LPC Response re Old St James Parish Hall
Monday, November 9, 2015
LPC rejects Old St. James Parish Hall for not being old enough
"The Landmarks Preservation Commission does not think that a 1735 church remodeled in 1883 and restored (not recreated) in 2004 to its 1883 appearance is worthy of landmarking because it's not old or original enough? This is strange because the building only needs to be 30 years old and several buildings, such as Fraunces Tavern and the Theodore Roosevelt birthplace were torn down completely and rebuilt in a different style, yet designated. This decision seems to fall into the "arbitrary and capricious" category." - Christina Wilkinson, President, Newtown Historical Society
Here's what it looked like before the "20th century residing". I'd say the restoration of the siding is pretty accurate.
If this property isn't landmark worthy, than what is?
28 comments:
She needs to get FIRED!!!! What is wrong with this City? We are one of the greatest cities in the world and this one idiot is in charge of deciding what gets reviewed by the Commission. She is going to single-handedly destroy New York. DiBlasio WAKE UP!!! Shame on all our elected officials who do nothing about this. We are one of the oldest States and she is always rejecting landmark applications. Look at BFHA, she rejected that as well. Too much power for one ignorant person.
FIRE MARY BETH BETTS AND SAVE NEW YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who is Mary Beth Betts?
Who appointed her? How did she get her job? Who else is on this commission?
Where are the Queens Electards?
Not for nothing...but the if interior remains historic, then there should be an additional application for interior landmarking. Thank goodness for people like Tony Avella who jump in and speak out. Perhaps we can get that front canopy restored over the door. Building is gorgeous and should be landmarked!! Please, Tony, don't stop now!! Appeal this nonsense!
Nice commercial strip!
It would make a GREAT Dollar store...
can we put it in a box and store it next to st saviors?
Looks like a nice place for an Arby's - a la Niederstein's restaurant.
What exactly does landmark status entail? I am aware of the requirement not to change the appearance, but does it come with other requirements/benefits? Other than making anyone who buys it not be able to change its appearance, what is the benefit? This is a church and likely doesn't pay much in the way of property taxes anyway.
Fist of all, its great to see Historic Districts Council all over this just like they do for an issue in in the Village or Chelsea. Funny how hey still send newsletters to the rest of us to support those programs.
Well, don't blame them. Everyone knows what its like to work with anything in Queens, right?
Everyone complains ad nausium of Mary Beth - get real Queens (if that is possible). She is doing what she is told. Get over it. Accept it.
Where the f*k is our borough historian - errand boy for Katz and the developers - hey Mitchell - we still have not forgotten you either. How about the local politicians?
The rest of you don't matter - you have given the pols such much power over your lives, and have been so disengaged in what is going on around you (being polite and trusting as all you little Muchkins are), that by now it is apparent to anyone with a pulse that you can be plainly ignored and dismissed. You. will. do. nothing.
The point is that the only thing that matters is how your councilman thinks - and what under the table donations they get to help them get there.
Note the garbage that gets landmarked in Queens - a Pepsi sign, a fire house, a swimming pool while the historic fabric that would make this appealing to tourists and natives alike is sent to landfill.
The bricks of ante-bellum mansions in Old Astoria Village is recycled to line the sterile yards of the Bukharin's gaudy McMansions.
The only way that this cycle can ever be changed is to completely revamp the law and the system from top to bottom.
Hate to tell you this, but everyone has been here so many times, and discussed this so often that this issue has all but dropped from the radar.
Queens, if you want to pay taxes for a public program that helps only a tiny elite, while these monies are so desperately needed here in a borough that is so rundown, that's your problem.
Keep mindlessly reelecting every non-entity that they place in front of you.
As far as everyone is concerned, stop wasting people's time: just shut up and go home.
"If this property isn't landmark worthy, than what is?"
It's not in Manhattan, so...
Ask the folks at Greenwich Village group if any buildings in the Village are in original pristine condition and if they are willing to help you.
If not, do share with us.
It's in Queens. It doesn't qualify.
Let's bring this up with the NYC Public Advocate! Incompetence is not an excuse!
Headline is a little misleading. It's not that it isn't old enough, it's that it has been remodeled.
Incompetence is not an excuse.
Who is being incompetent? Only the Queens electorate. Finger pointing everywhere else is going to get you nowhere.
It hasn't been remodeled since 1883. 1883 is old enough for designation.
If it is zoned as a church, then any religious institution could use it.
In the name of diversity, it would be a nice location for a Mosque.
In that case they could probably get top dollar.
We need to make accommodations for all the Syrian refugees that are coming.
Just look at the neighborhood, No one here understands American history or its significance. JUST BUILD big apartments etc. I remember the Carnagie Library across the street beautiful building in and out (claimed not enough room) now built a big ugly building lots of$$$$$$ to offer more room for computers last time I went there only the librarian and myself spoke English and it was hard to find any current stuff in English. Just look at the old green house by Newtown field oops fire. The other single family houses to the right and left look like they are not long for this world. Eventually you will see a BIGGGGGG apartment (and community center/ pre-K)on that whole property. This area is like midtown Manhattan in the 1930's as development for high rise swallowed all the small houses and farms
If St. James and the community really wanted this building to be landmarked all they'd have to do is claim it was a meeting place for homosexual men in the 1700's and 1800's. It's status as a landmark would then be guaranteed and heralded by the mayor, governor, Dromm and Van Bramer.
It worked for The Stonewall bar.
Heh
The Stonewall Bar actually spent most of its early history as a mafia bistro.
Where is the outrage that your elected officials misuse the trust you placed in them, and do this do you - all on your dime.
Where is the outrage?!?
Funny you mention Niederstein's George, being remodeled on the interior was the reason they said that could not be landmarked.
I cannot seem to bring up the National Register nomination. Who was the architect for the 1880s work?
Christopher Gray
I don't think there is any point in discussing this any further. The building is toast and until we all grow some real ones having the same conversation over and over will accomplish nothing.
End of story.
Time to sue the LPC for violating the law it is supposed to be upholding.
Obviously the LPC has orders from on high (REBNY, Duh Blasio?) to screw Queens.
Isn't this not only the oldest but ONLY remaining Anglican structure left in NYC ?
This woman at the LPC is an ass who didn't do her homework or a PUPPET being told what to do and say from some "high brass" How could the LPC say no with the facts fact plus its interior and intricate ceiling beam is original ? You will NEVER find beams and craftsmanship like that again anyplace in NYC. It quite normal for 300 year old exterior ceder shake, and ceder roofing not to be original on any building including Gracie Mansion.
Its as if these politicians want to completely erase history and heritage like whats happening in Istanbul, Turkey with the old world Muslims taking over and "renewing" everything in sight. This is the same shit only from different assholes.
I cannot seem to bring up the National Register nomination. Who was the architect for the 1880s work?
What are you doing, a term paper for Columbia? What does that matter when attention should be focused on saving this.
Its not all about saving "this structure" but more about WTF is going on at the LPC that will effect ALL structures and quality of life. LPC people acting as double agents for builders and developers ? Dish clowns & lollipops to the public to suck on as they do backroom deals with shady businessmen and politicians. Who the hell's side are these people on ?
Its not all about saving "this structure" but more about WTF is going on at the LPC that will effect ALL structures and quality of life. LPC people acting as double agents for builders and developers ? Dish clowns & lollipops to the public to suck on as they do backroom deals with shady businessmen and politicians. Who the hell's side are these people on ?
----
Blame City Council. They approve the budget and sit on oversight committees.
You look at a Transgender, and they are willing to call press conferences and line up to pass legislation to affirm their solidarity with that community. Real important. Bring the kids.
Now lets talk Landmarks. Mention that word (and all the disgusting dirty connotations it has in their world) and you will find them hiding under rocks with other creatures whose evolutionary niche they share.
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