Initiative to Re-Designate Elmhurst’s Jamaica Savings Bank as a Landmark

By Michael Perlman

The new Jamaica Savings Bank, Elmhurst, circa 1968

Queens has Jet-Age buildings that merit landmark status, but sometimes they are misunderstood and unappreciated. Locally, one of the most unique Modernist buildings is the former Jamaica Savings Bank at 89-01 Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst. It was erected from 1966 to 1968, and was experimental and revolutionary in style, evoking the spirit of a 1964 World’s Fair pavilion. In 1968, the Queens Chamber of Commerce awarded the bank a bronze plaque for “outstanding excellence.” Today it serves the community as a branch of Bank of America.

In a rare move, after the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) designated the building as an Individual Landmark on June 28, 2005, City Council voted to overturn its designation in November 2005. A majority of City Council was persuaded by the owner’s claim that the bank faced flooding issues, and at the time, City Council Landmarks Subcommittee Chair Simcha Felder and Council Member Helen Sears ultimately did not defend its landmark status. Nearly 15 years later, there is renewed hope and determination by preservationists to see the LPC re-designate a unique architectural work, as the faces behind City Council and the LPC have changed, in addition to the most recent tenant.

Most notably, Council Member Daniel Dromm serving Elmhurst said the bank merits landmarking and would support the vision of Elmhurst History & Cemeteries Preservation Society, according to Marialena Giampino, the organization’s president. She said, “Our organization firmly believes this building is one-of-a-kind with its cutting edge, innovative, and unique design. It resembles something out of the future, and yet we are in the year 2020! It truly is deserving of landmark status!” 

The new Jamaica Savings Bank, Elmhurst, 1968

The LPC’s designation report referenced the bank as “one of the most unique and memorable structures on this busy multi-lane thoroughfare.” Construction began in 1966, which marked the bank’s centennial, and it was designed by the William F. Cann Company, part of the Bank Building and Equipment Corporation of America, based in St. Louis, Missouri. It opened its doors in March 1968. The designation report explained that its form is reminiscent of an elongated saddle, better known as a hyperbolic paraboloid. The LPC stated, “To create this distinctive form, Cann used reinforced concrete and bronze glass, cladding the 116-foot-long roof with copper panels” and then referred to the building as “a bold expression of 20th century engineering recalling works by Eduardo Catalano, Felix Candela, and Eero Saarinen.” “This unusual design solution created not only a column-free banking hall, but a visually-distinctive form that stands out from neighboring structures,” the report read.

From local to out of state, preservationists call on landmarking while sharing their perspectives. Mitchell Grubler, Queens Preservation Council President had much to say about the LPC and City Council. “The bank was designated by the LPC, the body charged with the responsibility for surveying, researching and determining the significance of buildings and districts that require designation in order to ensure the protection of our architectural, historical and cultural patrimony. The problem is that the designation goes to the City Council, a political body, lacking the scholarly expertise of the Commission and its staff.”

He continued, “Its hyperbolic paraboloid form is not only unique, but reflective of its time and represents the optimism for a modernist future in post-World’s Fair Queens and the nation. We need to do more to educate the public and the members of the City Council that the best of Modernist architecture is as worthy of designation as the classical banks and Victorian houses that are so venerated.” 

Former Jamaica Savings Bank, back facade, Photo by Michael Perlman

Architectural historian Frampton Tolbert founded Queens Modern, with hopes of granting recognition and preservation of unappreciated Modernist treasures. He said, “While there is a significant amount of Modern architecture in Queens, most is done by regional architects. This bank is unique, as it was designed by an architect known nationally for cutting-edge bank design. Other Modern buildings in Queens designed by architects of this caliber were typically major projects for airports, and many have been demolished or badly altered. Its eye-catching design was to attract drivers and pedestrians along Queens Boulevard, and is evocative of how bank construction and design of the era embraced Modernism.”

Utah resident Kirk Huffaker, a Consultant for Kirk Huffaker Preservation Strategies, came across this building while researching the company. “So much to the contrary of coming upon it on the street, I was in a dark archive room looking at microfilm, and immediately saw its significance and a clear interpretation of International Style architecture.”

He feels that history does not stop in a certain year. He explained, “Historic architecture, as well as a community’s corresponding history should be viewed along a time continuum. The modern styles of architecture that became prevalent in America after WWII are no less significant to preserve than the more traditional styles. As the National Register of Historic Places tells us, they should be viewed equally.”

“It angers and saddens me that financial gains, land use, and development very often comes at the expense of removing the culture and diversity which makes our city unique, so any local legislator should have the best interest of the community when making decisions that impact its future integrity and honor its history,” said local resident Debby Dip. She compared the bank’s style to the World’s Fair experience. “That was instrumental in placing our lovely borough on the map, as a look to the future. These non-designated buildings and structures and the landmarked Eero Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center at JFK now turned hotel deserve an equal place of honor and integrity, which only landmark status will achieve.”

