Finally, some good news...

What a difference it makes not having Mary Beth Betts around!

LPC unexpectedly calenders Old St. James Church

Looks like the vote was unanimous. What took you guys so long?

The LPC: As arbitrary and capricious as they wanna be

Hey Crapunzel,

You have probably heard that the Pepsi Cola sign in LIC has achieved Landmark status, but consider this from The NY Times story:

"The Artkraft Strauss Sign Corporation reconstructed the sign in 1993, after heavy damage was inflicted by a winter storm."

I am certainly not an expert on NYC Landmarks but this appears to be a contradiction of a previous decision by the landmarks commission concerning Old St. James Church of Elmhurst.

If the Pepsi sign was totally reconstructed and granted Landmark status why hasn't St. James, whose appearance has hardly been altered since the 18th century, been treated in the same manner?

I guess the Manhattanites have decided that an ancient Elmhurst church isn't as cool as a 20th century LIC commercial sign. Go figure.

Adios,

philipe the confused

Yes, Philipe, I think you have nailed it.

Excitement over new library, apathy over history

From DNA Info:

The reconstructed library on Broadway, which was originally scheduled to open three years ago, should be ready in the fall, Queens Library officials said Monday.

Construction on the new site is "95 percent complete," according to Dennis Verriello, the vice president of capital projects and facilities.

Verriello spoke at a public hearing on the library's budget that took place at the Main Street branch in Flushing on Monday night.

Library officials anticipate that the Elmhurst library will open by the fall, once furniture and millwork is complete.

During construction, which began in the spring of 2012, the library has been operating out of a trailer across the street from its new location.

Meanwhile, the story of what's been going on across the street at the Old St. James Episcopal Church (built circa 1735, which the city refuses to landmark) continues to be ignored by the press, along with the fact that the Library is damaging its interior by using it as a construction staging area.

But hell this is Queens, so whaddowee expec?

Melinda Katz: Where are you?

Schematic of what Steinway Mansion will look like once building project is complete

An open letter to Borough President Melinda Katz from The Friends of Steinway Mansion (Written September 2015):

Dear Madam Borough President,

The Steinways played a pivotal role in making New York as the center of arts and culture. In this spirit, the Friends of Steinway Mansion has proposed that the area around the piano factory and the mansion as a special business zone for the arts and artisans – a place for them to learn their craft and showcase their work.

As this article from a March 2014 edition of the New York Times examines, the arts community in our city is under increasing stress from harsh economics. Space is falling victim to rents. Collaboration is lost to commute times.

Entire segments of the art world in dance and theater are drifting away. Creative people still come here, but their goals of a life in the arts gets more elusive with each passing year.
What will happen to New York's role as a world leader in arts and as a tourist destination? What will happen if our city loses our arts community?

The Friends of Steinway Mansion calls for the Borough President to consider the Steinway Arts District and make the mansion a centerpiece of this dream. Those 11 ‘warehouses’? How about artist workspace?

Any other borough would jump at this opportunity. Why not Queens? Are you not a patron of the arts?

We would be happy to discuss this Madam Borough President. We are just a phone call away.

The Friends of Steinway Mansion
_____________________________________________

Letter to Melinda Katz (Written November 2015):

Dear Madam President,

I would like to make you aware of a disturbing decision made by the Landmarks Preservation Commission with regard to the status of Old St. James Episcopal Parish Hall, located at 86-02 Broadway in Elmhurst, one of the oldest and most historic buildings in Queens. Attached is the response from Mary Beth Betts, director of research at the LPC, to a request for evaluation submitted by State Senator Tony Avella at Newtown Historical Society’s request. In this letter, Ms. Betts cites the building’s alteration and “re-creation” in 2004 as the cause of rejection. This rationale is patently false and dishonest, as I will prove below.

Some background on the building: It was originally built in 1735 and was attended by some of the earliest families living in Newtown, such as the Moores and Seaburys. It was remodeled in 1883 and completely restored by the Landmarks Conservancy in 2004. A detailed history can be found on this website: tinyurl.com/oldstjames. A passage from this narrative:

In 1963, the Post Office wanted to buy Old St. James to tear it down for a new post office. The church rejected their offer. In a letter written that year, they cited the historic importance of the church. Today, the building is used as a community center, hosting meetings of groups such as the Boy Scouts, AA, veterans groups, and church services by smaller congregations.

In 2004, the church got a necessary restoration. The project, which cost $430,000, included a $150,000 loan from the Landmarks Conservancy. The building got a new rood, the cedar siding was restored, as were the wooden windows and the eaves and brackets. The 1883 decorative bracketing on the gables, which had been removed, was restored, as well, bringing the building back to its 1880s appearance. The project architect was Kaitsen Woo, and his general contractor was 53 Restorations, Inc. The Conservancy awarded the project with its Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award. Thanks to the stubbornness of St. James, and the desire by the Elmhurst community to preserve an important part of Queens history, this building is with us to enjoy today.

Once again – restored – not re-created, and almost entirely with taxpayer funds a mere 11 years ago. The minimum age for a building to qualify for designation is 30 years. Old St. James Parish Hall’s 1883 remodeling exceeds that by 153 years.

This rejection is a slap in the face to the NYS Historic Preservation Office, which not only has placed this property on the National Register of Historic Places, but reviewed, approved, and funded its $430K restoration, finding it met the Secretary of the Interior’s standards. Even if there is little 18th century fabric at the exterior, the 19th century fabric is nothing to sneeze at – especially since the asbestos shingle was removed and the trim restored (additionally, existing shingle siding, while not holding paint very well, IS the original 19th century shingle, and not a modern replacement).

And furthermore, even if this WAS a re-creation as claimed by Ms. Betts, there have been several other structures that were completely demolished and rebuilt yet still were designated NYC landmarks by the LPC – including the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace and Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan. Neither of these contains its original fabric and neither was rebuilt in the exact same style.

With the emphasis lately on expanding tourism in the borough and in light of the 50th anniversary of the Landmarks Law, it would be a shame to lose this engaging piece of Queens history that is appreciated by natives, immigrants and tourists alike. The rejection of one of the most historic sites in our borough by the LPC is an arbitrary and capricious action that cannot be taken lightly and we ask for your intervention to help save it.

Thank you.

Christina Wilkinson
President
Newtown Historical Society

There doesn't seem to have been a response from Borough Hall to either of these letters. But there's a lot of this being spread around:

State of the Borough: "The NYS Pavilion got a paint job, so the preservation of Queens is complete. Vibrant! Diverse!"

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

LPC Response re Old St James Parish Hall

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?