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718 286-3OOO TELECOPIER 718 286-2886 |
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CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS
120-56 QUEENS BOULEVARD
KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11424-1015
March 8, 2005.
Mr. Robert B. Tierney
Chiarman
New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Center Street 9th Floor North
New York, Now York 10007
Dear Mr. Tierney.
I am writing to oppose the landmarking of the Adirondack Chair Company Building in Long Island City. While I believe that the Commission is usually justified in their seeking of landmark status of buildings and districts, in this case I have serious concerns that landmarking this building would cause considerable hardships for the owner.
Adirondack Chair Company has been in operation in Long Island City since 1982. It employs over 100 people, many of whom live in the nearby community. They are one of a diminishing number of manufacturing businesses in Long Island City. As you are no doubt aware, many manufacturers have scaled back operations or moved out of Now York City to more cost efficient locales - especially since the economic impact of 9/11. My office has worked with Adirondack Chair Company since that time, especially in providing marketing assistance.
Designation of this building would have a negative impact on the operating expenses of the company and possibly force them to consider relocation outside of New York City. As a substantial employer in the area, it is in the City's best interest to ensure that this does not happen.
I urge you to consider all the economic factors in make your decision. In doing so. I trust you will see that landmarking the Adirondack Chair Company Building ultimately will be detrimental to the business, and the City of Now York.
cc: John A. Pupa
Sincerely,
[Signed] HELEN MARSHALL
President
Borough of Queens
|
DISTRICT OFFICE |
THE COUNCIL PETER F. VALLONE JR. COUNCIL MEMBER, 22ND DISTRICT |
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STAFF GEORGE MIHALISES - CHIEF OF STAFF |
March 14, 2005
Mr. Robert B. Tierney
Chair
Landmarks Preservation Commission
1 Centre Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mr. Tierney:
I am writing regarding the proposed designation of the (Former) Sohmer Piano Factory, located in my District at 31-01 Vernon Boulevard, which will take place on March 15, 2005. Adirondack Chair Company, a NYC business for over 78 years, has owned the building since 1982 and uses it as a factory.
As I advised the Landmark's Commission on August 11, 2004, 1 do not support the landmarking of the entire building but do support any landmark status or legal protection that can be provided for the mansard-roofed clock tower. The clock tower appears to be the only architecturally significant portion of this structure that otherwise is no different than many other commercial warehouse type buildings built throughout the city during this period.
I believe the goal here is to preserve the clock tower while at the same time allowing Adirondack a fair and equitable return on their investment, and look forward to working with you to accomplish same.
Very truly yours,
[signed] PETER F VALLONE JR
PETER F. VALLONE JR.
PFVJr:am
c. Mr. John Pupa, Adirondack Chair Company
Why Adirondack Chair Company does not want to be a Landmark:
History of the Building
In 1886 the Sohmer Piano factory located in Manhattan built this building located at 31-01 Vernon Boulevard. Over the next century they grew and subsequently so did the building. In the early 80’s unable to survive Henry and Harry Sohmer went bankrupt and closed the place down. This building was than earmarked for the wrecking ball when Henry Gillis (The President of Adirondack) stepped forward and purchased the building, over the next year over $500,000 was plowed in restoring the building to a workable warehouse where it remains today.
Adirondack main beef on becoming a Landmark
Adirondack has been in existence for almost 80 years and we hope to be in existence for another 80 years, unfortunately being a landmark offers absolutely no benefit to a corporation and in fact imposes numerous restrictions as well as much higher costs for abiding by the landmark’s directives (an example is replacing an old 6-pain window with a new custom made 6-pain window that is less energy efficient verses what we have been doing which is installing new one-pain energy efficient windows with a fake six-pain front).
The Building
Located at the site of the old Sohmer Piano Factory, there is now nothing that remains in or outside the building that indicates it was a piano manufacturing building. In fact it is just a large old brick warehouse building with a clock tower (the clock has not worked for years) at the northwest corner. From the original building built in 1886 there have been numerous changes including adding a building extension with a truck loading dock, adding a new brick entrance way, adding fire escapes, changing most of the old windows, replacing the old coal burning furnaces with more efficient oil burning furnaces and 26 individual gas heaters and even the famous clock tower now has green painted tin instead of copper and an asphalts roof where slate use to be plus numerous other changes.
The other Piano Company in Long Island City
A few years ago the Steinway Piano manufacturing company was also approached by the Landmark Preservation Commission (an older more prominent and more famous piano manufacturer than Sohmer) they defeated the Landmark Preservation Commission sighting it would dramatically hinder economic growth.
Final Note
We are more than willing to work with the community and the landmark but since we are a business and a business is in business to survive, we most be allowed to survive or else our fate could fall to the same demise as the Sohmer Piano Company.
Thank you,
Randolph Mittasch
CFO/Treasurer Adirondack Chair Company
(800) 221-2444
Commissioners
New York City landmarks Commission
1 Centre Street (9TH Floor)
New York, NY 10007
Dear Sirs:
As a neighbor of Adirondack Chair Company, Inc. located at 31 -01 Vernon Boulevard, I am aware that your are considering designating the building as a city landmark.
My purpose in writing this letter is to inform you that I very much oppose such designation. Firstly, in my opinion, the building, although large, is UNDISTINGUISHED and in no way merits landmark designation.
Secondly, it is in relatively poor condition, and has undergone many changes from the original structure. Just to name a few, several fire escapes have been added, many of the original elements have been changed, the roof on the clock tower is now asphalt shingles, and even the original copper trim is now just painted tin.
Thirdly, after many years of neglect this neighborhood is finally undergomg a gentrification period. There are many new residences under construction, and the commercial "blemishes" are vanishing. Preserving this building is condemning the neighborhood to the ill-planned commercial/residential hodgepodge of the past.
Finally, the eventual and much anticipated evolution to a large residential structure would increase the neighborhood tax base, infuse neighborhood commerce, and change the after-dark characteristic fixing a desolate, deserted crime-laden wasteland to the vibrant, vital community we desire.
I know that I am not alone among the community who feel that the building should NOT be designated a Landmark.
Very truly yours,
Joan Gutierrez
Date 03/10/05
Print address:
20-35 Crescent Street - Apt 1B
Astoria NY 11105