Landmarks Law Turns 50 & Is Marked By Praise, Criticism, & Commitment

To nominate a landmark-worthy site, interior, or district, complete a Request For Evaluation form: www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/propose/propose.shtml

Mayor Robert Wagner signing the Landmarks Law, April 19, 1965, Photograph by Margot Gayle, Courtesy of the New York Preservation Archive Project

New York City’s Landmarks Law, which falls under the jurisdiction of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), is being recognized by citywide residents as it turned 50 on April 19th. One such commemoration was the illumination of the Empire State Building in blue, gold, and white. On April 16th, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council presented LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan with a proclamation to honor the Landmarks Law, the LPC, and the preservation community.

History has proven that it may take a travesty to result in some success stories. Back in 1963, hundreds of New Yorkers marched, urging the city to preserve the classic Penn Station back in 1963, but watched in awe as the wrecking ball slammed the grand ionic columns, eagles, and palatial arched interior. In 1965, the city responded to those pleas when Mayor Robert Wagner signed the Landmarks Law, but it could not resurrect Penn Station’s glory.

Nevertheless, the LPC did not act swiftly to calendar, hear, and designate other unofficial landmarks such as Howard Johnson’s Restaurant on Queens Boulevard in Rego Park, nicknamed “The largest roadside restaurant in the United States,” and the Singer Building, one of America’s first skyscrapers to be illuminated at night. 

Howard Johnson's not landmarked in time & demolished... all for a banal black glass office tower. Note the Trylon & Perisphere monuments, the symbol of the 1939 World's Fair in the background.

   It may be difficult to visualize a cityscape without landmarks such as Carnegie Hall and Grand Central Station, and Individual Landmarks and Historic Districts in Washington Square Park and SoHo. However, these properties and neighborhoods nearly faced demolition, if not for the heroic preservation advocacy of respectively violinist Isaac Stern, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and urban theorist and author Jane Jacobs.  

LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan explained, “Over the past 50 years, we have protected over 33,000 architecturally, historically, and culturally significant buildings and sites throughout all five boroughs. I am proud to say that since I was appointed Chair, we have designated around 1,700 additional buildings.”

Referencing the Preservation Department’s excess of 13,000 work applications for landmarked properties annually, she said, “The Commission rigorously reviews these applications to find architectural solutions to meet today’s exciting challenges of sustainability, adaptive reuse, and new construction in historic districts, all while preserving the significant architectural features and character of the landmarked properties.” She then extended gratitude to her fellow Commissioners and staff members, alongside the dedication of property owners who become stewards, architects who are creative yet historically-sensitive, and preservation advocates and community groups who often play a major role in public hearings after nominating sites and districts by submitting a Request For Evaluation (RFE) form.

Many community residents feel that Forest Hills and Rego Park, which have a shared history that dates to 1906 and 1923, have long been underserved by the LPC in the name of Individual Landmarks (facades), Interior Landmarks, and Historic Districts. Forest Hills has three landmarks which are the Remsen Cemetery (designated 1981), the Ridgewood Savings Bank (designated 2000), and Engine Company 305, Hook &Ladder Company 151 (designated 2012). Rego Park has yet to receive designations. 

Engine Co. 305, Hook & Lader Co. 151, Photo by Michael Perlman

Ridgewood Savings Bank, 107-55 Queens Blvd, Photo by Michael Perlman

Remsen Cemtery, Photo by Michael Perlman

Dadras Architects, a firm led by partners Robert Dadras and Victor Dadras, are the founders of the Downtown Revitalization Group, a collaborative which specializes in the revitalization and redevelopment of main streets and neighborhood commercial corridors, as well as historic preservation, urban design, and adaptive reuse. Now they wish to assist Forest Hills and Rego Park with their preservation, revitalization, and landmarking initiatives.

The firm emphasized the need for greater public education about architecture and the landmarking process. Dadras Architects explained, "Landmarking is overwhelmingly successful in every scenario; from economically to socially to environmentally. Property values have increased, historic architecture has been restored, and new buildings nearby have been designed better." They continued, "Preservation always costs less than building anew, is greener, supports your local businesses, and enables potential grants and tax credits for restoration."

"Preservation should extend beyond the Forest Hills Gardens," stated Dadras Architects. They proposed a historic preservation weekend in Forest Hills and Rego Park, consisting of tours and educational conferences as an initial step. 

Historian Jeff Gottlieb, President of Central Queens Historical Association, leads the Downtown Forest Hills Tour at the corner of Austin St & Continental Ave, September 2010

“There is minimal awareness of the rich history of Queens,” said Linda Fisher, a Forest Hills resident and a licensed NYC tour guide. She continued, “Neighborhood history can come alive through walking tours, lectures, and oral histories by residents.” Locally, she envisions numerous landmarking candidates including the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, the Metropolitan Industrial Bank building (Bank of America), the Forest Hills Post Office, and the former Jamaica Savings Bank. 

