NEWS: Avella Landmarks Bill introduced
From the Brooklyn Downtown Star
http://www.brooklyndowntownstar.com/StoryDisplay.asp?PID=4&NewsStoryID=4170
Council: We’ve Got Your Landmark Right Here
By Shane Miller
The City Council might have more influence over the city’s landmarking process if a bill introduced at last week’s stated meeting becomes law.
The legislation, which was introduced by northeast Queens Councilman Tony Avella, would require the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to hold public hearings on potential sites for designation – sites that would be suggested to them in the form of a list from the members of the City Council.
“I imagine that the first list is going to be quite lengthy,” laughed Avella on the steps of City Hall last Wednesday, “mainly because we are going to be playing catch up. I hope in time, though, that the list will be moderate in nature.”
Currently, the LPC decides in closed-door sessions which buildings or neighborhoods will receive a public hearing on potential landmarking, a method that has been criticized by preservationists from all over the city.
“This is one very important way to trigger accountability, and I hope that it is just one step,” said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of the Historic Districts Council.
The LPC has also been charged in the past with favoring the borough of Manhattan, effectively ignoring landmark-worthy sites throughout the rest of the city.
“I would say that the borough of Manhattan has gotten a lot of attention, and definitely the other – not the outer – boroughs feel neglected,” said Avella.
Bankoff said that he didn’t know if the LPC was consciously paying more attention to Manhattan, mainly because he isn’t privy to the inner-workings of the commission, but he sees the results.
“We don’t know how LPC makes its decisions, so we can’t say for sure that Manhattan gets preferential treatment,” said Bankoff. “But we see what gets selected for public hearings.”