Preservation Watch

A local architect began a landmarks campaign for the neo-Georgian firehouse in Maspeth, Queens, but the 1914 building has little architectural significance. In fact, it has a twin building in Elmhurst. Instead, the landmarks campaign is more emotional. The firehouse's Squad 288 lost 19 firefighters in the 9/11 attacks, and landmark status is desired to make sure "the families of those who lost their lives while stationed at this firehouse will always have a place to return to and remember." Still, landmarking remains unlikely; the commission has only designated 11 structures for historical or cultural, rather than architectural, reasons. [NYT]