Seven More Buildings Considered for Designation Under East Midtown Initiative

Items considered at hearing were from three development periods: the pre-Grand Central Terminal Era, the Grand Central/Terminal City Era, and the post-Grand Central/World War II Era. On September 13, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held hearings on the potential designation of seven individual landmarks in Midtown Manhattan. The items heard were among the twelve properties identified as potentially worthy of Landmarks protection in the agency’s Greater East Midtown Initiative. The initiative is part of … <Read More>


Comptroller Finds Buildings Needs to Improve the Site Safety Professional Licensing Process

On June 30, 2016, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office released a Report on the Department of Buildings’ issuance of licenses to site safety professionals. There are two types of site safety professional licenses: site safety manager and site safety coordinator. City law requires that a site safety manager be onsite to oversee all work of any project to demolish or construct buildings 15 stories or more in height, and a site safety coordinator … <Read More>


Two Adjoining Bank Buildings to be Considered as Potential Individual Landmarks

A Neoclassical and an Art Deco Building, both from the early 20th century, significant contributors to Brooklyn’s “Bank Row,” added to Landmarks’ calendar. On August 9, 2016 the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to add two adjoining Brooklyn buildings to its calendar: the People’s Trust Company Building, at 181 Montague Street, and the National Title Guaranty Building, at 185 Montague Street. Both buildings are prominent members of Downtown Brooklyn’s “Bank Row,” developed in … <Read More>


Landmarks Requests Rethinking of Plan to Redevelop 2 Buildings into a 1-Family Home

Proposal would redevelop two turn-of-the-century utilitarian building into a residence containing an elaborate garden, with a set back protruding tower containing a dining room and study. On July 12, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered an application for the residential redevelopment of two adjoining buildings at 85 and 89 Jane Street . The two buildings fall within the Greenwich Village Historic District. Both structures are identified utilitarian in style in the district’s designation report. … <Read More>


Buildings Upheld on Crane Licenses

President of the operating engineers challenged new rules on crane operator licenses. Edwin L. Christian, President and Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers, filed an article 78 petition challenging amendments to the rules of the City of New York promulgated by the Department of Buildings regarding licensing for crane operators. Christian challenged the adoption of a rule which dispensed with the requirement that, for a class A license, the applicant must have … <Read More>


Early 20th Century Dairy Buildings Enter Designation Process

Two buildings in former dairy complex identified as potentially worthy of preservation in advance of proposed East New York rezoning. At a meeting on March 8, 2016, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to add the Empire State Dairy Company Buildings at 2840 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn to its calendar, formally commencing the designation process. The two buildings together prominently occupy a full block face along Atlantic Avenue. Landmarks staff undertook a survey of the neighborhood … <Read More>