Crown Heights North on LPC Agenda Today
With the Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting today to consider designating the area known as Crown Heights North, the New York Sun reports that, not unexpectedly, there is a mix of reaction within the community. “We believe we are just as worthy as Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Stuyvesant Heights,” said Deborah Young, a…
With the Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting today to consider designating the area known as Crown Heights North, the New York Sun reports that, not unexpectedly, there is a mix of reaction within the community. “We believe we are just as worthy as Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Stuyvesant Heights,” said Deborah Young, a homeowner who was led the effort to ressurrect a 1978 LPC study on the area’s architectural importance. Politically, Borough President Marty Markowitz is strongly in favor–and the addition would also help address recent accusations that LPC has been far too Manhattan-centric. Still, while some long-time homeowners like the idea of “preventing speculators coming in and tearing stuff down and building something out of character,” some also worry about those renters living on a fixed income who will be hurt by the upward trend in prices that often follows an historic designation. As for us, we can’t think of an unprotected area more in need of protection.
CHN Designation Would Worry Some [NY Sun]
Thanks for the kudos, 11:49, but I can’t take any personal credit for the success of the landmarks effort. The leadership of CHNA, as well many of the members, had more or less finished all of the hard work of constant letter writing and photo taking by the time I moved to CH and found out about the organization. I’ve tried to do my part since I joined, but they are the real heroes here. They may not want their names plastered here on the blog, so I won’t, but the credit is theirs.
Will the letters of support sent to the LPC by those of us who could not attend the meeting be taken into consideration?
Is it a done deal? Will it really be approved?
There was a huge group of people at the meeting; easily overflowing the hearing room. I need to go back to my notes, but at least 25 – 30 people testified, almost all in favor. Homeowners from all walks – from brand new & renters – to people who’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades spoke eloquently and passionately about the beauty of the area and how much it means to them. About four or five people asked specificly for more information about what landmarking means (and the LPC promised to have another community meeting as well as posting staff members outside the hearing room to answer questions) and there were two or three “this is my property and you can’t tell me what I can do with it” types. CM James & Vann were there & even Marty himself showed up and made a passingly coherent speech.
CHP, great work on getting the Landmarks Preservation Commission to look at Crown Heights North.
I don’t mind your soapbox; actually enjoy it. Sometimes you seem like a lone voice because of your unique perspectives.
Just know that you have a choir in the amen corner saying ‘preach on, sister’. Just ignore the trolls; a lot of people are destructive and negative rather than constructive these days.
Can anyone report back from the Landmark Commission meeting yesterday?
Uh oh- the trolls (anon @ 8:19) are out in force again. You’d think they would get a life. Then again, maybe they’re just too stupid.
Jennyanne = B2xBklyn
Sorry, 2:01, I guess I’m a bit touchy, after my first post in almost two weeks was immediately jumped on like fresh meat. I was out of town where internet access was spotty, so I couldn’t mouth off for a couple of weeks, which I’m sure pleased some no end.
I’ll take whatever exuberant praise I can, and thank you very much! I really hope landmarking is the beginning of a renaissance for CH, and it won’t always be synonomous with riots, crime and danger. We are so much better and so much more than just the negative.
chp, this is anon 11:44. i think you confused me with the previous poster.
i’m really an admirer of your unique viewpoints and comments. i usually find them to be insightful.
i haven’t seen your postings in a while so i’ve been wondering if ‘they’ (whoever that group of trolls may be) succeeded in driving you away.
so naturally i was happy when you popped up again.
i was simply trying to inject humor (maybe in poor taste) but i’m really a fan of yours.
either way, it’s all good.
i’ll refrain from being so exuberant in my profession of admiration next time (: >