Metropolitan Industrial Bank building, 99-01 Queens Blvd in 1952, Courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce

Metropolitan Industrial Bank building at 99-01 Queens Blvd in 2014, Photo by Michael Perlman

Former Jamaica Savings Bank at 89-01 Queens Boulevard, Elmhurst in 2009, Photo by Michael Perlman

 

A National Register of Historic Places site: Forest Hills Post Office, 106-28 Queens Blvd, Photo by Greg Godfrey  

Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, Photo by Michael Perlman

Anita Nelson, also from Forest Hills, cringes when she spots McMansions in place of landmark-worthy homes in the Cord Meyer section of Forest Hills, such as the Al Jolson house, and suggested Individual Landmarking to spare the remnants. Additionally, her wish list includes the Queens Medical Society building, Sterling National Bank, and Arbor Close and Forest Close. “With the advent of social media, it’s easier to bring these campaigns to the attention of local citizens who would like to become involved,” she said. 

Forest Close, Photo by Michael Perlman

Arbor Close, Photo by Michael Perlman

Medical Society of The County of Queens, 115-25 Queens Blvd, Photo by Michael Perlman

Sterling National Bank at 108-01 Queens Blvd in 1963, Originally Masonic Temple followed by Boulevard Bank

The Al Jolson house, a Tudor Gothic gem facing demolition in 2006

 

Astonished by the lack of local designations, Rego Park resident Lisa Stone said, “It is an outrage that more buildings receive landmark status in Manhattan than in Queens. I will research landmark-worthy buildings in Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Elmhurst, and lobby the LPC to assure that they swiftly earn the title they richly deserve, beginning with the Midway Theatre.”

Echoing her sentiment, architect and musician William Gati of Kew Gardens referred to the LPC’s Manhattan address. He said, “There are borough offices for City Planning, the Department of Buildings, and all major agencies, except the LPC. This lack of representation indicates a philosophy that the boroughs are not as important as Manhattan. I strongly believe Queens would be better served if we had our own LPC borough office to address specific requests.”


Edward Wendell, President of the Woodhaven Cultural & Historical Society, eyes Historic District status for a large section of Forest Park and the LaLance & Grojean Factory Clock Tower, and said, “I hope the 50th anniversary celebration will bring attention to the many extremely worthy locations around Queens. Each site we can secure with landmarking is one to be enjoyed for generations to come.” He questioned, “Why imagine what these places looked like or view them in old pictures?”

LaLance & Grojean Factory Clock Tower at the turn-of-the-century, Courtesy of Project Woodhaven

This feature also appears in the Forest Hills Times. 

Petition: LANDMARK Queens Clock Tower, Bank of The Manhattan Company!

The iconic Clock Tower of Queens may be demolished, but must earn NYC Individual Landmark status. It takes moments to sign the petition & inform your friends: www.change.org/p/help-us-landmark-the-long-island-city-clock-tower  Calendaring, a public hearing, & designation by the Landmarks Preservation Commission must occur ASAP, so please emphasize that in the petition's comments section. The clock is ticking! 

 Photo by Clemens Kois

In addition to Landmark status, we believe this iconic building merits restoration and creative reuse, as Queens Plaza undergoes redevelopment. The building was sold twice in 2014, & the commercial tenants received notification to vacate.  Thankfully, local residents and architects Michael Hall & Matthew Chrislip of +Partners are spearheading a noble preservation campaign: http://pluspartners.org/licclocktower

Photo by Michael Perlman

Statement from Rego-Forest Preservation Council to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission

The Bank of The Manhattan Company, also known as the Clock Tower, is one of Queens' most iconic and deserving landmarks at 29-27 41st Avenue (Queens Plaza North), designed in a Neo-Gothic meets Art Deco style. On October 25, 1925, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle published, "A 4-way clock tower will rise from the 11th floor and will be a landmark easily seen from all points of Queens, as well as from Manhattan." In 1928, The NY Times reported that the Queens Chamber of Commerce recognized the Bank of The Manhattan Company tower with a first prize award for its architectural and civic value. Upon the building's completion in 1927, it was noted as a skyscraper in Queens, being that it was the tallest, and was deemed a symbol of growth and integrity. That same year, an ad by The Electime Company regarded it as “A Tower of Truth.”

This early skyscraper is a unique and striking landmark, with its castle-like parapet, crests, gargoyles, intriguing variation of limestone and brick, illuminated electron clock, and cartouches inscribed with “BM,” which relate to the bank’s name and commitment. Architect Morrell Smith, who was the Bank of The Manhattan Company’s principal architect for various projects, was a visionary. 

