In less than thirty days, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will take the first of three votes concerning proposed historic district extensions anchored by West End Avenue. As we look ahead to this highly anticipated vote, LW! offers a recap of our community's efforts to date:
In September 2010, we gathered. A community meeting, convened by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), marked the official announcement that expansion to historic districts, anchored by West End Avenue (WEA), were actively being considered on the Upper West Side.
Then, in November, the boundary lines were revealed! Three separate extensions to two existing historic districts had been identified by the LPC Research Department -- a significant expansion upon the scope of the Request for Evaluation, or RFE, submitted by Prof. Andrew Scott Dolkart to the LPC, as commissioned by our neighbors and colleagues the West End Preservation Society (WEPS).
We called on our fellow West Siders and partners in preservation from throughout the city to tell the LPC: "YES, West End Avenue and its environs merit landmark protection!" The Commission responded in February 2011 by setting the dates for three successive public hearings. To help friends and neighbors prepare for the hearings, LW! and WEPS collaborated with neighborhood groups to host not one but two informational sessions.
2011 was a big year! Three public hearings -- first on March 22nd, then on June 28th and, finally, on October 25th -- made for a veritable relocation of the Upper West Side, albeit temporarily, to the 9th Floor of One Centre Street, home to the LPC's public hearing room. West Siders came out in full force and added their voices to the public record of support for the three extensions. Relive the energy and excitement of each hearing via the LW! blog.
In 2012, the voting begins!
WHAT: Public meeting of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to
Vote on the proposed Riverside-West End Historic District Extension I (W. 79th - 87th Sts. - click here for the proposed boundary map) WHEN: Tuesday, June 26th, 2012 / Time To Be Determined* *The LPC usually issues its agenda with approximate times three days
in advance of the public meeting. Stay tuned for updates! WHERE: Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor -- Bring photo ID (Click here for directions) WHO: You, your neighbors, all who support neighborhood preservation!
Help us spread the word; let us know of others in your building or on your block who is interested in learning more about this ongoing issue. Attending the public meeting is incredibly valuable, but it is important to note that no public testimony will be taken. LW! encourages any and all whose schedules permit to attend silent support, and observe this important vote being cast by the LPC. Following the vote, the Dept. of City Planning is asked to evaluate the proposal and, finally, the proposed extension arrives at the City Council. The Upper West Side is grateful for the long-time support of our local elected officials, whose support WEPS secured in early 2008: City Council Members Gale Brewer, Inez Dickens and Melissa Mark-Viverito State Assembly Members Linda Rosenthal and Daniel O'Donnell State Senators Thomas K. Duane, Adriano Espaillat and Bill Perkins Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer Congressmen Jerrold Nadler and Charles Rangel Please write or call their offices, thanking them for their early backing of this important issue and for their continued commitment as the LPC voting begins. Not sure which elected officials' districts you're in? Check here. Stay tuned for email updates on the June 26th vote and for email and blog spotlights on buildings for which the proposed extension would mean much-deserved landmark protection.
And if you haven't already ... Sign the Petition! Add your name to the list of those who support the West End Avenue historic district extensions. And encourage your friends and neighbors to sign as well!
Email the LPC, and copy your elected official(s)! Tell them you support their efforts to expand existing historic districts anchored by West End Avenue. Here's how to do it!
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