On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will hear a proposal to allow construction of a 105 ft. tall building next door to the historic Merchant’s House Museum, one of our city’s first and most important landmarks, designated on the interior as well as the exterior. New construction next to older buildings like this is tricky under the best of circumstances. However, because the Merchant’s House is a perfectly preserved early 19th century home with delicate plaster details throughout on the interior, vibrations or ground shifting from adjacent work can do damage here of vastly greater consequence than in other locations. It’s also an educational institution that serves the public, making the potential for harm here to the common good all the greater. 

The Museum insists that its experts say the proposed construction work would do extensive and irreversible damage to their building, in spite of the precautions that the developer and the Commission say would be taken if work is approved. Unfortunately, however, we have seen time and again that such procedures and regulations are not carefully adhered to, and are sometimes fragrantly ignored. All it would take is just one slip for grievous and permanent harm to be done.

TO HELP: