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DISTRICT LINES news and views of the Historic Districts Council autumn 2009 vol. xxiii no. 2

SAV I NG THE EMBODIMENT OF HOPE: REV. DR. THOMAS F. P IKE, OUR 2009 LANDMARKS LION

REV. DR. THOMAS F. PIKE College sociologist Kenneth Clark revved up about preserving religious has helped run so many and newspaper owner Alger Adams. In buildings,” Rev. Pike said. “I began to organizations devoted the late 1950’s, as an undergraduate at see the relationship between preserva- to preserving buildings SUNY New Paltz, the future cleric at tion and social justice.” Old churches and landscapes nation- first studied painting, then switched and synagogues, he added, “enable a wide that when he walks career tracks as calls for social change community to tell its story honestly, around a place where swept the . tangibly and graphically, in a way that he has been proactive, “The fi ght for civil rights was in full can’t be denied. And the diversity of people stop him to say swing and the peace movement was in American religious buildings celebrates thanks. During a recent stroll through its early days,” he recalled. Soon after he the diversity of our whole society. , for which he currently received his Yale divinity degree in 1963, If we erase the buildings, we’re rewrit- serves as a Trustee and archivist, Arlene he was at the frontlines of these causes. ing history.” Harrison, head of the Gramercy Park “I was arrested fi ve times: that gives you Serving in his numerous pro bono Block Association, came through the a flavor of my life,” he said. He spent posts and grants-giving roles, he has glossily painted black iron gates and overnights in jail for alleged offenses persuaded other religious leaders to hugged him. “We love this man, he’s committed while protesting workplace adapt structures for outreach projects very special, he’s the real, real deal,” she discrimination, giving antiwar sermons including food kitchens, alcohol-abuse said. “He understands what this park and leading marches demanding emer- treatment programs and temporary means spiritually to this community.” gency housing for black families left housing for the homeless. He has also For four decades, Rev. Pike has homeless by suspicious fi res. advocated for the preservation of secular served as an Episcopal rector at In 1971 he was hired as rector for buildings in struggling neighborhoods, churches while finding what is now the Parish of Calvary/St. like the humble row of freed slaves’ countless hours each week to volunteer George’s—one church on Gramercy homes in Bedford-Stuyvesant now at city agencies and nonprofi ts, includ- Park, the other on — called the Weeksville Heritage Center. ing the Landmarks Preservation and until his retirement last year he “Buildings do not have to be beautiful Commission, New Landmarks conducted numerous services at the to have powerful storytelling capacity,” Conservancy, Partners for Sacred latter. In the 1970’s and ’80’s, as he Father Pike said. “Preservation is not an Places, Preservation League of New patiently dealt with repairs on those elitist pursuit, although it’s sometimes York State and Partnership for the structures, fellow clergy kept plaintively thought of as a rich man’s sport.” Homeless. On October 28, he received telling him about their own buildings’ Gratitude for his organizations’ HDC’s Landmarks Lion Award at The hefty maintenance bills and how they support, he added, has come from Players, the famous club near his home were occasionally resorting to demo- surprising sources. “I’ve been out to a on Gramercy Park. lition. “So I became more and more Congregationalist church in On a balmy afternoon in the park a Continued on p. 2 few weeks ago, he was asked to refl ect on his influence and quietly replied, “When I look back, I just wish I’d done more.” He attributes his lifelong interest in performing good works for historic architecture partly to his childhood in progressive intellectual circles. He grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, , where his father, Frederick, man- aged a newspaper and was friendly with African-American scholars including Lion fi replace detail: New York Architectural Terra Cotta Company Offi ce Building, City, . PETER MAUSS/ESTO District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 2

