Preservation Battles

In a piece called "The Tyranny of the Glass Boxes," the New York Times editorial board takes on the over-development of 57th Street and Rizzoli bookstore's recent demise. It critiques the Landmarks Preservation Commission's process for designating buildings and interiors: "The commission never responded to the community board's initial request and never held a public hearing. What's worse is that this is not unusual." While Gale Brewer's proposal to review any building older than 50 years set to be demolished seems a bit too intense, the NYT calls on the city to improve response times and track the action on 57th more carefully. [NYT; previously]