Essential preservation funds, historic sites and parks will be impacted by proposed state and federal budget cuts. MAS encourages its members to take action to urge lawmakers to restore funding for these important programs.

“In these difficult economic times, some may argue that preservation and parks are luxuries we can do without. But preservation isn’t just about reminding us of our past. The restoration work funded through Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America has generated sorely needed jobs and helped to build sustainable communities. New York State’s Parks and Historic sites offer inexpensive recreational opportunities to New Yorkers just when they need them most,” said MAS President Vin Cipolla.

The proposed federal budget cuts may eliminate two long-standing historic preservation funds, Save America’s Treasures and Preserve America. The former was established in 1998 by President Clinton and is a public-private partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Since its creation, the program has awarded almost $294 million in federal grants to over 1,100 preservation efforts across the country. In turn, these grants have leveraged more than $377 million in required matching- and non-federal funds, and the funded construction projects alone have created more than 16,000 jobs. Continue Reading>>

MAS Kress Fellow for Historic Preservation and Public Policy, Melissa Baldock, was at the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual conference in Nashville last week.  At the conference, Melissa showcased MAS’ ImagineConey project and our work in promoting and protecting the historic resources and character of Coney Island.  Through her poster presentation, Melissa was able to discuss these issues with many of the over 2000 conference attendees MAS’ Coney Island work.

Not surprisingly, the Coney Island topic was quite popular at the conference.  Many people shared with Melissa stories of family members from Brooklyn going there decades ago, while others were interested in how planning tools have been integral in the efforts to revitalize the historic amusement area.

Everyone recognized Nathan’s as an American icon that presents difficult preservation issues, but Melissa was told next time to bring Nathan’s hot dogs to share so that people could fully grasp its significance!  The poster presentation helped challenge preservationists from all over the country to think about how MAS’ visioning, planning, and preservation efforts in Coney Island could be an inspiration to their own work.

Admiral’s Row on the edge of the Brooklyn Navy Yard is in danger of being lost. MAS will attend a meeting tomorrow at which the negotiations between the National Guard, the owner of the property, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) will discuss the buildings’ future. The meeting is part of the federally-mandated Section 106 process that requires federal agencies to study the impact of their actions on important historic buildings.

MAS has been a part of the Section 106 process and has developed alternatives to demolishing the buildings that show it is possible to preserve them while also accommodating the Navy Yard’s program. In March, rumors surfaced that the National Guard may require the Navy Yard to retain only the Timber Shed and one of the houses on the site, which MAS believes is an inadequate solution. Continue Reading>>

Join architectural historian Francis Morrone on Mother’s Day for a stroll through historic DUMBO, including parts of three Historic Districts: Fulton Ferry, DUMBO, and Vinegar Hill. Atmospheric streets of beautiful old factory and warehouse buildings combine with stunning riverfront vistas to make this a uniquely appealing area. DUMBO is also home to interesting stores and restaurants that you may wish to explore after the tour.

For more information about DUMBO, its buildings and their industrial heritage, visit www.saveindustrialbrooklyn.org, a website created by MAS to draw attention to the threatened buildings lining the Brooklyn waterfront.

Mother’s Day in DUMBO Walking Tour
Sunday, May 10, 11:00 a.m.
Meet at York and Jay streets, upstairs from subway. The tour will end near the Fulton St. Pier. (Transit: F train to York St.) $15, $10 MAS members. Reservations required.
Purchase tickets online or call 212-935-2075 to reserve.

Joining founder of the Waterfront Preservation Alliance of Greenpoint and Williamsburg Ward Dennis were: moderator and president of the Society for Industrial Archaeology Mary Habstritt; MAS director of advocacy and policy Lisa Kersavage; president & chief operating officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Andrew Kimball; and preservation consultant to the Austin, Nichols, warehouse rehabilitation Robert Powers. Continue Reading>>

The Municipal Art Society recently named Vin Cipolla, a nationally recognized leader in the preservation, arts and business communities, as the new President of the organization. Mr. Cipolla will assume his position with MAS in January 2009. He is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Park Foundation and was formerly Executive Vice President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the country’s largest historic preservation organization. Mr. Cipolla will succeed Kent Barwick, current president of MAS.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Cipolla to lead MAS as it enters a new period of growth and influence in New York City,” said MAS Chairman Philip Howard. “His outstanding expertise in both the private and public sectors will be critical to our efforts to promote good development while preserving the city’s character.” Continue Reading>>

MAS Convenes Experts and Community in Visioning Session to Explore How to Incorporate Historic Buildings in Revitalization of Brooklyn Neighborhood.

In mid-August, MAS brought together community representatives, architects, preservationists, and other experts in a brainstorming session to develop alternatives to the proposed demolition of Admiral’s Row. Located on the edge of the Brooklyn Navy Yard at Flushing Avenue and Navy Street, Admiral’s Row is a collection of 11 National Register-eligible historic buildings currently owned by the U.S. Army National Guard Bureau.

The Admiral’s Row site includes ten houses, formerly home to high-ranking naval officers, constructed between the mid-nineteenth century and 1901, and a timber shed used primarily to store ship masts while they cured dating from 1838. The latter is the oldest building on-site, and is believed to be the only surviving mid-nineteenth century example of this building type in Navy yards in the United States. Although these historic buildings have been abandoned and allowed to deteriorate since the early 1970s, they retain a great deal of both exterior and interior architectural detail, and most are structurally sound. Together they form a remarkable collection of residential and accessory military buildings that are of great significance to the history of the Navy Yard, the borough of Brooklyn, and the U.S. Navy. Continue Reading>>

Seven major preservation organizations sent a letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg asking him to support a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing on 2 Columbus Circle. The groups range from city-wide to national and international organizations. The organizations are the New York/Tri-State Chapter of DOCOMOMO, Historic Districts Council, The Municipal Art Society of New York, National Trust for Historic Preservation, New York Landmarks Conservancy, Preservation League of New York State and World Monuments Fund. Continue Reading>>

The effort to save Eero Saarinen’s iconic TWA Terminal from encroaching development got a big boost last week when the building was included on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s “Most Endangered Places”. The MAS nominated the Terminal to the list in hopes that it would help raise awareness of the current threat to the landmark building and to aid fundraising and advocacy for its protection. While this listing does not ensure protection against the Port Authority’s insensitive development plans, it just may help persuade the Federal Aviation Administration to disapprove of them. Stay tuned.