CHAIR

DISTRICT OFFICE PARKS & RECREATION

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The Council of
COMMITTEES
FAX: (212) 722-6378 The City of New York AGING
CIVIL SERVICE & LABOR
CITY HALL OFFICE
250 BROADWAY, ROOM 1882 MELISSA MARK- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
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VIVERITO PUBLIC HOUSING
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mviverito@council.nyc.gov COUNCIL MEMBER, 8th District

TESTIMONY BEFORE THE LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

REGARDING THE RIVERSIDE-WEST END HISTORIC DISTRICT EXTENSION

MARCH 22, 2011

Good afternoon. My name is Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and I am here

today to express my strong support for the extension of the Riverside-West End Historic
District up to West 109th Street. Thanks to this extension, the historic character of part of
the West Side of my district will be preserved. I applaud the Landmarks Preservation
Commission for this important undertaking, as well as all of the advocates who work so
diligently to protect our City’s beautiful historic buildings and neighborhoods.

The proposed Historic District Extension, which will include West End Avenue and
Broadway, in my district, as well as the side streets in between, is much-needed in an area
that is increasingly of interest for development. Sadly, we have already seen large towers
built within the broader Upper West Side that have not fit in with its historic character.
The extension of the Riverside-West End Historic District will ensure that, at least within
these defined boundaries, we will have not that historic character further compromised by
overdevelopment.

I would also like to express my support for recommendations made by Landmark West,
to include additional locations within the historic district, such as Straus Park on
Broadway and West 107th Street in my district, as well as the IRT electrical substation on
West 96th Street, which falls just outside of my district.

This Historic District Extension enjoys broad support from not only advocates, but
Community Board 7, as well as virtually every elected official representing the area, at
the federal, state and local levels. I join with all of my colleagues in government and
constituents in urging the approval of this extension.

I again applaud the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission on this important
Historic District extension, as well as all of those who have engaged in the grassroots
advocacy that has helped advance this proposal. I look forward to voting in favor of the
proposal when it comes before the City Council. Thank you.

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