HDC regularly reviews every public proposal affecting Individual Landmarks and buildings within Historic Districts in New York City, and when needed, we comment on them. Our testimony for the latest items to be presented at the Landmarks Preservation Commission is below.
Item 3
7th Avenue South and West 10th Street – Greenwich Village Historic District
BINDING REPORT, Docket #1935605
Northwest corner of 7th Avenue South and West 10th Street. Application is to install a newsstand at the sidewalk.
Item 4
Columbus Avenue and West 72nd Street – Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District
BINDING REPORT, Docket #1938062
Northwest corner of Columbus Avenue and West 72nd Street. Application is to install a newsstand at the sidewalk.
Following the many LinkNYC kiosk installations, this application speaks to an unfortunate onslaught of more large digital screens and images present in our city’s historic environments. This proposal, much like the proposal for a newsstand installation at Columbus Avenue and West 72nd Street, raises questions about the placement of digital screens in regards to their relativity to the historic character of the area. HDC asks the Commission to consider the scale of these new prototypes and how, collectively with the kiosks, all of these screens may detract from the historic nature of these districts.
LPC determination: Approved
Item 6
620 Avenue of the Americas – Ladies’ Mile Historic District
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS, Docket #1939145
A Beaux-Arts style department store building designed by DeLemos & Cordes and built in 1895-97. Application is to replace and alter storefronts, service infill, entrances, and windows.
This building is one of the success stories of Ladies’ Mile: neglected for years, this former department store is flourishing with retail. As such, HDC has no objections to the proposed locations of new storefront openings, which will further nurture the commercial usage of this prominent landmark.
Unquestionably, the Ladies’ Mile Historic District is one of the most important commercial storefront districts in the city. We strongly believe that a storefront intervention here should be a substantial improvement, and we know that the proposed extruded aluminum will pale to its cast-iron counterparts. If feasible, new cast-iron storefronts here is the optimal solution.
LPC determination: Approved with modifications