The Historic Districts Council (HDC), New York’s citywide advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods, is pleased to announce its Six to Celebrate, an annual listing of historic New York City neighborhoods that merit preservation attention. Six to Celebrate is New York’s only citywide list of preservation priorities.
Fort Washington
HDC will help the Fort Washington Historic District Task Force advocate for community preservation efforts, including a Fort Washington Historic District, largely consisting of Art Deco buildings, which are a character-defining feature of the neighborhood, as well as sites significant to the area’s Jewish heritage.
Manhattan Avenue
HDC will partner with LANDMARK WEST! to explore Manhattan Avenue (West 100 to 104th Streets) on the Upper West Side. HDC will help LW! research the area’s social and architectural history, engage with NYCHA residents about their historic campuses, and advocate for increased protection at the local and national levels.
Red Hook
HDC will work with the Red Hook Community Business Alliance (RHCBA) to raise awareness of Red Hook’s history. HDC will support RHCBA’s effort to make Red Hook’s historic assets visible to the public through wayfinding and interpretive signage. We will support historic preservation efforts, as well as help in the creation of multimedia assets, events, and exhibitions that create meaningful experiences for both residents and visitors.
Stapleton Waterfront/Lighthouse District
HDC will help the Preservation League of Staten Island and The National Lighthouse Museum advocate for the preservation and full adaptive reactivation of the former Third District US Lighthouse Depot site, a historic waterfront complex of numerous buildings including the lamp shops, barracks, oil vaults, and administration buildings which are at risk of demolition by neglect.
Sunnyside/Woodside
HDC will help the Sunnyside Shines BID elevate Sunnyside and Woodside as a destination for historical, architectural, and cultural enrichment. HDC will conduct a community survey of important historic resources and develop programming on the area’s history, especially focusing on the neighborhood’s role in the development of early affordable housing in NYC.
West Village
HDC is partnering with the West Village BID to create a set of storefront design guidelines to help businesses preserve historic architectural details while adapting to modern retail needs. The project will explore the feasibility of implementing a Storefront Master Plan to streamline approvals and encourage high-quality restorations that promote the rich history of the West Village’s commercial corridors.