NYC licensed tour guide Linda Fisher considers the bank to represent the Googie/Populuxe architectural style. “It represents the aspirations of the Space Age and echoes the style of the nearby 1964-65 World’s Fair, and stands as a reminder of the days when Queens was standing on the edge of the future. The modernist flair was uplifting and fun, ready to take off in flight and head for the heights!”

In reference to landmark status being overturned, she said “In 2005, Queens’ reputation was still that of a backwards town and landmarking was disdained. Queens residents were and many still are completely unaware that occurred.”

She feels it is essential to remember what principles were valued by a community. “Each style celebrates and incorporates a guiding value, whether it is the democratic values of the Greeks and Romans or the minimalist values of Brutalism. Modernist architecture tells the story of man’s reach in the modern age, which is a story worth remembering.”

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

Landmark Historic African Burial Ground in Elmhurst - Endangered by Development Plans

By Michael Perlman

The original Union African Church on African American Burial Ground, Courtesy of EHCPS

Every community has distinctive resources which are sometimes forgotten, but rarely buried and rediscovered. The African Burial Ground in Elmhurst, once known as Newtown, is a 19th century property that has been long-forgotten, and was even de-mapped by the city in 1931. It may soon undergo a five-story residential building at 47-11 90th Street, if developer Song Liu’s plans materialize, but “not so fast” according to the Elmhurst History & Cemeteries Preservation Society (EHCPS). This non-profit is spearheading the initiative to have this culturally significant site landmarked by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), and has submitted a Request For Evaluation (RFE) form on October 1.

Newtown was one of the first three free African American communities, and it was a pivotal time in history for its residents who owned land and properties including a church, cemetery, and school, as well as homes and shops. The African American Burial Ground originated in 1828, a year after the abolition of slavery in New York, and is rumored to date even earlier. 

Recent aerial view of former African Burial Ground, Courtesy of EHCPS

“The first step is to protect the burial ground as is, so it can be officially recognized for its sensitive and important history, as well as a respected final resting place of the freed and free African American community of Newtown,” said EHCPS President Marialena Giampino. “We are also nominating the site for the State & National Register of Historic Places to be considered as a State and National Landmark.” The list of supporters is on the rise and includes local residents, the Historic Districts Council, Queens Preservation Council, Corona-East Elmhurst Historic Preservation Society, and Queens Community Board 4. “Only landmark designation can protect the historical integrity of the site in perpetuity,” said Mitchell Grubler, Queens Preservation Council President. “The local community should have a voice in what happens to the property.”

The congregation was founded in a Newtown carpenter shop by four freed African Americans. The site once contained a church and parsonage for St. Mark’s American Methodist Episcopal Church, originating as the United African Society, but in 1928, when the church had plans to relocate when the city planned to widen Union Avenue (now Corona Avenue), their permit to transfer all burials to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth was denied. As a result, Mount Olivet records show that twenty burials were transferred to two of their plots. There is an estimate of over 300 burials on the African Burial Ground as of 1886, when the church requested assistance in conducting repairs and enclosing the site.

In 1929, the congregation decided to sell their property and relocated in 1930 to North Corona, now East Elmhurst. Despite the political decisions at play during the 20th century, the church remains a symbol of perseverance at its current location in Jackson Heights. 

Body & coffin fragments after excavation, Identified as Martha Peterson, Courtesy of EHCPS

Fast-forward to 2011, a time when it can be said that the dead teaches the living. The remains of Martha Peterson, a 26-year-old African American dubbed the “Iron Coffin Lady” were discovered on site in a high state of preservation, despite succumbing to the smallpox epidemic in 1850. Giampino explained, “When the site was being prepared for construction, the backhoe dug into something that made a loud noise. The construction crew saw human feet exposed from the ground and immediately called 911. If it wasn't for the Martha Peterson discovery, the public would not be aware of the site and a direct link to Newtown history. She has been a revelation for so many and we thank her.” The crew originally suspected that it was a recent homicide. Peterson received a proper burial in 2016 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

Mummified remains of Martha Peterson, Courtesy of EHCPS

On October 3, 2018, PBS aired “Secrets of the Dead: The Woman in the Iron Coffin.” The airtight iron coffin originated in 1848 by a stove manufacturer named Almond Dunbar Fisk, and due to its high cost, it was typically used by the wealthy. She was the daughter of John and Jane Peterson, well-respected African American figures in Newtown.

EHCPS Vice President James McMenamin recalls feeling “emotionally lifted” by the research and care, as well as the human aspect. He said, “Who was she? What was her life like? How did the area function in 1850 when she passed, and how were the relationships between people? Based on the evidence, she was much cared for by her extended family, the community at large, as well as her employers.” 

African Burial Ground now with dumpsters, Courtesy of EHCPS

Giampino said, “It appears to be vacant land, but human remains are still interred on this property. The burial ground became the final resting place of the founders of the historic church, former slaves who settled in historic Newtown.” She feels that paving over this property would be “highly insensitive to NYC’s African American community.” “Those buried are their ancestors, and they have a history and story to tell for present and future generations. It would set a very bad precedent for other historic cemeteries, big or small.” As for the developer, she said, “They pre-filed their plans on Sept 13, 2018, but as long as they do not have an agreement with the church, they cannot proceed legally with anything.”