My personal interest this year is a LANDMARKS LION PRESIDENTP R E S I D E N T ’ S CCOLUMNO L U M N campaign of re-education for city agen- cies. I have been frustrated recently by TOM PIKE the loss of signifi cant buildings due to Continued from p. 1 EDUCATING THE official negligence or inability to rec- ognize the value of old structures. The REGULATORS Economic Development Corporation did not act for ten years while the former I AM HONORED Corn Exchange Bank in lost its to be selected as roof and fl oor joists. The Department board president of Buildings has twice allowed faulty and excited about underpinning (at adjacent new construc- the year ahead. In tion) to compromise historic structures my time at HDC, in the block directly across I have come to from their offi ces and then allowed for appreciate the in- an emergency demolition. The School telligence and ef- Construction Authority determined fectiveness of our that C.B.J. Snyder’s P.S. 133 in Park staff and the passionate involvement of Slope was too expensive to renovate, our directors and advisers. Without and must be torn down, based on a NEW YORK PRESERVATION ARCHIVE PROJECT the hard work of our modestly paid staff ridiculous cost-per-square-foot. And Tony Wood and Tom Pike, Landmarks Lions both. and committed board volunteers, HDC don’t even get me started on the cor- where a young mother living across the would not be able to advise and protect rupted review process of the city and in an apartment building with the diverse landmark neighborhoods the National Guard at Admirals’ Row! every window broken came up to me that rely on us. It is time for HDC to reach out beyond and said, ‘Looking out every day and Of course, HDC has been impacted the Landmarks Commission and bring seeing that steeple repaired now—it by the recent fi nancial unpleasantness. a preservation sensibility to other gives us a sense of peace and a lot of While our budget is lean, all not-for- bureaucracies. I look forward to receiv- hope.’ I’m absolutely convinced that profits have been finding it difficult ing your help in doing so. architecture can change lives. I like to to fundraise. My immediate concern —Leo Blackman quote the philosopher Ernst Bloch, who is to get us through the recession and said that architecture is an embodi- strengthen our development capabili- ment of hope. You only fi x the roof of ties. I have not been shy about asking a place when you believe your commu- the board for help in expanding our nity will be there for a long, long time. network of donors and enthusiastically Every repair is a gesture of commitment selling tickets to this year’s Landmarks to the future.” Lion event. Retirement last year has allowed Past board president Paul Graziano Dr. Pike and his wife, Lys, a former smartly recognized the 2009 City director of the city’s Council on the Council races as an opportunity to Environment, more time to focus on focus the candidates and local press their own landmark: a clapboarded on neighborhood preservation issues. 1790 farmhouse near Camden, Maine. HDC’s League of Preservation Voters They spend half the year there when was founded to reach out to commu- not visiting their three children: Jean, nity groups in each contested district, an architect in New York; Nicholas, an identify their concerns about develop- assets manager in ; and Thomas ment and character and make these Jr., an Army lieutenant-colonel about prominent in the election. To do so, to be deployed on his second stint in staff contacted and surveyed neigh- Afghanistan. bors, groups and candidates, compiled Receiving a Lion Award, Rev. Pike their responses and set up preservation said, “feels comfortable, but I feel a little forums across the city. The effort was unworthy, too, since I know and admire exhausting, but has raised the profi le of so many past Lions. But I like being our issues and established useful con- LEO BLACKMAN identified as a Lion, a kind of radical Church of the Ascension, Manhattan, where Leo nections to local leaders, media and Blackman is the owner’s representative for exterior preservationist. That brings together future elected offi cials. projects and architect for their interior projects. many threads of my life.”

Historic Districts Council District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 3

