Public Design Commission Announces Election of Deborah Marton as President

On July 18, 2023, Deborah Marton, Executive Director of the Van Alen Institute, was unanimously elected President of the NYC Public Design Commission (PDC). Marton, who served as a PDC Commissioner since 2020, will build on former PDC President Signe Nielsen’s legacy by reviewing City-owned property designs and advocating for innovative, sustainable, and equitable public spaces and civic structures citywide.


Historic Districts Council Names Frampton Tolbert as Next Executive Director

On March 2, 2022, the Historic Districts Council announced that Frampton Tolbert will be the next Executive Director of the Historic Districts Council. The Historic Districts Council advocates for the preservation of New York City’s historic neighborhoods and buildings. The appointment of Tolbert follows the departure of Simeon Bankoff, the previous Executive Director, last September, after 20 years at the helm.



Mayor de Blasio Names Faith Rose as New Public Design Commission Chair

Appointee previously served as Director of the Design Excellence program. On October 7, 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Faith Rose to serve as Executive Director of the Public Design Commission. Ms. Rose, a licensed architect and partner at O’Neill Rose Architects, earned her Masters of Architecture from Yale University and comes to the Commission from the Department of Design and Construction. As Director of the Department’s Design Excellence program, Ms. Rose oversaw … <Read More>


Landmarks Research Director Mary Beth Betts on her Career, the Commission, and the Fabric of the City

New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission Director of Research Mary Beth Betts supervises a staff of 12 that is responsible for the research and writing of designation reports, the review of requests for evaluation submitted to the Commission, and the conduct of surveys to identify buildings or districts worthy of designation. She is also involved in the environmental review process for major City projects, the identification of significant historic resources, and helps to educate the … <Read More>