The property became a highlight for walking tours and lectures. EHCPS contacted Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants in spring 2018, and their analysis furthered the site’s significance. Looking ahead, Giampino explained, “We would recommend Precision Radar Scanning to learn what lies beneath, not to disturb the graves, and we would also like to see what St. Marks AME Church wishes to learn about their ancestors. We would recommend a beautiful monument with known names that are buried, and of course dedicate the unknown, as well as designate it an official memorial park and cemetery site.”

McMenamin said, “I pray that this site can serve as a memorial and an educational opportunity, where students among the public can view artifacts and a slideshow, and have a garden to meditate and reflect. It was re-discovered for a purpose, hopefully not to be covered with concrete, and forgotten, but to embrace as a bold reminder, of the human experiences that struggled and thrived here, when in other parts of the country that was an impossibility.”

“Greed has become the hallmark of progress and success” according to EHCPS Secretary Jennifer Ochoa, who witnessed various un-landmarked local sites undergoing demolition. “The formation and development of African Americans’ self-identity as individuals, as a race, and as Americans has been stalled, and it is our moral obligation to honor their ancestors, as they were also part of our nation's history makers. We must confront the truth and learn from our history.” The site offers valuable lessons, especially for children. “Martha Peterson was my catalyst to explain the history of my family tree to my son, as in how diverse our tree is having blood from Native Americans to Africans to European. It is more important today to teach our children about our history and acceptance; not fear and ignorance.”

Ochoa called the site “sacred land on so many levels.” “The act, practice, and belief of burying our departed, in part, make us ‘humane beings’ with an advanced civilization. Furthermore, for our history and self-development, we must recognize the lives and achievements of those buried there. Elmhurst is rich in history, including the Native American experience that is always overlooked. If we want today’s accomplishments to be recognized, we must first resort to the past and preserve.”

A similar version of this feature story has been published in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: http://foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27612697/article-Development-endangers-historic-burial-ground 

Preservation Call For Local Bank Buildings

Local Banks Offer A “Rich” Architectural History
by Michael Perlman

Between the 1939 World’s Fair and 1964 World’s Fair, local communities such as Forest Hills, Rego Park, and Kew Gardens Hills experienced much growth in development, marked by architectural achievements. Now it is time to have a look at noteworthy examples of banks, ranging from traditional Colonial to Classical Moderne and Modernist styles, which offered a sense of permanence. Some have remained banks, while others have been repurposed.

“These banks tell the story of Queens as a rapidly growing borough in the mid-20th century, and the architects of these branches who were among the most prominent designers of bank institutions in New York City at the time,” said Frampton Tolbert, architectural historian and creator of the Queens Modern project. “Bank companies including Ridgewood Savings Bank, Queens County Savings Bank, and Long Island City Savings Bank were among the first companies opening in the neighborhood, looking to provide much-needed services to the influx of new residents.” Many were also situated along Queens Boulevard a short distance away from recently expanded subway lines. “These were especially an opportunity for a show-stopping design such as the Metropolitan Industrial Bank,” said Tolbert. 

Queens County Savings Bank resembling Independence Hall, Kew Gardens Hills, 1954

It is rare opportunity to encounter a nearly faithful replica of Independence Hall in Kew Gardens Hills. The Georgian Colonial style Queens County Savings Bank at 75-44 Main Street, designed by architect Harold O. Carlson, was the recipient of a 1st prize bronze plaque by the Queens Chamber of Commerce in 1954. Rising from its gabled wings is a 100-foot tower featuring clocks, a cupola, and a weathervane that continues to mark the community’s highest point. The foyer includes a replica of the Liberty Bell, and the banking hall is graced with paintings such as the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Washington Crossing the Delaware. In 2005, the bank was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and commemorated in a 2006 ceremony led by Queens Historian Jeff Gottlieb and banking and elected officials.

Linda Fisher, a licensed tour guide with the Guides Association of NYC explained, “Banks were designed to evoke feelings of confidence and stability, and this would account for Classical elements such as columns. This would have roots in Ancient Rome, where the Maison Carrée served as the model for government buildings, and although bank buildings are owned by private institutions, the architecture imbues the principles of solidity and democratic ideals.” 

Tower Diner, formerly Emigrant Savings Bank, Photo by Michael Perlman

Tower Diner has been enticing palates since 1993 at 98-95 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, but originated as City Savings and Loan Association in the mid-1960s, prior to merging with Emigrant Savings Bank. The Colonial façade’s clock tower and pitched roof with columns and cornice detail continue to offer a stately presence amidst traffic. 

Long Island City Savings Bank, Rego Park, 1952

The Colonial-style Long Island City Savings Bank at 97-27 Queens Boulevard in Rego Park was designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, and was awarded during the 1952 Building Awards Competition by the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Notable features include a granite base with piers of face brick and Alabama limestone trim and coping, tall windows, and roundels. High ceilings with moldings and a spacious ambiance once added to the charm. The bank closed in the early 1990s, and today has been subdivided for a pharmacy and Tiger Schulmann's Karate. 

