Landmark Preservation: Petitions to save historic buildings.

[antinimby]

Okay, I'll fill out the petition (http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/forms/request_for_evaluation.pdf) for landmarking Gimbel's but I need some help from you guys.

As you know, LPC requires that potential landmarking candidates have to have some sort of historical significance and why it's deserving of that designation.

What should I put down? For instance, is there some special about that skybridge like it's the first of it's kind in the city or the only surviving one or the tallest one in the city, etc.

Same goes for the building also.

[antinimby]

Well, may I suggest you folks channel some of that anger into something useful by submitting a petition to Landmarks to landmark the Roosevelt hotel? :D

It's a short, simple form (http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/forms/request_for_evaluation.pdf) and it'll only take a few minutes of your time. Just print it out, fill out some information and then send it out. Easy as 1, 2, 3.

In the "Additional information" section at the bottom, that is where you make your compelling case for why it should be designated a landmark. Many of you have already stated them here, so it's just a matter of repeating it again on the form.


Remember, the hotel's address is:

The Roosevelt Hotel
45 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017

[ZippyTheChimp]

hdc@hdc.org

Send them an email about the Roosevelt Hotel. (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3520&page=9)

[alonzo-ny]

Alright now we're talking! The first buildings coming to my mind are, The Roosevelt, the Penn and the Gimbels skybridge.

[stache]

If you can PM the links to me, I will add them to this page.

[Christopher667]

I'm just copying and pasting my post from the Roosevelt Hotel thread here in case people haven't read it and are confused about the nature of this new thread....

Thank you antinimby for providing the information and link. I sent in a "Request for Evaluation" form and will get other people I know to do so as well. It certainly can't hurt. Great pictures of the building, which appears to be in beautiful condition (unlink the Pennsylvania) are available on the hotel's website.
http://www.theroosevelthotel.com/

Wouldn't it be a good idea for us lovers of NY buildings to identify buildings that we love, that are not landmarked and are not threatened with demolition? The least we could do is bring such buildings to the attention of the LPC while there's ample time, instead of a last ditch effort which always seems to end unhappily. A wave of evaluation requests backing one particular building may get our voices heard once in a while. Would anybody be interested in such an endeavor?

[stache]

Thanks Chris. This sticky is a work in progress -

[Christopher667]

My pleasure Stache.

This link contains a picture of the Gimbel's skybridge in case anyone is interested.
http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID126.htm

Also, this is a good site for searching if a particular building is already landmarked. I'm not sure how comprehensive it is, but I never have any luck trying to search the LPC website.
http://www.neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org/designation_reports/

Maybe at some point we could attempt to locate less widely known structures. The three mentioned are a good starting point, but I just worry about the sort of "here today, gone tomorrow" buildings such as that beautiful little stable building in the village that was demolished and the numerous townhouses we're seeing disappear.

The Hotel Penn certainly has the historical significance aspect going for it, if nothing else. This article from The City Review is loaded with good arguments in its favor.
http://www.thecityreview.com/hotelpenn.html

[ZippyTheChimp]

Andrew Carnegie Libraries (http://www.hdc.org/CarnegieLibraries.htm)

67 were built
57 survive
54 still function as libraries
13 are NYC landmarks
2 are within historic districts

The rest are unprotected.

[scumonkey]

How about 15 w 38th st.....I can't find anything on this building
but -one look at it and you know in an instant it would be
an unforgivable mistake not to protect it.

[Christopher667]

If this is the right building, it looks like a beauty by Delano & Aldrich. Could anybody get a better photo?
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=15west38street-newyorkcity-ny-usa

[Christopher667]

From a quick look, it's not mentioned in The Architecture of Delano & Aldrich, but that book does mostly focus on their country estates.

[stache]

I'm hoping to make this thread about buildings that already have existing petitions for people to sign. If the thread gets bogged down with inquiries, it may defeat the purpose of people being able to come here and quickly help out buildings.

[stache]

Draft a letter requesting a hearing to landmark the hotel.

Send copies to:

Landmarks Preservation Commission
http://nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maillpc.html

Community Board 5 chair David Siesko
office@cb5.org

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
bp@manhattanbp.org

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
http://www.nyccouncil.info/html/acti...ct_speaker.cfm

City Council Member Jessica Lappin
lappin@council.nyc.ny.us


New York State Senator Thomas Duane
http://www.nyssenate29.com/send_email.asp

New York State Assembly Member Richard Gottfried
gottfrr@assembly.state.ny.us


Copy of request to landmark from Historic Districts Council