Supporting The Expansion Of The Noho Historic District

My name is Thomas K. Duane and I represent New York State's 29th Senate District, in which virtually all of the proposed extension of the NoHo Historic District is located. Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony before the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) today.

I applaud LPC for the designation the NoHo Historic District in 1999 and the NoHo East Historic District in 2003, and I would like to express my appreciation to LPC for moving forward with the consideration of this extension.

As you know, NoHo is characterized by remarkable architectural diversity, and that is as clearly reflected in the area being considered today as in the existing NoHo Historic District. The proposed NoHo Historic District Extension contains buildings built between the early-1800s and early-1900s of Federal, Renaissance Revival, Italianate and Greek Revival style representing residential and commercial and finally loft-style living from 1830 to the present.

I am grateful to LPC for recently deciding to include 25 and 27 East 4th Street in the proposed district and would like to urge LPC to further expand the proposed district to include several properties that have been left out including:

• 53-55 Bond Street
• 346 Bowery/59-61 Great Jones Street
• 348 Bowery/56 Great Jones Street
• 350 and 352 Bowery
• The remaining north side of E. 4th Street

The properties listed above abut several historical buildings already included in the proposed expansion and are essential for creating a cohesive district which protects the culture and quality of the neighborhood. 53-55 Bond Street is an especially troubling omission not only because it abuts the 1820's federal house at 51 Bond Street, but also its mid-block location. As a result, development at that site would obviously have an impact on the entire block. Considering the recent boom of development and the strong interest in this beautiful neighborhood, I would prefer the thoughtful oversight of LPC in development on all the above sites.

I would also like to comment on 325-331 and 333 Lafayette Street, which embody the same history, material, use and style of the buildings across the street, which are included in the original NoHo Historic District. As a result, these addresses should be included in the extension.

LPC's commitment over the past decade to the preservation of NoHo has been admirable. I now ask that you take the last crucial step in completing the puzzle so that the entirety of historic NoHo is equally protected under the Landmarks Law.

Thank you again for moving forward with this proposal and for your consideration of these additional properties.