Download Annual Report - The New York Landmarks Conservancy

From the PresidentThe economy may have slowed in 2009, but the Landmarks Conservancy did not. Even with a tightened belt, we passed the $20 million mark in loancommitments; awarded more than $500,000 in Sacred Sites grants; launched a new grant fund for historic synagogues; spread the word that preservationis “green” through a series of workshops; and helped inject preservation into the Mayor’s race and City budget process.To top it off, we held a rousing “Sweet Sixteen” Living Landmarks Gala that celebrated another remarkable group of New Yorkers and saluted all our“Landmarks” through the years.Once again, our unique programs and talented professional staff had a positive impact on people and buildings throughout the boroughs and throughoutthe state.Our milestone loan went for row house restoration in Clinton Hill. Most of our more than 200 loans have helped homeowners restore brownstones.Unlike many conventional lenders, we have a remarkable record of loan repayments, thanks to careful staff work on applications.Our new synagogue fund grew out of a survey that has documented landmark quality synagogues outside of Manhattan. We nominated ten synagoguesin Brooklyn and Queens to the National Register of Historic Places, so that they would be eligible for our grants, and possible state grants.Generous help from The David Berg Foundation and the Roy J. Zuckerberg Family Foundation got the new grant fund going, and a state “Preserve NewYork” grant administered by the Preservation League of New York State helped us fund the National Register nomination process.All of our loan, grant and technical assistance through the years has helped property owners preserve money and energy, and has preserved the “embodiedenergy” in these older buildings. The late James Marston Fitch, who founded Columbia University’s preservation program, cited the energy savingbenefits of preservation decades before the term “green” was coined. Unfortunately, many people think only new buildings can be energy efficient.The entire national preservation community is trying to correct that misperception. Our workshops targeted homeowners, clergy and the stewards ofreligious buildings. We learned that experts can disagree about the best methods for energy conservation in older structures. We learned that propertyowners are eager for information. And we especially learned that wooden windows get an undeserved bad rap that we’ll work to correct.Demonstrating that preservation is “green” factored into our efforts to have mayoral candidates realize that preservation is also key for jobs, neighborhoodrevitalization and tourism. We unveiled a preservation platform at the third annual “Preservation Lobby Day” where we urged the City Council topreserve the Landmark Preservation Commission’s budget. In both these efforts, we worked with a large group of colleagues to spread the messageas widely as possible.Our work focuses on old buildings, but it never gets “old.” We remain energized and enthusiastic about New York, its people and its extraordinarycollection of buildings. It’s rewarding to help people preserve homes, religious institutions and non-profit facilities. And it’s an honor to have yoursupport to do so.Peg Breen, President2