ALERT: Join in the Fight – Save Our Skyline
SAVE OUR SKYLINE … or Kiss It Goodbye
As reported in the New York Times on November 1, 2006, the New-York Historical Society plans to:
1) Build a 280-foot glass apartment tower cantilevered over the Landmark.
2) Add a large penthouse directly on top of the Landmark.
3) Redesign the Central Park West façade of its Landmark building between W. 76 th and 77 th St.
4) Construct an auditorium annex on the West 76th Street residential block.
The New-York Historical Society is our city’s only “Triple Crown” building—it is an Individual Landmark in 1966 (one of the first to be designated), part of the West 76 th Street Historic District (in 1973) and the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District (in 1990). Eventually (sooner rather than later), the project will have to be presented to the Landmarks Commission for review. When a similar proposal was sent to LPC in 1984, the plan was struck down. Once again, we must unite behind the message that our Landmarks are not “development opportunities” to be exploited for private gain. We must mobilize immediately, or we can kiss the skyline goodbye.
Here is the most important way you can help:
Sign on in support of “Save Our Skyline (SOS)”: Individuals, organizations, boards, etc. – your voices must be heard! Please email [email protected] , or call 212-496-8110. Join NYS Senator Thomas K. Duane, NYS Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried and the growing list of supporters. More details are available at www.landmarkwest.org
ALSO…
Mark your calendars and pack the room on Wednesday, January 31, 7:00 PM:
Louise Mirrer, President of the New-York Historical Society, will give a presentation on “future plans for the institution.” The location is the Fourth Universalist Society, 160 Central Park West at 76 Street. Will Louise Mirrer present specific, comprehensive architectural plans for the Society’s Landmark site? Or will she merely offer bland platitudes about “creating opportunities for growth” and “seeking dialogue with the community”—while the transformation of one of New York’s most important Landmarks gets shaped behind closed doors? Please make every effort to attend on the 31st! Speak up! Ask questions!
The barn door is open, and the horse is ready to run!
Sign on to SOS today!
[email protected], 212-496-8110
http://www.landmarkwest.org