NEWS AND ISSUES
April 7, 2011
Robert Tierney
Chair
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
One Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Dear Chair Tierney,
As supporters of the South Village Historic District since it was first conceived in 2006, we appreciate the significant step the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) took last year in designating the western segment of the proposed district as the Greenwich Village Historic District Extension II. While we understand the limits of LPCfs resources, given imminent threats to buildings within the eastern portion of the proposed district, we urge you to act expeditiously to ensure that the remainder of the historic South Village is equally protected under New York Cityfs Landmarks Law.
Like the western third, the eastern portion of the proposed South Village Historic District is undeniably worthy of designation. It too has a largely-intact, historic architectural landscape that reflects the succession of quintessential New York constituencies that settled there. However, development pressure, exacerbated by the Cityfs improving economy, threatens the neighborhoodfs cohesive fabric. For example, applications were filed recently with the New York City Department of Buildings by the owner of 182 Spring Street to demolish the current low-rise building and construct a new 7-story structure. To prevent further losses and to ensure contextual development in the future, we strongly encourage the Commission to move forward with surveying the rest of the proposed South Village Historic District and begin the formal process for landmark designation.
Thank you for your attention to our request and for LPCfs dedication to preserving our Cityfs heritage.
Sincerely,
Thomas K. Duane
New York State Senator
Christine C. Quinn
New York City Council Speaker
Scott M. Stringer
Manhattan Borough President
Jerrold Nadler
U.S. Representative
Deborah J. Glick
New York State Assemblymember
Margaret Chin
New York City Councilmember
