PRESERVATION ACTION NEEDED!

The NY State Senate and Assembly are currently considering a bill that would eliminate landmark protections, including for demolition, for any future landmarked religious property, as long as the owner builds a new building that includes minimal affordable housing. Additionally, the legislation allows new buildings on religious properties, including future landmarks, to be built completely out of scale with the zoning of the surrounding neighborhood.

Titled the “Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act” (S3397A / A3647A), the bill has garnered substantial support in both legislative houses.

New York State Residents: We need your help to defeat this legislation as written!

Lower East Side Preservation Initiative — LESPI —  has proposed several new landmarked religious properties to the NYC Landmarks Commission for designation, such as the Church of St. Mary on Grand Street, the Stanton Street Shul, and others within our proposed historic districts. We've also worked with our allied preservation groups to propose religious sites within the East Village. Landmark designation is an uphill struggle, and if the Landmarks Commission finally agrees to designate these buildings, their owners could then turn around and demolish them the next day. This is not acceptable.

Moreover, this bill could potentially be the first step in whittling away New York City's Landmarks Law. Passed in 1965, it has protected irreplaceable historic sites and districts around the city. The Landmarks Law needs to be upheld and protected, not undermined. Thank you for your help with this important issue!