Help Restore the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s Budget to Preserve New York City’s Neighborhoods
May 22nd, 2008
FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, together with a coalition of over 40 preservation groups, will be holding its Second Annual Preservation Lobby Day on Wednesday, May 28, to advocate for a RESTORATION of $300,000 into the Landmarks budget. These funds will allow the LPC to maintain its survey staff and effectively protect New York’s valuable historic buildings and neighborhoods like the much needed expansion to the Upper East Side Historic District.
In 2006, the City Council, led by Council Members Jessica Lappin, Tony Avella and Diana Reyna, allocated $250,000 in additional funds to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s budget, allowing the agency to hire five new full-time staff researchers to aid in their designation efforts. Last year that amount was increased to $300,000, which allowed the LPC to designate more than 1,000 buildings in 2007, a 2,000% increase in buildings since FY2005.
Even with this added $300,000, the LPC’s budget amounts to less than one one-hundredth of one percent of the City’s expenditures. But this small amount has allowed the LPC to move forward with much-needed designations in all five boroughs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
* Join Us on City Hall Steps at 2pm on Wednesday, May 28th, to Support A Restoration of the LPC Budget! Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts will be joined by other preservation groups and elected officials to speak out on the need for more LPC funding.
* Call or write your Council Member and ask them to support the restoration of the $300,000. Click here to find your Council Member. Click here for a sample letter.
