Park Slope landmark district expands

By DARA FEINBERG and ANGELICA BERRY

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted on Tuesday in favor of extending the Park Slope Historic District southward to encompass some 580 more buildings.

“It’s a great contribution to the city and to Brooklyn that I’ll certainly endorse with enthusiasm,” said commission chairman Robert Tierney.

The Park Slope district was created in the 1970s – this is its first expansion in 39 years. The Park Slope Civic Council has been a key force in campaigning for the expansion, prepping for it since 2007. It organized several public meetings that attracted hundreds of supportive residents.

Peter Bray of the civic council said that the two most common responses received while advocating door-to-door for the expanded landmark district were “Where do I sign and what’s taken so long?”

Park Slope is known for standout architecture in buildings constructed in Italian, Renaissance, and Colonial styles. It is “one of the top three historic neighborhoods in Brooklyn,” said the American Planning Association.

The civic council proposed the expansion after concerns that new developments in the area would overshadow the neighborhood’s unique look. “Park Slope has a nice melding of architecture and infrastructure. The people are investing and keeping it flourishing,” said City Council member Brad Lander (D-Brooklyn).

At the meeting, the civic council presented a slide-show of buildings that would be landmarked in the extension including homes at 466-480 9 St., built in 1882; Ladder Company 122, built in 1883; air jordan 11 femmes Prospect Heights Presbyterian Church; Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue; Sanders Theatre; Acme Hall and Ansonia Clock Factory.

The original district included most of the blocks with brownstones on Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West and blocks in northern Park Slope. Lander said it is “one of the largest historic districts in the city.”

The expansion covers an area from Seventh Street to Fifteenth Street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues. City Council approval is still required.

“It’s a great day for Park Slope,” said David Alquist of the civic council

Residents within the historic district who own homes with historic features must obtain permits from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to alter the exterior.

There is talk of further expanding the district in the future. If these proposals are approved, almost all of Park Slope will be landmarked. Bray predicts it will take another decade to complete.