Last Friday, February 20 in the freezing rain, we were joined by scores of neighbors, Councilmember Chris Marte, the Historic Districts Council, Community Board 2, and many others for a rally calling on the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)  to deny an application to demolish the historic 1875 tenement at 139 Thompson Street, which contains 19 units of housing, 12 of which were rent-regulated. The owner wants to demolish the building based on claims of structural compromise and replace it with a new structure with six very expensive new units. Watch video of the rally HERE, see images of the rally HERE, and read coverage HERE. 

The rally was held in anticipation of a scheduled hearing at the LPC on Tuesday. Hours after the rally, however, the hearing on the proposed application was postponed to March 17. This building has been left in a state of disrepair by the owner for years, and illustrates how preservation of a historic building — and regulations that require it like landmark designation — can also help lead to preservation of affordable housing, and help prevent its destruction. 

TO HELP: