October 9, 2007

Statement of the Historic Districts Council before the Landmarks Preservation Commission
Certificate of Appropriateness Hearing

The Historic Districts Council is the advocate for New York City’s designated historic districts and neighborhoods meriting preservation. Its Public Review Committee monitors proposed changes within historic districts and changes to individual landmarks and has reviewed the following applications that were before the Commission.

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 078835
Manhattan, Block: 629, Lot: 1
675 Hudson Street - Gansevoort Market Historic District
A vernacular/neo-Grec style factory building built in 1849, enlarged in 1854-1860 and altered c.1884. Application is to legalize signage installed without LPC permits.

HDC Testimony
As always when an application for legalization, the commission must ask itself would they have approved this if it came as an application. In this case, the answer is of course not. This 20- by 24-foot billboard atop a five- story building is simply not appropriate in Gansevoort Market Historic District, or in most other districts. This issue is being fought throughout the district and a strong stance needs to be shown by LPC. HDC urges you to deny this application and others like it.

LPC Determination: Denied

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 076584
Manhattan, Block: 999, Lot: 1
1552 Broadway - Individual Landmark Historic District
A commercial building, altered by Louis H. Friedland in 1926. Application is to install a new storefront infill, signage, awnings, and lighting.

HDC Testimony
HDC applauds the applicant on the fine restoration work on the I. Miller Building, including the return of the large store windows and their rounded corners.

Having said that, we do take issue with the signage proposed. The LED signage proposed to go above the store windows is rendered to suggest movement. While signage and lighting are certainly trademarks of Times Square, such extremely modern technology is not appropriate to this 1926 individual landmark. An illuminated sign evoking the 1920s or 1930s, such as neon, would be far more fitting.

We are also very much opposed to the billboard atop the 46th Street façade and to adding a third billboard on the Broadway side. While billboards and other large signage have always been a part of the Broadway façade, they have not been on the 46th Street side. The proposed takes attention away from this wonderfully detailed façade with its historic sculptures and inscriptions. A third billboard on Broadway creates a tower of signage taller than the original building. While the proposal notes that the building will be reinforced to accommodate the weight of the signs and their framing, wouldn't it be better for the building to simply not have the extra signage and not endure any more intrusive work?

HDC urges the LPC to work with the client to create signage that will highlight the individual landmark, not dwarf or blind it.

LPC Determination: Incomplete

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 078665
Brooklyn, Block: 311, Lot: 37
195 Kane Street - Cobble Hill Historic District
A Greek Revival style rowhouse designed by Jacob Carpenter and built in 1844-1845. Application is to construct a rear yard addition.

HDC Testimony
HDC would like to note that Brooklyn Community Board 6 has not yet seen this proposal. It is scheduled to come before the Land Use Subcommittee on Monday, October 15th.

Although the rear yard addition proposed for 195 Kane Street is relatively small, it is quite visible due to the neighboring schoolyard. With the visibility so heightened, its design should be taken into consideration more than the rear yard additions typically are. The half of the addition closer to the schoolyard, and thus most in view, is also slightly taller and slightly longer than the other half. There appears to be a parapet (or possibly a full wall) atop the bedroom part of the addition rather than a railing as seen on the kitchen side. Reducing the height and depth of the addition would decrease its visibility and create a more regular addition, more suitable to this Greek Revival style rowhouse. We also question the asymmetrical windows and their uncomfortably close spacing and are curious as to what the color of the addition will be. HDC urges that these elements be reconsidered to create an addition that is less visible.

LPC Determination: Approved

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 082011
Manhattan, Block: 95, Lot: 101
268 Pearl Street - South Street Seaport Historic District
A Belgian block paved park. Application is to redesign the park.

HDC Testimony
HDC questions the need to redesign Titanic Park in the South Street Seaport Historic District. The intersection of Pearl Street and Fulton Street is traffic congested and noisy, not an ideal location, no matter what the plantings, for passive recreation. People looking to relax will go towards the water and the soon to be built park at Peck Slip. There are lovely plantings and trees already in place here to soften this corner of a busy intersection. The tidal marsh plantings, arrangement of the blue stone in a wave pattern, and the water feature all seem overly designed and rather silly. A district designated for its early and mid-19th century architecture does not need reminders of pre-colonial topography (already being referenced in the design and plantings of the Peck Slip park), and such a landscape is not an appropriate gateway or introduction to the historic district – it does not announce “South Street Seaport.” The time, effort and money going into this project could be put to better use improving one of the city's many existing parks.

LPC Determination: Approved

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 080498
Manhattan, Block: 843, Lot: 45
79 Fifth Avenue - Ladies' Mile Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style store, loft and office building designed by Albert S. Gottlieb and built in 1904-1906. Application is to install new storefront infill and signage.

HDC Testimony
HDC compliments the applicant for a fine storefront design – we particularly like the details such as the bulkhead and back painted glass sign band. With such a good design, though, we find that the blade sign is unnecessary and, considering that such signs are not found elsewhere along this block, should be eliminated. HDC urges the commission to approve this application for storefront infill without the blade sign.

LPC Determination: Approved w/mods

Hearing Date: 10/9/2007
LPC Docket Number: 081445
Manhattan, Block: 1505, Lot: 160
22 East 94th Street - Carnegie Hill Historic District
A Beaux-Arts style townhouse designed by Van Vleck & Goldsmith and built in 1899. Application is to demolish a rear extension and construct a new rear façade.

HDC Testimony
In general, HDC approves of this application to demolish a rear extension and construct a new rear façade. The proposed demolition will open up the garden core, while the façade changes are much more in keeping with the townhouse than such applications typically are. We especially appreciate the healthy balance of glass to stone and the incorporation of the original leaded windows in the new design. This building, though, is part of a row of four Beaux-Arts style townhouses built together. In keeping with the LPC’s usual stance on such situations, HDC would like to see the roof be kept in line with the rest of the row and some retention of the original windows on the top floor.

LPC Determination: Approved

 

 

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