NYTimes article written by WEPS member, Eve Baruch, with memories of her family, West End Avenue and the Upper West Side.
World of Their Fathers
By Eve Baruch
New York Times October 2, 2005

Below are excerpts from Jeremy Willinger’s master’s project for Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Interviews and research were conducted over the summer of 2008, recounting the conditions and events that led to the formation of the West End Preservation Society (WEPS) and the subsequent victories and setbacks in their quest to create a West End Avenue historic district.

Introduction

In speaking with players on both sides of the issue, I have distilled the conditions and events that led to the formation of the West End Preservation Society (WEPS) and the subsequent victories and setbacks in their quest to create a West End Avenue historic district.

The paper also explores the demographic evolution of the Upper West Side and features interviews with many prominent community activists who have a strong emotional bond with the area. These colorful individuals defined the neighborhood’s long-held label as a center of social activism and democratic initiatives.

In a letter sent to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and signed by a wide-range of city and state politicians, WEPS wrote, “[By supporting a West End Avenue historic district] you would be helping to preserve not only the unified appearance of the neighborhood but also the unity of the community itself.”

Their goal is both noble and necessary, and represents the very can-do spirit of the Upper West Side- a place I am proud to call home.
Jeremy Willinger, 2009

Excerpts:

The two five story rental buildings sit side by side on West End Avenue between 84th - 85th streets. Clad in grey cement and orange brick, the townhouses are sandwiched between two 16-story buildings that appear to squeeze them together so tightly, one could not wedge a dime between them.

508 West End Avenue is the shapeliest of the pair; a stepped, triangle roofline and a breastplate of bay windows face the street. A small set of stairs with a black metal railing leads to a two-columned overhang where a darkly painted front door greets whoever approaches.

510 West End Avenue is all right angles and melancholy; a flat roofed structure designed with a preponderance of squares and a seam of orange brick running between the third and fourth floors. Unlike 508, to knock on the front door is to be exposed to the elements, giving the building a more rugged feel.

Both 10-unit buildings, the average rent at each address is $2,000 for a one bedroom with a two bedroom going for $3,050.

Designed by architect Frank Miles Day and constructed around 1890 as single-family homes, the buildings are in the same style as those Day created on the campuses of Princeton, Cornell and Penn State.

Two years ago, these unremarkable townhouses were doomed to the wrecking ball to make room for a modern 16-story sliver building, featuring a stunning two-story penthouse, a vertical goldmine for the developers. Illustrating a quintessentially Upper West Side experience, today 508 and 510 are at the epicenter of a fight whose ramifications will have a profound effect on the entire neighborhood.

It was encouraging to hear that WEPS could attempt to get West End Avenue itself landmarked. However, they quickly learned that it was a task bigger than anything Petersen or Emery had originally imagined.

Currently, there are 91 historic districts in the city, with 50 neighborhoods desiring the elite status. According to the Landmarks Preservation Committee (LPC), “An historic district is an area that represents at least one period or style of architecture typical of one of more areas in the city’s history. Having a neighborhood designated preserves its physical nature and helps protect it from out-of-scale development.”

While a serpentine historic district had already been established in the 1980’s from West 87th-94th streets, with the help of Landmark West, it covers sporadic side streets in the West 80s and portions of Riverside Drive. Expanding it, however, would provide an uninterrupted stretch of pre-war buildings, including 508 and 510 West End Avenue.

“Way back when they were creating historic districts that were so large, there was a lot of misinformation,” Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said. “People were worried about their financial impact.” Issues like how to safely demolish buildings, replacing windows and preserving rent stabilization were all factors, explaining why the existing historic district seems so arbitrary.

To buttress the Dolkhart study and rally the public and local press around the proposed historic district, Stringer suggested WEPS put together a West Side Town Hall Meeting timed to coincide with the completion of Dolkart’s study in September / October and their upcoming showdown with the LPC.

At this meeting, preservationists could, “show, through the lens of their work and experience, the importance of West End Avenue to the Upper West Side,” with the goal of garnering more widespread neighborhood support, Stringer said.

For the Manhattan Borough President’s office, the fight to establish a West End Avenue historic district is indicative of the neighborhood character. “You don’t landmark people but you wish you could – WEPS people are great Westsiders,” Stringer said.

Once the Dolkart study is presented to the LPC in the fall, it will significantly bolster the group’s claims. However, if the LPC chooses not to hear the case there is little recourse left and no appeal process to initiate; Sackman will eventually be allowed to tear down 508 and 510.

For all the efforts and passion of people like Petersen, Brewer and the cast of WEPS the Sackman family remains implacable. Sackman is not currently offering any apartments in 508 and 510 with rent stabilized leases and asks all new tenants to sign a 90-day eviction clause.

Carter Sackman, President of Sackman and Alan’s son, decried WEPS’ tactics saying, “They are using the system for their own interests. It’s un-American- I’m looking to build on a site that I own! This isn’t community activism, this is self-interest.”

“[Groups like WEPS] scream bloody murder but they are delaying [development] and won’t stop it,” he continued, “They are a frustrating cost of doing business in the city.”

Though Mr. Sackman has obvious feelings towards WEPS, they do not extend to the neighborhood itself, saying enthusiastically, “I love the Upper West Side.”

If you would like more information on Mr. Willinger ’s project please contact him at jeremywillinger@hotmail.com