Landmarks got rousing support Saturday from celebrities, politicians, and West Siders. At a time when preservation is under fire, hundreds of people put on “Love Our Landmarks” buttons and rallied to save West Park Presbyterian Church on Amsterdam Avenue and 86th Street from being destroyed for a luxury condo.
Actor Mark Ruffalo and writer/director Kenneth Lonergan have put together a remarkable collection of actors who live nearby. They see the , a non-profit cultural organization that rents the church, as a much-needed proving ground for young actors, a remarkable space to perform, and a cultural boost for the City.
Laurence Fishburne did staged readings of his play, Riff Raff, on Friday and Saturday nights. Matthew Broderick stayed after the rally for a showing of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to discuss his role in the movie. All the actors donated their time.
Fisher Stevens and Julianna Margulies joined Ruffalo, Lonergan, and Broderick in voicing their support for the Center and the church. Margulies said she loved landmarks and cried when Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis died, wondering who would continue to save historic buildings.
State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine pledged their support. Congressman Jerry Nadler and Assemblyman Micah Lasher sent representatives. Even with the heavy focus on housing today, they understand that the church, and Center, are worth saving. In addition to a range of cultural programs, the Center hosts Lighthouse Chapel for Sunday worship.
Council Member Gale Brewer, who closed the rally, has always championed the church and Center. The Conservancy has worked alongside her throughout and opposes the Presbytery’s drive for demolition. I was pleased to be included in the speaker lineup and emphasized our long attempt to assist this and other landmarked institutions.
Center President Debby Hirshman, who initiated the star support, said the Center has raised $8 million so far, which could correct building violations and remove a longstanding sidewalk bridge. She pledged to match the $34 million a developer is offering for the building. But the Presbytery, which owns the church, is suing to remove the Center and resume an application to the City Landmarks Preservation Commission to demolish the church.
West Park is the finest example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the City. It has been a West Side touchstone since it was completed in 1890. West Park has an economically and culturally important adaptive use and promises to pay the Presbytery what the developer has offered. It should be a win-win.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The actors have put life back into this fight and attracted media attention. If you want to join them, email the Landmarks Preservation Commission here with a simple message. “Please save West Park.”