Metropolitan Industrial Bank, Forest Hills, 1952

Bank of America, which recently underwent a conversion for Mount Sinai Doctors at 99-01 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, opened in 1952 as the Metropolitan Industrial Bank, a Modernist building with industrial materials, which was considered revolutionary at a time of more traditional bank styles. Notable artist Dara Birnbaum, daughter of the late award-winning architect Philip Birnbaum, who was raised around the corner in Birnbaum’s Howard Apartments, said, “I thought it was a real winner, and it did win a 1st prize award by the Queens Chamber of Commerce, as it certainly was more than deserving. In fact, it was one of the jewels of my father's designs through the years.” Striking features include triple-height windows and a colonnade of Swedish granite and stainless steel fins that meet a rotunda entrance with curved glass. Although low-rise partitions have been installed, and the 22’ x 25’ mural commemorating Forest Hills’ growth is long-gone, the streamlined teakwood balcony and a whimsical terrazzo floor are retained. 

Ridgewood Savings Bank, Forest Hills, 1940

Shortly after the three-story Classical Moderne Ridgewood Savings Bank, designed by Halsey, McCormack & Helmer, opened in 1940 on a landscaped triangular plot at 107-55 Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, it also won a first prize award. The convex and concave Alabama Rockwood stone façade includes flat eagles, bronze windows, streamlined and wave-like incised designs, and Moderne clocks. Entering the banking hall, Art Deco fixtures are suspended over a streamlined ceiling designed by famed muralist Angelo Magnanti, and travertine floors exist alongside buff pink Mansota stone walls on a wainscot of polished Rosato D’Or marble carried onto the counters.

As neighborhoods are undergoing development, many residents are realizing the value in buildings that offer historic character. Tolbert explained, “These are the neighborhood landmarks that create a unique sense of place, but only the Ridgewood Savings Bank is currently landmarked (designated in 2000). With changes along Queens Boulevard, others may disappear, so we must preserve our history while we still can, as it is a key piece of how our borough developed into the Queens we know today.” 

On May 6 at 1 PM, architectural historian & Queens Modern project creator Frampton Tolbert will offer a free tour, “Jane's Walk of Forest Hills and Rego Park Modern,” which will begin at MacDonald Park (Queens Blvd & 70th Ave), and stops will include several local banks. For more information, contact info@queensmodern.com  

A similar version of the above feature appears in Michael Perlman's Forest Hills Times column: www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27560597/article-Local-banks-offer-rich-architectural-history

Happy Hanukkah! Our Landmarks Elicit Light, Soul, & Miracles

THEN: Rego Park Jewish Center at 97-30 Queens Blvd had its cornerstone laid in 1948. RPJC was designed by Frank Grad & Sons in a Bauhaus variation of the Art Moderne style, by the same firm which designed the Essex House on Manhattan's Central Park South. This photo is from 1950.

NOW: Rego Park Jewish Center proudly stands today, & has been honored by placement on the State & National Register of Historic Places in October 2009.

Happy Hanukkah! Let's celebrate in the name of miracles, and believe in the miracles of achieving preservation success stories to inspire us all. Too much beauty and historic significance is often sacrificed in the name of progress, but it is the gifted creations of mankind and the creations of nature that should withstand the test of time in a physical sense, rather than only existing in our minds or in the history texts. 

This is the Rego Park Jewish Center flickr photoset, and we are thankful that it has been placed on the State & National Register of Historic Places in October 2009 due to our research collaboration and advocacy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157605758107073 

Given this distinctive status, Rego Park Jewish Center is now commemorated statewide & nationally, and the RPJC board has the option of for grants through the NYS Historic Preservation Office, as well as applying for funding through the NY Landmarks Conservancy non-profit's Sacred Sites Program.

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall's "Queens Synagogues National Register of Historic Places Reception," Dec 15, 2009 - Rego Park Jewish Center staff with BP Helen Marshall & Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council

We are thankful to our members of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, and our colleagues and friends who volunteer and support us as a community preservation organization.

Rego Park Jewish Center's mosaic mural adorns the Queens Blvd main sanctuary facade, & depicts scenes from the Old Testament. This mural was designed by Hungarian-born artist, A. Raymond Katz, a prominent figure in 20th century Judaic art in America.

  
Let's continue taking the steps towards preserving Rego Park, Forest Hills, and the great legacy of our neighboring communities.  

RPJC's sanctuary has 2 walls of stained glass windows which span the height of the sanctuary, & were also designed by the famed A. Raymond Katz.

Celebrate the "Festival of Lights," and seek and embrace miracles year-round. May there always be light!

