Beyond the Bricks Featured on CUNY TV

FRIENDS' cultural immigrant initiative, ‘Beyond the Bricks’ was featured on CUNY TV's, DiverseCITY a program celebrating the kaleidoscope of cultures that underpin the identity of New York City. This episode dives into Yorkville’s German history and features former executive director Rachel Levy highlighting FRIENDS' efforts to keep the history of

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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.

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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

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41st Annual Meeting and Awards

Every year, we look forward to gathering with members and friends to celebrate and recognize the fine restoration, renovation, and advocacy work completed on the Upper East Side. We were delighted to celebrate our 41st Annual Meeting and Awards in person on Wednesday, April 12.

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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!

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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,

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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

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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.

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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.

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Beyond the Bricks — December 2022 neighborhood walks

In December and early January, FRIENDS partnered with Art on the Ave and Manhattan Sideways to lead a series of free, guided neighborhood walks to explore some of the sites and artworks featured in our current exhibition, BEYOND THE BRICKS. The project documents the history and stories of small businesses

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