Union Square Park, Pepsi-Cola sign and more could lose historic preservation oversight

The city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission announced today that they’re considering removing over 100 historic structures from the agency’s oversight, in a move that’s alarmed many historic preservation groups. Not to mention Long Island City residents who’ve grown attached to local soft drink advertising.

The buildings and historic districts that would be affected by the proposal have all been “calendered” by the commission, the first step in designating a site a landmark. However, 80% of them have been calendered for over 20 years, which kind of makes you want to sit them down and explain, “Hey Princess Bay Lighthouse, maybe the LPC is just not that into you.”

Even though the sites haven't yet been given landmark status, a calendered structure still requires developers to obtain approval for any proposed changes with the Landmarks Preservation Commission. If the current proposal passes (which could happen as soon as a December 9) that protection would be gone.

You can see a full list of the sites that could lose LPC oversight here, but here are the most recognizable ones that would be affected if the proposal passes.

• Green-Wood Cemetery

• Bergdorf Goodman's Fifth Avenue headquarters

• The Harlem YMCA

• The Pepsi-Cola sign in Long Island City

• FIVE Broadway theaters

• Union Square Park