Dear Upper West Side Neighbor,

Expanded landmark protection is on its way to West End Avenue, and it all begins with a vote next Tuesday.

On September 15, 2010, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), the city agency charged with the authority to designate new landmarks and the responsibility to protect existing landmarks, held a community meeting at which they revealed a draft of their "West End Avenue Study Areas" (watch video of the meeting on our YouTube page).  This was the public's first look at the area the LPC is considering for landmark designation. The new historic district would include nearly 800 buildings (click here for a map of the study area).  The LPC will officially "calendar" the district on Tuesday, November 16, 2010.  Public hearings will likely be held in 2011.

The West Side is home to the City's largest ensemble of historic properties: the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District. This and the other eight historic districts (yes, nine in total!) along with the 72 Individual Landmarks on the West Side will soon be joined by new extensions to existing historic districts on West End Avenue. 

A historic district recognizing the architectural richness of West End Avenue and Riverside Drive has long been a landmark "Wish List" priority for LANDMARK WEST!  The proposed new historic district would weave together five smaller, existing historic districts along West End Avenue and take in eight individual buildings that have long been on LW's "Wish List" of landmark priorities (including the First Baptist Church at 79th and Broadway and the Cliff Dwelling apartments at Riverside Drive and 96th Street).

For our neighbors who live within the proposed study areas: what does landmark protection for your home-for your neighborhood-mean?  In addition to the staff of the LPC, LANDMARK WEST! is a resource for the community.  Over the past 25 years, we have aided innumerable friends and neighbors in navigating the landmarking waters. LANDMARK WEST's tiny staff is empowered by a league of volunteers with an array of expertise. Reviewing architectural renderings, researching historical precedents, consulting with contractors, learning real estate legalese from lawyers-their roster of collaborators is long, and they regularly tap into these resources in service of the Upper West Side.