Annual Preservation Conference Unites Citywide Advocates

By Michael Perlman

Preservation conference panel, Photo by Michael Perlman

The Historic Districts Council (HDC), a citywide advocate for New York’s historic neighborhoods, hosted the 26th Annual Preservation Conference at John Jay College on March 7. Hundreds of preservationists from the five boroughs networked and discussed strategies in preserving historic buildings and districts that grant community distinction, with an aim of strengthening the preservation ethic through tools including Individual Landmark (façade) and Historic District status via the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, as well as the State & National Register of Historic Places. 

Rego-Forest Preservation Council at the preservation fair

Rego-Forest Preservation Council flyer, March 2020

An annual preservation fair offered an opportunity for organizations to present current initiatives and display posters, brochures, and petitions at tables. Diverse attendees included Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Docomomo, South Street Seaport Coalition, 300 East 25th Street Block Association, Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, NY Preservation Archive Project, Greenwich Village Preservation, Park Slope Civic Council, Iron Hills Civic Association, Save Chelsea, Bronx Borough Landmarks Committee, Mott Haven Historic Districts Association, and Hart Island Project. Networking continued over a buffet lunch. 

Iron Hills Civic Association & friends, Photo by Michael Perlman

Section of preservation fair, Photo by Michael Perlman

This event builds upon the success of the recent ceremony where the “Six To Celebrate” 2020 communities meriting preservation are Rego Park, East Flatbush, Center Park Slope, Bronx Preservation Committee, Todt-Dongan Hills, and Landmarks of the Future Citywide. Rego-Forest Preservation Council advocates for landmark status for significant sites in Rego Park, Forest Hills, and nearby Queens communities, and documents local history. Presently, Forest Hills has three official landmarks, Remsen Cemetery (designated 1981), Ridgewood Savings Bank (2000), and Engine 305 & Ladder 151 (2012), but Rego Park has no designations. 

Simeon Bankoff, executive director, Historic Districts Council, Photo by Michael Perlman

HDC President Daniel Allen, Photo by Michael Perlman

HDC President Daniel Allen explained their success since 1970. “We have produced hundreds of programs about New York’s history and educated thousands of people about how to protect their historic neighborhoods, worked on gaining designations of more than 125 of the soon-to-be 150 historic districts, and reviewed thousands of proposals to alter historic buildings.” He continued, “Since last year’s conference, preservationists fought hard to protect the city’s character.” Landmark designations include Bay Ridge’s first historic district and Tin Pan Alley. “Each advancement has something in common; a fierce group of preservationists holding rallies, sending e-blasts, writing letters, bothering elected officials, and testifying at hearings.” A short film of preservation stories proved what makes our city special, and also included Landmarks Lion award recipients such as historian Barry Lewis and preservationists Christabel Gough and Kitty Carlisle, and Grassroots Preservation Award recipients. 

Chair Sarah Carroll, NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, Photo by Michael Perlman

There are over 37,000 landmarked buildings and sites, including over 1,400 Individual Landmarks, 149 Historic Districts, 120 Interior Landmarks, and 11 Scenic Landmarks. HDC Executive Director Simeon Bankoff introduced keynote speaker, Chair Sarah Carroll of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). She explained, “NYC is a vibrant city whose history is revealed through its built environment. I believe that preservation is integral for the dynamism of this city and is a significant factor in NYC being a global destination. It was because of New Yorkers’ growing concern for the protection of the city’s history, that the Landmarks Law was enacted 55 years ago.”

During her time at the LPC for over 25 years in various roles, she has strived to initiate fairness and equity to the agency. She explained, “I firmly believe that preservation needs to represent and reach more communities, and that means representing our diverse history, and in the long-run, promoting preservation in all communities. We are working to ensure diversity in designations, making sure that we are telling the stories of all New Yorkers, and really looking at communities that haven’t had a voice in the past. We are working to ensure effective outreach for our regulatory work and garnering support for designations while recognizing NY’s incredible diversity, and ensuring fairness, transparency, and efficiency in regulations, so that proposed work is approved in a timely manner and that we are supporting property owners through technical assistance and improved guidance.”

She continued, “Preservation is more than just protecting our historic buildings, but about providing life to these buildings, so they can continue to be relevant tomorrow because as speaker Corey Johnson says, ‘In a city as dynamic as New York, the only constant is change.’”

A recent LPC goal is to identify newer buildings that reflect the more recent NYC history. She said, “It is vitally important that we think ahead and protect these properties that continue to represent the city’s changing nature, as well as the diversity of our social and cultural history.”

“In order to be equitable, we need to nurture preservation in less represented communities that may not have the architectural icons that earlier districts had, but have equally strong historic and cultural value,” said Carroll. 

Preservation session led by Simeon Bankoff, HDC, Photo by Michael Perlman

Participant-driven conferences are a component that differentiates this event from others. In classrooms, leaders delivered 45-minute sessions on NYC preservation topics which were voted upon by preservationists, and the winners were “South Street Seaport,” “Not Just Preservation,” “What About Penn South?,” “Lower West Side,” “Quarantine Island,” and “Preservation Manifesto.”

Simeon Bankoff’s presentation pinpointed that New Yorkers inherit the city and need to pass it down to future generations in a recognizable shape, and asserted that the government is the nurturer of citizens and must provide a healthy environment, safety, education, housing, and a stable economy. Additionally, equal access and the opportunity to utilize public resources are essential. Attendees proposed advocating for more preservation-friendly people in public office and offering training sessions, having buildings over a certain age become landmarks (similar to other municipalities), and having the full LPC body review proposed designations, the LPC holding public hearings at a certain threshold of community support, and every community having access to open space and protection of their historical resources. Suggestions also included implementing citywide planning which includes preservation and sensitive contextual development, modifying mayoral appointments of commissioners, instituting a demolition tax based on environmental factors and an EIS peer review, and strengthening community board oversight. A main point was that our historic city’s preservation is equally as important future housing and climate resiliency. 

50+ years of advocacy panel, Photo by Michael Perlman

Plenary sessions were inspired by HDC’s 50th anniversary. The first session, “50+ years of advocacy” reflected upon HDC’s preservation work and posed the question of what will advocates seek to preserve in the next 50 years. Panelists pinpointed current preservation challenges and proposed directions meriting exploration. It featured moderator Angel Ayón, Gregory Dietrich, Christian Emanuel, and Vicki Weiner. As a case in point for Queens, Emanuel, a real estate broker, was a dormant preservationist until his parents, commercial tenants at the Bank of Manhattan Company tower in Queens Plaza were facing eviction, and what was once Queens’ first skyscraper (1927), was threatened with demolition. They partnered with the HDC and rallied support from the community and elected officials, and the building was landmarked within a year. Today, Emanuel is on HDC’s board of directors. 

Designation tales panel, Photo by Michael Perlman  

The second session, “designation tales” largely focused on landmarking success stories told by advocates and offered advice on the process. Panelists were moderator Kelly Carroll, George Calderaro, Julia Charles, Jim Protos, and Keith Taylor.

Rego Park Honored As A “Six To Celebrate” Historic Community

By Michael Perlman

HDC Six To Save 2020 Rego Park poster & HDC 50th anniversary pamphlet, Photo by Michael Perlman

Rego Park, founded in 1923 by REal GOod Construction Company, has been selected by a most influential citywide advocate non-profit organization, Historic Districts Council (HDC) as one of the 2020 “Six To Celebrate” communities. Annually, the Six To Celebrate program, launched in 2011, identifies six historic New York City neighborhoods that merit preservation as priorities for HDC’s year-long advocacy and consultation. Rego-Forest Preservation Council will collaborate with HDC and apply for Individual Landmark (façade) and Historic District status via the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for architecturally and culturally significant properties and sections, respectively, as well as coordinate walking tours among other initiatives. 

Friends of the HDC, Courtesy of Ron Caveglia

On January 15, a launch party attended by over 100 guests was held at the landmarked National Arts Club, also known as the Samuel Tilden mansion at 15 Gramercy Park South, which offered an ideal setting to celebrate this special occasion with speeches, food, a PowerPoint presentation, and HDC’s 50th birthday. Even LPC Chair Sarah Carroll was in attendance. Besides Rego Park, the other Six To Save preservation-worthy areas are East Flatbush, Center Park Slope, Bronx Preservation Committee, Todt-Dongan Hills, and Landmarks of the Future Citywide. To date, the program helped create 13 NYC Historic Districts, 50 Individual Landmarks, 5 National Register districts, and 3 National Register properties. Additionally, it has leveraged over $130,000 in private and public grants for these community-driven projects. 

Guests from the 5 boroughs united on preservation, Photo by Michael Perlman

HDC President Daniel Allen, Photo courtesy of Michael Perlman

HDC President Daniel Allen said, “­­­­Over our 50th anniversary year, let’s think back of all that we have done together and all of what’s meant to this city. We all have stories and some documentation. HDC is still collecting, so get in touch with us.” 

CM Ben Kallos, Courtesy of Michael Perlman

Council Member Ben Kallos (5th District, Manhattan), who calls himself “one of the strongest preservationists on City Council,” said “You don’t necessarily know who you’re going to be before you get elected, and when I did, I discovered that I’m a preservationist.” He explained, “You have to keep on going, and the price of preservation and our history is having the HDC and everyone in this room continue to fight for it day in and day out, since all it takes is the wrong person at the wrong place being able to level all the history that our city has.” He continued, “There are not enough preservationists in elected office. For 2021, I am optimistic to elect preservationists to City Council and have people fight for the Landmarks Committee.” 

HDC Executive Director Simeon Bankoff,  Council Member Ben Kallos, HDC President Daniel Allen, Photo by Michael Perlman

He presented a proclamation to the HDC. He stated, “The NYC Council is proud to honor the HDC for 50 years of outstanding service to the community, and whereas HDC is dedicated to preserving historic neighborhoods, buildings, and public spaces across the 5 boroughs, to upholding the integrity of the Landmarks Law, and to further the preservation ethic. Representing a constituency of over 500 community organizations across all 5 boroughs, HDC works directly with people who care about our city’s historic neighborhoods and buildings.” Since 1970, five years after the Landmarks Law was founded, HDC has played a significant role in the creation and preservation of 149 Historic Districts and extensions. 

CM Ben Kallos, Courtesy of Michael Perlman

Rego-Forest Preservation Council, founded in 2006 by this columnist, advocates for landmark status for significant sites in Rego Park, Forest Hills, and nearby Queens communities, and documents local history. Currently, Forest Hills has three official landmarks, Remsen Cemetery (designated 1981), Ridgewood Savings Bank (2000), and Engine 305 & Ladder 151 (2012), but Rego Park has none.

“We look forward to helping Rego-Forest Preservation Council to develop proposals for meritorious sites, which we bring to the Landmarks Preservation Commission and hopefully get designated,” said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of Historic Districts Council. “We are hoping to help organize and better project their knowledge and enthusiasm for the area to a broader audience; not only the public but decision-makers.” 

Simeon Bankoff addresses guests, Photo by Michael Perlman

After naming some altered or demolished properties that HDC fought for, Bankoff stated, “Part of preservation is remembering things that we lost, so we don’t lose things in the future. We cannot forget.” He also cited examples of designations HDC helped obtain such as Sunnyside Gardens and most recently Tin Pan Alley. “Designation is not the end, but just the beginning. We now entered into an eternal compact of making sure that those buildings continue to improve, are use, and preserved.”

Reflecting on the event’s success, Bankoff explained, “It was wonderful to see such a diverse group from all 5 boroughs gathering together to celebrate the work of HDC and community preservation. We saw lots of old friends and met new ones, and best of all were people across the city connecting with sympathetic and like-minded activists.” He pointed out that listening to community board members from the Upper East Side and Crown Heights discussing many shared concerns was a fantastic observation.

Historically, Rego Construction Company acquired land in Forest Hills West and named Rego Park after their advertising slogan “Real Good Homes.” The firm was founded by two natives of Germany; president Henry L. Schloh and secretary and treasurer Charles I. Hausmann in partnership with builder Joseph F. Thone. The firm began by developing 525 eight-room single-family “Rego Homes,” railroad style Colonial frame houses between 63rd Drive and Elliot Avenue along Saunders, Booth, Wetherole, and Austin Street, which sold for an estimated $7,500. 

Three apartment houses accommodating 70 families each followed. They were the Tudor-style Remo Hall at 61-40 Saunders Street (1927) and the Spanish Mission-style Jupiter Court at 62-64 Saunders Street (1927) and Marion Court at 62-98 Saunders Street (1929), which were designed by award-winning architect Benjamin Braunstein, a Constantinople native. Novelty features are recessed facades and courtyards to maximize fresh air, light, and landscaping, once marketed as an advantage over the urbanized city. As a case in point, Marion Court residents experience was personalized with architectural features including terra-cotta reliefs of animals, castles in stained glass, and a roof garden where residents would once recreate. 

Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chair Michael Perlman & Landmarks Preservation Commission Chair Sarah Carroll, Photo by Ron Caveglia

“Now more than ever, preservation is extremely important, as it provides a visual history for younger generations to understand and learn more about our borough’s origins,” said Forest Hills attendee Ron Caveglia. “Seeing a photo or drawing of a decades’ old building is fine, but the physical presence of an original residence, business, or place of worship provides more of an impact for the observer. Attaining landmark status for our local architectural treasures is an excellent, indispensable tool in turning preservation’s goal into a reality.” Commending the HDC, he explained, “I was most excited to learn that Rego Park has been selected to benefit from generous resources ranging from private and public grants to walking tour brochures, landmarking strategies, and public outreach programs. The occasion reached its pinnacle when Queens’ native son Michael Perlman, Chair of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, was recognized for his spirited, dedicated work in furthering local architectural preservation.”

Eric Schreiber of Kew Gardens has followed Six To Celebrate for years, as a supporter of preserving important historic buildings and neighborhoods. He considers Rego Park a bastion of middle-class America and a historic, unique, and diverse community. He explained, “Perhaps the most significant and unique areas would be the Crescents, an upscale enclave featuring tree-lined, curved streets with lovely pre-war single-family homes. Within walking distance of shopping and public transit, it has a vibe that is more suburban than most other parts of the city. The homes feature well-manicured front and back yards.” He continued, “If not landmarked, the possibility exists that developers and new residents, with no interest in the historical significance of the neighborhood, could come in and raze these beautiful homes, forever destroying its character.”

Barbara Ann Rogers came from Prospect Lefferts Gardens, a previous Six To Celebrate community. She said, “Preservation is important for retaining a sense of history and honoring the architecture designed to make spaces livable and accessible to all, but most importantly, it keeps neighborhoods affordable. Preserving Six To Celebrate neighborhoods means preserving our way of life as true New Yorkers, with respect for all.” She expressed her love for Rego Park. “It was built for working class people, but with care and attention to architecture and open spaces that one doesn’t often find any longer. This is what is threatened by overdevelopment.”

The landmarked National Arts Club at the Samuel Tilden mansion

Touring Forest Close & the Forest Hills Gardens with Architectural Historian Barry Lewis

By Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council Chair & Forest Hills Times Columnist

On a warm Saturday morning, nearly 40 residents of Forest Hills and other communities gathered in Station Square, to begin their weekend with a tour of the Forest Hills Gardens and Forest Close. Many anticipated their first encounter with notable architectural historian Barry Lewis, who conducted historic NYC tours, televised on Channel Thirteen, and wrote the book, “Kew Gardens: Urban Village in the Big City.”

This tour was made possible by the Historic Districts Council, NYC’s largest citywide preservation advocate. It is part of the non-profit’s “Six To Celebrate,” where the HDC will offer tours of the neighborhoods which encompass the six preservation-worthy selections of 2014 between June and October. HDC Preservation Associate Barbara Zay explained, “These tours serve to highlight neighborhoods that many New Yorkers are unaware of, and in places that are more heavily trodden, to shine a light on unknown aspect of their history or built environment.”

The Forest Close Association nominated Forest Close, an assemblage of rowhouses designed in 1927 by Robert Tappan, a client of Cord Meyer Development Company. It is bounded by 75th Road, 76th Avenue, and Austin Street. Zay explained, “The HDC seeks to raise awareness of this delightful neo-Tudor enclave and explore opportunities to further protect it for future generations. The Association is concerned about new developments and real estate projects in its surrounding neighborhood that could threaten the Close’s sense of place.”

“Town home living in Forest Close and nearby Arbor Close allows for gardening, outdoor dining, or winter reading by the fireplace,” said Forest Close resident Elisa Barsoum Losada. “Each home has a private patio overlooking a shared common green space and has doorbells on the patio and front doors. These features encourage a sense of community, and allow neighbors to live and work together throughout the seasons.”

“Contemporary architects and developers can take a lesson from the design of Forest Close,” said Joanne Wasti, who opened her home and served fine cookies and lemonade. She explained, “As people become more aware of their carbon footprint and green design, Forest Close is an example of a design emphasizing community and away from the car culture. The shared garden area also helps with run-off and cools our homes in the summer.”

The Association maintains a covenant which regulates changes to its architecture and open space, similar to the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, which upholds restrictive covenants governing the Forest Hills Gardens.

Established in 1909, the Gardens is America’s earliest planned garden community. It originated when the Russell Sage Foundation purchased land from the Cord Meyer Development Company, and Principal Architect Grosvenor Atterbury and Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. developed what would become an internationally recognized model of urban planning. Tudor and Arts & Crafts mansions, a few apartment houses, the Forest Hills Inn, religious institutions, and outdoor and indoor recreational features can be found.

