FRIENDS' Testimony:

FRIENDS' Preservation Committee acknowledges the applicant’s need to accommodate the requirements of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic. We are, however, concerned about the proposed installation of six drilled holes into the historic masonry.

The building has a notable history of housing diplomatic missions—including the Czechoslovakian Mission to the United Nations following World War II as well as missions for Byelorussia, Ukraine, and Cuba, as documented by Daytonian in Manhattan. The third historic photograph presented on slide 2 depicts a modest-sized flag mounted at the fourth floor within the middle bay, demonstrating that flags have historically been displayed on the building without requiring extensive intervention to its historic masonry.

FRIENDS therefore recommends that the applicant explore alternative methods and locations for mounting the flags that satisfy functional requirements while avoiding drilling into, or otherwise damaging, the historic masonry. Specifically, we urge consideration of a higher-floor placement or an alternative mounting solution that respects the building’s historic materials and architectural character.

LPC Hearing: