Greenwich Village Stories Reading on Selected Shorts, WNYC

Did you miss the readings from GVSHP's book Greenwich Village Stories this past weekend on Selected Shorts on WNYC? You can listen to it on-line here -- just click on 'Next Stop, Greenwich Village' to not only hear readings by Dave Hill, Isaac Mizrahi, Ralph Lee, and Penny Arcade from GVSHP's celebrated book, but other pieces about Greenwich Village by Laurie Colwin and John Updike, as read by Kelli O'Hara and Jane Curtin.  

And if you missed Greenwich Village Stories on PBS' MetroFocus with Rafael Pi Roman, watch it here.

To purchase or read more about Greenwich Village Stories: A Collection of Memories, click here.

All proceeds from the sale of Greenwich Village Stories support the work of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.

New Building Approved for 192 7th Avenue South in Greenwich Village Historic District

 

We are disappointed to report that yesterday the Landmarks Preservation Commission approved a slightly revised design for a new building at 192 7th Avenue South (at West 11th Street) in the Greenwich Village Historic District. We do not believe the proposed design meets the legally-required standard of "appropriateness" for a new building at this location, and will not contribute to the special character and sense of place of the West Village.

When an application was heard for a new building at this site in April, GVSHP, along with many other preservation organizations and neighbors opposed the proposed design.  While the existing utilitarian structure had no architectural or historic significance (and therefore typically would be allowed to be replaced in a historic district), the proposed new design felt disjointed and inharmonious with its surroundings, and did not, to us, appear to contribute to the special character of the West Village for which it enjoys historic district protections.  The Landmarks Preservation Commission seemed to agree, and asked the applicant to make revisions to the design (view a video of the hearing here).

However, the applicant returned with a just slightly revised design, replacing some metal elements on the 7th Avenue South facade with masonry. To us, this did not address the larger issues with the failure of the design to relate successfully to its surroundings, and even several members of the Commission expressed dissatisfaction with and hesitation about the design. However, unfortunately, the Commission did vote to approve the design as is (watch the video of the presentation and vote here).

The Commission, with its authority to regulate all exterior changes to properties which are landmarked or located in historic districts, often does an excellent job of preserving and protecting the distinctive character of our historic neighborhoods, and of managing growth and change within them. Unfortunately, we feel they missed the mark here.

All upcoming, pending, and closed applications for changes to landmarked properties within our neighborhoods (within the last four years), such as this one, can be found on GVSHP's Landmarks Application Webpage here. You can sign up for alerts about specific applications, or subscribe to the page here and receive notifications of any and all updates to any applications.  

Videos of all Landmarks Preservation Commission hearings and meetings on items in our neighborhood, such as this one, are also posted on our YouTube page as soon as they are made available, and can be viewed here.

Upcoming Programs
 
Footprints in New York
with authors James and Michelle Nevius

Monday, October 13
6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
Free; reservations required
Washington Square Institute
41 East 11th Street between Broadway and University Place

Join authors and noted tour guides James and Michelle Nevius for a presentation on their latest book, Footprints in New York: Tracing the Lives of Four Centuries of New Yorkers. In a talk illustrated with vintage photos and old maps, James and Michelle will focus on the stories in Footprints in New York that are connected to Greenwich Village, from Peter Stuyvesant's bowery to Bob Dylan's MacDougal Street.

One part history, one part urban exploration, Footprints in New York follows in the steps of such dynamic Village residents as Edgar Allan Poe, Gertrude Tredwell (of the Merchant's House Museum), Henry James, John Reed, and many more.

The authors will take audience questions, and books will be available for purchase and signing following the talk.

To register, please call (212) 475-9585 ext. 35 or email.


Water Works!
A history of the New York City water supply with Gina Pollara

Tuesday, October 28
6:30 - 8:00 P.M.
Free; reservations required
Hudson Park Library, 66 Leroy Street (Between Hudson Street and 7th Avenue South)

The early residents of Greenwich Village relied on rain water, wells, and a few fresh-water streams such as Minetta Brook for their drinking water. But the creation of the New York City municipal water supply was a turning point in the development of this great city.

Join Gina Pollara, co-editor of the book Water-Works: The Architecture and Engineering of the New York City Water Supply for the fascinating story of this massive construction project that led to a reliable source of clean drinking water for New York. In particular, we will look at how this affected architecture throughout the Village -- in buildings we can still see today, thanks in many cases to historic preservation.

You help make it happen!