Some Oppose Skyscraper District Landmarking

The Landmarks Preservation Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed Borough Hall Skyscraper District next month, according to an article in the Journal, but the designation isn’t being welcomed by some residents, landlords and business owners. Residents of the co-op at 75 Livingston are against the landmarking because they believe it makes maintaining the building more difficult: “Just the fact that it’s calendared means that anybody who wants to redo their bathroom has to get a sign-off,” says the president of the co-op board. Meanwhile, business owners have written a letter to the LPC about why they’re opposed to landmarking, saying the “needless historic designation” will make it more difficult to improve the retail mix in the already-struggling area. One of the biggest landlords in the district’s catchment, SL Green Realty Corp., which owns 16 Court Street, is also against the designation, saying the city should “encourage more investment, not to layer on more regulation.” The district covers 20 buildings near Borough Hall.
Skyscraper District Opponents Stand Tall [WSJ]
Details on the Borough Hall Skyscraper District [Brownstoner]
Photo from PropertyShark