40th Anniversary 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're delighted to finally celebrate this year's award recipients in person again, at our 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Awards.
Advocacy Alert: Say NO to Lifting the Cap
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, displace existing affordable units, and threaten livability in neighborhoods across the City.
Preservation Alert: 21 East 65th Street demolished due to emergency order
In mid-December 2021 FRIENDS learned the disturbing news that the upper stories of 21 East 65th Street, a historic building located in the Upper East Side Historic District, were being demolished due to the appearance of an 8-inch-wide crack in floors 3-5 of its front facade. The Department of Buildings had determined that the front wall was structurally unsound and ordered its emergency demolition.
2022 Annual Awards
This spring, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts will once again celebrate outstanding achievement in preservation, architecture, and advocacy on the Upper East Side during our 39th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony.
Blood Center Approval: Political Pressures Prevail Over Common Sense
Today the New York City Council voted 43-5 to approve the modified Blood Center/Longfellow tower over the extensive and persistent opposition to the plan by the community and Council Member Ben Kallos.
Demand that the City Council Represent Communities and Respect Member Deference
Use the form below to remind the New York City Council of the importance of representing their communities and maintaining member deference. We all need a meaningful seat at the table when it comes to overreaching developments in our neighborhoods.
“A Really Sketchy Deal”: New Details About the Blood Center Rezoning
Council Member Ben Kallos explained his opposition to the altered proposal of the Blood Center rezoning. FRIENDS will continue to stand with the electeds and community in opposition to this project, and the prospect of forever weakening member deference, the only bit of leverage average New Yorkers have against powerful developers and lobbyists in the already lopsided debates in cases of developer overreach.
Today in the Daily News: This debate is not about blood. And it’s not just about shadows either. It’s about a meaningful seat at the table.
Council Member Ben Kallos explained his opposition to the altered proposal of the Blood Center rezoning. FRIENDS will continue to stand with the electeds and community in opposition to this project, and the prospect of forever weakening member deference, the only bit of leverage average New Yorkers have against powerful developers and lobbyists in the already lopsided debates in cases of developer overreach.
Blood Center Approval Over Local Council Member’s Objection Would Pose Direct Assault on Community Voices Citywide
Yesterday the Land Use and Zoning committees of the City Council votes to approve a slightly modified version of the rezoning for the New York Blood Center/Longfellow commercial tower. The deal entailed some small "gives" from the applicant: 100 feet shaved off the original proposal for an adjusted height of 233 feet, despite barely reducing the square footage of the building due to the inflated initial proposal.
Submit Written Testimony AGAINST the Blood Center rezoning
Whether you were able to attend the New York City Council Zoning Subcommittee Public Hearing on October 20th or not, your written testimony is vitally important, even if you have already emailed individual Council Members using FRIENDS' form.