LEAVE 75 LIVINGSTON ALONE!

BP MARKOWITZ, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MILLMAN, SENATOR SQUADRON CALL ON LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION
TO EXCLUDE 75 LIVINGSTON FROM BOROUGH HALL SKYSCRAPER HISTORIC DISTRICT

On September 8, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assembly Member Joan Millman and Senator Daniel Squadron joined residents in calling on the Landmarks Preservation Commission to exclude 75 Livingston Street from the "Borough Hall Skyscraper District." The building would be the only residential building included in the District, and as such would be subject to additional regulations threatening its financial stability. 

"We all agree that designating this area the 'Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District' is crucial for preserving this area's unique architectural heritage," said BP Markowitz. "However, even as we honor the past, we must consider the needs of those who live in the present and the Downtown Brooklyn residents who are making this one of the City's most dynamic neighborhoods. For that reason, I believe that the building at 75 Livingston should remain outside the District because I am convinced that adhering to the District's 'master plan' would be an onerous task and a financial hardship for the building's residents."

"This is a wonderful building and I have been in some of the apartments in this co-op," said Assembly Member Joan Millman. "But I always thought the intent when the plan was presented to me had to do with restoring and maintaining the architectural beauty of commercial buildings on Court Street. Why then do they think it would be a good idea to come down one street and landmark this, when it really is a detriment to everybody who lives here? When you want to change your window frame, when you want to put up a new door, it's not an easy prospect because it has to go through Landmarks. It does increase the value, but it makes it prohibitively expensive for so many people that live in the landmark districts."

"As our borough continues to develop and grow, we must take steps to protect pieces of our history," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "But as we preserve this neighborhood's heritage, we must also keep in mind the needs of its current residents. That's why I believe the historic district must exclude 75 Livingston, and I urge the LPC to work with residents to ensure the building's preservation while addressing their concerns."

"We don't need additional City regulations to get us to honor the history of our lovely 85-year-old building," said Ellen Murphy, president of the co-op board at 75 Livingston. "We've been wise stewards for the past 30 years and have spent nearly $6 million to restore the building and its facade because we wanted to--even though we could have done less. Although we are a residential high rise, we are subject to City regulations that apply to commercial buildings but not to the townhouses that are landmarked. All of these rules cost money that comes only from our residents, who are all regular working families and retirees. As for development, our building isn't going anywhere and will look just the same forever--with or without a historic designation. Why do we have to have this additional set of regulations?"

On Tuesday, September 13, the Landmarks Preservation Commission will vote on the proposed District. The Commission can approve the District, disapprove or approve with modifications. 

In photo: BP Markowitz; Ellen Murphy, president, 75 Livingston Co-op Board; and Assembly Member Joan Millman outside 75 Livingston Street