WSTC Issues Request For Proposals For Storied Forest Hills Tennis Stadium - RFPC Seeks Preservation-Friendly Partners For WSTC

On 8/1/11, the West Side Tennis Club issued a Request For Proposals, appealing to developers on potential ideas for redevelopment of our iconic Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. Since Cord Meyer's condo plan was rejected in Oct 2010 by a majority of voting-eligible members, there is now a greater opportunity to preserve & reuse the stadium. Nevertheless, we learned that Cord Meyer Development is once again interested in the stadium and plans to respondto the Request For Proposals. A tour for potential suitors will be on August 15th. 

It is the hope of Rego-Forest Preservation Council and citizens alike, that Cord Meyer will not submit any proposal to alter or demolish our internationally-recognized stadium. Not only would that obliterate a site of historic firsts, but crush an opportunity to landmark, restore, and creatively reuse it as a mixed-use 21st century venue that could be use for tennis, subdued concerts, music & art festivals, charity events, weddings, graduations, school trips, etc. We need to safeguard historic character, boost jobs, and help our local business corridors, and not hinder it. Yes to a destination... No to typical condos. The Stadium Committee of the WSTC will review new proposals in early Oct 2011. 

On August 3rd, Journalist Dawn Wotapka of the Wall Street Journal covered this issue, which features an interview with Chairman Michael Perlman of Rego-Forest Preservation Council:  

http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/08/03/forest-hills-tennis-stadium-still-seeking-savior/

City Council Ignores NY'ers - Queensboro Bridge To Become Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge

1909 postmarked postcard. Copyright 1908 by Moses King. Rendering by J. Koehler, NY. Caption: Queens Borough Bridge, over the East River from East 59th St. and 2d Ave., Manhattan, to Jane and Academy Sts., Long Island City; great cantilever structure costing with approaches $25,000,000; rests on six masonry piers; 7,636 ft. long; west span, 1,182 ft.; clear height over channels, 135 ft.; height of island towers, 324 ft.; width 86 ft.; two decks with 53-ft. roadway, four trolley lines, two railroad tracks and two promenades; will open short, direct route to Queens Borough; designed by Gustav Lindenthal, Bridge Commissioner, 1901-3; to be opened 1908

The results are in! Despite public opposition, 3/23/11 will be remembered as the day City Council voted 38 to 12 to rename the Queensboro Bridge as the "Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge."

Some elected officials worked on behalf of their constituency's interests and our city's history, including CM James Van Bramer & CM Peter Vallone Jr, so kudos to them. Within the upcoming weeks, our city's name-change idea originator, Mayor Bloomberg, will presumably give his pen to enact this legislation. For information on its political supporters and opponents, visit The New York Times: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/soon-you-can-take-the-koch-bridge-to-queens/?ref=nyregion

A poll by Quinnipiac University found that 64% of New Yorkers opposed the renaming plan. In addition, there are great comments from a vast coalition of New Yorkers and tourists abound who signed a petition in opposition to renaming the historic Queensboro Bridge, and this is one of the many notables...

Signer 867. Elizabeth Mueller, Sunnyside, NY: As a proud Queens resident of 5 years, I would like to ask that the bridge remain named the Queensboro Bridge. I love the bridge and its legacy of over 100 years, and feel that a renaming would be disrespectful to not only the bridge, but the entire borough. Would you rename the Brooklyn Bridge after Ed Koch? I think not.

Mayor Bloomberg said that private donations would be collected to finance the changing of the bridge's signage. Well, let's consider the reported $4 million utilized in 2008 to change our Triboro Bridge's name to the RFK Bridge. Regardless of whether private donations will be used in the Queensboro Bridge case, shouldn't we be focused on spending such a sum on restoring infrastructure, repaving roads, preserving our children's education, keeping our firehouses open, and reopening and improving our hospitals? Placing the integrity of former Mayor Ed Koch aside, there is a multitude of ways to better spend public and/or private funds, than needlessly compromising the name of our storied bridge for politician sake.

Is All Hope Lost? The Power In YOU...

1. City Council should realize that the Queensboro Bridge name is supposedly subject to protection under the Landmarks Law, so will renaming plans be scrapped afterall? Voice your opposition to Chairman Robert Tierney of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission or e-mail him directly at rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov & comments@lpc.nyc.gov

2. The constituency of Queens and New Yorkers at large is once again overrode, but REMEMBER that We The People are the true winners, who embrace civic pride and duties, and launched a diligent cause. Some politicians need a Civic 101 course on why they were elected to office. Never abandon your freedom to advocate for what you believe in while acknowledging the citizen majority, & keep signing and commenting on the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/QBrename/petition.html

The Queensboro Bridge was also referred to as the Blackwell's Island Bridge - Circa 1909 postcard

Circa 1920s postcard published by American Studio, NY, shows the Richard Peck steamship. Caption: QUEENSBORO BRIDGE over east River and Long Island City from East 59th St, Manhattan to Long Island City, is a great cantilever structure 7,636 feet long, clear height over channel 135 feet, height of island towers 324 feet, begun in 1901, opened March 30, 1909; total cost $29,000,000.

