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PRESERVING YOUR HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD
advocacy
Whether you are proposing a New York City historic district, a
re-zoning, or a State and National Register district, you are going
to need the support of your neighbors, elected officials and community
board. In order to gain support for your proposed historic district
or re-zoning, you will need to get your message out in a clear and
concise way. A great place to start is to put together a couple
of sentences that will grab the immediate attention of your audience.
Having the story of the importance of your neighborhood in fifty
words or fewer is the next step. You and your neighbors should practice
and refine the dialogue so that it can be effectively used with
any opportunity that arises.
Not everyone will be immediately moved into action by an area's
history and architecture. Point out the advantages and importance
of preserving the character and history of your neighborhood. When
faced with arguments by those opposed to historic status, suggest
the economic benefits of historic designation and the appeal of
historic neighborhoods.
Click here to read some commonly
heard arguments or myths against historic designation,
with corresponding responses or truths.
Communication is one of the most important roles of a group seeking
designation or a re-zoning of their neighborhood. Communication
takes place among your community and with others who have the ability
to influence the outcome.
Throughout the process a dialogue should be constantly taking place,
reminding everyone that the work toward designation or re-zoning
of your neighborhood is ongoing. Continue to contact new residents
and landowners in the target area. Constantly work with public officials
for their support and involvement. The ability to continue to get
the word out is necessary, especially when designation can take
years to accomplish.
An ongoing dialogue with the Landmarks Preservation Commission,
State Historic Preservation Office, or the Department of City Planning
is important. Communicate with their staff on a regular basis to
discuss concerns, problems, and discoveries. Present your case for
preservation through the research and documentation of the neighborhood.
Knowledge about the history and architecture of the place become
a narrative used to communicate the special qualities of what you
want to have designated. (See Building
Research Section.)
Organizations such as the Historic Districts Council, the Municipal
Art Society, the Society for the Architecture of the City, and the
New York Landmarks Conservancy can not only help keep the pressure
on the appropriate city and state agencies but can offer expertise
on how to effectively deal with them. The Historic Districts Council,
for example, was founded to help local organizations attain historic
designation for their neighborhoods. Through these citywide organizations,
local group representatives can network with members of other historic
district organizations who have already been through the process
successfully.
Support from preservationists, however, is not enough. A broad coalition
of groups, both local and citywide, is the best way of persuading
the city and state agencies that your neighborhood is deserving
of protection. It is especially important to educate and get on
board property-owner groups and business leaders, whose opposition
can imperil designation and re-zoning. Cultivate politicians, from
local district leaders to United States Senators.
More traditional civic groups, such as the Junior League or the
Fine Arts Federation, are also useful. The support of church groups
is very effective in showing broad-based community support.
Simply put, the more diverse and broad-based your support, the
better will be your chances.
IMPORTANT WEBSITES
Press & Elected Officials:
The Preservation League
of New York State’s Legislation Action Center
This website provides a valuable resource to locate media contact
numbers as well as elected officials.
New
York Public Interest Research Group
This website provides contact information for elected officials.
Citywide Preservation Organizations:
Historic Districts Council
Landmarks Conservancy
Municipal Art Society
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