This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Crown Heights North Historic Landmark District — Brooklynian

Crown Heights North Historic Landmark District

hal
hal
edited November -1 in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
I’m involved in the effort to designate a core area of Crown Heights as an Historic District. I’d like to get an idea of how people who participate here feel about the proposed Crown Heights North Historic District.

http://www.crownheightsnorth.org/Index.html
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/about/mission.shtml

The idea is to preserve the architectural and community character of the neighborhood, preempt oversized or otherwise inappropriate development, and encourage pride in the neighborhood which promotes a better quality of life for all.

Those opposed feel it accelerates the problems associated with gentrification (displacement, for example) and creates extra burdens on those who can least afford to comply with the restrictions on repairs and remodeling.

What do you think?

Comments

  • vautrin
    vautrin

    Subject: Generally in favor

    I attended a couple of meetings about this topic last fall, and I came away impressed with the efffort that has already been put into this.

    Though there are risks, I think the overall effect will be positive for everyone. As a relatively new homeowner, I would not welcome lots of extra restrictions as I seek to make my stoop shine, but I would welcome direction.

    My fear is that without landmark status for the neighborhood, ugly things like 4 Con Ed meters on the outside of a brownstone will grow like kudzu.

    And nice photo series on Brownstoner, Hal.
  • hal
    hal
    Hey, vautrin, thanks for the reply.
    My fear is that without landmark status for the neighborhood, ugly things like 4 Con Ed meters on the outside of a brownstone will grow like kudzu.
    I feel the same way, as do many. But this is hardly the worst affront to the character of the neighborhood.

    My wife and I love our part of Crown Heights for it's character, and would hate to see the kind of developement thats happening so fast all over Brooklyn invade the neighborhood. At the same time, we appreciate the kind of developement that improves quality of life for everybody.

    Help me out here: I'm a Brooklynite for only four years, but a New Yorker all my life. I'm guessing that to make your stoop shine is not meant literally, but is an expression that means make your house look good generally. Am I right?
  • raulism
    raulism
    I just heard about the Crown Heights landmarking activities, and it seems to me to be a great idea. I think the real challenge over the next few years is that developers will be coming in and tearing down old buildings to put in out-of-context luxury condos. My guess is that preserving the existing buildings will allow current residents to stay, even though ultimately it will increase property values. There will be new land owners in Crown Heights, and it seems vastly preferable to make sure that they have a stake in neighborhood continuity.

    There's also the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Ratner wants to put some of the so-called affordable housing in Crown Heights. Landmarking might prevent him from doing this.

    ~raul
  • hal
    hal
    Raul, I agree with your comments. I would be interested to know which parcels in Crown Heights Ratner has his eyes on, or his paws. That will take some homework. Its important to note that the Yards project is close to the westernmost edge of CH, if you make Washingtong Ave the line. While I oppose the scale and hubris of the ratner project, quality, affordable housing is needed. I would oppose any incursion into the architecturally significant core of Crown Heights by inappropriate development.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories