Carroll Gardens Historic District May Grow
The Landmarks Preservation Commission released the boundaries of the expanded Historic District it is pushing for in Carroll Gardens and, not surprisingly, not everyone was pleased. The city would like to expand the pitifully small area that was protected back in 1973 (shown above) to include all the blocks bounded by Court Street, Henry Street,…
The Landmarks Preservation Commission released the boundaries of the expanded Historic District it is pushing for in Carroll Gardens and, not surprisingly, not everyone was pleased. The city would like to expand the pitifully small area that was protected back in 1973 (shown above) to include all the blocks bounded by Court Street, Henry Street, Huntington Street and First Place. Sounds like a nice idea to us but there are bound to be some whiners, right? Right. “Landmarking will force the old-timers out,” said John Esposito, co-founder of Citizens Against Landmarks. “All the new people who have $100,000 income a year think this is a great idea.” (This choice of this number seems reminiscent of Dr. Evil’s famous “one million dollars” line in Austin Powers; after all, it’s not like $100,000 a year goes too far in the Carroll Gardens housing market these days!) The plan for expanding the historic district is supported by the Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association and the Brooklyn Preservation Council, and seems to be in keeping with the spirit of last year’s rezoning which made it harder to put up new out-of-context buildings in the low-rise community. No-brainer!
City Wants Second Carroll Gardens Historic District [NY Post]
“landmarking is also annoying cuz it drives up rent.”
Why don’t we just say landmarking causes cancer and leprosy, too, while we’re at it? You have no proof of landmarking driving up rent. You don’t live in the landmarked part of the Slope, so you can’t be talking from experience. The apartments in my neighborhood go for the same amount as they did before landmarking. Since my block is landmarked, and the next block over is not, I hardly think it makes any difference whatsoever.
Also real nice of Brownstoner to mock someone so benighted as to think that $100k is a big salary.
Babs;
Your post speaks for itself. Next time, try better bait.
Montrose;
I take it you have not been to Asia much. Save for important public buildings, there is little sentiment for preserving old private homes there. In fact, when my colleagues from Japan come to New York, one of the things that puzzles them is the large number of old run-of-the-mill buildings.
Tybur’s first two paragraphs bears repeating. Every time I hear someone speak of doing something for resale value, my stomach turns.
I’m a staunch modernist and have never been one to support landmarking entire neighborhoods (certain buildings that have historical importance makes sense to me, but doing entire blocks or neighborhoods drives me to distraction), but after going on MM and Amzi’s Bed Stuy walking tour yesterday, I can now see and somewhat understand what the preservationists are yelling about. But I still have to wonder if there’s a better way. Don’t know what that would be, but I wonder.
In my mind there’s a huge difference between “telling someone what to can do with their house” to control negative externalities like traffic, noise, or blocking light and air, and doing so just because their aesthetics might disagree with yours, or those of the LPC staff.
Since the area has already been downzoned there’s no threat of teardowns or out-of-scale development or encroachment on yards. This is purely about using the power of the state to dictate architectural style on private property owners.
BTW, benson, I lived in Cobble Hill 20 years ago. In no way was it demographically identical to Carroll Gardens, which began one block south of me. I knew better than to walk there with any of my non-white friends, especially at night. It was a very safe neighborhood if your skin was the right color. Cobble Hill was more racially diverse and tolerant back then; it was more long-timers (including a sizeable Arab population, as seen on Atlantic Ave.) and people who couldn’t afford to buy in Brooklyn Heights (maybe you’re thinking 30 or 40 years ago?). Now I’d say that demographic has spread to Carroll Gardens, and good!
Petebykln, historic houses are being torn down all around us – about 6 lovely wood-frame victorians have been destroyed in my surrounding neoghborhood (PLG/Flatbush) since I moved here 5 years ago, and from the looks of several outside of the historic district, they don’t have a long time left. Here’s what non-landmarked owners are inspired to do: don’t maintain your home and wait for a developer to buy you out. A house in poor repair will discourage the average buyer and attract a developer who will give you top dollar and all-cash. Unfortunately, there aren’t many of those around anymore, but that doesn’t seem to have stopped some people from hoping.
landmarking is also annoying cuz it drives up rent.
*rob*
Minard —
I have to say, I HATE the “enhances” (i.e., increases) property values argument. Not that long ago people owned houses because they wanted to live in them for a long long time and the a 30-year mortgage might actually end at some point.
Decisions to add a bathroom or put new flooring in the living room was based on your NEEDS as a family, not the resale value. It’s funny when people react to the interior of some homes for sale — shocked at how *particular* the interiors are. These owners were modifying their homes for themselves! Not CONSTANTLY PREOCCUPIED with the *resale value* of the property.
Now, to say, the property values make it financially prohibitive to do a knock-down and rebuild. Yes, I agree. HOWEVER, that’s already the case in Carroll Gardens!!!
Landmark designation enhances property values in residential districts. That is the result of various studies done by the real estate board and others. The designation helps protect the look of a neighborhood so if one is drawn to an area, landmarking is your friend. If you buy a property in order to tear it down and build something bigger or denser, then landmarking is not for you.