The five buildings selected to receive grants from LPC for repair work. Image credit: LPC

Recipients in all five boroughs received anywhere from $10,000 to $35,000 to restore, repair or rehabilitate the facades of their buildings. On January 16, 2020, the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) awarded five grants to low and moderate-income homeowners and nonprofits to offset the cost of repairs to their landmarked properties as part of the Historic Preservation Grant Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG). Created in 1965, the Landmarks Preservation Commission is responsible for protecting and preserving New York City’s architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings and sites. (read more…)

Dean Sage Mansion. Image Credit: CityLand

The owners of the Dean Sage Mansion in Crown Heights North Historic District sought to build addition to the 1870’s mansion. In the mid-nineteenth century the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn underwent suburban development of freestanding villas. Today, only a few of the Sturgis villas remain, one of which is the Dean Sage Mansion at 839 St. Mark’s Avenue, a rare High Gothic style mansion built in 1870 by architect Russell Sturgis. The Mansion, which gained additional wings in the 1930s, is one of only a few of Sturgis’s designs in New York today. (read more…)

Welcome to CityLand‘s eighth annual top ten stories of the year! We have selected a range of our most popular and prominent stories concerning New York City land use in 2019. Our 2019 coverage was highlighted by articles concerning land use approvals for large scale projects, affordable housing proposals, and projects that faced pushback from local communities who were concerned about infrastructure, access to transportation and local resources, and affordable housing. We at CityLand are excited to continue providing in-depth coverage of the latest land use projects, cases, and legislation in 2020 and look forward to seeing what the year will bring. Thank you for all of your support and have a happy new year!

(read more…)

The new LPC guidebook, designed to assist with permit applications. Image Credit: LPC

The guidebook is designed to guide applicants through the Commission’s rules and processes to assist in the permit application process. On December 5, 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Commission released a new permit guidebook designed to assist applicants who need permit approvals by the Commission. Landmarks have also released new application forms to make the permit application process easier for applicants. (read more…)

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Mount Morris Park Fire Watchtower, October 26, 2019. Image Credit: Daniel Avila / NYC Parks

The Fire Watchtower is the only one remaining of its kind in New York City. On October 28, 2019, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver was joined by elected officials and members of the community to cut the ribbon on the renovated Mount Morris Fire Watchtower at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. Comptroller Scott Stringer, Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Inez Dickens, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, New York City Council Member Bill Perkins, Community Board 11 Chair Nilsa Orama, Marcus Garvey Park Alliance President Connie Lee, Mt. Morris Park Community Improvement Association Former President Syderia Asberry-Chresfield were present. (read more…)

ASPCA Brooklyn Office, Shelter and Garage Image Credit: Landmarks

The five buildings highlight Gowanus’ industrial past. On October 29, 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Committee unanimously voted to designate five buildings near the Gowanus Canal as individual landmarks. The five designated buildings are the Gowanus Flushing Tunnel Pumping Station and Gate House at 196 Butler Street, the Somers Brothers Tinware Factory (later American Can Company) at 238-246 3rd Street, Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT) Central Power Station Engine House at 153 2nd Street, Montauk Paint Manufacturing Company Building at 170 2nd Avenue and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Brooklyn Office, Shelter and Garage at 233 Butler Street.

(read more…)