Without official landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, what is popularly referred to as the clock tower will stop ticking forever, and a historic site will be demolished. May this triumphant building stand proudly for future generations. With a new Chairperson of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission, Meenakshi Srinivasan, the time has come for transparency at the public’s request, and an increase in the pace of Individual Landmark and Historic District designations in Queens.

Historic Documentation

Queensborough, 1927, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Lithograph courtesy of Michael Perlman's collection

Queensborough, 1928, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce 

Queensborough, 1927, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Queensborough, 1927, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Queensborough, 1927, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Queensborough, 1927, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Queensborough, 1938, Courtesy of the Queens Chamber of Commerce

Potential Landmarks In Peril Citywide‏ - Appeal To The Landmarks Preservation Commission

A map of landmark-worthy properties which may face the wrecking ball or major alterations if de-calendared: http://hdc.org/hdc-lpc/proposed-de-calendar-items

Fairway Apartments, 76-09 34th Avenue, Jackson Heights in 1937

An open letter, which was sent to the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission at comments@lpc.nyc.gov on December 6, 2014:

Dear LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan & Commissioners,

On behalf of Rego-Forest Preservation Council, we would like to extend our gratitude in response to the Landmarks Preservation Commission's cancellation of the proposed administrative hearing on December 9, 2014, which would have likely resulted in the de-calendaring of nearly 100 landmark-worthy individual properties and two landmark-worthy districts.

We feel that if the Landmarks Preservation Commission was to engage in a massive de-calendaring, it would set a risky precedent, where those properties may undergo demolition as-of-right, and the public would speculate that future calendared properties may be de-calendared and also demolished. New York City residents, community groups, elected officials, and preservationists at large work tirelessly to research, propose, and advocate for new landmarks, which have largely resulted in those properties to have been calendared.

The public is routinely presented with the opportunity to testify on hearing items, but a "commissioner only" vote on a massive de-calendaring would have appeared as if the public has no voice in the landmarking process, or as if we inhabited the days of protests before witnessing the classic Pennsylvania Station's demolition.

Our landmarks and potential landmarks are a unique contribution to our city's architectural and cultural history, diversity, and aesthetics, and are cornerstones in the eyes of NYC residents who experience their communities first-hand. As per the Landmarks Law, which enables the public to provide testimony for properties, the public needs to have a say in the future of the nearly 100 individual properties and the 2 districts, which have been calendared.

Upon reviewing the listing of the proposed de-calendaring items, our boroughs would lose their identity and distinctive qualities of a livable community. Some cases in point are the Ahles House and the Douglaston Historic District Extension in Queens, the IRT Powerhouse and Loew's 175th Street Theater in Manhattan, the 5466 Arthur Kill Road House and Garner Mansion in Staten Island, the 65 Schofield Street House and the Samuel Babcock House in the Bronx, and St. Barbara's Roman Catholic Church and St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church and Rectory in Brooklyn.

We strongly encourage the Landmarks Preservation Commission to schedule public hearings for all of the calendared items, beginning where there is most pressure to alter, sell, or redevelop the site, or where development patterns in the surrounding community could compromise the site's integrity or longevity. May the Landmarks Preservation Commission and New Yorkers work as a team, to emphasize how a governmental body and their constituency can operate cohesively for our city's improvement. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

~ Michael Perlman
Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair
Forest Hills, NY

Douglaston Historic District Extension - This is one example of the neighborhood's homes: 39-12 Douglaston Parkway, completed circa 1910

Ahles House, 39-24 to 39-26 213th Street, Bayside

First Reformed Church of College Point, 118-09 14th Avenue, Courtesy of College Point Memories Blog

Pepsi-Cola Sign in daylight, Long Island City, Photo by Bridge and Tunnel Club

Pepsi-Cola Sign illuminated, Long Island City, Photo by Bridge and Tunnel Club

Bowne Street Community Church, 38-01 Bowne Street, Flushing

Spanish Towers Homes, 34-30 to 34-52 75th Street, Jackson Heights

Old Calvary Cemetery Gatehouse at Greenpoint & Gale Avenues, Blissville, Photo courtesy of Forgotten NY

Now imagine if our Forest Hills landmarks remained stagnant on a calendared but not landmarked list, and were on the verge of being de-calendared. This is why a public hearing and a motion to designate in a reasonable timespan is essential.

Ridgewood Savings Bank, 107-55 Queens Boulevard, Designated May 30, 2000, Photo by Michael Perlman

Engine Co 305, Hook & Ladder Co 151 at 111-02 Queens Boulevard, Designated June 12, 2012, Photo by Michael Perlman

Remsen Cemetery at Alderton Street & Trotting Course Lane, Designated May 26, 1981