Join GVSHP on Columbus Day to call for the preservation of the South Village
Community leaders, preservationists, and elected officials to join in recognizing neighborhood’s special architectural, cultural, and social history, and to urge granting of historic district status
On Monday, October 8th at 10:30 am, GVSHP and neighborhood leaders, elected officials, and Italian-American groups will gather at Father Demo Square (Bleecker and Carmine Streets at 6th Avenue) for a press conference highlighting the South Village’s Italian-American heritage and other special qualities which make it worthy of landmark designation (see flyer at www.gvshp.org/documents/ColumbusDayFlyer10-07.pdf ). Please join us!
Several key historic buildings in the South Village are currently in jeopardy (see www.gvshp.org/documents/Bleeckerlandmarking.pdf and www.gvshp.org/firepatrol.htm ), and several more have been lost in recent years, threatening the character of this entire historic neighborhood. In response, GVSHP has submitted a proposal for landmark designation of the South Village to the city (see www.gvshp.org/documents/SouthVillageDolkartReportPDF.pdf ) which has received broad support from area elected officials, local, state, and national preservation organizations, area business and property owners, and community groups (see www.gvshp.org/documents/SVdistrictsupportltrs.pdf ). However, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, which must ultimately decide whether or not an area is designated an historic district, has not yet taken up the proposal for consideration .
The Columbus Day press conference will be an important opportunity to call attention to the South Village’s special and historic qualities, including its Italian-American heritage which remains palpable today in its residents, its businesses, its institutions, and its architecture.
HOW TO HELP:
COME TO THE COLUMBUS DAY SOUTH VILLAGE PRESS CONFERENCE on Monday, October 8th at 10:30 am at Father Demo Square, Bleecker and Carmine Streets at 6th Avenue.
SPREAD THE WORD — download the flyer at www.gvshp.org/documents/ColumbusDayFlyer10-07.pdf to post in your building or distribute to neighbors, and pass this e-mail along to friends.
WRITE TO THE CITY URGING THEM TO DESIGNATE THE PROPOSED SOUTH VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT — go to www.gvshp.org/southvillagesupportlet.htm .
For more information on the effort to preserve the South Village, see www.gvshp.org/southvillage.htm .