GVSHP | Preservation | South Village

I urge the Commission to move ahead as soon as possible to designate the South Village a New York City historic district. The South Village is one of the most historic neighborhoods in New York and the entire country. Streets like Jones Street, on which Bob Dylan was photographed for the cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," capture the rich history of immigrant life, socially progressive movements, and cultural innovation which the South Village embodies.

The area’s historic buildings face an increasing number of threats, with the risk of the neighborhood’s integrity being lost before the Commission acts. With the near-unanimous support for this proposal from elected officials, local leaders and businesses, and city, state, and national preservationists, and the wealth of historic information and data compiled from five years of study by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and provided to the Commission, there is no reason not to act right away.

The South Village is an area rich in wonderful architecture and many important layers of New York City’s and our country’s history. Many streets in the South Village are virtually unchanged from one hundred years ago or more. The area contains a virtually unparalleled array of tenements of every style and type, along with an incredible mixture of early 19th century houses, churches, theaters, reform housing, institutions, and industrial and commercial buildings. The South Village is rich in immigrant history, containing the oldest extant church in the Americas built for an Italian congregation, as well as having an extraordinarily rich heritage of cultural and counter-cultural innovation and activity. It is high time that the working-class and immigrant history of a neighborhood like the South Village, and one so rich in so many layers of cultural history, be recognized, honored, and preserved.

The South Village has remained remarkably free from large-scale physical change, making it a perfect candidate for historic district designation. But without such designation soon, that may well change. In just the last few years several critical and beloved historic buildings in the neighborhood have been lost, and much more will likely come without action by the City. Historic District designation for the South Village would ensure the preservation of this remarkable historic neighborhood, which contributes so much to the City, while allowing it to continue to grow and change as necessary. The fate of buildings like 233-237 Bleecker Street and the Greenwich Village Fire Patrol House at 84 West 3rd Street appear to already be somewhat in doubt.

I hope the Commission will consider this important proposal as soon as possible. This wonderful neighborhood and critical slice of our city’s history is endangered, and should be preserved for future generations to appreciate.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

FAX: 212/788-8123

To e-mail, CLICK HERE

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

With the ever-increasing danger of demolition and inappropriate new development facing the South Village, I urge you to designate this neighborhood a historic district as soon as possible. The South Village is one of the most historic neighborhoods in New York and the entire country. Streets like Jones Street, on which Bob Dylan was photographed for the cover of "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," capture the rich history of immigrant life, socially progressive movements, and cultural innovation which the South Village embodies.

The South Village is one of New York City's great historic neighborhoods. Many streets in the South Village are virtually unchanged from one hundred years ago or more. The area contains a virtually unparalleled array of tenements of every style and type, along with an incredible mixture of early 19th century houses, churches, theaters, reform housing, institutions, and industrial and commercial buildings. The South Village is rich in immigrant history, containing the oldest extant church in the Americas built for an Italian congregation, as well as having an extraordinarily rich heritage of cultural and counter-cultural innovation and activity. It is high time that the working-class and immigrant history of a neighborhood like the South Village, and one so rich in so many layers of cultural history, be recognized, honored, and preserved.

Each day, however, more historic buildings in this neighborhood are threatened or destroyed. Without swift action by your Landmarks Preservation Commission, the South Village's historic qualities and character will be lost.

Please act swiftly to landmark this cherished historic neighborhood.

< < < ADD ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS HERE > > >

Sincerely,

NAME

<<<Be sure to include this information>>>

ADDRESS