Supporters urged more inclusive designation. On October 18, 2005, Landmarks held a hearing on the proposed expansion of the Greenwich Village Historic District and creation of a new historic district along Weehawken and West Streets in Manhattan. As proposed, the Greenwich Village Historic District Extension would add 36 buildings within the threeblock area bounded by Perry, Washington, Christopher and Greenwich Streets. The newly proposed Weehawken Street Historic District would encompass 14 commercial and residential buildings along the block bounded by Weehawken, West, Christopher and West 10th Streets.
At the Landmarks hearing, Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick spoke in support of the designations, but requested the expansion of the districts to include more structures on Charles Street and the Superior Ink factory at 70 Bethune Street. Glick emphasized that Landmarks should act quickly to halt the “gold rush” into the West Village by developers.
Andrew Berman, of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, explained that the community had been advocating for almost 40 years for an extended historic district. Berman asked for the addition of 389 West 12th Street, noting that it is the oldest industrial building along the Greenwich Village Waterfront and is in jeopardy of demolition.
Both the Superior Ink factory and the 389 West 12th Street factory are proposed for demolition and redevelopment. Approval of the proposal to replace the Superior Ink factory with a large residential development is currently pending before BSA.
The Historic Districts Council, the Society for Architecture of the City. and the Municipal Art Society also spoke in favor of the designations.
Landmarks will hold a second public hearing on the proposed designations in December.
LPC: Greenwich Village Historic District (LP-2 1 84) (October 18, 2005); Weehawken Historic District (LP-2 1 83) (October 18, 2005). CITYADMIN