EW IRECTORS AND writer and as a grantee. She has consulted in western Queens and in Brooklyn. N D for foundations and nonprofi t organiza- He is the president of both the Greater ADVISERS JOIN THE tions of various kinds, and created the Ridgewood Restoration Corporation Department of Lifelong Learning at The and the Ridgewood Local Development HISTORIC DISTRICTS New School. She is an 11-year resident of Corporation. the Gramercy Park and Union Square COUNCIL BOARDS neighborhoods of Manhattan. Chris Neville boasts more than 20 years’ experience in historic preser- THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL is Richard Moses is an architect and proj- vation, architectural restoration and pleased to welcome a number of new ect manager at Superstructures, an archi- fi eld archeology. He has been involved members to our Boards of Directors tecture, engineering and conservation in diverse interdisciplinary projects on and Advisers. From architects to fund- fi rm. He was previously on staff at the subjects from the Lower to raising consultants to lawyers, this Landmarks Preservation Commission the African Burial Memorial in Lower well rounded group of preservationists in the preservation department. He is a Manhattan, and he is active in both the brings a wide range of expertise and ex- founding member of the Brooklyn Heights Association’s and the perience to the HDC agenda. We are Preservation Initiative and a member of Municipal Art Society’s Landmarks happy to welcome the following indi- Manhattan Community Board 6. Committees. viduals to the boards: Ivan Mrakovcic is a se- Ethel Tyus is a court DIRECTORS nior architect and direc- representative for the Dan Allen is a principal tor of construction phase Offi ce of the New York of Cutsogeorge Tooman at Rand Engineering and City Comptroller. She is & Allen Architects PC. Architecture PC. He a certifi ed mediator and Past preservation projects has extensive experience arbitrator and holds a have included Pomander working on historic properties and has J.D. from the Fordham Walk (Thomas Healy, been a leader in the fi ght to protect the University School of Law. She is gener- 1921) and the Chapel of landmark-designated yet dilapidated al counsel to the Crown Heights North the Sisters at Prospect Cemetery in Richmond Hill Republican Club. He is Association, president of the Sterling Jamaica, Queens (architect unknown, the founding president of the Richmond Place Civic Association, and she sits 1857). Prior to being an architect, he Hill Historical Society and a member of on both the Economic Development studied sculpture at The . Queens Community Board 9. and Housing Committees of Brook- He resides with his family in Sunnyside lyn’s Community Board 8. Gardens, Queens, and was active in the ADVISERS neighborhood’s landmarking efforts. Patricia Dolan is a lifelong Queens Howard Charles resident active in many civic organiza- Yourow, S.J.D., has Andrea Crawford is the chair of tions throughout the borough. She is the taught and written Queens Community Board 9, where president of the Kew Gardens Hills Civic about American, she has been instrumental in local re- Association, where for nearly 20 years she Comparative, and zoning campaigns, including the suc- has advocated for lower-density zoning International Law cessful efforts to rezone Kew Gardens text amendments, and is executive vice and Politics as a vis- and Richmond Hill North. As general president of the Queens Civic Congress. iting professor at counsel of the Kew Gardens Improve- She is also the founder and president Tufts and Harvard Universities and as a ment Association she has advocated for of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park guest lecturer throughout Europe. He is the designation of a local historic dis- Conservancy. currently principal of Ariston Creative trict. She is an attorney in the Medical UnLtd., and is developing a number of Litigation Unit at the Paul Kerzner heads Con feature fi lm and documentary projects. Health & Hospitals Corporation. Edison’s Renaissance Housing A Stanford White enthusiast, he chairs Program, which has rehabili- the Friends of the Hall of Fame for Great Susan Hopper is trained tated more than 2,318 housing Americans, a White creation, at Bronx as a medical anthropolo- units throughout New York Community College. gist and has broad ex- City and has generated over perience in healthcare $179 million in private- sector reinvest- Editor’s Note: HDC is also pleased to program development ment. He has spearheaded the success- announce that the following Advisers and evaluation. She has ful landmarking efforts in Ridgewood, have recently been elected to the Board worked on both sides of the grant-mak- Queens, and has arranged the planting of Directors: Dan Donovan and Vir- ing process, both as a grants manager and of more than 20,000 new street trees ginia Parkhouse. Historic Districts Council District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 4

STATEN ISLAND’S FORGOTTEN CASTLE: “HDC @ LPC” WHO WILL SAV E THE FROST BUILDING? DOCUMENTS

ON A HILLTOP ON OUR REVIEW OF overlooking sits a turreted brick building. Abandoned LANDMARKS for decades and ravaged by time, it is APPLICATIONS affectionately monikered “The Castle.” Preservation advocates are seeking to HDC HAS RECENTLY created an online make sure that it is not forgotten. archive and e-mail newsletter, “HDC@ Offi cially, “The Castle” is the for- LPC,” which documents applications mer Frost Memorial Tower of the S.R. to the New York City Landmarks Smith Infirmary (renamed the Staten Preservation Commission for major Island Hospital in 1917). The infi rmary, changes to landmark buildings along Staten Island’s fi rst private hospital, was with HDC’s testimony on each pro- established in 1861 and occupied many posal. HDC is the only organization locations, including Dr. Smith’s house. to review and comment on the hun- George W. Frost donated a six-acre dreds of Certifi cate of Appropriateness plot of land in New Brighton for the applications that come before the com- hospital in 1888 just before his death. He mission from all fi ve boroughs. At least had served as the head doctor of anoth- twice a month HDC’s Public Review er Staten Island landmark, Sailors’ Snug Committee examines applications and Harbor, in the 1860’s. During the 1890 testifies at public hearings. Through opening celebrations, the hospital was its testimony, HDC consults with praised as Richmond County’s “pride the commission about inappropriate of the island.” The centerpiece was the applications and acknowledges excep- castlelike Frost Memorial Tower. tional design that sensitively treats The tower, a large brick structure and responds to historic buildings and HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL districts. with Flemish stepped gable facades and Frost Building, once the “pride of the island.” four corner towers, was designed by HDC@LPC was developed by Alfred E. Barlow and constructed in Less idyllic, the Fire Department HDC adviser George Calderaro. “I al- 1889. The rounded corners are reminis- has warned that the Frost is a safety ways felt that the work of the Public cent of the New York Cancer Hospital hazard to the entire hospital campus. Review Committee was among HDC’s constructed on West in As the AIA Guide to New York City most important as well as most unac- Manhattan in 1885—cornerless rooms describes it, the “neo-medieval fantasy knowledged work,” notes Mr. Calderaro. with ample air fl ow and sunlight were … awaits a white knight.” With this in “In fact, that’s why I joined the board. I thought to reduce germs. Additions to mind, HDC promoted the building as was so impressed with the diligence of the Frost Building were constructed two one of our 21 “Unprotected and Under the Public Review Committee at every years later and designed by Bradford L. Consideration” sites in 2005. public hearing when I worked at the Gilbert, the architect of the now-land- Recently a new group of con- Landmarks Commission. HDC is truly marked Young Men’s Institute Building cerned Staten Islanders have picked the public—and often the only—voice pro- at 222 , Manhattan. up the gauntlet and are charging to viding thoughtful consideration of many After the hospital moved in 1979 this building’s rescue. The Coalition items that other citywide organizations to its present site on Seaview Avenue, a to Save the Castle has been work- Continued on p. 6 developer purchased the property with ing with its local City Council plans to create condominiums. The Member, Kenneth Mitchell, and the plans fell through and the old hospital Department of Housing Preservation campus has since been left in a tangle and Development, the city agency now of legal issues and tax liens. In 1983 managing the property, to gain access and 1991 the Landmarks Preservation to Frost in order to conduct a proper Commission held public hearings for structural engineering analysis. Such the structure, but no decision was ever a report, something which has not made. The Frost has been vacant and yet been done, will be an important abandoned for decades now, taking on step toward planning a future for this HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL the appearance of medieval ruins. historic structure. HDC’s Public Review Committee at work. Historic Districts Council District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 5

