Help Save A Landmark From Demolition!
The owners of the individually designated City and Suburban Homes First Avenue Estate (the full-block complex from First to York Avenues between East 64th and East 65th Streets) have submitted an application for the demolition of 429 East 64th Street and 430 East 65th Street on the ground that they do not generate a sufficient economic return.
This is only the 18th hardship application that has been submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) since the Landmarks Law was enacted in 1965. The LPC should only be asked to grant the demolition of a landmark under the most strenuous of circumstances, when the economic hardship is genuine and all other possible solutions have been exhausted. This application does not meet those criteria.
HDC has joined FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts in strongly opposing this proposal. Please help us to protect the First Avenue Estate, and the future of every landmark building in New York City.
Voice your OPPOSITION to this proposal:
Manhattan Community Board 8: Landmarks Committee
Marymount Manhattan College, 221 East 71st Street, Regina Peruggi Room, 2nd Fl. Monday, January 9th at 6:30 p.m.
Manhattan Community Board 8: Full Board
Ramaz School, 125 East 85th Street, Auditorium. Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30 p.m.
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, 9th Fl. Tuesday, January 24th at TBD.
Each speaker will have three minutes to offer testimony.
*Read more about the ongoing fight to save these landmark buildings in the New York Times.
I was at the January 9 Community Board meeting. As a tenant working hard to save our landmarked block, I must say I was heartened. The room was packed. More than 100 neighbors and friends were there – all opposed to owner the Stahl Organization’s fraudulent “hardship” application in which Stahl co-presidents Richard Czaja and Gregg Wolpert had claimed that apartments in complex at market rates would bring in only $600 a month. Speaker after speaker denounced the plan to thunderous applause. I only wish the unanimous vote against the plan by the Community Board Landmarks Committee was binding. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission will make the binding decision within 3 months after the public hearing slated for January 24.
Monica McLaughlin
I was at the January 9 Community Board meeting. As a tenant working hard to save our landmarked block, I must say I was heartened. The room was packed. More than 100 neighbors and friends were there – all opposed to owner the Stahl Organization’s fraudulent “hardship” application in which Stahl co-presidents Richard Czaja and Gregg Wolpert had claimed that apartments in complex at market rates would bring in only $600 a month. Speaker after speaker denounced the plan to thunderous applause. I only wish the unanimous vote against the plan by the Community Board Landmarks Committee was binding. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission will make the binding decision within 3 months after the public hearing slated for January 24.
Monica McLaughlin