Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Call for Landmark Reform

@galebrewer @saverizzoli @savenypl @BilldeBlasio

Demand a call for Landmark law reform.  NYC buildings should be protected from developers during the evaluation process.  From the application process to the decision.

What happened to the Rizzoli building can not happen to another building.  The time for wait it over, contact the NYC council now, tell them you want landmark reform.  Say no to destroying NYC historical buildings.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Lend your support for Rizzoli

"On Friday, Rizzoli Bookstore will be forced to close its doors after 29 years in the six-story architectural gem located at 31 West 57th Street."  

“The Save Rizzoli Committee” wrote these words this morning. Such words should never have to ever have been written.  The NYC Government's Landmark Preservation Commission, failed to do its job.  Instead of allowing this beautiful piece of history to be saved; they instead snubbed their collective noses at it.  "But why", you may ask.  It's because they dragged their feet for almost 7 years, while lining their pockets from big developers such as Vornado, and Bloomberg.

But the fight is not over! The Landmarks Preservation Commission is currently evaluating whether the interior of Rizzoli Bookstore warrants interior landmark designation. A process that if successful will sadly one protect the interior of the building and add it to the most prestigious of all landmark status'.  However it would still allow the owners to virtually demolish the beautiful exterior. (You can read about the interior on the Save Rizzoli website.)

We can not continue to stand by and let the developers destroy not only what is left of NYC's beautiful architectural history, but the individuals who work at the buildings that are being put out of a job as well.  The employees of the historic Rizzoli Bookstore will all be among the growing NYC unemployment due to the blatant greed of Vornado and LeFrak.

In unity with those losing their jobs and in recognition of a city losing an important piece of our cultural history, Community Board Five is calling for a rally of support. We would like to encourage everyone to attend.

This rally will be held Friday April 11th at 10:00 A.M. in front of Rizzoli Bookstore

Let us all show the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the press that we the people will not let, and can not let the city to continue to allow the demolition of historic buildings to go unchecked. If you care about NYC history, and care about what goes on in your neighborhood, then we must all band together.  Invite your friends and everyone you know who cares about great architecture, bookstores, and the future of our city. Get the word out on Facebook and Twitter. Let's show the LPC and media how much beautiful bookstores matter!


Saturday, April 5, 2014

DON’T GUT THE 42ND ST. LIBRARY!

DON’T GUT THE 42ND ST. LIBRARY! DON’T SELL THE MID-MANHATTAN!

Yet again the city’s shortsightedness will cause another historic building to suffer.  The NYPL has plans to gut the beautiful and historic Midtown Public Library on 42nd and 5th.  A quote from Mayor de Blasio:
“I am calling on the City to halt the New York Public Library’s plans at the Central Library, and for a thorough, independent cost audit and review of the proposed project…This review should evaluate the complete financial risks associated with the current plan, and seriously consider alternative ways to use City funds to ensure the preservation of the NYPL’s valuable collection stored at the Central Library and preserve the Mid-Manhattan branch as a functioning library.”
– NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio during his campaign, July 12th, 2013
As usual when the city and developers don’t want things known to the public they hold private meetings behind closed doors, in this case they created a plan through a closed process with no public advice, or say.
Lets stop the madness!  We urge you to please visit http://www.savenypl.org/

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Rally Outside of Rizzoli Tomorrow! | Help Save Rizzoli

For those of you who have not been following the tragedy of the Rizzoli Bookstore, we need to help them as much as possible!!!

RALLY OUTSIDE OF RIZZOLI TOMORROW!
BREAKING NEWS:
Borough President Gale Brewer and preservationists to call on City Landmarks Commission to reverse stand on Rizzoli bookstore, reform landmarks process to prevent destruction of significant public buildings
On Friday April 4, in front of the historic Rizzoli bookstore at 31 West 57th Street, Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer and leading preservationists will call on the Landmarks Preservation Commission to reverse their rejection of landmark status for the Rizzoli Bookstore building and ask for an immediate consideration of landmark status for other notable buildings on W. 57th between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue. All are welcome to attend!
WHEN:
Friday, April 4, 2014, 12 Noon–1 PM
WHERE:
Outside 31 West 57th Street, rain or shine
WHO:
Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President
Peg Breen, New York Landmarks Conservancy
Andrea Goldwyn, New York Landmarks Conservancy
Simeon Bankoff, Historic Districts Council
Signers of the Change.org petition