How Much Landmarking is Too Much?

"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."