LPC to address Ocean on the Park houses
Good news: The Landmarks Preservation Commission will vote at its February 10 meeting on whether to calendar the proposed Ocean on the Park Historic District for a public hearing. If it votes yes, a hearing will be held later this year to discuss the row of 10 Axel Hedman limestones plus two brick homes bordering PLG's side of Prospect Park.
Celeste Lacy Davis tells us:
This is a teeny little first step in the whole landmarks designation process but the mere fact that it's even happening is a very big deal to the homeowners who comprise the row. Given how long and hard we've been struggling to get anywhere in our preservation efforts with the LPC, the fact that they are now even bothering to vote on calendaring our proposal gives us great cause for optimism.
So there you go: good news! I suspect that we have the economic turndown in part to thank. Regardless, we'll let you know what happens at the meeting. If the proposal is calendared, we'll want to get as many neighbors as possible to come out in support.
A big thanks to Celeste and the other people who helped get the ball rolling. Let's hope for more good news on 2/10.
Posted by: jessica | February 01, 2009 at 03:35 PM
The LPC meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday, 2/10). It will be held in the 9th Floor Conference Room at 1 Centre Street. The Ocean on the Park Houses proposal has been scheduled in the 9:50-9:55 a.m. time slot for a vote on calendaring. Even if you can't make it to the meeting in person to show your support, would you please at least light a votive candle, say a chant, or just send out some good vibes for "yes" on calendaring? What's good for part of PLG (in this case, the western border) is good for all of PLG. Thanks!
Posted by: Ceelledeee | February 09, 2009 at 07:13 PM
The LPC Commissioners voted unanimously this morning to calendar the proposed Ocean on the Park Historic District.
Yahoo!!
Posted by: Bob M | February 10, 2009 at 03:18 PM
We scored today! Thanks, everybody!
Posted by: Ceelledee | February 10, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Would welcome a post on the rationale for the Ocean on the Park historic district. Preserving Hedman houses? Preserving views? preserving neighborhood character? Concerned about tension between preserving existing homes vs. optimizing housing (esp affordable) near transit
Posted by: Kendall | February 20, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I was only peripherally involved Kendall, so my answering might be presumptuous, but I think the rationale is pretty much a mix of "yes" to each of your three questions plus the desire of the overwhelming majority of the homeowners in this row to preserving their homes. I hardly think that landmarking these twelve houses will have much have an especially negative effect on preserving, or even expanding, affordable housing in PLG.
Truth be told,I'd love to see all of the bits and pieces that were in the original mid-70s proposed historic district, but left out of the 1979 designation, eventually landmarked. I doubt that this will happen, but if it did, the additional housing stock that would be preserved is but a drop in the bucket, even in this relatively small neighborhood. There's plenty of room for development, if and when funding ever becomes available.
Posted by: Bob M | February 23, 2009 at 10:17 AM
The LPC's public hearing about landmarking the 12 houses on Ocean Avenue between Lincoln Road and Parkside will be held this coming Tuesday, March 24th, at 2:15 pm in hearing room LP-2334 at LPC, 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North, New York, NY 10007.
After years of struggle to preserve these houses, including loss of #185 to a demolition-happy real estate estate developer, next week's public hearing will be the final step in our landmarking advocacy process.
If you have been intellectually supportive of the Ocean Avenue preservation efforts (no matter where you live), now is the time to show your support more publicly! Towards that end, we hope you will attend the hearing and offer your comments to the Commission. If so, please arrive no later than 2 p.m. and sign in outside of the hearing room. However, if you can't make it to the hearing or prefer not to speak publicly, then please send your support statement to Commissioner Robert Tierney, prior to the hearing date and time, at: rtierney@lpc.nyc.gov
BTW, your comments need not be long, detailed or highly sophisticated. Something as simple as the following is fine:
"My name is _________. I am a resident of Prospect Lefferts Gardens at
____________, and have lived in the community for _________ (add # of years if
you think it notable). I support the landmark designation of the proposed Ocean
on the Park Historic District. This small enclave of homes, situated on the border of Prospect Park and designed by the noted architect, Axel Hedman, possesses unique architectural qualities and historical significance which should be preserved."
(Please feel free to tweak the above in whatever way works for you)
For more information on the proposed Ocean on the Park Historic District, check out these LPC links:
Description of houses:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/sig/OceanontheParkSig.pdf
Photos of houses:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/sig/OceanOntheParkPPT.pdf
Site map:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/maps/OceanOnThePark_PROPOSED36.pdf
Yes we can!
and
Thanks!
Celeste
Posted by: ceelledee | March 19, 2009 at 02:01 PM