Summer Newsletter 2021

Inside This Issue

• Greetings from the Chair
• LPC Advances Equity Framework Designations
  • New Designations
    • First NYC landmark to Recognize Chinese American history is Designated
    • Archaeological Site Becomes First Native American Related Landmark
    • First Historic District Named after an African American
  • The NYPL Harlem Branch is now an Individual Landmark
  • Former NAACP Headquarters at 70 Fifth Avenue Designated
  • LPC Recognizes the History of NYC’s Latino Community in Upper Manhattan
• Open Office Hours Initiative Kicks Off
• LPC Celebrates its 56th Anniversary with a Lecture

Over the past few months, we have been working very hard to ensure that we are telling the story of all New Yorkers and representing the city’s diversity as part of our equity framework, which I launched earlier this year. I am proud to say that we have completed a number of designations across the city that advance our goals for representing the diversity of our city. As you’ll read in this issue, these designations represent communities whose stories and experiences have not yet adequately been told. Designations include the Aakawaxung Munahanung (Island Protected from the Wind) Archaeological Site on Staten Island, the first NYC landmark specifically recognizing the many generations of Indigenous peoples who lived here; the Kimlau War Memorial at Kimlau Square in Chinatown, the first landmark that specifically recognizes Chinese American history and culture; and the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District, the first historic district named after an African American, Dorrance Brooks, and a district that has such strong associations with the notable figures in the Harlem Renaissance who made important contributions to the arts, social justice, and New York City's civic life. We received moving testimony from the communities represented by these designations and tremendous support from our Commissioners. The New York Times recognized our efforts in their recent article “City Approves Landmarks Honoring Chinese Americans and Native Americans.”

In addition, we have worked on ways to advance equity by enhancing accessibility in our regulatory processes. Our outreach and preservation teams have been focusing on increased outreach to homeowners on how to work with LPC, to ensure access, fairness and transparency. I am excited to say that this month, we launched LPC’s Open Office Hours initiative for homeowners considering work on their designated buildings. This initiative will enable property owners to virtually meet one-on-one with preservation staff to discuss their potential projects and ask questions about LPC permitting.

As much as we have accomplished, I know there is more work to be done. I am looking forward to all the initiatives and designations we will be bringing forward over the next several months.

Wishing you all the best,
Sarah Carroll

On June 22, 2021, the Commission unanimously voted to designate the Kimlau War Memorial at Kimlau Square in Chinatown. The Kimlau War Memorial is significant as a public monument dedicated to the contributions of Chinese Americans to American history, for its architecture, and its prominence as a symbolic gateway to Chinatown. While there are several New York City landmarks in Chinatown, this is the first that specifically recognizes Chinese American history and culture. Read more about it here.

On June 22, 2021, the Commission voted to designate the Aakawaxung Munahanung (Island Protected from the Wind) Archaeological Site on Staten Island. The Aakawaxung Munahanung (Island Protected from the Wind) Archaeological Site is associated with over 8,000 years of occupation by Indigenous peoples, contains the region's largest known cultural complex, and is the best-preserved known archaeological site associated with an Indigenous presence in New York City. It is the first NYC landmark specifically recognizing the many generations of Indigenous peoples who lived here. Read more about it here.

On June 15, 2021, the Commission voted to designate the Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District. The Dorrance Brooks Square Historic District is an important reminder of both the early development of the neighborhood as well as the contributions of the African American community to the history of New York City. Anchored by Dorrance Brooks Square, named after an African American war hero whose actions helped to dismantle racist notions about Black Americans in military service, it has rich associations with the Harlem Renaissance and Civil Rights movements, and is the first historic district named after an African American. Read more about it here.

On June 15, 2021, the Commission also voted to designate The New York Public Library, Harlem Branch at 9 West 124th Street as an individual landmark. The New York Public Library, Harlem Branch is an elegant Classical Revival style building that has served an important role in fostering the Black cultural life of Harlem. Designed by the prominent architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White in 1907 and opened in 1909, it is one of twelve Carnegie libraries designed by the firm for The New York Public Library. Read more about it here.

On May 18, 2021, the Commission unanimously voted to designate 70 Fifth Avenue, known as the Educational Building, in Greenwich Village, an individual landmark. The L-shaped office building, designed by Charles A. Rich, is an understated and refined example of the Beaux Arts style that features two street facades clad in white brick and stone with a classical tripartite configuration. The building is historically significant as the former national office of the NAACP in the early-20th century, as well as many significant organizations that advanced social justice and equality -- a legacy carried on for almost 50 years by its current owner, The New School. Read more about it here.

On May 18, 2021, The Commission also designated Holyrood Episcopal Church-Iglesia Santa Cruz at 715 West 179th Street in Washington Heights. Holyrood Episcopal Church-Iglesia Santa Cruz is significant as an important social and religious anchor for the Washington Heights' Latino community for the past 40 years. The Gothic Revival style church designed by the architectural firm of Bannister & Schell is considered one of the most impressive and beautiful churches in the neighborhood. Read more about it here.

On June 11, 2021, LPC announced the launch of its Open Office Hours initiative for homeowners considering work on their designated buildings. The Open Office Hours initiative will connect preservation staff directly with those looking to do work on their designated buildings, to help them obtain approval for work that meets their needs and is sensitive to the historic buildings. Homeowners can discuss work prior to applying for a permit, and staff will strive to help meet their goals and LPC regulations.

Preservation staff will be holding Open Office Hours for homeowners in every borough throughout the summer, starting on June 24th in the Bronx. All sessions will be held between 4 and 6 p.m. via Zoom and participants will be assigned a time to speak with a staff preservationist. Time slots are first come, first served and space is limited, so signing up early is recommended. For dates and sign up information, see our web page https://www1.nyc.gov/site/lpc/applications/open-office-hours.page

On April 22, 2021, LPC commemorated its 56th Anniversary with a lecture on Preserving New York City’s Significant Places of Black History, co-sponsored by the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation and the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

For five decades LPC has been recognizing, supporting, and celebrating places of African American cultural and historic significance through designation. In this lecture, LPC’s Director of Research, Kate Lemos McHale, discusses landmarks and historic districts that illustrate the experiences and achievements of African Americans throughout NYC history. Check out the lecture here.