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| "Unsung Heroes" are those individuals and institutions who—in some way, shape or form—help to advance the cause of preserving our neighborhood’s special architecture and sense of place.
And the 2009 awardees are…
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Future Generations
P.S. 199 – 270 West 70th Street
Photo: First grade students explore their school's neighborhood, and build a new one all their own! The students' work is on display at Councilmember Gale Brewer's office this summer, 2009. Councilmember Brewer's office is located at 563 Columbus Avenue, at 87th Street.
Award presented by Roberta Altman, Professor of Museum Education, Bank Street College of Education Listen
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Preservation Advocate
Albert K. Butzel, Esq
With over 40 years of environmental advocacy under his belt, we rejoice in the fact that Al Butzel chooses to deploy his considerable talents not for developers but for the public interest. Al was part of the legal team that, in 1965, won a key victory for citizens fighting to preserve Storm King Mountain from an ill-conceived Con Ed power plant. His devotion to the waterfront continued in beating back Westway. Other highlights of his advocacy includes the Hudson River Park Alliance, Friends of Hudson River Park, efforts to create a new Moynihan Station and to defend community interests against massive redevelopment plans for St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village and the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown Manhattan.
Award presented by Phillip Lopate, author, Professor, Columbia University Listen
Al Butzel's remarks Listen |
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Building Stewardship
First (originally Second) Church of Christ, Scientist
Central Park West at 68th Street
Preservation-minded institutions such as First Church are a rare breed: rather than turning to development as a means by which to endure tough times, they have embraced their responsibility as steward of this amazing edifice, to preserve this stone-and-mortar resource for all of New York City, present and future.
Award presented by James Stewart Polshek, Principal, Polshek Partnership Architects Listen |
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Façade Restoration
110 West 78th Street
In 2007, rather than merely repaint and gloss over underlying deterioration issues, the owners of this 1885-86, Alfred Zucker-designed rowhouse decided to strip the façade back down to its original brick and brownstone and restore the rowhouse's original building fabric. Working with Walter B. Melvin Architects and East Coast Restoration and Consulting Corp, the restoration contractor, a comprehensive façade and stoop restoration project ensued. Restored to its former glory, is a model for owners seeking to undo the mistakes of the past and preserve their historic buildings for generations to come.
Award presented by George Wheeler, Director of Conservation, Columbia University Listen |
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Interior Restoration
Save the Beacon Theatere
2124 Broadway between 74th & 75th Streets
This world-famous performance space was saved not by chance, but by the sustained efforts of the volunteer citizen-advocates of Save the Beacon Theatre. Their mission: to preserve the Landmark interior of one of New York’s original “movie palaces”, the 1929 brainchild of theatrical impresario Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel (who later helped create Radio City Music Hall).
Award presented by Tom Chapin, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, performer and storyteller Listen |
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Domino Effect
Seekircher Steel Window Repair
Learn more about steel window restoration and Seekircher's projects on their website: http://www.seekirchersteelwindow.com.
Award presented by Christopher Gray, architectural historian, New York Times "Streetscapes" columnist Listen |
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