E-Bulletin of the Historic Districts Council

April 2004 Volume I Number 3

Demolition Delay Bill Introduced by HDC’s “Friend in High Places”

At the City Council meeting on April 1st, Council Member Michael McMahon of Staten Island introduced legislation that, when enacted, will help prevent the destruction of historical significant buildings. CM McMahon was awarded HDC’s 2003 “Friend in High Places” award. His bill calls for the Department of Buildings (DOB) to notify the Landmarks Preservation Commission whenever a demolition permit is sought for a building over 50 years old. DOB would then hold off on issuing the permit until LPC decides if the building should be considered for landmark designation. The bill was co-sponsored by 12 other Council Members, including Council Minority Leader James Oddo, also of Staten Island. HDC has been working closely with CM McMahon on this initiative and will be reaching out to community groups to help lobby to get this legislation passed. For the text of the bill, click here.

Help Protect Stapleton in Staten Island: Write a Support Letter to the LPC

Staten Island is now one step closer to getting its third historic district, but your help is needed! On Tuesday, March 30, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing regarding the proposed St. Paul's Avenue-Stapleton Heights Historic District. For years, the Mud Lane Society for the Renaissance of Stapleton, the Preservation League of Staten Island and HDC have asked the LPC to designate this residential neighborhood. Stapleton, like many Staten Island neighborhoods, has come under great development pressure in the last few years. In fact, HDC featured Stapleton as a "Neighborhood at Risk" in our first E-Bulletin in February because of the threat of tear-downs in the neighborhood and the intense need for the protection of the Landmarks Law.

Dozens of supporters of the district testified in favor of the designation at the LPC hearing. Although HDC would have liked the proposed district to include the area along Harrison Street known as the "Nook," we fully supported the designation as proposed. A handful of property owners within the proposed district spoke in opposition to the designation. In addition, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro issued a statement opposing the proposed historic district, citing the "hardship" it would cause the property owners within a district. The LPC has kept the record open until May 15th to allow Staten Island's Community Board 1 and the Borough President more time to review the proposed district. Please write a letter to the LPC voicing your support for this much-needed district. Click here for HDC's testimony on the district.



City Council Considers Preservation: Landmarks Preservation Commission Budget Discussed

On March 23rd, the Land Use Committee of the City Council held a public hearing on the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2005, which begins on July 1st. LPC Chair Robert Tierney made a statement to over a dozen council members about LPC’s work in the previous year and its upcoming projects. He stated that the agency has been working in numerous areas throughout the city desirous of designation, with a particular emphasis on the out-lying boroughs. The council members in general all spoke highly of the work of the LPC and of the partnership they believe they have with the Chair. A number of council members, however, raised concerns about the proposed permit fee legislation, intended to raise $1.05 million annually. Other concerns about LPC’s strained resources were also raised, and some council members suggested that the agency could potentially use more staff. Click here for a full report on the hearing.

HDC’s testimony at the hearing asked the City Council “to increase the LPC’s proposed budget by $300,000, or approximately 10%. While this might seem like a lot, in the greater scheme of New York City’s $46 billion dollar budget, it is negligible.” Click here to read HDC’s testimony.

Interested parties should contact their local council member and council leadership to urge an increase in the commission’s budget. Click here for a sample letter.

Watch Your Mailboxes: Preservation Party Invites and Spring 2004 District Lines to Arrive

HDC's 14th Annual Preservation Party featuring the 5th Annual Grassroots Preservation Awards will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2004 in the St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery Garden and Parish Hall. Invitations are in the mail. Information about the event and the awardees can be found on our website: www.hdc.org/grassroots.htm.

The Spring 2004 edition of "District Lines: News and Views of the Historic Districts Council" has been written and edited and is currently at the printers. This edition features articles on substituting modern materials for historic materials, expanding the boundaries of many historic districts and planning initiatives that may affect New York City's historic neighborhoods. The newsletter should be in your mailboxes by mid-April. Click here to read the Autumn 2003 and Winter 2004 editions of District Lines.

Neighborhood at Risk: NoHo

Visit the “Neighborhood at Risk” section of our website to learn about the proposed expansion to the NoHo Historic District and the NoHo East Historic District. The undesignated portion of NoHo contains low-scale buildings that are some of the most significant, yet fragile remnants of early 20th century commercial buildings in the neighborhood. The time has come to complete the district so that the entirety of historic NoHo is equally protected under the Landmarks Law.


Job Posting: Preservation Associate

Click here to learn about employment opportunities at the Historic Districts Council.

Become a Friend of the Historic Districts Council

Learn more about the benefits of being a Friend and join our mailing list to receive an information packet in the mail.

To unsubscribe from the email list please email hdc@hdc.org and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject heading.