South of Union Square

Village Preservation is leading the effort to seek landmark and zoning protections for this area of Greenwich Village and the East Village – roughly Third to Fifth Avenues, 14th to 9th Streets. This historic neighborhood faces demolitions and out-of-scale new development stemming in large part from the tech industry.

Journey through South of Union Square with Our Online Interactive Tool: More than 30 Themed Tours with Featuring Over 100 Historic Sites
Walk Through Our StoryMap on Women’s History South of Union Square
Explore the Architecture South of Union Square with Photos by Dylan Chandler

Write City Officials to Support the Proposed South of Union Square Historic District NOW!

The dozen blocks South of Union Square are rich in civil rights, labor, literary and cultural history, as well as striking architecture. Our research also shows the unrivaled role the neighborhood has played as a mecca for artistic innovation, particularly in the mid-20th century when it helped shift the center of the art world from Paris to New York. This history must be preserved through landmark designation, before it is lost forever. 

Write the Mayor and Other City Officials to Preserve the Remarkable Film History South of Union Square

The incredibly important role the area of Greenwich Village and the East Village South of Union Square has played in over a century of the development of the film industry is just one more reason this endangered historic area needs and deserves landmark protection.

Preserve + Protect Women’s History Landmarks South of Union Square

Recognize and protect more than 20 women’s history sites South of Union Square, and support designation of the area as a historic district.

Protect Black History South of Union Square

The unprotected area of Union Square contains a remarkable array of sites connected to Black history — from civil rights leaders and organizations to musicians, authors, recording studios, and performance venues. The Mayor, Landmarks Preservation Commission, and local City Councilmember Carlina Rivera have all so far refused to support historic district designation of the area, resulting in an increasing number of these critical sites being lost.

Tell Officials to Recognize and Protect LGBTQ+ Landmarks South of Union Square

There is a rich array of sites connected to LGBTQ+ history in the area of Greenwich Village and the East Village South of Union Square that lack landmark protections. Send a message that we must protect or support protections for this incredibly important and underrepresented history
Read Blog Posts about the South of Union Square Area
Read Blog Posts about the South of Union Square Area

Campaign Links

Press
Images & Graphs

Map: Fifth Avenue: 1824 to Today

10/29/2024

Photos of the Architecture of Union Square by Dylan Chandler

12/12/2023

Video: Executive Director Andrew Berman discussing South of Union Square on Tony Guida’s NY/CUNY-TV

06/29/2022

Photos and video of plaque unveiling ceremony at 70 Fifth Avenue

05/10/2022

NY State Historic Preservation Office – recommended National Register Historic District boundary update

09/17/2021

City Planning Commission Public Hearing 1/22/20 re: South of Union Square Hotel Special Permit Plan

01/22/2020

Video: Save Greenwich Village and the East Village south of Union Square

07/30/2019

Video and photos from Rally to Save Our Neighborhood

09/29/2018

Chart: Comparison of Promised Neighborhood Protections and Those In Tech Hub Deal

08/16/2018

Video from the New York City Council hearing on the Tech Hub

07/10/2018

Make Sure the Mayor Doesn’t Turn Our Neighborhood into the New Silicon Alley – Community Board #3 Meeting

02/07/2018

Video and photos from Village Preservation Rally

11/15/2017

Portraits of Artist Willem de Kooning in his loft at 831 Broadway, March 23, 1963 by Fred W. McDarrah

Video from Landmarks Preservation Commission Presentation Hearing on 827-831 Broadway

10/17/2017

Video from Landmarks Preservation Commission Presentation and Vote on Calendaring 827-831 Broadway

09/19/2017

Video of Preservation Forum with City Council Candidates 

05/01/2017

Watch video and see photos from rally on 3rd/4th Avenue and Broadway/University Place Rezoning

04/22/2017

Photos from April 12 Community Meeting

04/12/2017

Videos from April 12 Community Meeting – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

