New York City has a new historic district. On Tuesday, the Landmarks Preservation Commission, in a unanimous vote, designated the Bedford Historic District in Brooklyn. That means 824 more buildings now fall under the commission’s oversight. It also means the green street signs will eventually be replaced with brown ones.
Map of the Bedford Historic District
The district is within the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood and runs from Bedford Avenue to Tompkins Avenue and from Macon Street to Monroe Street, though it doesn’t include every building in that area. It contains most or all of Madison Street, Putnam Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Hancock Street, and Halsey Street between Nostrand Avenue and Marcy Avenue, plus most of the south side of Monroe Street and Macon Street within those boundaries. Part of Arlington Place and Verona Place are also included. Click on the map above to check on specific buildings.
Madison Street. LPC photo.
The area once consisted of parts of four farms owned by the DeBevoise, Lefferts, and Suydam families. Now, it is home to home to hundreds of row houses, plus flats, schools, and churches. Nearly all of the buildings in the district, which is really very beautiful, were constructed between 1870 and 1900.
Marcy Avenue. LPC photo.
Eventually, the district became a home for both African-American and Caribbean-American families. Churches followed, including the Siloam Presbyterian Church, which, in 1944, acquired the Central Presbyterian Church at Jefferson Avenue and Marcy Avenue. In 1964, Malcolm X paid the church a visit.
19 Arlington Place. LPC photo.
The district is remarkably intact, in part due to the hard work of its residents. After World War II, they banded together in block associations to help preserve it. “Its remarkable state of preservation is matched by few other areas of the city,” the commission said.
70 to 84 Hancock Street. LPC photo.
“This designation is a testament to our strong commitment to designating areas in all five boroughs that have a strong sense of place and illustrate the layered history of our city,” said LPC Chair Meenakshi Srinivasan.
122 to 132 Halsey Street. LPC photo.
It took a little over three years for the designation process to be completed. It was calendared on May 15, 2012 and a public hearing was held on January 15, 2013.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
I replaced my Windows several years ago and need to replace them again.
Since the original frames and sashes are gone, can I replace them with newer more efficient Windows ( I have double pane Windows now ) or will I be forced to go through The Board and make sure the window meets their approval???
I was also contemplating adding some shrubs to my front yard, again needing Board approval.
If they do not approve what would be my recourse???
Landmark status has it’s perks as well as it’s problems.