gale brewer to mayor de blasio

May 29, 2015

Honorable Bill de Blasio

Mayor

City of New York

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Dear Mayor de Blasio:

I write to you as follow-up to our conversations regarding changes to the boundaries of

the proposed Riverside-West End Historic District Extension II, which is pending designation at

the Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Landmarking is a crucial component to preserving the diversity of our neighborhoods,

and it is essential that we balance our desire to expand with sensitivity to maintaining the unique

character of our neighborhoods.

Back in January of this year, I wrote Chair Srinivasan of the Landmarks Preservation

Commission a follow-up letter requesting a status update on the pending designation for

Riverside-West End Historic District Extension II. This district was calendared on November 16,

2010 and had a public hearing on October 25, 2011, which included much debate over the

boundaries of this district. Therefore I was dismayed to learn from our friends at the West End

Preservation Society that the LPC had gone ahead and removed critical portions from within the

district boundaries, including most of the frontage along Broadway and the block on which PS

75 sits, without public discussion. What is equally vexing is that the LPC has not yet scheduled a

date for discussion and vote.

I must reiterate my prior request for a public update and a vote. If sites are to be removed

from the proposed district, that information must be provided beforehand so the public can weigh

in on the merits of such dismissal, though I still strongly believe the boundaries as drawn and

presented in 2010 are the appropriate boundaries for the district.

Sincerely,

Gale A. Brewer