Push to Expand Historic District in the North Slope

This morning the Brooklyn Paper has a story about how preservationists and politicians are supporting the proposal to expand the northern section of the Park Slope Historic District, in the area bounded by Flatbush Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and President Street. Although the proposal to extend landmark protection to around 800 buildings in this part of the neighborhood has been kicking around for awhile, the story quotes people who say its more urgent now given the imminent opening of Barclays Center: “‘For people who live nearby, this is a pretty important thing,’ said Park Slope historian Francis Morrone, noting that stadiums rarely rise so close to buildings with so much history and unique style. ‘Without protection, there’s every reason to think [future development] would be inconsistent with the historic character.'” Peter Bray, the chair of the Park Slope Civic Council’s historic district committee, also says that the district would help protect the neighborhood’s character if the arena opening leads to more development nearby. Councilmen Steve Levin and Brad Lander also support the expansion. The LPC is surveying the neighborhood at present and finalizing boundaries for the proposal. Meanwhile, the proposal to expand the historic district in a large swath of the South Slope is supposed to be voted on by the LPC in the spring, according to the story.
Bigger Slope Historic District Could Curb Development Near Arena [BK Paper]
Map via the Park Slope Civic Council