It was 50 years ago tomorrow that many will argue the modern historic preservation movement was born in the United States. On that day, the Action Group for Better Architecture in New York gathered to protest the demolition of Pennsylvania Station.
David W. Dunlap tells the story of that historic protest, by a group of "more than 100 buttoned-down and white-gloved protesters," with the help of architects Peter Samton and Diana Goldstein, who were present that day.
"More than a year before the protesters assembled, it had been known
that the developer Irving Mitchell Felt and the Pennsylvania Railroad
had every intention of tearing Penn Station down to street level and
replacing it with a new Madison Square Garden on Eighth Avenue, and an
office tower and hotel tower on Seventh Avenue," writes Dunlap.
"Mr. Samton
attributed some of the early inertia among opponents to sheer disbelief. 'It was impossible to think that this monumental building was going to
be demolished to make way for something that would make more money for
the landowners,' he said."
Though the protest won front-page coverage in The Times, Penn Station was demolished a year later.
In the bigger picture, their advocacy was not for naught however. "I
really believe Grand Central Terminal was saved because of what
happened at Penn Station," Mr. Samton said.
Although Goldstein "still regards the demolition as a 'moral outrage,'" a larger goal was accomplished. "We knew we wouldn't win, but we did hope to change the climate," she reminisced.
FULL STORY: 50 Years Ago, Sharply Dressed Protesters Stood Up for a Train Station They Revered
Historic Preservation Appeal Could Delay Penn Station Redevelopment
New York State's Historic Preservation Office has moved to place the notorious Penn Station on the National Register of Historic Places, potentially upending redevelopment plans.
Post-Cuomo Penn Station Updates Could Move Project Forward
The controversial renovation of Penn Station could move forward with a scaled-back plan.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
NYC Congestion Pricing Continues to Show Positive Results
While the Trump administration attempts to revoke the program’s federal approval, congestion pricing continues to reduce traffic, speed up bus travel times, and improve air quality in Manhattan.
‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.
Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.
More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown
Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions