Hotel construction threatens Federal row houses

Disputed ownership of potential landmark property lent twist to hearing. On January 30, 2007, Landmarks held designation hearings on three Federal-style row houses at 94, 94 1/2, and 96 Greenwich Street in lower Manhattan.

Constructed between 1789 and 1799, contractors built the row houses soon after the laying out of Greenwich Street. They are among the few post-Revolutionary upperclass houses left in Manhattan and among the very oldest residences south of Chambers Street. The buildings … <Read More>

Hearings held on nine Robert Moses projects

Depression-era pools and play centers considered for individual designation. In the 1930s, under the guidance of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia and Parks Commissioner Robert Moses, the City built dozens of parks and swimming pools using federal Works Progress Administration funds. In the summer of 1936 alone, the City opened eleven large pool-oriented play centers.

On January 31, 2007, Landmarks heard public testimony on the proposed designation of nine of these WPA play centers, including the Bronx … <Read More>

Designation rejected for Harlem ballroom

Landmarks accepted promise that community group will restore building as part of development plan. On February 13, 2007, Landmarks removed the Harlem Renaissance Ballroom and Casino from its designation calendar to allow a redevelopment plan by its current owner, the Abyssinian Development Corporation, to go forward. Built between 1920 and 1923 as one of Harlem’s first entertainment complexes, the Renaissance now sits in extreme disrepair with trees growing out of its partially caved-in roof. Abyssinian … <Read More>

BSA legalizes New York Sports Club in SoHo

Club opened a 16,000-square-foot location without permits. In June 2006, New York Sports Club received a Department of Buildings decision stating that the manufacturing zoning on its SoHo lot prohibited its proposed gym. Nevertheless, New York Sports Club opened the SoHo location one month later and applied to BSA to legalize the use. The gym, located at 225 Varick Street between Clarkson and West Houston Streets, is 16,741 sq.ft.

At BSA, New York Sports Club … <Read More>

Industrial building to be converted to apartments

BSA required owner to demolish rear portion of full-lot building to create needed open space. SMJ Properties LLC applied to BSA to convert and enlarge a three-story manufacturing- zoned building into two apartments totaling 3,893 sq.ft. As originally proposed, the plan maintained the existing building’s full-lot coverage, providing no rear yard or open space.

SMJ argued that the area was primarily residential and the building’s 21-foot width, its narrow staircase and the lack of an … <Read More>

New BID for Downtown Brooklyn approved

Plan encompasses 130 businesses. On February 7, 2007, the Planning Commission approved an application by the Department of Small Business Services to create a new Court Livingston Schermerhorn Business Improvement District for 350 tax lots and 130 businesses in downtown Brooklyn.

The proposed BID will allow an annual assessment on businesses and residents to enhance security, sanitation, holiday lighting, marketing, maintenance and economic development. Within the boundaries of the BID are a Barnes & Noble, … <Read More>