Our 2018 Resolutions

Happy New Year! We here at GVSHP hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and look forward to 2018! Like many people everywhere, GVSHP has also made some resolutions for the New Year.  Some of our biggest goals for this year center on our advocacy efforts, our Historic Image Archive, and our public programming.  In 2018 we hope to accomplish the following:

• Advocacy– As always, preserving and protecting the character of our neighborhoods, their architecture, and their small businesses is a top priority. Here are a few of the things we hope to get done in 2018:
  • Rezoning for University Place/Broadway and 3rd/4th Avenue Corridors — One of our most talked-about efforts in 2017, this rezoning will help protect these corridors from out of scale and overly commercial development.  These areas currently lack zoning and landmark protections resulting in out-of-scale and out-of-character new developments like the 300 ft tall condo tower nearing completion at University Place and 12th Street or the 313-room Moxy Hotel at 112-120 East 11th Street.   The Mayor’s proposed Tech Hub on 12th Street is increasing the pressure for this kind of development here, and we are fighting to ensure no Tech Hub is approved without these protections for the surrounding area.  You can write to the Mayor urging his support here, the Borough president here, or thank new Councilmember Carlina Rivera pledging her support for these efforts here.  Find out more here and here.

• • Small Businesses –  We’re hoping to get the Small Business Jobs Survival Act (SBJSA) passed in 2018, which would make it easier for small businesses to renegotiate leases with their landlords.  Sign a letter here to urge City officials to support the bill and to allow a hearing and a vote on it as soon as possible.
  • Protect 827-831 Broadway (12th/13th Streets) — in 2017 GVSHP saved these 1866 lofts that were once home to Willem de Kooning from the wrecking ball.  But now a developer wants permission to build a huge, jarring addition on top of them.  Urge the Landmarks Preservation Commission NOT to approve the proposed addition here.
  • Ensuring No Inappropriate New Building is Approved at 540 Hudson Street (at Charles Street) — GVSHP pushed back hard against a developer’s plan for an oversized, undulating building at this location in the Greenwich Village Historic District.  The plans is in limbo, but will probably come back soon.  Send a letter to the Landmarks Preservation Commission opposing the plan here.    
  • Stopping Plan for the Village’s Tallest Tower at 14 Fifth Avenue — In late 2017 plans were floated for an outrageously tall 367- ft tall tower at this site between 8th and 9th Streets in the Greenwich Village Historic District where a pair of altered but historically significant rowhouses now stand. We’re not sure if this plan is real and will ever see the light of day, but if it does, we will be at the ready to oppse it with everything we’ve got.  Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available.
  • LGBT Historic Sites — Urge the LPC here to protect internationally recognized sites of LGBT historic significance in the Village.

• Image Archive– In the last year, GVSHP vastly expanded our Historic Image Archive,  with additions from long-time Village and East Village residents and their families and even their ancestors. In 2018, we hope to add even more images and continue to improve upon this wonderful resource.  You can check out the archive and images, as well purchase prints from one of our many collections, here.

• Public Programs– As always, we here at GVSHP strive to develop new and more exciting programs to help our members and constituents learn about and engage with the Village’s past and present. We have some exciting programs coming up in January and February — learn more about them and make reservations here.

As we look forward to accomplishing these resolutions, we know that they are not possible without the resolve of our dedicated members.  As a new year’s resolution of your own, we hope you will consider joining GVSHP as a member if you are not already.  In addition to supporting our efforts to protect and preserve the Village, membership to GVSHP offers other perks such as early access to program RSVPs and invitations to special events taking place throughout the year.  Learn more about how to become a member here.