News from FRIENDS – Winter 2023
This past Tuesday, March 27th, the Landmarks Preservation Commission held a public hearing on a new set of rules the agency has proposed to streamline the process of making changes to designated historic buildings.
Installation of Link5G towers to be halted until completion of Section 106 Review
FRIENDS has learned that the city's proposed 32-foot tall Link5G towers will be subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
FRIENDS Submits Testimony at Scoping Meeting for Lenox Hill Hospital Expansion Plans
Last month, on March 2, 2023, the Department of City Planning (DCP) held a Scoping Meeting to give the public an opportunity to make their voices heard about what should be included in the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposal. FRIENDS' public testimony at the meeting (watch it here) pointed
Watch It Again: “Fact and Fiction about the 12FAR Cap” with George Janes
Watch a recording of our online talk "Fact and Fiction about the 12FAR Cap" by urban planner and zoning expert George Janes held on March 21st and co-sponsored by FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts and Landmark West!
Advocacy Alert: State Still Pushing to Lift the Lid on NYC Residential Development
For the third time in recent years, there is a fast-moving proposal at the State level to lift the longstanding cap on residential development in New York City. Lifting the 12 FAR cap would potentially unleash a flood of development rights that are likely to yield more supertall superluxury development,
New 2023 Expansion Plans for Northwell Health, Lenox Hill Hospital
After shelving expansion plans during the pandemic, Lenox Hill Hospital has once again come forward with a rezoning proposal to radically expand the scale of its full-block campus between 76th and 77th streets and Park and Lexington avenues. Although the residential tower on Park Avenue has been dropped from the
Proposed Assembly Districts: Deja Vu All Over Again?
New district lines for New York State Assembly districts are now being considered for adoption, and as proposed, big changes are coming to representation in local government for the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island.
FRIENDS weighs in on City’s Link5G towers
FRIENDS has sent a letter to public officials raising our serious concerns about the planned installation of 32-foot Link5G towers and kiosks at 18 sites throughout the Upper East Side.
Advocacy Update: FRIENDS joins Preservation Groups and Elected Officials Protest Demolitions of Landmarked Buildings
Please join us tomorrow, December 15th at 2pm on the steps of City Hall to bring attention to the recent demolitions of landmarked and soon-to-be-landmarked buildings across the city, and to demand action from the city to do more to protect historic buildings.
Advocacy Alert: Press Conference to Protest Demolitions of Landmarked Buildings
Please join us tomorrow, December 15th at 2pm on the steps of City Hall to bring attention to the recent demolitions of landmarked and soon-to-be-landmarked buildings across the city, and to demand action from the city to do more to protect historic buildings.