04/12/2017

Flyer for April 12th meeting on Rezoning 

04/04/2017

Video from Save University Place/ Broadway Press Conference 

11/16/2015

Photos from Save University Place/ Broadway Press Conference

11/16/2015

Proposed Rezoning Area Map

11/13/2015

Planned Bowlmor Development Existing Zoning vs. Buildling Proposed under University Place Rezoning

11/13/2015

Village Preservation Presentation of University Place/Broadway Corridor Rezoning Proposal to full Community Board #2

01/22/2015

Video of CB2 Hearing on Village Preservation Rezoning Proposal for University Pl/Broadway Corridor Rezoning Landmarking

01/15/2015

Village Preservation Powerpoint Presentation of University Place/Broadway Corridor Rezoning Proposal to Community Board #2 Land Use Committee 

01/14/2015

Video of Community Meeting on University Pl./Broadway Corridor Rezoning & Landmarking w/ Village Preservation’s Andrew Berman 

12/08/2014
Letters & Docs
Letters of Support for Landmarking South of Union Square 01/17/2025
Landmarks Preservation Commission Letter to Preservation League of NYS on South of Union Square 06/30/2022
Letter from Councilmember Erik Bottcher Supporting Protection for 60, 66, 68, 72, 74, 78 and 80 5th Avenue 03/15/2022
Letter from NY State Historic Preservation Office on Evaluation of South of Union Square 09/17/2021
NY State Historic Preservation Office - Report Resource Evaluation - South of Union Square 09/17/2021
CB 3 Manhattan Resolution Calling for the Reconsideration by the LPC of the RFE for 88 East 10th Street 03/24/2021
Manhattan Borough President Brewer Testimony to Landmarks Preservation Commission on 70 Fifth Avenue 03/23/2021
Municipal Art Society Testimony to Landmarks Preservation Commission on 70 Fifth Avenue 04/23/2021
Village Preservation's letter to Councilmember Rivera regarding landmarking the area South of Union Square 03/08/2021
Speaker Corey Johnson Letter to LPC Chair Carroll in Support of Landmarking South of Union Square 07/14/2020
Village Preservation's letter regarding 86 University Place in proposed historic district south of Union Square 04/09/2020
Village Preservation's letter regarding 58 East 13th Street in proposed historic district south of Union Square 02/19/2020
Testimony Regarding Union Square South Hotel Special Permit 01/22/2020
Borough President’s Recommendation re: Proposed Hotel Special Permit Requirement for South of Union Square 01/21/2020
Village Preservation's letter to the Manhattan Borough President regarding the Proposed Special Permit Request for Hotesls South of Union Square 12/11/2019
Village Preservation's letter regarding 88 East 10th Street and 11 & 13 East 12th Street in proposed historic district south of Union Square 11/12/2019
Community Board 2 Land Use Resolution on Union Square South, Nov. 11, 2019 11/11/2019
Letter of Support for Landmark Designation of Area from the Anais Nin Trust 11/05/2019
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with additional information regarding historic significance of buildings within proposed historic district south of Union Square: Grove Press, Evergreen Review, and Barney Rosset 10/31/2019
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with additional information regarding historic significance of buildings within proposed historic district south of Union Square 09/24/2019
REPORT- Picking Favorites:The 14th Street Tech Hub 08/05/2019
Village Preservation's Letter to Mayor de Blasio and Councilmember Carlina Rivera Re: Broken Commitments following 14th Street Tech Hub Rezoning 06/28/2019
Finishing the Job: The Unprotected Architecture and History of Greenwich Village & the East Village below Union Square by Anthony W. Robins 03/19/2019
Joint letter to the LPC on Union Square by State Senators Brad Hoylman and Liz Kruger, and Assemblymember Deborah Glick 12/04/2018
Press Release from Rally to Save Former St. Denis Hotel, Stop ‘Midtown South’ in the Village 09/29/2018
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission for Historic District Designation for Area from 14th Street to 9th Street, Fifth Avenue corridor to Third Avenue corridor 08/17/2018
Councilmember Carlina Rivera’s Announcement of Her Tech Hub Deal and Commitments Secured from the City, Aug. 2018 08/01/2018
Village Preservation's City Council Hearing Testimony Regarding Proposed Tech Hub 07/10/2018
Village Preservation's City Planning Commission Testimony Regarding Proposed Tech Hub at 14th Street and Irving Place 05/14/2018
Manhattan Borough President’s issuance of her official recommendation on the 14th Street ‘Tech Hub’ ULURP 05/04/2018
Ads Urging Borough President Brewer to Include Neighborhood Protections in Tech Hub Recommendation in City&State, The Villager, and the LoDown 03/16/2018
Letter to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, urging her support of zoning protections around the proposed Tech Hub 03/01/2018
Community Board #3 Recommendation for Tech Hub with Zoning Protections 02/27/2018
Press Release: Tech Training Center Kicks Off Public Approval Process 01/29/2018
Read the Mayor's rezoning application to allow development of a large ‘Tech Hub’ at 124 E. 14th Street 01/29/2018
Supporters of Village Preservation's Proposed Zoning Protections for University Place/Broadway/3rd Ave./4th Ave. Corridors
Community Board 3's Resolution in Support of Changing Zoning of 3rd and 4th Avenues from 14th Street to 9th Street 12/20/2017
Read our 3rd & 4th Avenue Rezoning Fact Sheet 12/20/2017
Press release from our rally"Don't Turn Our Neighborhood Into Silicon Alley" 11/15/2017
Where the Mayor Opposes Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Character" Op-Ed by Andrew Berman 11/10/2017
Presentation to Community Board #3 Land Use Committee of 3rd-4th Avenue Rezoning Proposal 09/13/2017
The Villager Op-Ed: "Tech hubbub and rezoning" 05/10/2017
Presentation to Community Board 3 Economic Development Committee 05/04/2017
NY City Lens: East Village Residents Mobilize Against a New “Silicon Alley” 04/24/2017
Press release for rally to rezone 3rd/4th Avenues and Broadway/University Place 04/22/2017
View boards with information about planned developments and affordable housing from April 22nd rally
Letter to Planning Chair Marissa Lago from CB2 in Support of Rezoning 03/31/2017
GVSHP Op-Ed in The Villager: “Tech Hub Part of Spreading Development Virus” 03/09/2017
Follow Up Letter from Elected Officials to Mayor and City Planning Chair re: Rezoning Proposal 12/10/2015
Letter to Mayor de Blasio and City Planning Chair Weisbrod re: Rezoning Proposal 11/17/2015
Department of City Planning Reply Letter to Elected Officials 08/24/2015
Village Preservation Zoning Challenge Submission Letter for 110 University Place 08/20/2015
Letter from Elected Officials to City Planning in Support of Village Preservation’s University Place/Broadway Rezoning Proposal 07/14/2015
Village Preservation Letter to City Planning Urging Support for University Place/Broadway Rezoning Proposal 01/28/2015
CB 2 letter to City Planning in Support of Village Preservation’s University Place/Broadway Rezoning Proposal 01/23/2015
Village Preservation Presentation of University Place/Broadway Rezoning Proposal from Town Hall 12/04/2014
Landmark Proposals
Documented history of artists living and working in proposed South of Union Square Historic District 11/15/2024
Village Preservation's request for evaluation of South of Union Square based on film history 03/03/2023
Village Preservation's letter to LPC on unprotected 813 and 815 Broadway 09/14/2022
Additional research regarding Fifth Avenue Corridor in the proposed historic district South of Union Square 05/10/2022
Village Preservation's letter to LPC on unprotected landmarks of LGBTQ+ history south of Union Square 06/09/2021
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding unprotected landmarks of Women’s History south of Union Square 02/25/2021
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding historic significance of 88 East 10th Street and Selma Hortense Burke in proposed historic district south of Union Square 02/17/2021
Village Preservation's letter regarding 61 Fourth Avenue in proposed historic district south of Union Square 01/27/2021
Village Preservation's letter regarding 59 Fifth Avenue in proposed historic district south of Union Square 07/28/2020
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding historic significance of 86 University Place within proposed historic district South of Union Square 04/09/2020
Village Preservation’s letter to Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding historic significance of buildings in the Fifth avenue corridor within proposed historic district south of Union Square 04/07/2020
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding 58 East 13th Street, home of the National Academy of Design 02/19/2020
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with further information regarding 70 Fifth Avenue, headquarters of the NAACP, and 80 Fifth Avenue,headquarters of the National Gay Task Force 02/12/2020
Village Preservation's letter regarding regarding 88 East 10th Street and 11 & 13 East 12th Street in proposed historic district south of Union Square 11/12/2019
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with additional information regarding historic significance of buildings within proposed historic district south of Union Square: Grove Press, Evergreen Review, and Barney Rosset 10/31/2019
Village Preservation's Letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission with additional information regarding historic significance of buildings within proposed historic district south of Union Square 09/24/2019
Finishing the Job: The Unprotected Architecture and History of Greenwich Village & the East Village below Union Square by Anthony W. Robins 03/19/2019

