Preservation Emergency in Brooklyn's 40th Council District!
HDC would like to take alert you to a preservation emergency in Brooklyn’s 40th Council District. Specifically, this issue relates to the proposed Ocean on the Park Historic District, which had a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission in March 2009. Support of this small district has been overwhelmingly supportive, and I want to thank all of you who submitted testimony on its behalf.
Unfortunately the local council member, Dr. Mathieu Eugene, has been reticent to support the full district’s designation. Specifically, he seems to have been swayed by the anti-preservation rhetoric of one property owner, who has put their property up for sale and has marketed it specifically as a development site. CM Eugene has suggested that this property be removed from the proposed district.
To cut out this property from the already very small district of 12 houses would compromise the quality and integrity of the whole. Which is why, as constituents of CM Eugene, it is essential that you reach out to Councilman Eugene immediately and let him know that the people of the 40th council district demand to see the Ocean on the Park district designated in full!
A number of wonderful historic neighborhoods, both designated and awaiting LPC attention, are located within the 40th Council District. CM Eugene must recognize these historic areas as valuable resources within his community! If he so willingly jeopardizes the designation of this district, the other deserving neighborhoods in his district are equally at-risk. The district’s collective history should not be compromised in order to accommodate a development site.
It is imperative at this time that you contact CM Eugene directly and tell him to support the full designation of the Ocean on the Park district! You may call his district office at 718-287-8762 or send a fax to 718-287-8917. You may also email [email protected].
Also, please send copies of your emails to HDC at [email protected] and the Landmarks Preservation Commission at [email protected]. As always, thank you for your time, and for your assistance.
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Thanks to Brownstoner for this sample text:
Dear Council Member Eugene,
I am distressed to learn that you are contemplating voting against the landmarking of the Ocean on the Park Historic District in its entirety and urge you to reconsider. A large number of longtime community residents have spent years working to preserve the integrity of this important architectural grouping of buildings; they, and the many thousands of Brooklyn voters for whom the borough’s history is of primary concern, would feel deeply betrayed by any move on your part to undermine this effort. Please do not compromise the trust the public placed in you by bowing to the wishes of one greedy property owner over the long-term interests of the community.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address