SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Expansion
DESIGNATED May 11, 2010!
UPDATE!
Despite some vigorous opposition, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension on May 11, 2010, extending protection to approximately 135 properties. One last hurdle remains. In order to finalize this decision, the City Council must approve the designation.
We need your support and help. Please attend the City Council hearing and spread the word:
Date: Monday, August 23rd
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: City Council, 250 Broadway (between Park Place and Murray St.) 16th floor
If you are not able to attend, please:
Write a letter of support ASAP to:
Council Member Brad Lander, Chair
City Council Sub-Committee on Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses
250 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York , N.Y. 10007
OR Fax: 212-788-8967
E-mail: lander@council.nyc.gov
Phone: 212-788-6969
As you know, the landmark designation of the Extension of the existing historic district originated with a proposal submitted to the LPC in 2006 by the Metropolitan Chapter's Preservation Committee and represents a major achievement of the Chapter. Please plan to attend this August 23rd hearing to show your support for the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District Extension.
See the map of the new district expansion, and read about its history in the designation report. Thank you to everyone who wrote letters, signed post cards, and testified for the district expansion! Our collective hard work and advocacy has paid off so far, and we just need one last push to finalize the district.
Background
The extended SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District is a wonderful way to honor the life and work of Margot Gayle, who passed away at the age of 100 in 2008. Margot, the world's leading expert on cast-iron architecture, was the person who first brought to the public's attention the incredible importance of SoHo's cast-iron buildings. Without her tireless efforts, the original SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District would have never been designated, and the wonderful buildings within the historic district would not be with us today.
Despite her success in saving SoHo, Margot was never satisfied with the boundaries of the SoHo historic district. As one of the original founders of the Victorian Society in 1966, Margot turned to us to see that her dream of expanding the boundaries of the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District comes true.
In 2006, the Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Sociey in America submitted a 47-page report to the Landmarks Preservation Commission asking for an expansion to the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. On June 23, 2009, the LPC "calendared" (the first step in the designationn process) an expansion to the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District. A public hearing was held on October 27, 2009, and the designation came just a little over six months later.
For more information on Margot Gayle, please visit the page on our Margot Gayle Fund for Preservation of Victorian Heritage.
Margot Gayle with VSA member Franny Eberhart and VSA Board Member Joyce Mendelson