Queensboro Bridge 1-fare brass token. circa 1970

Queensboro Bridge 1-fare brass token. circa 1970, 2nd side

Queensboro Bridge Art Contest - Calling All Students Age 5 to 18!

The Queensboro Bridge by Edward Hopper (July 22, 1882 - May 15, 1967), who was a famed American realist painter & printmaker. His spare & finely calculated renderings reflected his personal vision of modern American life. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Hopper

 Rego-Forest Preservation Council proudly endorses the mission of the LIC Arts Open Committee. We feel The Queensboro Bridge Art Contest is a superb means of exercising our students' artistic minds, to foster the appreciation of Queens history & one of our borough's greatest Individual Landmarks, the Queensboro Bridge, which dates to 1909 & serves as our gateway. Let's keep in mind that we became the Borough of Queens in 1898. The timing of the art contest couldn't be more perfect, as our politicians plan on voting on Mayor Bloomberg's proposed renaming of the Queensboro Bridge to the Ed Koch Bridge (or something to that extent) on March 23rd. Hopefully, our electeds will listen to our children, and learn why the Queensboro Bridge name is a staple of Queens history. Now onto the contest......

The Queensboro Bridge Art Contest flyer for the 2011 LIC Arts Open. Please download & post around schools, and share with families & friends.

Welcome To Queens!

THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE ART CONTEST

As part of the 2011 LIC Arts Open, the LIC Arts Open Committee has organized an art contest for Queens students, ages 5-18, that celebrates the Queensboro Bridge. At more than 100 years old and an astonishing visual wonder, the bridge provides a glorious welcome to our borough, and this contest provides the perfect way for Queens’s young people to exercise their creativity and be part of a community-wide event!

It’s simple to be part of the Queensboro Bridge Art Contest. No registration is required. Just submit a 5" x 7" postcard that captures our beloved Queensborough Bridge as a painting, drawing, collage, cartoon, photograph, or any other form of graphic representation.

You can get blank postcards from art teachers at your school (if they are participating), pick them up as the LIC Arts Center, or simply use your own oak tag, as long as it is 5" x 7" in size.

Submissions will be reviewed by a committee of notable artists and local leaders, with prizes awarded to winners in 4 age categories. ALL SUBMISSIONS will be exhibited at a special showing on May 14-22 at the LIC Arts Center, where hundreds of people will view them during the Arts Open and the week leading up to it.

Guidelines For Submission

-Artwork must be created on 5" x 7" card stock (oak tag). You can obtain cards from art teachers at your school, if they have requested them; pick them up at the LIC Arts Center in Long Island City; or use your own as long as it is 5" x 7" and oak tag weight.

-Submissions must be accompanied by a note with name of artist, age, school, address, phone number, and e-mail address so we may contact you.

-Artists may pick up their works after the exhibition is over (end of day on May 22 and after). If you prefer, we can mail it back to you if you write your name/address and include a stamp on the other (blank) side of your artwork.

-Submissions must be received no later than May 2, 2011. Please send or deliver them to:

LIC Art Center 

Att: A. Ratkewitch/Queens Paideia School 

44-02 23rd Street, Suite 214 

Long Island City, NY 11101

For more information, specific questions, contact Alyssa Ratkewitch, contest coordinator, at aratkewitch@gmail.com

Please check back on the LIC Arts Open's website and the LIC Arts Open’s Facebook Page for ongoing updates about this first-ever contest, and other exciting activities at the Arts Open!

Petition Opposing Renaming of Queensboro Bridge!

Queensboro Bridge Circa 1910 Postcard

Mayor Bloomberg might as well wipe Queens off the map. The Queensboro Bridge may be stripped of its historic name, and may only exist as a roadway connecting Queens to Manhattan. Mayor Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Quinn reportedly support the renaming of this historic bridge after former Mayor Ed Koch. Who will say, Let's take the Ed Koch Bridge? And... Where will it leave you?

Please sign, comment, & share the PETITION opposed to renaming the Queensboro Bridge: http://www.petitiononline.com/QBrename/petition.html

It is a LANDMARK on an architectural, cultural, & historical basis, & its name is supposedly safeguarded under the Landmarks Law. If the politicians have their way, and the Landmarks Preservation Commission doesn't take a stance, will they sell the Queensboro Bridge's 1909 dedication plaque on the approach for scrap, which bears Queensboro Bridge, or will it be tossed into the East River?

Opinions aside on former Mayor Edward I. Koch's integrity, but what affiliation does he have with the bridge & Queens? The practice of renaming historic sites after politicians, and wasting any of the city or state's funds must come to a halt! Elected officials including Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. and Queens State Senator Tony Avella hear the voices of the people; many of whom we conversed with that oppose the bridge renaming.

The Queens Campaigner reported on February 24th that a hearing was held by the Council for the proposed name change. It states, "At the hearing, 12 to 15 people gave testimony, most of whom had worked with Ed Koch. Of those who testified, only one said he was not in favor of changing the name."

