Robert B. Tierney
Robert B. Tierney comes from a background of law and government rather than architecture, but his experience and training serve him well in his current position as Chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. His love for learning about the City’s fascinating history and built environment, which he describes as a hobby and passion pursued for over 40 years, has allowed him to approach designation from a well-versed position, while his expertise in navigating through City government has helped him accumulate the resources required to carry out Landmarks’ mission. From 2004 to 2008, Landmarks’ budget expanded from $3.1 to $4.3 million and staff increased from 50 to 68. Tierney credited Mayor Bloomberg for the increased funding and for his appreciation of the role that Landmarks plays in preserving architecturally, historically, and culturally significant sites in the City.
Beyond Manhattan. Tierney’s tenure has been marked by what has been called “a five-borough strategy.” In years past, some have criticized Landmarks for primarily targeting sites within Manhattan for designation. From his first day on the job, one of Tierney’s top priorities has been to identify districts and buildings outside of Manhattan that are worthy of designation. Beginning in 2003, Tierney has overseen the designation of nine outer borough historic districts and 66 outer borough individual landmarks. Of the 1,158 buildings designated in Fiscal Year 2007, 96 percent were outside of Manhattan. Landmarks’ staff is currently reviewing the results of a 22,000 building survey recently undertaken by the research department. The survey evaluated more than 16,000 buildings located outside of Manhattan for designation. (more…)
The temperature was in the 90s the day Simeon Bankoff met with City- Land. Mr. Bankoff, Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council, a prominent city preservationist organization founded in 1971 as part of the Municipal Art Society, and operating independently since 1986, had just returned from a demonstration on the steps of City Hall. While most would have wilted, the charming and voluble Mr. Bankoff animatedly discoursed for over an hour on the Historic Districts Council, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the future of preservation in the City.
Raised in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, and a graduate of Stuyvesant High School, Mr. Bankoff has only left the city for the four years that he attended Sarah Lawrence College in Westchester County. After a series of positions with preservation- oriented organizations and as one of HDC’s first paid employees, Mr. Bankoff became its executive director in 2000. (more…)
Mayor Adams announces proposal to convert vacant offices into housing. Image Credit: Violet Mendelsund/Mayoral Photography Office.
On August 17, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick took significant steps toward building critical new housing across the City by devising a plan to convert vacant offices into housing and implementing procedures to ensure the plan’s success. (more…)
Old Croton Aqueduct Walk. Image Credit: LPC.
On August 15, 2023, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to calendar the Old Croton Aqueduct Walk for consideration as a scenic landmark. The Aqueduct Walk, located between the University Heights and Kingsbridge Heights sections of the Bronx, is a linear park along Aqueduct Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and Burnside Avenue. (more…)
Image credit: New York City Council.
On August 3, 2023, the City Council voted to pass a bill to establish an Office of the Homeowner Advocate. The bill, Int. 398-A, was sponsored by Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. (more…)
