The Historic Districts Council has developed a program to help communities and elected officials partner together to better preserve the historic resources that make each neighborhood unique. This program includes neighborhood roundtables, candidate forums and educational outreach to prospective elected officials to help them see the importance of historic preservation, especially local landmark designation.

HDC first launched its League of Preservation Voters in Brooklyn’s 40th Council District, which runs along the southern and southeastern edges of Prospect Park and expands to the east; a number of neighborhoods within the 40th District are designated historic districts, including Prospect Park South and Ditmas Park. In November 2006, Council Member Yvette Clarke won the election for the 11th Congressional District and nearly one dozen candidates ran for the open Council Seat. Seizing upon the unexpected election period, HDC recognized the opportunity to reach out to prospective candidates and begin a dialogue with them about important issues of preservation and development affecting the district. Through this process we were able educate both the candidates and the community on these issues, and, since taking office, the election’s victor, Dr. Matthieu Eugene, has supported the designations of a number individual landmarks and the newly-designated Midwood Park-Fiske Terrace Historic District.

Based on the success of our efforts in Brooklyn, HDC has expanded the program citywide, beginning in the 30th Council District in Queens, which encompasses Ridgewood, Woodhaven, Middle Village, Glendale, and parts of Richmond Hill. A special election will be held on June 3rd to fill the District’s open Council Seat. We have met with local organizations, talking about the preservation issues that matter to them and compiling a voter guide with candidate responses to many important questions. Together with these groups, we hosted a candidate forum where the public addressed the candidates directly on a range of community-related concerns on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7pm at P.S. 49 at 79-15 Penelope Avenue.

HDC’s initiative will culminate with the creation of a citywide preservation platform aimed at candidates in the 2009 municipal elections. During that election cycle a large majority of local political representatives will change due to term limits, providing concerned neighborhood activists a rare opportunity to catalyze real change in the way the preservation community engages elected officials. By working with candidates throughout the city, HDC and its Neighborhood Partners will identify new allies in the fight to protect our city’s historic resources and begin a dialogue with them about important preservation and development issues affecting the district. The resulting partnerships will benefit the entire community, regardless of who wins each election.

For more information about the League of Preservation Voters, please contact the Historic Districts Council at 212-614-9107. Please note that the League of Preservation Voters is nonpartisan and does not endorse any candidate for political office.

Click to read sample Voters' Guides sponsored by
the League of Preservation Voters.

• Council District 40, Brooklyn, 2007
• Council District 30, Queens, 2008