E-BULLETIN OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL

November 2005, Volume 2 Number 11

Public Panel Addresses Neighborhood Preservation Concerns in Queens

HDC will be addressing preservation issues relating to planning, zoning, development and quality-of-life initiatives in its upcoming program, Preserving Your Community: Downzoning, Designation and Development. Attendees will hear directly from the City agencies responsible for preserving neighborhood character on how the historic district designation and the preservation process works. Representatives from the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Department of Planning and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development are expected to participate. Audience members will also learn from neighborhood activists from across Queens about different ways of preserving community character and historic resources, from landmark designation to rezoning initiatives to public awareness campaigns. We hope to have a strong turnout of interested community members who want to engage in a vigorous discussion of current issues in Queens.

This program will take place Tuesday, November 15 from 7:30-9pm at the Community United Methodist Church, 81-10 35th Avenue, Jackson Heights. The event is free to the public. For more information call HDC at 212-614-9107 or e-mail ftolbert@hdc.org.

HDC Launches Historic Districts Image Collection

In partnership with the New York City-based POD gallery, HDC is offering custom-order cards, prints and posters of New York’s historic districts in all five boroughs. Images from the Collection are available as customized archival quality holiday cards, notecards, fine art photographs and giclee prints.

This is a unique collection of modern images of the city's historic districts specially created for New Yorkers, former New Yorkers, architecture enthusiasts and history lovers. The Image Collection is drawn from HDC’s Digital Image Library which includes more than 2,500 images. The Library is funded in part by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

Prices range from $15 for an 8” x 10” print to $600 for a giclee print on canvas. A box of a dozen notecards is $36 and can include twelve different images of your choosing. To view and order the Historic Districts Image Collection, go to www.hdc.org to order or call 212-614-9107 for more information.

Seriously Endangered Building of the Month: Jamaica Savings Bank in Elmhurst, Queens Designated by the LPC, Denied by the City Council

Despite support from the community board, the professional and civic community and even the local Council Member Helen Sears, the City Council chose to disapprove of the Jamaica Savings Bank’s landmark status; stating that the building did not rise to the appropriate standard of a landmark. In doing so, the Council decided to disregard months of effort and research by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which constitute a major expenditure of resources for the small city agency.

This act is even more troubling by what it reveals about the bias against Modern architecture. Another stated reason for the denial was a disdain for the design as well as the comparative youth of the building. However, the Landmarks Law states clearly that the landmarks should possess “a special character, historical or aesthetic interest or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation.” Taste does not factor into the decision and as for age, the Law is equally clear that any structure over 30 years old is potentially eligible for landmark designation. As the LPC’s Designation Report states that the building is “unique and memorable” and furthermore, that it was designed during the bank’s centennial and the 1964 World’s Fair in Flushing, which celebrated striking architectural forms and dramatically-engineered structures. Through its design and its materials, as documented in the designation report, this small bank building is definitely proven to be an exemplary expression of the mid-century architectural zeitgeist.

Built in 1966-68 for the Jamaica Savings Bank, this building exemplifies the move towards expressive new forms that had been made possible by recent advances in building technology, notably in reinforced concrete shells. Today it still serves its original function as a bank, and is a bold and striking example of modern architecture on Queens Boulevard. (For the full Designation Report: http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/jamaicasavings.pdf )

Please write to Mayor Bloomberg at http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html and ask him to veto the City Council’s resolution disapproving this landmark designation. This may be our only hope to save this highly significant modern building.

…and Another Threatened New York City Landmark: Austin, Nichols & Company Warehouse

For over a year now, you’ve been hearing from us about Cass Gilbert’s Austin, Nichols & Company Warehouse at 184 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It has been designated a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but still needs to go through City Council. This recent rejection of the Jamaica Savings Bank by the City Council makes it all the more clear that Austin, Nichols needs your help. Please contact your local Council Member and urge them to uphold the designation of Austin, Nichols before it’s too late. Sign the new online petition to send a message to council leadership to save the building: http://new.petitiononline.com/ANCW1211/petition.html
Or send a personal note to your councilmember. Find your Council Member’s contact information here: http://www.nyccouncil.info/constituent/index.cfm

Save the Date!

Watch your mail for an invitation to HDC’s annual holiday party on Thursday, December 8. This year noted author Elizabeth Gaffney will read from her popular book, Metropolis: A Novel. Join as a Friend now at the $50 level and receive an invitation to the event or join at the $100 level and receive a complimentary copy of the book signed by the author. E-mail ftolbert@hdc.org for more information.

Become a Friend of the Historic Districts Council

HDC’s Friends and supporters make all our programs possible. If you’re not one already, please take this opportunity to become a Friend of HDC and receive benefits such as free events, special admission offers, access to technical and moral support and current news about preservation issues. 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. We’ll miss you!

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