September 9, 2024
Sarah Carroll, Chair
Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Re: 338-340 Bowery — Certificate of Appropriateness LPC-24-08423
NoHo Historic District Extension
Dear Chair Carroll:
As a matter of policy, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative — LESPI — takes a liberal approach to storefront replacements, as over the last two centuries storefronts within the Lower East Side have been altered or replaced by generations of immigrants and their offspring, each making their own mark on the building and streetscape.
For this reason, we do not object to the storefront and signage installation work outlined in the referenced Certificate of Appropriateness application. However, although we are sympathetic to the need for proper egress from the cellar, we ask that the LPC staff verify whether there is an alternative to this proposed egress that would allow the facade brickwork below the storefront to be retained.
Finally, we have no objection to painting the upper story windows black, as it will not diminish the building’s architectural or historic character, and will visually harmonize better with the ground story.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Richard Moses
President
Cc: Deborah Wye, LESPI