Updates

  • March 14, 2025

    Explore Local Irish Heritage and History

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  • March 3, 2025

    Women’s History Month: Celebrate, Explore, Preserve Women’s History

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  • February 3, 2025

    Black History Month: Explore the Rich Black History in Our Neighborhoods, and Help Preserve It

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  • February 3, 2025

    Extended through February: Celebrate the James Baldwin Centennial with Our Interactive Public Artwork

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  • November 18, 2024

    South of Union Square: An “Unrivaled Artistic Mecca” Needs Landmark Protections

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  • November 12, 2024

    Baldwin Centennial Interactive Artwork Up at 13th Street and Fifth Avenue

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  • November 1, 2024

    Two Hundred Years Ago Today: Fifth Avenue Is Born in Greenwich Village; Celebrate and Explore with Our StoryMap

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  • November 1, 2024

    Village Preservation and The New School Mark James Baldwin Centennial with Art Installation on Fifth Avenue

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  • October 29, 2024

    Fifth Avenue Was Born November 1, 1824; Our New Map Tells Its Story

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  • March 8, 2024

    It’s Almost Oscar Sunday, and the Award Goes to … South of Union Square!

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  • December 12, 2023

    The Architecture of South of Union Square: Virtual Photo Exhibit

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  • August 14, 2023

    Demolition Planned for Blockfront on Third Avenue South of Union Square

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  • June 20, 2023

    Village Preservation Gives Your Guide to LGBTQ+ Pride History

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  • May 12, 2023

    On and Off 14th Street, Fighting to Recognize and Preserve Our City’s Diverse Histories

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  • March 24, 2023

    Women’s History Month Continues with Your Choice for 25 Most Impactful Women, and New Artists Tour

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  • March 7, 2023

    #SouthOfUnionSquare’s Status as Crucial Film History Hub Powers Landmarks Push

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  • September 21, 2022

    Vital History, from Civil War and Abolition to Great 20th-Century Artists, to Be Destroyed #SouthOfUnionSquare Unless City Acts

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  • August 23, 2022

    Big Demolitions Coming to 14th Street, Sixth Avenue, and Broadway #SouthOfUnionSquare

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  • August 5, 2022

    Four Years Later, Tech Hub Promises Still Broken

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  • June 5, 2022

    Celebrate and Explore LGBTQ+ History with Village Preservation This Pride Month

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  • May 17, 2022

    Proposed South of Union Square Historic District Named “Seven to Save” by Preservation League of NYS

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  • May 13, 2022

    Plaque Unveiled at 70 Fifth Avenue Honoring Civil Rights History: Video and Photos

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  • May 13, 2022

    New Research and Supporters Power Push for South of Union Square Landmarking

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  • May 6, 2022

    Speakers Announced for Tuesday 6 pm Plaque Unveiling at 70 Fifth Avenue Honoring the NAACP and Early 20th Century Social Justice Organizations

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  • May 2, 2022

    Plaque Unveiling Tuesday May 10 at 70 Fifth Avenue, Former NAACP Headquarters and Center for Social Justice Activism

