UPDATE: November 10
Community Board 7 voted 25-15-2 last Wednesday evening in favor of saving the landmark West Park Presbyterian Church, denying the Presbytery’s bid to demolish it for a market-rate high-rise on the site.
The full Board vote followed a similar vote by the Board’s Preservation Committee. The Board action is only “advisory,” but the hearings showed the strong public support for saving this important landmark. The real test will be the City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, which is holding its hearing on West Park’s fate on December 9. The Board resolution said the church “is fit for its charitable and cultural purpose.”
Until last July, the church housed The Center at West Park. This non-profit cultural organization presented plays, films, and other cultural offerings, and also rented space to other small cultural groups. The Presbytery evicted them after failing to renew the Center’s lease.
Also, last Wednesday, the Landmarks Conservancy honored Mark Ruffalo and Kenneth Lonergan as “Living Landmarks” at our annual gala for their efforts to save the church and the cultural center and for recruiting an amazing array of other actors and directors to the cause. They explained their efforts in a tape we showed that evening. You can view it here.
October 30
Community Board 7’s Preservation Committee denied the Presbytery’s application to demolish the landmark West Park Presbyterian Church in a 5-1-1 vote last night.
Thanks to everyone who spoke out and asked them to save this landmark. The Committee had posted a draft resolution listing all the reasons why they would agree with demolition, but public testimony was overwhelmingly in favor of saving the Romanesque Revival community anchor. They heard your voices and said NO to demolition.
The full Community Board votes on the “hardship” application on Wednesday, November 5.
Here’s how you can attend that meeting.
The Conservancy opposes demolition of this beloved landmark, which has served for the past few years as an important community center and a cultural incubator for the entire City. Read our testimony.
The Committee debated the four requirements necessary to find “hardship.” The majority did not agree that the church could no longer use the space. In fact, the church recently hosted a rummage sale and an open mic night, even after filing papers stating that the building is not safe and usable. An African American congregation has held weekly services in the church for the past few years.
The non-profit Center for West Park had rented the space until the church evicted them in July. The Center hosted a full slate of plays, films, and events in the church while subleasing the community house to several other non-profit groups.
While voting against the application as a whole, the Committee was persuaded by the Presbytery’s financial arguments. Independent engineering studies, including one from the Landmarks Commission’s consultant, have challenged the Presbytery’s $50 million-plus estimate for restoring the church. The Presbytery proposed completing full interior and exterior work in one project. The Conservancy’s vast experience with similar projects shows that most building owners phase this work over time.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to hear the Presbytery’s application before the end of the year. They will have the final decision on the fate of the church. We will keep you posted on what you can do to help save West Park.