EY R AYOR landmark designations resulted in rea- “H , M . M !” sonably thoughtful protections for the A FEW HUMBLE neighborhood. In most other areas, however, LPC SUGGESTIONS participation never materialized; and despite appropriate zoning, areas such REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME of the as Park Slope and -Flushing November election, January 2010 will are still sadly defi cient in the fi ne-grain be an opportunity for a fresh start in protection landmark status brings. City Hall, either as the third term of If the two agencies were specifically Mayor Bloomberg or the fi rst term of instructed to work on joint plans for someone else. The preservation com- neighborhoods, the city would be able munity is already talking about possible to preserve its historic neighborhoods legislative agenda items that should be much more effectively. introduced in the new Council cycle, • Commit the funds for the but what about improvements from the Landmarks Preservation Commission Executive Chambers? Shouldn’t the to do its job effectively. For the past next occupant of City Hall’s West Wing three years, preservationists have suc- be given a list of forceful suggestions as cessfully rallied first for additional well, even if it is the same tenant under funding for LPC and then to retain that a new lease? funding. LPC’s record of achievement With that in mind, here are a few in both designation and regulation since humble suggestions from the Historic HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL the funding increase of 2006 has been Districts Council: Preservationists rally for greater funding for LPC. remarkable. Over the past three years, • Install preservation experts in both in contextually rezoning large more landmarks have been designated, every city agency that has a capital bud- swaths of the city and trying to address more permits have been issued, more get, and make them part of the planning the paucity of protected landmarks out- legal victories have been secured than at process. The Department of Design & side . However, there any time since 1990. Construction and the Parks Department is still an enormous amount of work In order to maintain this level of already have active preservation units. to be done to safeguard New York’s activity, the Mayor must at the very Why shouldn’t the Department of historic neighborhoods and signifi cant least commit to fully funding the agency Housing Preservation & Development, historic buildings. Unfortunately, over at its current level. We should be in the the Buildings Department and the the past few years a real opportunity position of advocating for more posi- School Construction Authority? New has been missed that could have helped tions at the Landmarks Commission, York City owns an enormously rich address this goal. not mounting a rear-guard defense to trove of significant historic resources As part of the required environ- save the positions it has. but is terribly inconsistent in caring for mental review that accompanies every Everyone knows these are hard these treasures. For every landmark rezoning, a survey and study of the times, and all city services and expenses school building that is meticulously area’s character and historic resources are being scrutinized. But as a mayoral cared for, there are equally signifi cant is completed. Preservation efforts, candidate once said, LPC is a “small buildings that are neglected or, much particularly ones that aim to preserve thing that doesn’t really have any great worse, threatened with destructive the character of a neighborhood, are impact on the budget...so you could alterations or demolition. most effective when they approach the increase Landmarks’ budget at the If every municipal agency respon- issue of inappropriate development same time you deal with a fi scal crisis… sible for the construction or upkeep of from several angles. A stronger col- Times when we don’t have a lot of mon- publicly owned physical structures had laboration between the Department ey to do things, to buy buildings out of a historic-preservation division within of City Planning and the Landmarks public trust, that’s the time you want it that was incorporated into the agency’s Preservation Commission during the a strong Landmarks and a well funded planning structure, many urban trag- pre-certifi cation process, when an area one. Landmarks is like your top man- edies such as the proposed demolition is being closely examined, is the obvious agement and organization, that’s where of P.S. 133 in Brooklyn and Elmhurst first step to appropriately protecting you really want to spend your money. If Library in Queens might be avoided. vulnerable historic neighborhoods. you’ve got great people and structures • Create a rational, transparent Such a collaboration has been accom- at the top, it fi lters all the way down.” planning process for New York’s his- plished to great success in a few areas, Those were Michael Bloomberg’s toric neighborhoods. The Bloomberg such as the Far and West thoughts in 2001, and we certainly hope administration has made great strides Chelsea, where collateral rezonings and he hasn’t changed his mind.

Historic Districts Council District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 6