Barry Lewis highlighted the community’s history and clever design principles. Station Square was conceived as a town center, which merges residential space with an inn, shops, and the LIRR station. Lewis explained, “Atterbury’s walkway system around Station Square is brilliant. He figured, ‘Why should people staying at the Inn have to schlep their luggage outside?’ He created over the street bridges and a walkway system that goes through the buildings.” He continued, “This is urban thinking. Not suburban thinking. It’s about civilizing the city’s way to live in the industrial era.”

Lewis glanced across the way at The Inn Apartments (separate from the Inn) and pointed at the oversized casement windows. He said, “These architects understood that modern people wanted light and air in their apartments. The waffling allows for a multiple exposure.” He continued, “There was a feeling of security and coziness using distressed brick over fieldstone, which gives a rugged feeling of civility.”

Addressing front lawns of homes, Lewis pointed out that most are not fenced in, which can be attributed to covenants. “You would get off the train from NY, where everything follows a grid street system and felt claustrophobic, but here you would have a feeling of openness,” he said.

Every community faces some controversy over development. Lewis addressed the last lot to be developed, which is where The Leslie apartments stands. The site was formerly the Russell Sage Foundation’s sales office and the Austin Hanks house, where the lone surviving family member refused to sell for redevelopment’s sake. Not long after she died, The Leslie was completed in 1942.

The Leslie’s advantages were sunken living rooms, artist studio windows, social rooms, and indoor and outdoor play areas. Additionally, he stated, “An entire city block is completely surrounded by gardens. This was a template for some white brick apartment buildings of the post-war period such as the Manhattan House.”

The Community House

Another stop was Atterbury’s 1926 Community House, which contains a theater, a social hall, and basketball courts. Lewis said, “There was room for everybody. It was very common in a quality community development to have a clubhouse.” He related it to garden communities of Jackson Heights and Kew Gardens. Other historic sites that Lewis featured were the West Side Tennis Club, the Church-in-the-Gardens, the Tea Garden, Hawthorne Park, PS 101, and the Holland House just beyond the Forest Hills Gardens.

The Church-In-The-Gardens

“Protecting places such as the Forest Hills Gardens and Forest Close is important, for it is part of the fabric of New York City,” said Elmhurst resident Helen Chin. “It is unique not just terms of community, but in architecture, design, and urban planning. What was incredible is how soothing and nurturing the environment was.”

A similar version of this feature was published in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/25273891/article-Closer-look-at-two-significant-neighborhoods

Michael Perlman Receives 2014 Grassroots Preservation Award by the Historic Districts Council

For those who missed my speech at the Historic District Council's 2014 Grassroots Preservation Awards (or wish to relive it), you can view the video clip. Preservationist Jeffrey Kroessler spoke with much grace and spirit, and presented my award at the time slot of 9:45. The text of my speech is below:

Good Evening, Everyone,  As a 31 year-old native Forest Hills resident and Chairman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, I feel honored to receive the 2014 Grassroots Preservation Award. I am also encouraged to become an even stronger historic preservationist of Forest Hills and Rego Park, among other neighborhoods.

I founded Rego-Forest Preservation Council in 2006, in response to the 100^th anniversary of Forest Hills, and the parcel which became known as Rego Park in 1923.  Landmark-worthy buildings and stretches of Forest Hills and Rego Park faced a growing number of insensitive alterations and demolition. We seek to preserve and commemorate our architectural and cultural history by advocating for Individual Landmarks, Interior Landmarks, and Historic Districts, as well as State & National Register of Historic Places sites, and by assisting property owners in the acquisition of funding to restore their properties. 

As a Forest Hills Times columnist since 2012, I take pride in featuring preservation, an often underrepresented topic in local media.  Preservation is my civic duty and religious calling.

1. I conducted a PR campaign and petition drive in 2010 in response to the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium’s potential sale for condos. This contributed to its iconic stadium’s partial restoration and creative reuse in 2013 as a concert venue.

2. I assisted Rego Park Jewish Center and the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown in the acquisition of National Register status. Presently, I am co-organizing concert fundraisers, to help restore the church.

3.  I founded Friends of TheRidgewood Theatre, and succeeded in obtaining Individual Landmark status.

4. I assisted in landmarking campaigns for Engine Company 305 / Hook & Ladder Company 151 in Forest Hills, as well as the Forest Park Carousel and the Sunnyside Gardens Historic District.

