Local advocates have won a string of political victories against developers in New York City.
According to an article by David W. Dunlap, it's a rarity for New York developers to fail to get their way, so it's especially big news that the Board of Standards and Appeals recently rebuked two developers. Here's Dunlap's summary of recent events:
Last Thursday, the board turned down a developer’s plan to convert the landmark former First Church of Christ, Scientist, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, into a 34-unit luxury apartment building.
A few weeks earlier, the board made life more difficult for a proposal by Congregation Shearith Israel to build a community house and condominium behind its landmark synagogue on Central Park West.
The article details the political situation behind each of the deals, and also presents both as a sign of hope for grass roots preservation and neighborhood organizations.
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