Landmarks’ John Weiss on Combating Demolition-by-Neglect

John Weiss has served as deputy counsel for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission since 2001. Weiss leads Landmarks’ efforts to protect landmarked structures from demolition-by-neglect, and each of his cases reveals a fascinating tale of New York City real estate.

After earning his undergraduate degree in political science and public policy from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, Weiss was torn between studying law or architecture. He took time off while at Hampshire to … <Read More>


Rush to designate E. 10th St. failed to stop roof addition

315 East 10th Street. Image: Mary Gillen.

Building owner in district obtained permit to build rooftop addition prior to Landmarks approval. On January 17, 2012, Landmarks held a public hearing on, and later designated, the East 10th Street Historic District in Manhattan’s East Village. The district encompasses a row of 26 buildings from 293 to 345 East 10th Street between Avenues A and B.

Many of the buildings were built speculatively to attract wealthy residents … <Read More>


NYU Campus Expansion Plan Begins Public Review

Two-phased proposal includes four new buildings, expansion of open space, and below-grade academic and parking facilities. On January 3, 2012, the City Planning Commission certified New York University’s proposal to expand its academic core in Greenwich Village. The plan would impact two superblocks bounded by West 3rd Street, Houston Street, LaGuardia Place and Mercer Street near NYU’s main campus. The project would include four new academic and residential buildings, create 3.8 acres of public open … <Read More>


Rudin plan for St. Vincent’s redevelopment approved

Rudin tweaked project’s site plan in response to concerns raised at hearing. On January 23, 2012, the City Planning Commission approved the Rudin Management Company Inc.’s plan to redevelop the former St. Vincent’s hospital complex into a 450-unit mixed-used project. The project site is situated on two parcels in the Greenwich Village Historic District. The East Site parcel includes eight former St. Vincent’s Hospital buildings along West 12th Street, down Seventh Avenue and along … <Read More>


Six BIDs increase budgets

Council authorized budget increases for BIDs in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. On January 18, 2011, the City Council adopted a local law authorizing increases in the annual budgets of six business improvement districts in the City. The boards of directors of the Grand Central Partnership, the 24th Street Partnership and the 125th Street Partnership in Manhattan, the Fordham Road BID, and the Mosholu-Jerome-East Gun Hill Road BID in the Bronx, and the Bayside … <Read More>


Redevelopment of St. Vincent’s Hospital site debated

Proposal for the former St. Vincent’s Hospital Complex. Image: Courtesy of FXFowle Architects.

Opponents concerned about project’s impact, lack of new full-service hospital, and use of park space. On November 30, 2011, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on Rudin Management Company Inc.’s proposal to redevelop the former St. Vincent’s Hospital complex into a 450-unit mixed-used project. The project site includes two parcels in the West Village. The East Site parcel comprises the … <Read More>