How Much Landmarking is Too Much?

Amanda Fung reports on NYC Landmarks chair Robert Tierney's legacy, who has preserved more districts than any other in his role. Was this the only way to preserve architecture and economic value of places, as he asserts?

November 19, 2011, 7am PST | Judy Chang

"The current debate has hit the boiling point at the edge of downtown Brooklyn. There, on Sept. 13, Landmarks gave its blessing to a 21-building Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District, a decision that critics say is a prime example of Landmarks' slipping standards.

Like all such districts, the one pending in Brooklyn must be approved by the City Council and the mayor within 120 days. Typically, approval is a mere formality, but not in this case. REBNY, at least one big commercial landlord-SL Green Realty Corp.-and the board of a 30-story residential co-op on Livingston Street are all furiously lobbying the council to kill it."

Full Story:

Preservation man: Landmarks chair Robert Tierney

Published on Sunday, November 13, 2011 in Crain's New York Business