DEVELOPMENT ALERT: First Avenue
As reported in YIMBY, The Real Deal and the Upper East Side Patch, the Developer Extell has just filed demolition permits for an entire block on the east side of First Avenue between East 79th and East 80th Streets in Yorkville.
ADVOCACY UPDATE: Inter-building Void at 62nd Street Periscope Tower Endorsed by DOB
After six months, the Department of Buildings (DOB) has finally responded to FRIENDS’ Zoning Challenge of 249 East 62nd Street filed in November 2017.
Preservation Groups Pen Joint Letter Urging Landmarks Chair to Rescind Proposed Rules Changes
On Friday, April 13, 2018, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, along with the City Club, Brooklyn Heights Association, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, the Historic Districts Council, LANDMARK WEST!, the Municipal Art Society of New York, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, and the Society for the Architecture of the City –with support from elected officials — submitted a joint letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission urging the agency to reject the
LPC Public Hearing on Proposed Rules Limiting Public Involvement
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.
ADVOCACY ALERT: Albany’s Sky-High Vision for Unchecked NYC Development…?
With support from Mayor de Blasio, the New York State Legislature is resurrecting a troubling amendment to New York City zoning that would dismantle the cap on the size of residential development that has been in place for nearly 60 years.
Proposed 74th Street and Third Avenue Tower Draws Huge Turnout
On March 15th, FRIENDS and concerned neighbors from the Eastsiders for Sensible Development held a public meeting regarding the proposed 370 foot residential tower at 1297-1299 Third Avenue (betweeen East 74th and East 75th Streets).
Make your voice heard! Tell Governor Cuomo to protect East Side parks
In December, FRIENDS filed a lawsuit alongside the Municipal Art Society, Carnegie Hill Neighbors, and CIVITAS in order to prevent the City from alienating a public park, the much-loved Marx Brothers Playground, to facilitate a massive, 1.3 million square foot private development that will rise over 700-feet on the site.
FRIENDS’ Fight Against Overdevelopment in the News!
FRIENDS recently joined State Senator Liz Krueger, Council Member Ben Kallos, and Carnegie Hill Neighbors in filing a lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court contesting the City’s approval of 180 East 88th Street, which is currently under construction.
FRIENDS’ Fight in the Public Eye!
Last week, FRIENDS’ Executive Director Rachel Levy was quoted in Crain’s New York Business! Click the link below to read the full article about the fight against supertall towers in residential neighborhoods.
Our Advocacy is Getting Through!
At a recent Town Hall Meeting with Mayor de Blasio, sponsored by Council Member Ben Kallos, FRIENDS raised the issue of zoning loopholes. In response, Mayor de Blasio thanked FRIENDS for shining a light on the issue and emphasized the role of community organizations in highlighting specific challenges.