Citywide Preservation Platform
2009 Citywide Preservation Platform
Preservation enhances the quality of life for all citizens, promotes economic development, and revitalizes neighborhoods. New York’s historic preservation community and other concerned groups urge the candidates for elected office to commit to the following initiatives that aim to promote and protect our city’s landmarks and historic neighborhoods.
Preservation is Sustainability
Preserving and re-using buildings and building materials saves money, energy, the environment, and boosts local economies. The goals of reuse and rehabilitation of older buildings should be incorporated into the City’s planning process. A Preservation Officer within each City Agency should be designated to strengthen communications and encourage restoration and reuse of historic buildings, including those in the City’s own portfolio and the vacant properties that it acquires through default.
Preservation is Neighborhoods
Preservation of our historic buildings and neighborhoods is one of the most important factors in assuring that New York remains a livable and sustainable city. Protection of a neighborhood’s character is a cornerstone to its long-term viability, so whenever the City re-examines plans for an area, preservation activity, such as landmark designation, should be recommended and enacted.
Preservation is an Economic Catalyst
Preservation raises property values, strengthens the city’s tax base, and enhances tourism. The City must support efforts to expand State and Federal historic preservation tax credit programs, and to enhance the J-51 tax abatement program for landmarked properties. These incentives will stimulate preservation activity by home owners and small business owners.
Preservation is Historic Religious Properties
Historic religious buildings are the anchors of many communities, and often provide social services that are not otherwise available. A special task force of City and community officials should be established to study feasible ways to support their maintenance.
Preservation is an effective Landmarks Commission
Investing in the Landmarks Preservation Commission pays dividends because a better-staffed, more efficient LPC will speed the approval process for renovations and development, stimulating economic prosperity. The Landmarks Preservation Commission needs:
- Increased staffing and funding, and improved technology;
- Better communications to ensure that the Commissioners are aware of pending requests for evaluation;
- A more transparent decision-making process; and
- A protocol for working with the Buildings Department for emergency building situations.
As a Democratic Candidate for City Council in the 33rd C.D., I enthusiastically support the Citywide Preservation Platform
Ken Baer
After 44 years of experience with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, New Yorkers realize that Landmarks preservation has been significantly beneficial to the quality of life, the stabilation of many of our most treasured neighborhoods and the economic viability and stability of our City.
It is essential that candidates for public office in New York City declare themselves enthusiastically to see to it that the Landmarks Preservation Commission appointees be knowledgeable about preservation, fully able to attend meetings regularly and that the Commission must be independent of and insulated from political pressures or coeresion.