Landmarking in Bedford-Stuyvesant: Preservation or Anti-Semitism?

Landmarking in Bedford-Stuyvesant: Preservation or Anti-Semitism?

Edited by: Fern Sidman

This week, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) unanimously approved the landmark designation of the Willoughby-Hart Historic District in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The decision, which encompasses two full rows of intact brownstones on Willoughby Avenue and Hart Street between Nostrand and Marcy avenues, aims to preserve the architectural and historical integrity of the neighborhood. However, according to a report that appeared on Saturday in The New York Post, the move has not been without controversy, particularly among the Orthodox Jewish residents who argue that the designation could displace them from their homes.

The creation of the Willoughby-Hart Historic District is a significant step towards preserving Bedford-Stuyvesant’s rich architectural heritage. The district includes over 100 homes, many of which were built around 150 years ago. As was reported by The Post, the LPC highlighted the area’s “quality of its architecture, strong historic character and sense of place of its streetscapes,” as well as its deep-rooted community history. According to the commission, many current residents represent multiple generations of families who have lived in the neighborhood, underscoring the area’s historical continuity.

Local politicians, including Councilman Chi Osse and state Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman, have been vocal supporters of the landmarking. They, along with various community members, have lobbied for the designation as a means to protect the neighborhood from the rapid development and gentrification that have threatened its unique character.

“Rapid development and the ensuing gentrification have eroded the architecture and history of Bed-Stuy, and communities are fighting back to preserve our neighborhood’s legacy,” stated state Senator Jabari Brisport, as per the report in The Post. “I am proud to stand with community activists as they tell us that ‘community can’t be demolished!’”

The landmark designation has garnered both support and opposition from residents. Michael Williams, a 67-year-old lifetime resident of Willoughby Street, expressed his approval, calling his street “one of the best blocks” in Bed-Stuy. The Post reported that for Williams and other supporters, the designation represents a victory in the fight to maintain the neighborhood’s historical and architectural legacy against the pressures of modern development.

However, the decision has sparked protests from many Orthodox Jewish residents who fear that the landmarking could force them out of their homes. According to the information provided in The Post report, these residents argue that the restrictions and regulations associated with living in a historic district could impose financial burdens, making it difficult for them to maintain their properties or undertake necessary renovations. . Some residents have even characterized the move as an act of anti-Semitism.

The report in The Post said that Herman Bodek, an Orthodox Jew and homeowner on Hart Street, voiced a sentiment shared by many in his community, stating, “We feel that this is anti-Semitism because they are trying to stop us from moving in here. This will have us moving out.”

The Orthodox community has also taken legal steps to oppose the landmark designation. Attorney Adam Leitman Bailey, representing the community, submitted papers to the LPC arguing that the proposed districting would effectively prevent necessary home expansions. According to the information contained in The Post report, he stated that the landmarking would result in permits being subject to undue scrutiny, delay, and unnecessary expense. Bailey contended that this outcome would likely drive out the Orthodox Jewish community during a housing crisis, undermining the very purpose of landmark status.

“The proposed districting will all but guarantee that the permits required to undertake such work will be, if not outright rejected, made subject to undue scrutiny, delay, and unnecessary expense. This result, likely to drive out this religious group in the time of a housing crisis in the City of New York, offends the purpose underlying landmark status, and should not be countenanced,” Bailey wrote in his submission, The Post report indicated. Bailey did not respond to a request for comment from The Post on Saturday.

While the LPC has approved the creation of the Willoughby-Hart Historic District, the proposed designation must still undergo review by the City Planning Commission, followed by a vote in the City Council, as was affirmed in The Post report. These stages will be crucial in determining the final outcome and whether the landmark designation will stand.

The approval of the Willoughby-Hart Historic District reflects a broader trend in New York City towards balancing development with preservation. As the city continues to grow and evolve, the challenge remains to protect its historical neighborhoods while accommodating the needs of diverse communities.