On Dec 10, 2010, Queens BP Helen Marshall told The Queens Courier, “I haven’t found one person who thinks this is a good idea. I think a lot of people have good feelings about the former mayor, but renaming a bridge is another story. We are going to watch this.” The Queens Courier then went on to report, "The renaming of the Triboro Bridge, which became the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in 2008, cost the city and state nearly $4 million for new signage."

Let's reflect upon our recent past... Remember the Queensboro Bridge's Centennial Celebration from May 28 - July 31, 2009? Events & history: http://www.nycbridges100.org/queensboro.php

A final vote on the renaming will occur on March 23, 2011. Will the constituents be heard?

SUM: If approved, this will be yet another long-term publicity campaign at our city's "expense," in more ways than one.

Coming Attraction: Nightmare At The RKO Keith's Theatre

RKO Keith's Theatre in its 1920s grandeur, Courtesy of the Michael Perlman Postcard Collection

 

 

SHAME-CAM! RKO Keith's 2010 rendering after rental conversion. Image by Studio V Architecture

History At Stake

This blog feels strongly that one of Thomas Lamb's most outstanding theater designs, despite its current condition of the facade and auditorium, should be rebuilt rather than demolished. Some theaters in a more drastic state have been revived through grants, tax credits, fundraisers, and "out-of-the-box" developers. A landmarked lobby is only a fraction of the theater, and is required by law to be retained, so why is new owner Patrick Thompson being portrayed as heroic according to some recent press and some electeds?

A typical rental high-rise with 357 units, 360 parking spaces, & a glass curtain wall on Main St surrounding the original lobby is a slap in the face to one of Queens' greatest theater landmarks. All of Queens could benefit by a performing arts center within, but not another banal glass high-rise on site of one of the most historic theatrical spots, causing more congestion. Hasn't Queens lost enough for the political view of "progress?" Don't settle for piecemeal! Allocate the development funds towards a restoration and maintain an open ear, Mr. Thompson!!!

If Lady Liberty's torch wasn't officially landmarked, would we chisel it off if it was in disrepair, or would we work collaboratively to acquire grants, tax credits, and organize fundraisers to restore it? 

Preserving a portion of a site symbolizes a plaque. On a greater scale, how many more plaques will Queens have, which memorializes what we once had, but still could have with a creative vision? 

More information on glass rental conversion plans: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110112/REAL_ESTATE/110119942/0/REAL_ESTATE

 *****
      In December 2010, some member preservationists of Rego-Forest Preservation Council and Friends of The RKO Keith's Flushing Theatre shared their sentiment & futuristic vision with journalism student David He of Baruch College. His quintessential-quality feature was posted on his college's blog, "Writing New York: Post From The Boroughs And Beyond" and we were granted permission to feature his piece, to help spread the word on the RKO Keith's Theatre Campaign.....

From Silver Screen To Preservationist Scene

A skeletal marquee juts out from the face of the shuttered building like a morose frown, bare and immovable. Underneath, the entrance is covered by an expanse of the blue-colored boards that typically designate a new construction project. Except these boards have been in place for over two decades now and are dirty and graffiti-strewn. The RKO Keith’s Theatre, once a glamorous venue for cinema, has been languishing in limbo since it closed its door to the public and the community.
The theatre, which sits squarely at the intersection between Main Street and Northern Boulevard in Flushing, has weathered both time and conflict in the years after it closed in 1986. The site has drawn as much controversy as it has interest due to both the economic opportunity of its land and the personal connections that many who grew up in Flushing have to the theatre. In 2009 the strength of these connections and memories coalesced into a Facebook group called “Save the RKO Keith’s Flushing”, dedicated to the preservation of the theater.

“My earliest memory was watching The Empire Strikes Back with my father in 1980,” said Rick Gallo, an admin of the Facebook group. “We sat in the main theater, which was the largest of the three theaters. The screen was enormous and would rival the new theaters of today.”
Founded by Flushing native Ed Tracey, the group quickly took off and had over 1,000 members in a month. Many of the members had grown up watching movies at the RKO, or had had their graduation ceremonies there. The Facebook page allows members to share their memories of and experiences with the theatre and brings together people that have otherwise moved away from the area.

“When I walked into that theatre it was like entering another world, as my sisters and I would say, it was like heaven,” said Annette Guarino, who grew up in Flushing but now lives in Long Island. She went on to describe the gold embossed statues, the sky-painted ceiling, and the sweeping stairs with mahogany handrails, calling the beauty of the theatre “endless”.

RKO Keith’s Atmospheric Style lobby, courtesy of Michael R. Miller Collection

In addition to those who saw movies during the theatre’s prime, the group also has members who were too young to remember the theatre or who were born after it closed. For these supporters the root of their cause is preserving a piece of history that they never had a chance to take part in, but nevertheless moves and fascinates them.

Susan Carroll, who was six years old when the theatre closed, grew up listening to stories about the wonders of the RKO and how her parents saw Star Wars there in 1977.

“I always felt sad I’d missed out on knowing that theatre, not to mention that I had to take buses and trains to the movies, while the RKO, in walking distance stood there vacant and neglected,” said Carroll.

