Original Post 6/15/2009: July 14th A Big Day for UWS landmarks-in-waiting

On July 14th, the Landmark Preservation Commission will hear testimony on 2 Upper West Side buildings: West-Park Presbyterian Church and the IRT Powerhouse. Click here for more information.

Original Post 6/11/2009: West 104th Street Block Association Walking Tour

On June 28th, the West 104th St. Block Association and Bloomingdale Aging in Place hosted a walking tour of upper West End Avenue from 107th to 96th Streets, led by Gilbert Tauber, urban planner and historian. Click here for more information.

Original Post 6/8/2009: Call for Unsung Heroes Nominations!

In June, Landmark West! asked for nominations for our Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony, celebrating the people, groups or projects that have made an honest-to-goodness difference for New York and the Upper West Side. Click here for more information.

Original Post 6/5/2009: West End Avenue Walking Tour

On July 1, 2009, Andrew S. Dolkart, Director of Columbia University's graduate program in Historic Preservation, led a walking tour of West End Avenue. This tour was a continuation of the very popular original tour in September of 2008. Click here for more information.

Original Post: 5/27/2009: Free Concert at First Church of Christ, Scientist

On June 1, The First Church of Christ, Scientist at Central Park West and 68th Street hosted a free piano concert. Click here for more details.

UPCOMING LANDMARK WEST! EVENTS

Wednesday, June 3rd: Continuing Education Seminar
Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Existing Buildings

Tuesday, June 16: Walking Tour
Sacred Sites of the West Side with Mosette and Herbert Broderick

Help Preserve West End Avenue!

YOU can help preserve West End Avenue! Show your support for safeguarding the special character and sense of place along one of our neighborhood's quintessential -- yet unprotected -- residential boulevards. To find out how, click here.

Help Preserve the IRT Powerhouse!

Preserve the Powerhouse!

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission recently announced that on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, it will hold a public hearing to consider designating the former Interborough Rapid Transit Powerhouse as an Individual NYC Landmark.

The Powerhouse stands as a majestic symbol of the City Beautiful era, designed by Stanford White of McKim, Mead & White and constructed in 1904 to provide electricity for New York's first subway system. In all of its Beaux-Arts glory, it occupies a full block on the West Side of Manhattan (11th to 12th Avenues, 58th to 59th Streets), recalling such magnificent monuments as the New York Public Library (Carrere & Hastings, 1897-1911), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1894-1902) and the late great Pennsylvania Station (McKim, Mead & White, 1910 - demolished in 1963).

For more information, please click here.

Spring House Tour a Success!

The hallowed halls of the West 67th Street Artists’ Colony Historic District are still echoing with “oohs” and “aahs”… LANDMARK WEST’s first-ever Spring House Tour was an event to remember!

To view the event webpage, please click here!

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

WHAT: Preservation Lobby Day
WHERE: Steps of City Hall
WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – a press conference will begin at approximately 12 noon, but please plan to arrive by 11:45 to show critical mass

The preservation community will be out in force to support increased funding for the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) and to promote the themes outlined below. **Please let us know if you or your organization would like to sign on as a co-sponsor of the Platform!** A copy of the full Platform is attached.

"Preservation is Sustainability" Reuse and rehabilitation of older buildings should be incorporated into the City's planning process.

"Preservation is Neighborhoods" Protecting neighborhood character is a cornerstone of the City's long-term viability.

"Preservation is an Economic Catalyst" Preservation raises property values, strengthens the city's tax base and enhances tourism. The City should support efforts to expand Federal and State historic preservation tax credits and enhance the J-51 tax abatement program for landmarked properties.

"Preservation is Historic Religious Properties" A special task force should study feasible ways to support these important structures, which anchor communities and provide needed social service programs.

"Preservation is an effective Landmarks Commission" Proper staffing levels are needed to speed LPC approval of appropriate renovations and development, which stimulate economic activity.

For more information, please click here.