Plan Advances For Historic District In The South Village
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A proposal is moving ahead to create a historic district in the South Village, in conjunction with a proposed rezoning plan for neighboring Hudson Square.
Last week, the City Council Land Use Committee voted in favor of a plan to modify the rezoning plan requested by Trinity Real Estate – the principal landowner in Hudson Square – which would pave the way for more new development in the area.
In addition to a stipulation calling for more affordable housing and funding for open spaces, the City Council has secured a commitment from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to vote before the end of the year on the creation of a South Village Historic District north of Houston Street.
The commission will also complete a survey on the proposed historic district south of Houston Street.
The full proposed South Village Historic District would be bounded roughly by Seventh Avenue South on the west, Watts Street on the south, LaGuardia Place and West Broadway on the east and Washington Square Park on the north.
The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation has emphasized the area's immigrant and cultural history, as well as its vast variety of architectural styles, including numerous Greek Revival rowhouses that date back more than 150 years.
Preservationists are concerned that the Hudson Square rezoning will increase pressure for development and lead to the demolition of historic buildings in the South Village. Advocates have said already, numerous buildings have been demolished and towers soaring as high as 18 stories have been planned in their place.
While preservationists have called for a cap on heights for new buildings in the rezoned area of Hudson Square, the City Council committee did not approve that provision.
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