RKO Keith’s Theatre, Aug 17, 2008, courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman

For many subsequent generations growing up, the RKO would remain as such –an abandoned, lifeless, and dilapidated husk of a building. Yet its history stretches back to more than half a century ago, and begins in 1928 when it was first opened as a vaudeville theatre. Designed by Thomas Lamb, one of the preeminent industrial designers of the era, the RKO was built with grandeur in mind.
The façade was lined with lively storefronts, and topped by an ornate, arch-like marquee; a preview of the marvels that awaited inside. The interior was designed in the Spanish Baroque and Atmospheric style, heavily characterized by elegance and opulence. The lobby was a two-story high room with columns and gilded plasterwork on its upper story. The foyer featured a fountain in the center and two broad marble staircases that led up to the gallery. Throughout the rest of the theatre elaborate and intricately worked elements variously made of wrought iron, terra cotta, and plaster contributed to the overall look and feel of a “movie palace.” The auditorium, which seated 2,900, was known for its ceiling, which was painted a deep blue and had projections of stars and clouds moving across its surface to create the illusion of an evening sky.

RKO Keith’s street view of facade, courtesy of Michael R. Miller Collection

“I always remember walking in and being awed by the spectacular moon-ish ceiling: it felt as if I was in outer space,” recalled Gallo.

By the 1930s the vaudeville shows were discontinued and only movies were shown. In the 1970s the RKO was renovated and carefully converted into a triplex to house three theatres. The lobby and the foyer were listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and shortly afterwards in 1984 was granted landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the city.

The RKO’s troubles began when Tommy Huang, a businessman and developer purchased it for $3.4 million in 1986. Huang planned to build a hotel, a mall, and a movie complex around the landmarked areas. In his time as owner of the theatre he had half of the auditorium torn down, the lobby stripped, and the sweeping staircase bulldozed. Although he was opposed at every turn by preservationists and activists, by the time Huang filed for bankruptcy in 1996, the theatre was in ruins. Huang put the RKO up for sale and the following year was arrested and indicted for having knowingly allowed hundreds of gallons of heating oil to spill into the basement of the theatre, following an investigation by the New York State Attorney General.

Michael Perlman, the Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance and a member of multiple preservation organizations, believes that locales like the RKO are culturally important and their value is greater than anything a profit-driven development could achieve.
“A theater owner should preserve and creatively reuse one of our city’s greatest landmarks at heart, and consider its intricate history […] Developers should not enter and attempt to demolish this gem awaiting TLC,” said Perlman.

After the Huang debacle the RKO was once more without an owner and direction until Boymelgreen Developers bought the theatre for $15 million in 2002. Boymelgreen had plans to build a 17-story condo tower with a senior center and received approval from Queens Community Board 7 to begin construction. However the developer backed out, citing issues with debt and financial viability, and the RKO was put on sale yet again in 2007.

RKO Keith’s Theatre facade March 7, 2009, Courtesy of Preservationist Michael Perlman

Gallo met Tracey after he discovered the Facebook group online and the two worked closely together, despite having never met in person, through phone calls and emails. They worked to raise awareness for the group and their mission to save the RKO. In a short amount of time the group received press coverage from local papers such as the Queens Tribune and more distributed papers like The Daily News. The group managed to incorporate and attempted to attain a 501(c)(3) status for fundraising purposes when they learned in May 2010 that the RKO had been bought by Manhattan condo developer Patrick Thompson for $20 million.

Gallo and Carroll met with Thompson in June to discuss the developer’s plans for the RKO. Thompson’s plans mostly follow Boymelgreen’s original plan of building a 17-story condo and a senior center. He has also agreed to restore and preserve the landmarked lobby.
“The community board and landmarks committee simply would not landmark the whole building. This is not acceptable but it is better than tearing down the whole building,” said Gallo. “If the lobby can be preserved, at least we can say that a small portion of Flushing history has been saved.”

This of course comes after a large part of that Flushing history has already been destroyed. A video posted on YouTube by preservationist Thomas Stathes in 2009 offers a look at the neglected and ruined interior. The walls that are still standing are cracked and peeling, the ceiling has extensive water damage, and a gaping chasm is all that remains of half the auditorium. In some instances a few design elements and ornaments are still intact but for the most part the theatre is littered with debris and left in darkness, a gutted remnant of its former glory.

The saga of the RKO is still ongoing. Construction has yet to begin and there has been talk that Thompson may revise his initial plan and increase the amount of apartments and parking spaces that are to be built. It seems that for now the RKO will continue to be surrounded by uncertainty but the resolve of Gallo, Tracey, and others in the group to preserve as much of the theatre as possible remains unchanged.

“I believe the current residents of Flushing deserve to learn about and to know a restored RKO, at least the landmarked lobby portion, if nothing else,” said Carroll. “As long as the building is still standing, I have hope that the RKO will come alive once more.”

Please visit & join:

Save the RKO Keith’s Facebook Group

Thomas Stathes’ YouTube video of the RKO interior