Help Landmark the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection at 59 East 2nd Street in the East Village

  On Tuesday, March 23rd, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) will hold a hearing on a proposal to landmark the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection at 59 East 2nd Street in the East Village. 

The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and the East Village Community Coalition first called upon the LPC to landmark the structure in 2008 when we became aware of a plan to construct an 8-story condo-tower atop the building. While that threat has been removed by, among other things, the recent rezoning of the East Village which prohibits such construction, the ultimate fate of the historic structure remains unclear. We understand that the leadership of the church is opposing landmark designation, though some congregants have expressed support for designation.

 That is why your help is needed to ensure that the LPC moves ahead with landmark designation of this very important historic structure, and to encourage the LPC to move forward with other proposed landmark designations in the East Village which have languished.

 The hearing on Tuesday the 23rd is scheduled to begin at 10:50 am at the LPC hearing room in the Municipal Building, One Centre Street (at Chambers Street), 9th floor (bring photo ID to enter the building). Please come testify at the hearing in SUPPORT of landmark designation of this and other important historic structures in the East Village (if you plan to attend, please let us know by responding to this e-mail). 

 If you cannot come to the hearing, please send testimony in support of designation to the LPC before the 23rd. SAMPLE TESTIMONY OR A SAMPLE LETTER IN SUPPORT OF DESIGNATION CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING HERE.

 With the support of a grant from Preserve NY (a grant program of the Preservation League of NY State and the NY State Council on the Arts), the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is completing a historic resources survey of the entire East Village, documenting the history of every building in the neighborhood. This will be used to help formulate comprehensive landmark and historic district protections for the entire neighborhood.

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