Development Watch: 392 St. Marks Avenue

I parked across from this on Saturday. This area is BOOMING like mad with new construction.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:13 PM

Does anyone know what's up with Prospect Heights Historic District designation?

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:16 PM

record bonues on wall street
guess i was wrong

The What

the war is over ...

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:35 PM

A few fat cats getting big bonuses ain't gonna save the housing market.

I know it's tasty, but put down the Kool-Aid.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:44 PM

The PH historic designation effort is working its way through the system. The initiative has the support of the Municipal Arts Society and the Landmarks Preservation Commission itself has also made encouraging noises, moving up the application to consider it sooner. Clearly there are enormous development pressures on the neighborhood. Most people I've spoken to are all for developing empty lots. But there is great concern about scale and context. Also about the loss of historic buildings -- an old 1830s-40s woodframe farmhouse was demolished last summer on St Marks btw Underhill and Vanderbilt -- and the inappropriate expansions of brownstones and other 19th century structures.

There was a community meeting held in September and there will be several more to come. In the meantime, you can find out a lot more by visiting the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Council at phndc.org and clicking on the sidebar on the right labelled "PH Historic District."

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:52 PM

In terms of Historic District, I have to say where this building is located, there is not much to save, nor much really to look at.

Also, be careful what you wish for. Historic Districts pose a number of problems for homeowners/condo boards, etc. when rennovating. A collague's building in BK Heights went through an absolute nightmare with the proper authorities just to get new windows -- windows, people....

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 12:57 PM

I agree. This could make renovations more costly and time-consuming. But, hey, if it preserves vacant lots by limiting size and height, it'll be well worth the effort. I, for one, would miss the trash and rats that vacant lots invite.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:12 PM

I have been wondering that as welll .. we have lived on Prospect Place for about 2 yrs now and this place is still just "there"

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 1:20 PM

To 1:12 - It doesn't preserve vacant lots - just makes sure that buildings built are in context for the neighborhood. In the proposed historic district there probably aren't any vacant lots anyway. Already the brownstone blocks are being encroached by out of context 'renovations' and this will help protect against that.

Posted by: guest at November 20, 2007 5:39 PM

I know PH like the back of my hand and I can tell you, there aren't any consistent architectural styles there, and the AIA Guide to NY doesn't list more than a few historically significant buildings - its not a historic neighborhood. Instead of wasting time with a historic designation, anti-development efforts might be better placed in a down zoning.

Posted by: guest at November 21, 2007 2:22 PM