Preliminary REP pages 143-148
Plan area: Housing and Preservation
The Landmarks Preservation Commission designates and protects New York City landmarks and historic districts. LPC launched an initiative in 2021 to guide agency priorities including: prioritizing designations that represent NYC's diversity with a particular focus on preserving historic places associated with underrepresented communities; robust outreach and public dialogue with the city's diverse communities; and fairness, transparency, and efficiency in regulation so that all property owners have equal access to resources, technical assistance, and expertise.
LPC launched an initiative in January 2021 to guide agency priorities into the future, including prioritizing designations that represent NYC's diversity. LPC has focused designations on places that broaden the representation of the City's diverse history and communities.LPC's ongoing commitment to telling the complete story of NYC's Black history through landmark designations was advanced through several designations, including the Former Colored School No. 4, the only known surviving building in Manhattan that exclusively served Black Americans during mandated racial segregation in NYC public schools.LPC designated performance venues and residences associated with famous Black jazz musicians, including Dizzy Gillespie's house in Corona, Queens, and Harlem's Hotel Cecil (Minton's Playhouse Building).LPC designated buildings with significance to LGBTQ history, including Julius' Bar Building in Manhattan and the Lesbian Herstory Archives.LPC advanced its goal of increasing designations in areas less represented by landmarks, particularly in the Bronx, with six new designations including the borough's first scenic landmark, Old Croton Aqueduct Walk, and the Bronx Opera House.
Accelerate efficiency and accessibility initiatives in LPC’s regulatory work to ensure a fair process for all New Yorkers and invest in an educational program on LPC’s permitting process to build transparency
Population focus: General
Goal ID: LPC-G01
Ensure equitable representation in landmark designations to make sure we are telling the stories of all New Yorkers, especially in communities and neighborhoods that have been historically underrepresented by landmark designation
Population focus: Underserved communities
Geographic focus: Underserved neighborhoods (unspecified)
Outcome: By end of 2027, achieve a 20% increase in LPC historic resource surveys located in historically underserved neighborhoods and/or represent communities of color, and ensure that 100% of LPC's new designation reports include a history of past harms.
Goal ID: LPC-G02
Grow LPC’s Historic Preservation Grant Program (HPGP) to assist income-eligible property owners and not-for-profit organizations in restoration work, especially in underserved neighborhoods. Established in 1977 with federal Community Development Block Grant funds, HPGP provides grants of $10,000 to $35,000 for façade restorations.14
Population focus: Underserved communities
Geographic focus: Underserved neighborhoods (unspecified)
Goal ID: LPC-G03
LPC has had 30% goal for M/WBE utilization and will continue to implement and evaluate goals going forward to ensure they are consistent with federal, state, and local law
Population focus: M/WBE owners
Outcome: By 2029, maintain consistent implementation and assessment for M/WBE utilization.
Goal ID: LPC-G04
Address any underrepresentation of staff in roles within the agency through equitable hiring and recruitment practices for all vacancies
Population focus: Agency staff / employees
Outcome: By 2035, develop a workforce pipeline for the field of historic preservation.
Goal ID: LPC-G05
