Village Preservation has been fighting to secure historic district (landmark) designation for the area South of Union Square, a neighborhood incredibly rich in architecture and history connected to the arts and transformative social and civil rights movements. Covering parts of about 20 blocks from Fifth to Third Avenues, 14th to 9th Streets, the proposed district has been ruled eligible for the State and National Registers of Historic Places and named one of “Seven to Save” by the Preservation League of New York State — one of the seven most important endangered historic sites in the state.

In spite of an incredibly broad array of support, the City has so far refused to consider the district for designation, though we have managed to get more than a dozen buildings within the area individually landmarked. As a result, historic buildings in the neighborhood have been lost, from the former St. Denis Hotel at 799 Broadway (replaced with a still-not-filled glass tech office tower) to 86 University Place, which is slated to be demolished for just seven luxury condos.

In response to this, Community Board 2 is holding a public forum on the proposed South of Union Square Historic District on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm. Testimony will be accepted in person, via Zoom, and in written form. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO SUBMIT COMMENTS AND TO TESTIFY IN PERSON OR VIA ZOOM IN SUPPORT OF DESIGNATION.

TO HELP: