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New York is the greatest city for many reasons, including its strength, resiliency and creativity. Evidence of this can be seen in the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These past few months have been difficult and challenging, but New Yorkers have responded and adapted quickly. I am proud to say that the Landmarks Preservation Commission also adapted quickly, adjusting to make sure the agency could continue to serve the city while protecting the health of its employees and the general public. By March 19, 2020, all staff were working remotely, and we had implemented e-filing to process permit applications, and on April 21, 2020, we resumed public hearings and meetings through a video conferencing application and began live streaming them on our YouTube channel. The response has been great! LPC has received more than 2,500 applications and staff have issued just as many permits. More people are tuning into our virtual public hearings now that they are being livestreamed with peak viewership at nearly 100 for some applications.
Covid-19 laid bare many social inequities, and the pandemic has disproportionately affected people of color because of systemic racism. I have been moved by protests and calls for action to address institutional racism across all government and society. I want to reaffirm the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s continued commitment to inclusive designations that represent the diversity of the city. I have made it a priority to ensure that through our designations we tell the complete story of all New Yorkers, and these events have strengthened my commitment and resolve to ensure equity in representation. Moving forward, our designations will continue to reflect the full and complete story of all who have helped build this amazing, resilient and diverse city.
Finally, I ask that every person fill out the census. Census results could impact the amount of federal funding NYC receives for programs such as LPC's Historic Preservation Grant Program (see more information here). It takes only minutes to make a difference and help make sure every single person and every community is represented.
Wishing you all the best,
Sarah Carroll
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New on the Commission's Calendar |
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On June 9, 2020, the Commission voted to calendar Public School 48 at 155-02 108th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens as an individual landmark. It is a notable design by its architect, Walter C. Martin, and an early use of the Art Deco style for elementary school buildings, demonstrating innovations in school planning and a stylistic shift away from the more traditional revival styles commonly used in the early 20th century. Read more about it here.
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On June 30, 2020, the Commission unanimously voted to calendar the Harriet and Thomas Truesdell House at 227 Duffield Street in Brooklyn an individual landmark. This Greek-Revival style former row house is a rare surviving 19th-century abolitionists’ home in Downtown Brooklyn. Read more about it here.
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On June 30, 2020, the Commission also voted to calendar the Angel Guardian Home at 6301 12th Avenue in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn as an individual landmark. This Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts style structure stands out monumental from the surrounding residential streetscape. Read more about it here.
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| LPC Designates Its 150th Historic District |
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On June 23, 2020, the Commission voted to designate the Manida Street Historic District in Hunts Point, Bronx. Designed by architects James F. Meehan and Daube & Kreymborg, and built in 1908-09, the Manida Street Historic District is a notable example of the early-20th century development of the South Bronx’s Hunts Point neighborhood. Read more about it here.
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LPC Launches #LoveNYCLandmarks Initiative to Celebrate New York City |
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On March 30, 2020, LPC launched an initiative to celebrate New York City, providing engaging online content about the historic buildings and neighborhoods that make New York a vibrant, beautiful and resilient city. Through our #LoveNYCLandmarks initiative LPC has shared articles, photos, story maps, neighborhood tours, and games and activities for kids and adults to engage New Yorkers in a joyful discourse about the city’s history and culture, foster civic pride and strengthen our connections to the places we love. Read more about it here.
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LPC Resumes Public Hearings/Meetings Virtually |
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On April 15, 2020, LPC announced that it would resume holding public hearings and meetings through the video conferencing application Zoom, and live streaming them through its YouTube channel on April 21. These tools have enabled applicants to present their projects to the Commission and the public to participate using their computers, smartphones or by calling in from any telephone. Read more about it here. Since then, the Commission has acted on nearly 100 applications at 12 virtual public hearings.
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LPC Releases a Story Map Highlighting 55 Years of Designations and Regulation in NYC |
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On April 16, 2020, LPC announced the launch of Fifty-Five Years of LPC, an interactive story map in honor of its 55th anniversary that celebrates and highlights the agency's work since the Landmarks Law that created the Commission was enacted. LPC's story map features a decade-by-decade history of the Commission, highlighted with examples of designations, Commission-approved new design, legal milestones, and a timeline of New York City history for each decade. It also includes excerpts from previous chairs and commissioners. Read more about it here.
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LPC Releases Enhanced Beta Version of Discover NYC Landmarks Map |
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On May 9, 2020, LPC released an enhanced beta version of the Discover NYC Landmarks map, an interactive map originally launched in 2016 that allows individuals to easily search and explore landmarks throughout the five boroughs. It includes building-by-building information on more than 37,300 buildings within 150 historic districts or designated individually. The new beta map offers additional search and filter functions that allow users to filter buildings by combinations of style, architect, building type or era of construction, creating lists and display results visually. LPC's applicants will also benefit by having easy access to compare historic buildings and visualize the results. Read more about it here and see tutorial video here.
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In celebration of Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of NYC’s Pride March in June, LPC published a Medium post reflecting on the history and events the march was first organized to commemorate (read more about it here), and another on Staten Island landmarks with documented LGBTQ significance, which together demonstrate the rich intellectual and cultural diversity of New York City (read more about it here).
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On June 19, 2020, for Juneteenth, a day that we recognize the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States, LPC honored and recognized the critically important contributions of African Americans to shaping New York City through landmarks and historic districts. Read more about it here.
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LPC Launches Recovery Initiative Supporting NYC’s Reopening |
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On June 24, 2020, LPC launched a Recovery Initiative, intended to help owners of historic buildings and commercial tenants resume business operations as quickly and effectively as possible. As part of the initiative, LPC created a new, dedicated recovery team, hotline and expedited permit process to serve the needs of restaurants and retail establishments. The initiative supports New York City’s reopening and recovery. Read more about it here.
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This is the NYC.gov news you requested for:
Landmarks Preservation Commission News
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