Our Positions

Limit building heights on the Bowery

Honorable Alan Gerson
New York City Council
51 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007

Dear Councilman Gerson

This letter is in support of the Bowery Alliance of Neighbors ("BAN") Proposed East Bowery Preservation Plan. Two Bridges supports the proposal whereby the east side of the Bowery from 9th Street to Canal Street be rezoned to ensure that it is in line with the rest of the community-the Special Little Italy District, the NoHo Historic District, and the East Village/Lower East Side. Since the buildings on the east side of the Bowery are comparable to those on the west side, it is logical to have the same regulations that are already in effect on the west side. This would limit the height of the buildings to 85 feet, or eight stories, and would protect buildings of special significance to prevent their demolition.

The plan will also protect the current residents and businesses on the Bowery and ensure that the restaurant supply, lighting and jewelry districts will continue to be a presence.

Two Bridges, which sponsored the Two Bridges Historic District, and which is now undertaking the process toward the designation of Chinatown and Little Italy as an historic district, considers that "the Bowery" too, by virtue of its "sense of place" in the annals of American history should also be designated as an historic district. In this regard, Two Bridges offers whatever expertise and resources and invites BAN to join Two Bridges in beginning the process toward the eventual historic district designation of the Bowery.

Sincerely,

Victor Papa