Please join us for a West Park Panel Discussion.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Via Zoom – hosted by Historic Districts Council
Panel Speakers include:
New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer
Michael Devonshire, former New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee Commissioner
George Janes, Principal of George M. Janes & Associates
John J. “Jack” Kerr, Partner (retired), Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP
This is a free event; however, registration is required.
New York’s landmark buildings embody our history and identity. They contribute to our economy and quality of life. Though historic districts and landmarks cover only 5% of land across the five boroughs, they protect and strengthen the neighborhoods that are the heart and soul of this great City.
Asking to destroy a landmark is and should be a rare occurrence.
West Park Presbyterian Church wants to demolish its lovely Romanesque Revival building, an individual landmark, so it can be replaced by another market-rate residential tower. The Landmarks Preservation Commission could decide the landmark’s fate next month.
Join The New York Landmarks Conservancy and our colleagues, the Historic Districts Council, and Landmark West! on December 2 at 6 pm for a virtual discussion of how to save West Park. We do not believe the Church has met the “Hardship” requirements of the Landmarks Law necessary to demolish the building.
Manhattan Community Board 7 held three meetings on the issue recently and voted to deny hardship. The Community Board is only advisory, however. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is expected to hold a hearing on the hardship application on December 9.
We agree that the City needs more housing, especially affordable housing. But that can and should be achieved without destroying an important and still vital landmark. Our panel will break down what hardship requires and present our reasoning for saving West Park.