Wide Community Support Voiced for Extension to Mount Morris Park HD

276-property proposed extension shares developments history, scale and architecture with existing historic district.  On July 21, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing on a possible extension to the 1971-designated Mount Morris Park Historic District . The extension is composed of 276 properties and lies east of Lenox Avenue, between 117th and 124th Streets. The extension shares its development history with the existing historic district as one of the first residential areas in Harlem, … <Read More>


Reconstruction of 19th century Fire Lookout Tower Approved

Because individual landmark will be accessible to the public, railings and other safety features will be incorporated into reconstructed tower, as well a stainless steel structural elements. On July 14, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission considered and approved an application to reconstruct the Watch Tower in Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park, an individual City landmark. The four-story octagonal tower, built around 1855, originally served as a fire lookout tower for Northern Manhattan. It is the only … <Read More>


Extension to 1971 Historic District Enters Designation Process

Landmarks vowed to continue engagement with the community and property owners in advance of hearing on extension of the Mount Morris Park Historic District. On April 14, 2015, the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted to add the Mount Morris Park Historic District Extension, to its calendar, the first step in the formal designation process. The district lies between 118th and 123rd Streets, bounded by Lenox Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.


HDC Identified Targets of Preservation Focus for 2015

Among its stated priorities, preservationist organization hopes to spur designation of items on Landmarks’ calendar that have been long under consideration without being brought to a vote. On February 3 2015, the Historic District Council held an event where it released its annual “Six to Celebrate,” identifying preservation priorities for the coming year. Candidates for the list are submitted by community organizations, and evaluated by HDC for historic and architectural merit, as well … <Read More>


CityLand Recognizes New York City’s Presidential History

Presidents’ Day began as a remembrance of George Washington’s birthday and has since developed into a remembrance of all who have served as President of the United States of America.  New York City has played a role in the history of many Presidents, even as the birthplace of one – Theodore Roosevelt.  In celebration of the holiday, we here at CityLand have created a list of historic places that have a connection to our Presidents.  … <Read More>


NY Law School Commentary on Talk by Tom Prendergast, Chair of NY MTA

MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast faces a huge challenge as the MTA needs a new round of capital funding starting in 2015. At the CityLaw Breakfast on November 21, 2014 Chairman Prendergast laid out a well-thought out five year plan designed to maintain the system, modernize it, make it more resilient and extend it geographically. The price tag: $32 billion. In the intensive competition for public money, elected leaders find funds in that range only when … <Read More>