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  • March 8, 2022

    South of Union Square History IS Women’s History

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  • March 1, 2022

    Join Us To Explore, Celebrate, and Advocate to Preserve Women’s History in March

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  • February 1, 2022

    This Black History Month, Village Preservation Invites You to Explore, Celebrate, and Advocate for Preserving Significant but Unprotected Black History Sites in Our Neighborhoods

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  • October 21, 2021

    Plaque Honoring Longtime Studio of Artist Frank Stella at 128 East 13th Street to Be Unveiled November 8 with Frank Stella and Whitney Museum Director

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  • September 24, 2021

    State Rules South of Union Square Eligible for State and National Registers of Historic Places, while City Allows Demolition of Historic Site to Proceed

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  • September 24, 2021

    Join Us Monday, September 27, at 6 pm for Anaïs Nin Plaque Virtual Unveiling Ceremony

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  • September 16, 2021

    Village Preservation To Unveil Plaque Honoring Anaïs Nin #SouthOfUnionSquare on Sept. 27

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  • June 14, 2021

    Pride Month: Fighting for LGBTQ+ Landmarks #SouthOfUnionSquare

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  • May 19, 2021

    Victory! 70 Fifth Avenue Landmarked; Continue the Fight for South of Union Square

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  • April 16, 2021

    Challenging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to Abide By Its ‘Equity Framework’

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  • March 22, 2021

    Landmarks Hearing On 70 Fifth Avenue in Proposed South of Union Square Historic District Tomorrow at 10am

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  • March 15, 2021

    Hearing on Landmarking 70 Fifth Avenue Set for Tuesday 3/23 — Support Designation and Push for All of South of Union Square

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  • March 1, 2021

    Women’s History Month: Celebrate, Honor, Preserve Women’s History

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  • March 1, 2021

    64-66 University Place To Be Demolished and Replaced

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  • February 18, 2021

    New Oral History: Rob Mason and RPM Studios – A Quarter Century of Incredible Music History #SouthOfUnionSquare

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  • February 18, 2021

    Black History Month Advocacy: African American Artist and Educator Selma Hortense Burke’s Home at 88 East 10th Street

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  • February 9, 2021

    Borough President Gale Brewer and More Scholars Support South of Union Square Landmarking

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  • February 3, 2021

    Uncovered!: Robert Motherwell, Abstract Expressionist Master, South of Union Square

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  • January 26, 2021

    New South of Union Square History and Podcast

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  • January 20, 2021

    After 2 1/2 Year Campaign, City Agrees to Consider 70 Fifth Avenue, South of Union Square, For Landmark Designation

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  • January 18, 2021

    Honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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  • December 4, 2020

    Plan for Oversized Addition to 827-831 Broadway Returns to Landmarks Preservation Commission 12/8

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  • November 24, 2020

    Following Backlash, City Drops Plan for Hotel Special Permit Requirement South of Union Square – Push for Real Protections

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  • October 21, 2020

    Launching “Virtual Village” — Explore and Save #SouthOfUnionSquare

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  • September 16, 2020

    New Support Rolls in For South of Union Square Landmarking Efforts –ACLU, HDC, and More!

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  • July 29, 2020

    New Research in South of Union Square Landmarking Effort Reveals Incredible History Behind Unprotected 160 Year Old Fifth Avenue House

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  • July 14, 2020

    Speaker Johnson, Scholars, and Press Support South of Union Square Civil Rights Landmarking Effort, But City and Rivera Still Resist

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  • May 19, 2020

    Gathering More Support for Landmarking Effort for Greenwich Village & East Village South of Union Square

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  • February 12, 2020

    Battle for Landmark Protections for South of Union Square Includes Historic NAACP and National Gay Task Force Headquarters

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  • August 8, 2018

    City Council Approved Tech Hub Without the Neighborhood Protections Councilmember Carlina Rivera Promised As a Condition for Her Support Upzoning for Project Will Greatly Increase Pressure for Oversized and Out-of-Character Commercial Development in Neighboring Greenwich Village and East Village

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