NYS Appellate Division Rules in Favor of LPC in First Avenue Estate Hardship Case!

Last spring FRIENDS led the effort of local and national preservation groups, along with elected officials, to file an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the City of New York in the ongoing battle to stop the demolition of two historic buildings, part of the City and Suburban Homes First

Continue reading

Buildings Department Halts Work on 180 East 88th Street

Responding to pressure from civic groups including Carnegie Hill Neighbors and FRIENDS, in addition to our elected officials Council Member Ben Kallos and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and the power of the press, the New York City Buildings Department has ordered a stop to all construction on the luxury

Continue reading

East 88th Street Tower: Zoning for New Heights Sinks to a New Low

An article in Monday’s New York Times, “4-Foot-Wide Lot, Carved Out by Developers, Causes Big Stir in Manhattan,” highlights a development project of serious concern to FRIENDS and other neighborhood advocates.

Continue reading

ADVOCACY UPDATE: Another Win for Preservation!

Last November the Landmarks Preservation Commission announced a plan to remove nearly 100 buildings from consideration for designation. When a building passes the Commission’s initial review and is found to meet their basic requirements for designation, it is put on their calendar for a public hearing.

Continue reading
Housing New York

ADVOCACY UPDATE: Zoning for Quality & Affordability Begins the Public Review Process

You will remember that the Department of City Planning held a scoping hearing on the proposed Zoning for Quality and Affordability Text Amendment earlier this spring.

Continue reading

ADVOCACY UPDATE: FRIENDS testifies before City Planning on Zoning Text Amendment

As any good preservationist would, I will start with a bit of history. In 1985, our founding president, Halina Rosenthal, wrote to our members:

Continue reading

ADVOCACY UPDATE: FRIENDS Files an Amicus Brief in Support of NYC

Friends of the Upper East Side Historic District (FRIENDS) and prominent local and national preservation groups, along with elected officials, have filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the City of New York in an ongoing battle to stop the demolition of two historic properties.

Continue reading

LPC Action Could Endanger Potential Landmarks!!

On Tuesday, December 9th, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will vote on an administrative action to “de-calendar” nearly 100 buildings under consideration for landmark status. As an administrative action, there will be no opportunity for public comment and thus no public notification requirement.

Continue reading