LESPI’s Let’s Save the East Village / Lower East Side Event a Hit
Last night the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission officially released its maps of two potential East Village historic districts, which encompass Tompkins Square North and Second Avenue below St. Mark’s Place. See LPC’s maps below.
Since January, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative – LESPI – has held three meetings with senior LPC staff to let them know our strong support for landmarking in the East Village / Lower East Side, and our concern that if the area’s not landmarked, essentially all of the historic streetscapes will be lost to the ongoing onslaught of demolition and insensitive development. The LPC has now moved forward toward preserving these districts.
These districts would be the first city designations to specifically honor the history and culture of 19th and early 20th century NYC immigration in the East Village / Lower East Side. For this reason LESPI strongly supports the LPC’s current boundaries as a very good first step in protecting the East Village’s historic resources.
We believe that there’s strong community support for preservation, LESPI’s successful petitioning work in front of Tompkins Square last fall – you may have seen us there – showed us that residents want protection for the area’s historic streetscapes. Other local preservation and community groups, such as Bowery Alliance of Neighbors, East Village Community Coalition, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, and Historic Districts Council, are also involved in this effort.
However, we expect to encounter highly organized opposition. Therefore, everyone who cares about the historic East Village should show their support for this district.
Come testify at Community Board 3 May 12 at 6:00PM, at BRC Senior Services Center at Sara Delano Roosevelt Park 30 Delancey Street, between Chrystie and Forsyth. Check for updates. We hope to see you there!
Or write a letter of support to CB3 by email or mail – see our sample letter at: lespi-nyc.org. Please send us a copy of your letter at info@LESPI-nyc.org.
Can 35 Cooper Square Be Saved?
Demolition started this month on 35 Cooper Square’s roof, and was abruptly halted by the Buildings Department. But it appears that the owner has corrected the DOB’s Stop Work Order, and as of this writing we’re waiting to see if demolition begins again. The destruction of this striking and essentially intact example of early 19th century Federal style architecture would be a great loss for the architectural and cultural history of the East Village / Lower East Side. Built by direct descendants of Peter Stuyvesant, it was more recently the home of renowned Beat poet Diane di Prima and actor Joel Gray. LESPI, with Historic Districts Council, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and other community groups, supported Bowery Alliance of Neighbors campaign for landmark designation, but it appears that development pressures were too strong to landmark this wonderful building.
The next step is to try to work with the developer to save the building, and the issue will be reviewed by Community Board 3 in March. But we need to continue to band together to prevent future demolitions of our neighborhood’s historic architecture, and to preserve what remains of the historic East Village / Lower East Side!
What’s Your Story?
LESPI is embarking on an Oral History of the East Village to highlight the remarkable cultural history of the neighborhood. LESPI’s Marie Beirne, who is producing a video documentary on a history of Stuyvesant Town, is leading the effort to gather East Village historical / cultural information and interview subjects.
Do you have strong ties to the East Village? Have you lived, worked, or simply hung out here – from the 1980s or earlier? Do you have a favorite story about your time here – something funny, sad, or memorable in some other way? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@LESPI-nyc.org.
Support LESPI!
We’re looking for people to help with outreach, people with specialized skills and experience, monetary donations (which are tax deductible as allowed by law), and any other assistance that can help further our mission. We’d very much appreciate your help in our campaign to preserve the East Village / Lower East Side and hope to hear from you in the near future.
Search “Lower East Side Preservation Initiative” on Facebook and check out our site! If you click the “Like” button you’ll receive periodic preservation, history and architectural updates for the LES/EV. You’ll also be showing support for our cause!
About LESPI
LESPI was formed in 2007 to urge the LPC to designate as historic districts intact portions of the East Village / Lower East Side. Our strategy includes documenting and mapping the historic streetscapes, starting with the East Village, and rallying community residents, city officials and the LPC to effect landmark designation.
We’re looking for people to help with outreach, people with specialized skills and experience, monetary donations (which are tax deductible as allowed by law), and any other assistance that can help further our mission. We’d very much appreciate your help in our campaign to preserve the East Village / Lower East Side and hope to hear from you in the near future.
Contact us by email at info@lespi-nyc.org or use the form, through our web site lespi-nyc.org, or by mail at LESPI, c/o Neighborhood Preservation Center, 232 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003.