Extraordinary Significance, Double-Standards Come to Light for 186 Spring Street
 There are some important new developments in the fight to save 186 Spring Street, a federal style 1824 house in the proposed South Village Historic District with remarkable historic significance for the gay rights movement, which faces the wrecking ball.
Since we first became aware of plans by a developer to destroy the house, GVSHP has been fighting to get the city to either keep its promise to move ahead with the proposed South Village Historic District, or to individually landmark 186 Spring Street. The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has refused to do either, though it acknowledges that the South Village is “landmark eligible,” it has stated that it has “other priorities” and has no plans to move on designation. And it has stated that 186 Spring Street is “too highly altered” and “lacking in architectural integrity” to individually landmark.
However, as has recently been pointed out by a preeminent architectural historian who has actually worked for the LPC, the Commission has designated MANY highly altered houses based upon the historic significance of those who lived there, as long as the house was in a similar condition to when the historic figure or figures resided there (read letter HERE), which is certainly the case with 186 Spring Street. Additionally, GVSHP’s continuing research has uncovered additional information showing that 186 Spring Street’s history, and the accomplishments of its residents while living there, was of not only local but state and even national significance – read our letter HERE.
HOW TO HELP:
Click HERE to learn more about preserving 186 Spring Street, HERE to learn more about the South Village, HERE to learn more about federal-era row houses, and HERE to learn more about the Village’s gay and lesbian history. |