Maria and William J. Becce, “HDC@LPC” RECENT GIFTS AND GRANTS Albert S. Bennett, Isabel and Continued from p. 4 William Berley, Ann Bernstein, ALL CONTRIBUTIONS by govern- Association, Bronson Binger, Susan S. Binger, ment, foundations, organiza- Beautifi cation Association, Michelle Birnbaum, Minor L. aren’t aware of and which ex- tions, companies and Friends of Ocean on the Park Preservation Bishop, Leo J. Blackman and tend beyond the area of inter- the Historic Districts Council Association, Preserve and Kenneth T. Monteiro, Françoise est for many local community- are very much appreciated. Every Protect, Queens Civic Congress, Bollack and Tom Killian, Mr. based organizations.” effort has been made to list donors Ridgewood Property Owners and Mrs. William B. Brannan, Immediately following accurately. Many thanks to those & Civic Association, Roosevelt Mary B. Brown, Richard HDC@LPC’s fi rst appearance who gave in the period from April Island Historical Society, Burlage and Fritz Duteau, David 2009 through August 2009: St. Mark’s Historic Landmark C. Burger, Frank Buxton, Hon. over the summer, the popular Fund, The Scottish-American Stephen F. Byrns, Roger Byrom, real-estate blog Curbed and Government: New York City Foundation, Senator Street George Calderaro, Suzanne and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle Council Manhattan Delegation, Historic District, SoHo Christopher Campese, Perian picked up two projects being New York City Councilmember Alliance, Stockholm Street Carson, Diana Carulli-Dunlap considered by LPC that were Vincent Gentile, New York Block Association, Sutton and Bryan R. Dunlap, Carol highlighted. Curbed focused City Councilmember Jessica Area Community, Tottenville Clark and Kyle Johnson, Nancy on a proposed rooftop addition Lappin, New York City Historical Society, Westerleigh Cogen, Harold Cohen, Carola Councilmember Rosie Mendez, Improvement Society. Collier, Christopher Collins in the Ladies’ Mile Historic New York City Department and Bob Kulikowski, Timothy District that was “buried deep of Cultural Affairs, New York Companies: A. Ottavino Coogan, Tamara Coombs and within the confi nes” of the State Senator Liz Krueger. Corporation, Acheson Doyle Channell Graham, Felicia LPC agenda. The blog quoted Partners Architects, Adrienne Davey, Joan DeCamp, Barbara extensively from HDC’s testi- Foundations: Joan . Davidson Neff Design Services, Allen and Alan Delsman, Gregory mony. The Brooklyn Daily Ea- (The J.M. Kaplan Fund), DJ Architectural Metals, Alliance Dietrich, Maureen and Donald gle detailed another proposed McManus Foundation, Joan Contracting Group of NY, Dillon, Andrew Scott Dolkart, & Alan Ades-Taub Family BKSK Architects, Burda Pamela and Joseph Donner, rooftop addition in its article Foundation, The Kandell Fund, Construction Corporation, Daniel J. Donovan, James D. “It’s Back to the Drawing New York Community Trust/ Cutsogeorge Tooman & Allen, Dougherty, Florence D’Urso, Board for 2 B’klyn Develop- Windie Knowe Fund, Puffi n Françoise Bollack Architect, Frances A. Eberhart, Aline ments,” also including exten- Foundation, Robert W. Wilson Higgins & Quasebarth, HOK, and Henry Euler, Rebecca sive references from HDC’s Charitable Trust, Sy Syms Jan Hird Pokorny Architects, and Yehuda Even-Zohar, testimony that week. Foundation, Helen Tucker/ Joyce Matz Associates, Kevin Stephen A. Facey, Mr. and The Public Review Com- The Gramercy Park Foundation. Wolfe Architect, LandAir Mrs. Nicholas Falco, Carol Project Resources, Li Saltzman and John Fallis, Mary Farrell, mittee of HDC meets on Fri- Organizations: Atlantic Architects, Mary B. Dierickx Paula K. Feder, Dr. Henry days to review proposals com- Avenue Railway Tunnel Architectural Preservation Flax, Anne Elizabeth Fontaine ing before the commission the Tour, Auburndale-Bayside Consulting, MBLM and Robert E. Buckholz Jr., following Tuesday. Current Improvement Association, Productions, Montalbano Thomas Fontana, William committee members are Dan Bay Ridge Conservancy, Initiatives, Page Ayres Cowley Gambert, Sarah Gamble and Allen, Teri Slater and Christo- Bedford Barrow Commerce Architects, Platt Byard Dovell Chris Neville, Gloria and Barry pher London (co-chairs), Pe- Block Association, Broadway- White Architects, Robert Garfi nkel, Dorothy Garuccio, Flushing Homeowners A.M. Stern Architects, SAM Lee Gelber, Vincent Gentile, nelope Bareau, Leo Blackman, Association, Brooklyn Heights Fundraising Solutions, Samuel Jill Gill, Elizabeth and David Tom Fenniman, dorris gaines Association, J. DeSanto & Associates Goldfarb, dorris gaines golomb, golomb, John Jurayj, Bob Korn- Neighbors, Crown Heights Architects, Solomon Wood Vera Julia Gordon, Juana and feld Jr. and Jack Taylor. The North Association, Defenders Company, Thomas A. Fenniman committee is also often joined of the Historic Upper East Architect, Walter B. Melvin by community members from Side, Ditmas Park West Architects, West New York historic districts around the city Neighborhood Association, East Restoration of CT, William 12th Street Block Association, Stivale – Building Conservator, who are interested in projects Committee, Winter Hill Associates. affecting their buildings and Fort Greene Association, neighborhoods. Four Borough Neighborhood Friends: Daniel J. Allen AIA, HDC@LPC can be ac- Preservation Alliance Hafi na Allen and Simeon cessed at www.hdc.org/hdc@ Foundation, Gramercy Park Bankoff, Annice Alt, Daisy lpc as well as by the weekly e- Block Association, Greenwich and Wilfredo Alverio, Mrs. mail newsletter. The site con- Village Community Task Force, Martin E. Anderson, Jean The Green-Wood Cemetery, Arrington, Bernadette Artus, tains testimony dating back to The Jackson Heights Garden Elizabeth Ashby, Sally Auer 2005, which can be searched HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL City Society, Landmark West!, and F. Anthony Zunino, Department of Buildings Commis- by neighborhood and by his- Merchant’s House Museum, John M. Bacon, Leonora M. sioner Robert LiMandri speaking at toric district. Midwood Park Homeowners Ballinger, Penelope Bareau, a Monday Morning Coffee Talk. Historic Districts Council District Lines - Autumn 2009 - page 7

