At the hearing, the LPC also calendared the proposed Crown Heights North Historic District in Brooklyn for consideration as a historic district, with the public hearing scheduled for September 12, 2006. This residential district centered along Dean Street between Bedford and Kingston Avenues is the first historic district in Brooklyn to be considered in 9 years and is the first phase of designations in the area. The 472 buildings in the proposed district include churches, rowhouses, apartment buildings and free-standing mansions of remarkable architectural variety and character. HDC strongly supports this designation and has added a section about the neighborhood to our website with more information.

Digital Image Library

HDC is pleased to announce the launch of its Digital Image Library, an essential resource for researchers, students, historians and New York City enthusiasts.

The Digital Image Library is an online collection of photographs of all of New York City’s designated historic districts that can be found by clicking here. This fascinating collection of modern photographs is intended to provide a snapshot of the architectural character, styles, details and streetscapes present in each district. These photos provide a unique contemporary record of the city’s historic districts that does not exist elsewhere. In some cases, these pictures will illustrate a neighborhood that has had three decades of preservation oversight, in others, it will show them before the effects of designation are felt.

The photos on this site are a sampling of the photos we have on file in an easily searchable database. The images are cataloged by district, type of building and architectural detail.

All images may be used free of charge for research and publications with approval from our office. Please contact us at hdc@hdc.org or 212-614-9107 for permissions.

The Digital Image Library is funded in part by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

Creating An Historic District On Sale Now!

Since its republication in April, sales of Creating an Historic District have been brisk! This guide to the local landmarking process is brimming with practical advice on the process of preserving your neighborhood. The book is a must for preservationists, neighborhood advocates and architects. Click here to order your copy.

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