Call to Action: Rally for Preservation on Wednesday, May 12
Call to Action: Rally for Preservation on Wednesday, May 12
For the past four years, HDC has helped organize a preservation day at City Hall that dozens of neighborhood preservationists have attended to show the strength of the preservation community. Through our efforts, the Landmarks Preservation Commission has grown in staff and has designated more properties in all five boroughs than ever – they designated more properties in 2008 than they had in any year since 1990. This record of accomplishment needs to continue; dozens of historic neighborhoods throughout New York City are still unprotected and prey to tear-downs and unregulated development. If we’ve learned one thing in 45 years of preservation practice in New York, it’s that landmark protection is good for the city. Without landmark protection, SoHo and Tribeca wouldn’t exist, the theater district would be an office park and Brooklyn Heights would be filled with high-rises. But as much as the LPC has accomplished, there’s still much more to do.
Upsettingly, due in part to the fear engendered by the economic downturn, there’s been a recent cry in the press against preservation efforts – with the hoary old lines about “standing in the way of progress” and “NIMBY”ism sometimes reaching fever pitch. This static unfortunately matters because our elected officials – some of whom are new to the job and others who have a long record of NEVER “standing in the way of progress” – are beginning to listen. We must show City Hall that New Yorkers care about their neighborhoods and want them preserved. We cherish our historic buildings, parks and streets and we KNOW that preservation is good for the city.
We need you to come to City Hall on Wednesday, May 12 at 10am, stand with us at City Hall and say “People Want Preservation!”. We need you to join us with your stories and your passion to demonstrate that preservation is something that the public wants. Please come and bring your materials, your petitions, and your enthusiasm. Together, we can make a difference and show City Hall that we know what’s best for our neighborhoods.
WHAT: Rally for Preservation
WHEN: Wednesday, May 12th at 10am SHARP
WHERE: City Hall Steps – 4,5,6, N or R Trains to City Hall.
As a thank you, all attendees to the Rally will receive a badge granting discounted admission to the Annual HDC Preservation Party on May 20th.
See you at City Hall!
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