Virginia Holloway, Susan S. O’Callaghan, Christopher Tunick, Deborah Van Steen, Hopper, William Huxley, O’Connell, Mary O’Hara, Raymond Vinciguerra, Sandi Phyllis Cynthia Huyler, Ellen Janet O’Hare, Robert W. and Art Viviani, Cynthia C. and Dan Icolari, Shirley Johns, Ohlerking, Everett H. Ortner, Wainwright, Arete B. S. and Kathryn A. Jolowicz, Steven Gary Papush, Virginia L. William B. Warren, Annie and Jonas, Linda C. Jones, Terry Parkhouse, Edward B. Parran Ted Wolff, Katharine B. Wolpe, Joshi, Emily Mason Kahn and Jim Guidera, Nancy and Kate Wood and David Sprouls, and Wolf Kahn, Zsuzsanna Otis Pratt Pearsall, William Penny Zahler, Anonymous (1). Karasz and John Lipsky, May E. Pfeiffer, Paul R. Provost, Kashdan, Katherine Keating Rosamond Putnam, Harold and Larry Schroeder, Doris Reed, Bridget Reel and Peter B. Keeley, Debora and Phillip Bray, Mitchell Rentzler, Lincoln DISTRICT Kellogg, Peter Kennard, Peter Restler, Lenore Rey, Christa LINES Kessler, Edward Klimerman, Rice and Gail Erickson, Iva and news and views of the Myron Koltuv, Allan F. Kramer Ron Rifkin, Susan and William hhistoricistoric districtsdistricts councilcouncil II, Roslyn Kramer, Evelyn Rifkin, Anne C. and Robert Kraus, John Krawchuk, Sarah E. G. Ronus Ttee, Norma and editor - Katrina Miles HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL Bradford Landau, Robert Joseph S. Rosenberg, Jeffrey art and production - Kristen Morith Reading and celebration for Constance LaValva, Ynes Leon, Lynne A. Saunders, Doreen Sawani, editorial consultant - Jack Taylor Rosenblum’s new book, “Boulevard Christine Lerner, Richard Julia E. Schoeck, Barbara contributors - Simeon Bankoff, of Dreams,” about ’s Lauren Belfer, Eve Kahn, Levin, Margo Levine, Barbara Seelig, Barnett Shepherd, Anne Frampton Tolbert, NADEZHDA WILLIAMS. Grand Concourse. The event was at and Herbert Levy, Barry S. and Constantine Sidamon- Ursus Books in the Carlyle Hotel. STAFF - SIMEON BANKOFF, Lewis, Kevin P. Lichten, Susan Eristoff, Roberta Silman, Teri EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Gormley, Paul Graziano, E. Linder, Maria Llull, Jennifer Slater, Andrew Sloat, Cheryl FRAMPTON TOLBERT, DEPUTY DIRECTOR Marian Greene, Carol Greitzer, C. Loftus, Christopher W. Smith, Aaron Sosnick, Mr. & LAUREN BELFER, COMMUNITY COORDINATOR KRISTEN MORITH, NADEZHDA WILLIAMS, Ron Gross and Eric Rouda, London, Laura Ludwig, Eleanor Mrs. Thomas Spath, Beverly PRESERVATION ASSOCIATES Mary M. Habstritt and Gerald Lupino, Herbert Maletz, Moss Spatt, Frank Steindler, P. Weinstein, Estelle Haferling, Michael Manzolillo, Linda Martha Roby Stephens, Carol NO PART OF THIS PERIODICAL MAY BE Julia and James Hall, Lee A. Mariano, Marissa Marvelli, M. Stewart, Amy Stoller, Alan REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL. Hebner and Kenneth Nassau, Jane Marx, Susan Mathisen, Straus, Sheldon Sturges, John

