Preservation Lobby Day 2009

The third annual "NYC Preservation Lobby Day" will be held Wednesday, May 6 at 11:45 a.m. at City Hall.

We are inviting a coalition of preservation and community groups to support increased funding for the LPC and to promote the following themes:

*Preservation is Sustainability- Reuse and rehabilitation of older buildings should be incorporated into the City's planning process.

*Preservation is Neighborhoods- Protecting neighborhood character is a cornerstone of the City's long-term viability.

*Preservation is an Economic Catalyst- Preservation raises property values, strengthens the city's tax base and enhances tourism. The City should support efforts to expand Federal and State historic preservation tax credits and enhance the J-51 tax abatement program for landmarked properties.

*Preservation is Historic Religious Properties- A special task force should study feasible ways to support these important structures, which anchor communities and provide needed social service programs.

*Preservation is an effective Landmarks Commission- Proper staffing levels are needed to speed LPC approval of renovations and development, which stimulate economic activity.

The full platform is available here.

If you cannot make it to lobby day, please join the Citizens Emergency Committee to Preserve Preservation, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, Historic Districts Council, Landmark West!, Municipal Art Society and the New York Landmarks Conservancy in endorsing the platform. You can email your organization's endorsement to Andrea Goldwyn (New York Landmarks Conservancy) at andreagoldyn@nylandmarks.org.

We hope to see you there!