-NEWTOWNHISTORICALORG Newrown Historical Sociery 1883 StockHoum STREET Rincewooo, NY 11385 ‘Newtown Historical Society (718) 366.3715 Queens County, NY sewrowsistoxy@can.com August 4, 2015, State Senator Tony Avella 38-50 Bell Boulevard Suite C Bayside, NY 11361 Via Fax: 718-357-3491 Dear Senator Avella, We are writing to you today regarding a building located at 86-02 Broadway in Elmhurst, known as the Old St. James Presbyterian Church. | am attaching an article that details its rich history. This building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since1999, but has never been officially landmarked. We believe it was evaluated by the LPC and not calendared, but this was likely before a $430K full restoration had been completed by the State of New York and the Landmarks Conservancy in 2004. This building was completed in 1735 and therefore is one of the few surviving colonial structures left in Queens. It is of paramount concern to protect the history embodied by this church structure. There are rumors that the St. James Episcopal Church, which still owns the building, has plans to raze it and market the property to developers. No action has thus far been taken by them, but this plot is in a desirable location, situated only 2 blocks from 2 busy subway lines as well as Queens Blvd and buses to Ridgewood, Jamaica, Forest Hills, Maspeth and Manhattan. The zoning is R7A/R5 with a C1-2 overlay which means it has very high market value. We fear that the church may find that demolishing this structure, with all its priceless history, to be a prospect that's too lucrative for them to pass by. We hope you will help us preserve this piece of Queens history and urge the LPC to undertake ‘an emergency calendaring action as soon as possible. Thank you, Ubousting, Gacclerg Christina Wilkinson PresidentTHE SENATE cur ‘STATE OF NEW YORK Se) ETHICS ROOM 902, LOB: VICE-CHAIR ALBANY. NEWYORK 1227 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (8) 552210 OFFICE ‘COMMITTEES | 6-678 FAX BANKS. ‘CULTURAL AFFAIRS 6 TOURISM, DISTRICT OFFI caf PARKS G RECREATION TONY AVELLA reso BELL BOULEARD EDUCATION SENATOR, ITH DISTRICT sumTec ELECTIONS, BAYSIDE, NEW YORK 1361 rear ASSISTANT CONFERENCE LEADER Gece Moke FOR POLICY & ADMINISTRATION OF THE ee INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE, INTERNET ADDRESS: NYC EDUCATON SUBCOMMITTEE ‘AVELLAGNYSENATE.GOV UBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, August 25, 2015 IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED Hon. Meenakshi Srinivasan Chair Landmarks Preservation Commission ‘Municipal Building 1 Centre Street, 9% Floor New York, NY 10007 FAK a MAIL Dear Chair Srinivasan: 1am writing to you to support the enclosed application for the designation of the Old St. james Presbyterian Church, as a New York City landmark. 1am enclosing correspondence that | received from the Newtown Historical Society requesting that this unique property be designated as a landmark The property has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1999 but has yet to be officially landmarked. ‘As you will see from the attached documents, the building which houses the church was completed in 1735 and as such is one of the few “surviving colonial structures” remaining in Queens. Unfortunately, there is concern in the community that the current owner, St. James Episcopal Church, may be looking to destroy the building and sell the property to developers. Given the historical and civic value of this building and the imminent risk of losing this building, | would appreciate your expedited review of this, application and ask that you give it every consideration for designation as a New York City landmark Please let me know how you intend to proceed. Sincerely, Vanek! Tony Avella State Senator 11 Senatorial District TA/rasLandmarks Preservation ‘Commission Meenakshi Srinivasan Chair Mary Beth Betts Director of Research mbetts@pe nye gov 4 Centre Street 19" Floor North Now York, NY 10007 242.669 7801 te! 242.669 7818 fax September 9, 2015 Christina Wilkinson Newtown Historical Society 1883 Stockholm Street Ridgewood, NY 11385 Re: Old St. James Church Parish Hall, Queens Dear Ms. Wilkinson: Thank you for submitting a request for evaluation. Staff will review the material and keep you informed of the process. We appreciate your interest in historic preservation and in the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Sincerely, ‘Wo eth Meth, Mary Beth Betts