Another Budget Update

A quick update on our effort, and the efforts of many Landmarks advocates citywide, to restore Mayor Bloomberg's proposed budget cuts to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

On March 6th, a number of advocates attended a City Council budget hearing and gave testimony in favor of restoring the Mayor's proposed cuts to LPC. A copy of the Historic Districts Council's testimony is available here.

Also, this week CECPP joined a number of landmark advocacy groups in sending another letter to Mayor Bloomberg, urging him to restore the funds he proposed to cut from the Landmarks Preservation Commission's (LPC) Fiscal Year 2009 Budget. The letter's language follows below:

March 10, 2008


Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor, City of New York
City Hall
New York, New York 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

There are currently more than 50 areas, touching every borough, where citizens and community groups are asking for new historic districts. These proposed districts encompass thousands of buildings and thousands of voters. A list is attached.

Given this demand, it is imperative that the Landmarks Commission be able to operate efficiently. The Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation believes it is imperative that the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s budget be put on course for an increase of at least $1 million. This amount would restore the Commission’s 1991 highpoint funding level, adjusted for inflation. On the road to achieving this parity, we ask you, at a minimum, to restore the proposed cuts to LPC's budget, renew last year’s $300,000 increase and establish this increase as a baseline for future Landmarks budgets.

We appreciate that your plan for 2030 understands the importance of neighborhood character. Historic districts help protect that character by raising property values and providing popular places to live. Addressing the demand for additional districts is crucial to our city, even with difficult budget times ahead.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,



Mark Caserta
Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation



cc. Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris


More updates to follow!