About
As advocate for neighborhoods not designated but meriting protection,
we advise community groups that come to us because they are seeking
historic designation. An HDC staff member meets with them in their
neighborhoods to talk about what designation means and advises them
how to proceed. Later, a committee of HDC tours the proposed district on
foot, taking notes and photographs. With that information, we make
concrete suggestions and then counsel groups on how to apply for
designation, on what kind of research is necessary and how to get it done.
We always stress the importance of community support and help local
groups obtain it.
Sometimes HDC initiates the designation process itself, usually
in nonresidential areas that do not have local community leaders.
In those cases, HDC sponsors the work that would otherwise be done
by a community group.
We also sponsor applications to State and National Registers of
Historic Places. Listing on these Registers often helps move the
designation process forward at the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
To preserve the integrity of the Landmarks Law, we monitor behavior of
city government and the LPC, taking issue with actions and policies when
we feel we should. HDC testifies before the City Planning Commission, the
Art Commission, the Board of Standards and Appeals and the City
Council, usually on the effect a proposal would have on historic
neighborhoods.