5.  Jay Dee Bakery in Forest Hills offered a great slice of Americana, but when it shuttered in 2009, I brokered a deal to have the huge neon sign salvaged.

6. I founded committees and brokered deals to spare the Moondance Diner in SoHo, and the Cheyenne Diner in Chelsea from demolition. Respectively, they were transported on flatbed trucks to Wyoming and Alabama. I then earned the nickname, “Diner Man.”

    

Forest Hills and Rego Park have numerous properties which fit the criteria for landmark status, but since 2005, the Landmarks Preservation Commission rejected properties for a public hearing. Despite an over 100-year history, current official landmarks are the Remsen Family Cemetery (designated in 1981), the Ridgewood Savings Bank facade (designated in 2000), and the Forest Hills firehouse facade (designated in 2012). 

I extend an invite to Mayor de Blasio and the Landmarks Preservation Commission to see Forest Hills and Rego Park from our perspective at a walking tour and meetings. Let’s work collaboratively on a city official to constituent basis, before experiencing any further architectural losses.

Extending much gratitude to the Historic Districts Council for this true honor!

Michael Perlman, Chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Nadezhda Williams with Simeon Bankoff of the Historic Districts Council 

Preservationist Jeffrey Kroessler

Preservationists and friends of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

Forest Hills' Michael Perlman Wins 2014 Preservation Award - Historic Districts Council

Forest Hills' Michael Perlman Wins 2014 Preservation Award 

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2014
Contact:
Nadezhda Williams
Deputy Director
nwilliams@hdc.org/212-614-9107
New York- The Historic Districts Council (HDC), the citywide advocate for New York's historic neighborhoods, will present Michael Perlman, Queens native and chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council with a 2014 Grassroots Preservation Award on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at 6:30 PM at Grace Church, 254 Hicks Street, Brooklyn Heights.

The Grassroots Awards honor and celebrate the activists and groups who work to preserve New York City's historic neighborhoods. "These advocates are the foundation of the preservation movement and their efforts benefit everyone who lives, works or visits New York City," said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of HDC. "It's an honor and pleasure to be able to shine the spotlight on these neighborhood leaders."

A native Forest Hills resident, Michael Perlman is the Chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council. The Council was founded in 2006 in response to that year's 100th anniversary of Forest Hills and the parcel which would become known as Rego Park in 1923. It works to preserve and commemorate the architectural and cultural history of Forest Hills and Rego Park, as well surrounding areas of Queens through advocacy and property owner assistance. In 2010, Mr. Perlman launched a public campaign to preserve and creatively reuse the iconic Forest Hills Tennis Stadium which was under threat of demolition. As a result of these efforts, the stadium has undergone some restoration work and has been reborn as a concert venue. He is involved in the continuing preservation efforts of a number of civic, religious and popular neighborhood institutions in Queens and earned the nickname "Diner-Man" after his efforts to save and relocate a number of historic freestanding diners.

The Historic Districts Council is New York's only citywide grassroots advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods. Since 1971 HDC has been committed to preserving New York's rich architectural and historical heritage, working with communities to landmark and protect significant neighborhoods and buildings, as well as helping already designated historic communities to understand and uphold the Landmarks Law. HDC engages in community building and development, offers educational programs and delivers technical resources, strategic assistance and direct advocacy support to aid local groups in their individual preservation campaigns.

The event is open to the public at a cost of $30, $20 for Friends of HDC. Doors open at 6:15 pm, and the award ceremony will begin at 6:45 pm, with a reception to follow. For more information, go to the Grassroots page or call 212-614-9107.

9/12/11 Event: Historic Building Survey Basics, Monday Morning Coffee Talk at Neighborhood Preservation Center

 

~Monday Morning Coffee Talk~

Historic Building Survey Basics

September 12, 2011 at 8:30 AM

The Neighborhood Preservation Center (232 East 11th Street, NYC) will host a Free and Open to the Public event.

The most frequently asked question by community activists is “How do I know if my neighborhood could be a historic district?" It all starts with an architectural survey. Preservation consultant and HDC Vice-President Gregory Dietrich will explain the basics of identifying and evaluating historic properties, as a first step toward neighborhood preservation. This program is intended for community members who are interested in defining objectives, identifying historic assets, and devising an effective strategy to preserve their neighborhood's distinct sense of place.

E-mail sromanoski at hdc dot org (in proper e-mail format) to reserve a space.