Laura Heim and Jeffrey A. Felicia Mayro, Abigail Mellen, Sugarman, Joseph V. Svehlak, THE HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL Kroessler, Olga Karlovna Joyce A. Mendelsohn, Pauline Szilvia Szmuk-Tanenbaum WORKS TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF Heisler, Joseph Hellmann, Metcalf, Susan and Joel Mindel, and Charles J. Tanenbaum, SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS, AND PUBLIC SPACES IN Isabel Thigpen Hill and David Michael P. Morrell, Richard D. Jack Taylor, Stephanie BUILDINGS NEW YORK CITY, TO UPHOLD THE Sweeney, Victoria Hofmo, Moses, George J. Moskowitz, Tegnazian, Wendy Teska, INTEGRITY OF THE NEW YORK CITY Marsha Jacobs Hogarth, Clare Nelson, Louis Newman, David J. Trachtenberg, Susan LANDMARKS LAW AND TO Sylvia R. Hoisington, Anne Mary Nilsen, Heidi Nitze, and Charles Tribbitt, Sophia FURTHER THE PRESERVATION ETHIC. and Malcolm Holderness, Gene A. Norman, Catherine LaVerdiere Truslow, Susan

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Historic Districts Council DISTRICT LINES

In this issue:

p. 1 Saving the Embodiment of Hope: Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Pike, Our 2009 Landmarks Lion

p. 2 President’s Column: Educating the Regulators

p. 3 New Directors and Advisers Join the Historic Districts Council Boards HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL p. 4 Staten Island’s Forgotten Castle: Who Will Save the Frost Building? Robert LaValva, Carter Craft, Peter Sanford and Terry Walton take questions following the screening of “Street of p. 4 “HDC@LPC” Documents Our Review of Landmarks Applications Ships,” a 1982 documentary by Charles Richards chronicling the early efforts to preserve the Seaport area, p. 5 “Hey, Mr. Mayor!” A Few Humble Suggestions shown as part of HDC’s Fall Series.

p. 6 Recent Gifts and Grants

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DISTRICT NEW YORK, NY LINES Permit No. 3732 news and views of the

HISTORIC DISTRICTS COUNCIL

the advocate for new york city’s historic neighborhoods

232 East 11th Street New York NY 10003 tel 212-614-9107 fax 212-614-9127 e-mail [email protected] www.hdc.org