Reforming the Landmarking Process

Village Preservation advocates for changes and improvements to the landmarking system to better protect historic resources and allow New Yorkers to more fully participate in the process. Village Preservation has advocated for reforms that would make demolition or compromise of historic buildings prior to landmark designation less likely, and allow easier access by the public to information about landmarks applications and hearings. Village Preservation also successfully led the charge against proposals by the Landmarks Preservation Commission to reduce the public’s participation in the landmarks public review and approval process.

Tell City Officials that the Destruction of Homes and Historic Buildings Must Stop

The city has failed to take seriously the growing problem of people’s homes and historic buildings being damaged or destroyed by construction work, neglect, or both. Time and again we’ve seen serious damage resulting from work on the city’s watch, not only failing to prevent these tragedies but also excusing and legalizing them, refusing to appropriately penalize them, and allowing the dangerous conditions to occur that lead to them.

Don’t Let the State Legislature Override Landmark Protections for Religious Properties

After considerable pushback, the lead sponsors of the state bill that would override landmark protections to allow otherwise prohibited construction on religious properties, called the “Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act,” has been amended to address some, but not all, of our concerns and objections. Tell state leaders to fix this bill now.

Mayor Adams’ Increasing Resistance to Protecting Our History through Landmark Designations Must End

Village Preservation’s analysis of NYC landmark designations shows a disturbing recent trend, especially under Mayor Adams, of a dramatic drop in such designations considered by the city, even as historic buildings and areas succumb to the wrecking ball. Tell the city to change course, with the Landmarks Preservation Commission once again taking up the cause of vigorously protecting our city’s precious and diverse histories for future generations to appreciate.

Tell City Officials to Say No to No Public Subsidies for Demolishing Older Buildings

The city has announced a possible program that would provide public funds to subsidize the demolition of older buildings in our city, with the premise that it’s better to redevelop the sites than reuse the structures for new purposes, protecting both our city’s historic fabric and environment.

Campaign Links

Press

Images & Graphs

Photos and video from press conference demanding an end to the rash of demolitions of New York City landmarks or sites under landmarking consideration

12/15/2022

Letters & Docs

Letter on Plans to Subsidize Demolition of Older Office Buildings 11/15/2024

Joint Letter Regarding Provisions of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act 04/01/2024

Response from Landmarks Preservation Commission and Department of Buildings on 14/16/18 Gay Street and 16/18/20 Christopher Street 03/28/2024

Village Preservation Comments on Landmarks Preservation Commission Rules for Installation of Sidewalk and Roadway Cafes 02/27/2024

Status of vulnerable buildings at 14-18 Gay Street and 16-20 Christopher Stree 02/15/2024

Notice from Landmarks Preservation Commission on Rules for Installation of Sidewalk and Roadway Cafes 02/14/2024

Letter on Illegal work conducted at 105-107 Bank Street, Greenwich Village Historic District 02/08/2024

Joint Letter from Preservation Organizations Concerning the Vulnerable Buildings Plan 01/18/2024

NY Landmarks Conservancy Letter on New Construction Next to the Merchant’s House Museum 12/13/2023

Joint Letter from Preservation Organizations on Protecting Vulnerable Historic Buildings 07/20/2023

Press Release: Mayor Adams Announces Action Plan to Strengthen Protections for Vulnerable Historic Buildings 04/07/2023

Joint Letter re Destruction of landmarked buildings 03/03/2023

Letter from Landmarks Preservation/Buildings Department on Actions at 14 Gay Street 12/16/2022

Joint letter on issues surrounding 14 Gay Street and monitoring of landmarked historic properties 11/29/2022

Letter from Landmarks Preservation/Buildings Department on 14 Gay Street 11/18/2022

Joint letter on demolition of landmarked 14 Gay Street to city officials 11/16/2022

Press release: Rally to protest demolition of 14 Gay Street 11/14/2022

NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Revised Rules Amendments Briefing Presentation 05/29/2018

Joint Letter Opposing LPC Rules Changes 04/13/2018

Testimony Regarding Proposed Changes to the LPC Application Process 03/27/2018

City Council Letter to LPC re: changes to public comments 03/23/2018

Rosie Mendez's Letter to LPC re: changes to public comments policy 04/10/2017

Corey Johnson's Letter to LPC re: changes to public comments policy 04/10/2017

Village Preservation Letter to LPC re: changes to public comments policy 04/04/2017

Letter of support from State Senator Hoylman 09/29/2014

Letters of support for Village Preservation’s suggested improvements from elected officials 06/05/2014

Village Preservation's letter to the mayor and LPC commissioner about ways to improve communication with the public 05/02/2014

Village Preservation letter to mayor and LPC about improving LPC communications 05/02/2014

Landmarks Preservation Commission Funding Village Preservation Alert 05/23/2008

Reports & Analysis

Analyzing New York City Landmark Designations: 1965 to the Present 09/03/2024

Village Preservation Report: Analysis of Pre-Designation Activities in New York City during the Bloomberg Administration 06/16/2014

Updates

November 18, 2024

Pushing Back on City Plan to Subsidize Demolishing Older Buildings
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September 6, 2024

Report Reveals Adams Is Lowest on List for Mayors and Landmarking
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September 4, 2024

