EVCC Goals

Our primary task: Preserving the threatened former school and community center, P.S. 64 -- and other local treasures that serve the community

The EVCC has embarked on a major campaign to have the P. S. 64 building designated as a city landmark. It is a beautiful example of the work of Charles B.J. Snyder, the most important architect and designer of public schools.

We are doing this because the building deserves this designation and because it is one way to prevent, Gregg Singer, the current owner of the building, from destroying the building. Mr. Singer has seemed intent on doing just that. He obtained a Department of Buildings permit, which would have allowed him to demolish all the architecturally significant details that adorn the building.

Our campaign thus far has included:

• Letters to Landmarks initiative, which resulted in more than 2500 letters being sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (write a letter, read some of the letters people have sent)
• Our Petition Campaign, which has resulted more than 5500 petition signatures being signed and delivered to Landmarks and various City and State officials.
• Our Business Petition Campaign, which has over 150 local businesses already signed on in favor of designating the building.
• Our ongoing Politician Support Campaign has thus far garnered the support of the following politicians and political organizations:
  • Community Board Three
  • Councilwoman, Margarita López
  • State Assemblyman, Steven Sanders
  • State Senator, Martin Connor
  • U. S. Congresswoman, Nydia Velasquez
    

  (We've posted their letters -- take a look.)

Stopping the Demolition

At the start of the 20th century, when Charles B.J. Snyder designed the elegant Beaux-Arts P.S. 64, the building seemed to promise the Lower East Side's poor immigrant children that times had changed. That dreams could be attained. That comfort was possible. That success was possible. Being in America was right.

Look closely at the cornices of P.S. 64. These details are extravagant. They are extraordinary. They celebrate life and speak to glory. To the sublime.

Nonetheless, 9th and 10th Street L.L.C., the owner of P.S. 64, were issued Permit No. 103420870-EW-OT, Job # 103430870. First submitted in March 2003, the permit was renewed on May 5, 2003. SLCE Architects self-certified these plans, with the signature of Mr. Saky Yakas.

Pretending to be plans for "repairs and restoration to façade," the plans were labeled on the cover page of the architect's plans as "Demolition Drawings." They specified the destruction of all limestone Beaux-Arts detail above the ground floor. The desecration of this detail will destroy the architectural splendor of Charles B.J. Snyder's work.

The manager of 9th and 10th Street L.L.C. is Singer Financial Corporation, whose president is Gregg Singer. SLCE Architects had drawn the plans and self-certified the permit, which, in effect, was an application to destroy P.S. 64. Gregg Singer and SLCE Architects must have been aware that the level of demolition they were planning would preempt the calendaring and designation of P.S. 64 as the landmark it should be.

Spurred by the concerns of the East Village Community Coalition, our locally elected representatives requested that the Department of Buildings of New York City revoke Permit No. 103420870-EW-OT, Job #103430870.

But there's still work to do. We have drafted an open letter to the investors in Singer's project, hoping to help them better understand the importance of preserving the school. And we will continue to reach out to them in the future.

As we continue our efforts by organizing a series of events and demonstrations in the near future, we'll need your help and support in many ways. Donate, volunateer your time, attend one of our events or write a letter.