Important Upcoming Public Meeting on East Village Landmarking
 Our efforts to help preserve the history and character of the East Village will reach a critical point this coming Tuesday, July 26th, as the full Community Board #3 will vote on whether or not to endorse a proposed East Village/Lower East Side Historic District and an East 10th Street Historic District. I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO COME TO THE HEARING TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT at 6:30 pm at the Rose Auditorium (downstairs) at Cooper Union, 41 Cooper Square (3rd Avenue/Bowery btw. 6th and 7th Streets). If you plan to attend, please e-mail gvshp@gvshp.org.
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Mezritch Synagogue (l.), the East Village’s last operating tenement synagogue, and the 1891 Russian Orthodox Cathedral at 59 E. 2nd Street; both are in the proposed historic district, and leaders of both are fighting designation |
Your attendance will be critical - we have been making progress in our efforts to win support for landmark protections for the East Village, but we face highly vocal opposition, and the preliminary votes at Community Board #3 have narrowly supported preservation. Some leaders of Congregation Mezritch Synagogue and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection have expressed strong opposition to inclusion in the proposed historic districts, and have urged others to oppose designation (read more HERE). So far the Landmarks Subcommittee of Community Board #3 has voted 2 to 1 in favor of designation of both districts, and its Parks Committee 4 to 3 in favor. But now we must win the support of the full Community Board.
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St. Ann’s Church (1847-1870) at 110 E. 12 St (l.), demolished except for its tower in 2005 to make way for an NYU dorm; 35 Cooper Square (1825), demolished earlier this year |
In recent years we have seen the loss and compromise of a great deal of the East Village’s historic character and resources (see HERE, HERE, and HERE). Landmark and historic district designation are key to ensuring that this neighborhood’s proud history as a home to immigrants, social crusaders, and artistic visionaries is honored and preserved.
We hope you can come to the Community Board hearing on Tuesday the 26th at 6:30 pm. It should take no more than an hour. Your mere presence will make a big difference, but if you are able, we also ask that you bring a letter to submit to the Community Board expressing your support for designation - a sample letter can be found HERE.
You can find out more about our efforts to preserve the East Village HERE. We hope to see you on the 26th!
Next: 07/29/11
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