Village Preservation Releases First-Of-Its-Kind Report Analyzing NYC Landmark Designations 1965 to Present, Finds Dramatic Drop in Recent Years
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August 9, 2024

Following Village Preservation Protest, City Halts Work and Issues Violations at Controversial 14 Fifth Avenue Construction Site
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August 9, 2024

“Coney Island”–Style Lighted Signage Removed at Pizza Funhouse, 69 West 8th Street/402 Sixth Avenue
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July 3, 2024

City Planning Commission Hearing on “City of Yes” Wednesday, July 10 Beginning at 10 am — PLEASE TESTIFY OR SUBMIT COMMENTS
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June 4, 2024

Bill Preempting Landmarks Protections for Historic Religious Sites Comes Down to the Wire
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May 6, 2024

State Bill Preempting Landmark Protections Improved but Not Fixed
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April 22, 2024

Mixed Results in Albany’s Housing Deal — The Battle Continues
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April 16, 2024

DOWN TO THE WIRE — State Legislature Negotiating Final Details of Budget Deal Including Supersized Development and Overriding Landmarks Protections for Religious Sites — WRITE NOW!
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April 8, 2024

Down to the Wire on State Allowing Supersized Residential Construction and Sidestepping Church Landmarks Protections
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April 3, 2024

Urgent: New State Bill Would Strip Landmark Protections from Historic Churches and Religious Properties — WRITE NOW!
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February 27, 2024

Landmarks Preservation Commission Proposes Rules for Outdoor Dining Structures in Landmarked Areas
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February 16, 2024

City Fails to Protect Public Safety, Landmarks at 14-18 Gay Street/16-20 Christopher Streets
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February 9, 2024

Landmarks Preservation Commission Makes Another Disturbing Decision to Legalize Destruction at 105-107 Bank Street
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January 19, 2024

Responding to the Rising Tide of Dangerous and Unpermitted Work in Our Neighborhoods
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January 8, 2024

Landmarks Hardship Application for West Park Presbyterian Church Withdrawn
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December 6, 2023

Another Neighborhood Building Damaged and Vacated Due to Construction Next Door: DEMAND ACTION FROM THE CITY
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August 9, 2023

Updates on Safety and Stability at Landmarked Sites: 10-14 Fifth Avenue and 50-52 Second Avenue/40-42 East 3rd Street
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April 10, 2023

City Finally Releases Plan to Prevent Destruction of Landmarks, with Many Specifics Lacking
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February 21, 2023

Another Landmarked Building in Greenwich Village Endangered Due to City-Approved Work at 10 Fifth Avenue
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December 16, 2022

Preservationists and Elected Officials Slam City Agencies and Administration for Allowing Demolition of Landmarks at City Hall Press Conference
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December 14, 2022

Join Us for Press Conference December 15 at 2 PM on the Steps of City Hall To Protest the Growing Rash of Demolitions of Landmarked Buildings Across NYC
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November 30, 2022

Continuing to Fight for 14 Gay Street and Adjoining Endangered Buildings
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November 17, 2022

Hundreds Join Protest at 14 Gay Street, Demand Reforms from City
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November 11, 2022

This Monday, Nov. 14: Join Our Press Conference and Protest over Demolition of 200-Year-Old Landmark at 14 Gay Street
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May 31, 2022

City Budget Negotiations Reach Final Phase; Help Fund Historic Preservation
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May 6, 2022

Victory! Proposed Landmarks Budget Cuts Restored, but More Help Needed
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March 28, 2022

City Council Considers Mayor’s Proposal to Slash Landmarks Preservation Commission Budget
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February 23, 2022

Mayor Proposes to Slash Staff and Budget for Landmarks Preservation Commission
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January 18, 2022

Now Even More Ways to Track and Respond to Proposed Changes to Local Landmarked Properties
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December 17, 2018

Revised Changes to Rules Governing Landmarking Process Passed – A Victory for Preservation
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September 28, 2018

New Landmarks Chair has Extensive Preservation Background; GVSHP Urges Her to Extend Landmark Protections in Endangered ‘Tech Hub’ Area; Rally Tomorrow at Noon to Save our Neighborhood
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August 13, 2018

Good News: Landmarks to Hold Public Hearing on Revised Rules
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May 30, 2018

City Retreats on Plan to Cut Public Out of the Process, Rolls Back Landmarks Rules Change Plan
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May 24, 2018

Public Meeting on Proposed Rules Changes That Would Cut the Public Out of the Process
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May 23, 2018

Landmarks Chair Will Step Down June 1; Make Sure Her Replacement is a True Preservationist
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April 17, 2018

Coalition of Preservation Organizations Fight to Keep the Public in the Landmarks Process
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March 29, 2018

Overflow Crowd Opposes City Plan to Cut Public Out of Landmarks Review Process; Comment Deadline Extended
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March 6, 2018

URGENT PRESERVATION ALERT: City Proposes to Cut Landmarks Public Review Process
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April 14, 2017

Victory! LPC Reverses Itself; Will Extend Public Comment Period
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April 11, 2017

Fighting to Maintain Opportunity for Public Comments on Landmarks Applications
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April 4, 2017

Re: New Policy Regarding Submission of Public Comments for Commission Public Hearings and Meetings
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On the Edge of Water and Change: An Exploration of John T. Krawchuk’s Photography of the West Village Waterfront in the Early 1990s