Here is a real-life example which shows why New York City’s landmarking process desperately needs to be reformed and why the case is so important:
From the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation’s recent (July 28) newsletter:
During the several years we have been asking for landmark designation of the South Village, we have lost some of its most significant buildings without any action by the city, including the Provincetown Playhouse and Apartments, the Circle in the Square Theater, the Sullivan Street Playhouse, the Tunnel Garage, and the 1861 house at 178 Bleecker Street.
How many more historic structures will we lose to the Landmark Preservation Commission’s slow, opaque landmarking process? The State Supreme Court has ruled in CECPP v. Tierney that LPC’s rules for
landmark evaluation (largely made by staff and Chair Robert Tierney) are “arbitrary and capricious” and ordered the Commission to conduct its business in a more timely manner back in 2008. Recent appeals have blocked these much-needed changes.
If they cannot be made through legal ruling, though, perhaps it is time to change the landmarks law, itself?
For several years now, the Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation has been engaged in a lawsuit (CECPP vs. Tierney) to fight for more independence at the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
In it’s original decision in 2008, the State Supreme Court agreed with CECPP, calling LPC’s rules for landmark evaluation (largely made by staff and Chair Robert Tierney) “arbitrary and capricious”. Subsequent appeals, however, ruled that CECPP had no “standing” to make such a case.
Our latest appeal, which has been filed with the State Court of Appeals, is focused on whether active preservationists, such as the Steering Committee of CECPP, have a right to ask the courts to halt unlawful practices by landmark agencies that result in the destruction of landmark-eligible buildings. If not, who will?
We want to thank everyone who took the opportunity to attend our Evening at The Osborne on Tuesday, July 6th. If you missed the event, don’t worry, we’ve put together a Slideshow and a YouTube video (above) of some of the night’s highlights.
If you did miss the event, you can still make a tax-deductible donation to CECPP. Just make out a check to “Open Space Institute” (our fiscal sponsor) with “CECPP” in the memo line and mail it to:
CECPP
c/o Neighborhood Preservation Center
232 E. 11th Street
New York, NY 10003
Great news! Your contributions to CECPP are now tax deductible! As of June 17, 2010, the Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation is fiscally sponsored by the Open Space Institute, Inc., as part of their Citizen Action Program. OSI is a nonprofit public charity exempt from federal income tax under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Tickets are selling out fast to An Evening at The Osborne on July 6 (details below). RSVP today! Please email citizens@savelpc.org or call 212-380-8612 to reserve your place right away. (Advance reservations are required. Payment information provided upon reservation.)
If you cannot attend on July 6, but still wish to contribute, please make your check out to “Open Space Institute” with “CECPP” in the memo line and mail to:
CECPP
c/o Neighborhood Preservation Center
232 E. 11th Street
New York, NY 10003
Here is a real-life example which shows why New York City’s landmarking process desperately needs to be reformed and why the case is so important: