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Introducing "Preservation Perverts"
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Best headline today: "Homeowner complains of preservation perverts"
It's from the Staten Island Advance, reporting on properties earmarked for potential landmarking . During a Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting, Douglas Ford said ever since the LPC listed the address of his home on Arthur Kill Road, people have been peering into his windows and knocking on his door. Ford said, "I just want to live in peace in my house." Aw - and here's how the LPC describes Ford's house:
This unusual house combines a once-common popular mid-nineteenth century rural house type, the symmetrically planned center hall house with a side gabled roof fronted by a cross gable in a transitional style featuring an unusual amalgamation of Greek Revival, Gothic and Italianate styles. The clapboard covered house has all of its historic details including window lintels and sills as well as shutters, brick chimney and door surrounds. The window and doors surrounds are in the Greek Revival style, with Gothic Revival style vergeboards at the eaves and Italianate style porch brackets. The 1855 and 1860 census lists Reuben Wood as an oysterman, an important Tottenville profession. Wood and his family lived in the house until 1864.
It seems that other owners of nominated properties had mixed opinions about what landmarking could bring: One man who was trying to sell his factory said a buyer dropped out when the Standard Varnish Works building was nominated, because if landmarked, the buyer wouldn't be able to remove the facade. Others brought up the point that owning and maintaining landmarked properties can be expensive. Example: One owner was told he could not replace his shutters unless he used "period" shutters that would cost $10,000.
It's not clear when the LPC will vote on the buildings. And the Advance also looked at "To Catch a Predator"-type perverts on Monday.
Photograph from the Staten Island Advance
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Staten Island Advance
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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