Movement to Preserve Lefferts Place Gem
When 70 Lefferts Place finally sold last summer to a developer, there was a sense of sadness in the community and, especially, on the block that’s been home to the 1860’s Italianate villa-style home for a century and a half. The developer, Christopher Morris, is planning a 7-story, 25-unit condo development for the site. Although…
When 70 Lefferts Place finally sold last summer to a developer, there was a sense of sadness in the community and, especially, on the block that’s been home to the 1860’s Italianate villa-style home for a century and a half. The developer, Christopher Morris, is planning a 7-story, 25-unit condo development for the site. Although neither the block nor the house is landmarked, the block association is making a push to prevent the demolition by spear-heading a last-minute letter-writing drive to LPC. Instructions and addresses for those wishing to participate are on the organization’s website on the link below. Time is of the essence. We’re going to write our letters tonight.
Help Save 70 Lefferts [LeffertsPlace.org] GMAP P*Shark
Civil War Era Gem Facing Wrecking Ball [Brownstoner]
any pending zoning change has the potential to affect a current situation. if the current zoning is more advantageous for a particular building design, there is the risk of a rush to get a foundation in the ground.
That rezoning, as I understand it, will reduce the max. building height on residential blocks to 50 ft, and raise the limit on commercial strips like Atlantic and Fulton. This might be to the disadvantage of small business owners on those streets, but it might be a necessary trade-off given the political climate. Tish James has said she’s working to making sure development on commercial avenues includes affordable housing. In any case, the rezoning is still pending and wouldn’t take effect for another year, so it won’t affect the current situation at #70 Lefferts.
lp, SuzyQ and others: I recommend keeping a close eye on the FG/CH re-zoning that will probably hit the community board, borough president, etc. later this fall. Don’t be surprised to see an up-zoning between Atlantic Avenue and Fulton Street. Not Atlantic Yards-like scale, but enough added development rights to prompt speculation, tear-downs and mid-rises.
I thought the meetings were held on the first Weds of every month? Not?
Actually, the next LPCA general meeting is scheduled for November 1st.
sounds good.
Enough said. All the talk in the world will not save this house or protect the architecture and streetscape on Lefferts Place. It’s time to put our words into action. LP, 1847, Lefferts, BrownBomber, et al, we need to follow the example of the Crown Heights North Association and organized quickly before all of these development projects begin to take form. Time is indeed of the essence. Let’s plan on meeting at the next LPCA meeting on Weds, Oct. 4th, at the Outpost Cafe on Fulton to organize an action committee. If people are interested in meeting earlier, then they should write to the LPCA and provide their information so an earlier meeting can be planned.
The LPCA email address is: mail@leffertsplace.org
Lefferts and Anon at 10.01, if that is true, then that is a real problem – and I would have no sympathy for the developer in that case.
If your numbers are correct, then my fear is that 10.01am’s theory is correct, or the developer is going to cut a lot of corners to save on costs. All the more reason to get these blocks landmarked, not single buildings here are there. These blocks were built from the 1850s through the 1880s, with most of Lefferts Place completed by the early 1870s.
Answer: Mr. Morris has no intention of developing this parcel of land. He simply purchased the property with the expectation that 86 Lefferts Corp. will prevail in court against CNR Network and eventually sell the 86 Lefferts lot to a big developer who would certainly seek to purchase the two adjacent lots #70 and #96 Lefferts Place as well. Mr. Morris is simply looking for a take out bid from either 86 Lefferts Corp or a bigger developer who has grander plans for the three lots.