ALERT: Crown Heights Landmark to be considered by City Council
On this coming Monday, January 8th, the landmark designation of 1375 Dean Street will be considered by the City Council Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses. The Hearing is scheduled to be held at 11am in the Committee Room at City Hall.
1375 Dean Street is the oldest surviving building in the Crown Heights North area, and was designated as an individual landmark in recognition of its importance to the development of the neighborhood and acknowledgment of the threat to its continued existence by publicly-known plans for development of a high-rise on its site. While it is not the role of historic preservation to thwart development, preservationists cannot stand idly by when significant historic structures are threatened with destruction. In this instance, the Landmarks Commission acted in time to save the building, but the agency’s action must still be confirmed by City Council. Designation is only the beginning.
If you can, please come to the Subcommittee meeting on Monday at City Hall. If you can’t come, please take a moment to send a message supporting the designation to Council Member Jessica Lappin, Chair of the Subcommittee at [email protected]
For more information on 1375 Dean Street, also known as the Elkins House, go to http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/Press_Releases/2006_10_24.shtml
or read the full designation report at http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/reports/ElkinsHouse.pdf
UPDATE: The Council Subcommittee heard testimony on the designation and seemed favorably inclined to affirm the designation (the 5 CMs present voted “aye”). It should pass City Council with the Subcommittee’s approval but the owner is still bringing action against the City on the basis of not granting him a demolition permit. We’ll try to keep on top of this story as it unfolds.