Much of Area Isn’t Protected; Threat of Demolition Looms
By Sharon Udasin
Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle
CROWN HEIGHTS — Towering balustrades poke through hardwood floors, marking the entrance to each room in the tucked-away row house on Sterling Place. Delicately stenciled patterns garnish the rich maple decor, carving a permanent aura of warmth in northern Crown Heights.
Century-old housing lines the streets of the neighborhood, said Denise Brown, founder of a non-profit organization called Crown Heights North. The historic houses retain their originally vibrant color, rivaled only by the area’s diverse population.
But many of these homes could be at risk.
That’s why Crown Heights North is taking active steps to accelerate individual landmark designations in conjunction with the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. Although about a quarter of the neighborhood was designated a historic district in April, three-quarters of the area that the group had asked to be designated is still under review and not protected.
Landmark designation is necessarily a slow and meticulous process, involving several different stages and contributors. Still, says Lisi de Bourbon, spokeswoman for the Landmarks Preservation Commission, “There are no deadlines that need to be met.”
According to the commission’s protocol, both individual citizens and community groups can suggest locations for designation. A committee determines initially whether the property merits further consideration. If the full commission approves, a public hearing follows. After the hearing, the commission votes to endorse or to reject the designation. Following approval, the City Planning Commission must submit a report to the City Council, which can vote to either modify, accept or decline the designation.
Crown Heights North board members worry that the lengthy time required to designate a landmark often leaves houses lingering in jeopardy.
Regardless of historical value, if a house isn’t landmarked, property owners can lawfully do what they please with their property — including demolition.
At times, history seems to be at the mercy of a bulldozer.
“They replaced them with Lego houses,” said Deborah Young, president and chairperson of Crown Heights North. She was particularly referring to a historic property that was razed on 1183 Bergen St.
Property owners argue, however, that demolition may be a necessary decision for certain residences.
“Some of the houses there are in really bad shape,” said Joe Natal, the former owner of 1183 Bergen. “I’m not saying go and demolish them, but if it doesn’t make sense to go and rebuild it, I’m trying to be practical.”
Natal spoke of potentially dangerous aspects of deteriorating homes, including health risks caused by rats and mice.
“It’s not that I’m against the landmark group — I’m for it,” Natal said. “I believe that you have to preserve your past, but in some cases it’s not working. At that point, you have to be practical about it. It’s not black or white, there are some gray areas.”
Warns Against Demolition
Gregory Todd, an agent for the Corcoran Group, sells residential properties in the Crown Heights area. Todd said that he actively alerts buyers to the historical value of homes on this market and warns them against demolition.
“You have to inform them about the probable reaction within the community if they try to alter or demolish the property,” Todd said.
Sometimes, if owners are about to demolish a potentially historical property, the city can take special action to save the property in question.
“There have been cases where a building is threatened with drastic changes or alterations that could compromise the architectural and historical integrity of that building,” de Bourbon said. “We’ve been able to accelerate the landmark designation process for that building.”
House and Garden Tour
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the Crown Heights North leaders will oversee a daylong House and Garden Tour, the first such event to occur in Crown Heights. According to Young, 10 homeowners and two churches will open their doors to visitors for the entire day.
The tour will begin at St. Gregory’s Church at 991 St. Johns Place, with opening ceremonies to commence at 10:30 a.m. Crown Heights North board members said that they hope to attract guests from all over New York, as well as widespread media coverage.
This will be New York’s first chance to uncover what Brown calls “the hidden jewel of Crown Heights North.”
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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