Expand JH Historic District

04/25/2024

While we work to improve what needs improving—and that's a lot—let's also celebrate what we've got. And historic JH goes far beyond the limited area recognized in the NYC historic district.

11/24/2023

SUPPORT JHBG— Giving Tuesday (You don't need to wait until then to support us.)
Click here: https://www.jhbg.org/membership/

Dear Neighbors,
Our organization celebrated 35 years in Jackson Heights this year!
Established by caring neighbors who volunteered to improve community life in our area during tough times, the JHBG continues to care for our neighborhood as cities enhance their resilience and respond to other tough challenges.
We need volunteers willing to get dirty as well as help fund our programs. Local vendors and other supporters contributed to a successful Children’s Halloween Parade, but volunteers are always needed to help distribute flyers in the summertime, hand out goodie bags at the parade, and provide us with much needed funds as well.
This summer a neighbor wrote to us to say, “We have always been grateful for the work done by this organization and always eagerly read the Views from the Heights whenever it arrives in our mailbox”.
We are pleased to be able to build community in different ways.
Support us with a donation today and come and meet other neighbors committed to building community and civic mindedness!
We welcome you to sign up and donate today.
Sincerely,
Leslie Ellman, President

02/26/2023

A move by Madison Square Garden would allow a new Penn Station to be built right where it belongs, above subway lines, the LIRR and Amtrak

MSG eyes move across 7th Ave as venue's permit nears expiration
By Larry Mcshane New York Daily News
Madison Square Garden brass suggested the World’s Most Famous Arena could relocate across Seventh Ave. if a new permit deal can be reached.
MSG Executive Vice President Joel Fisher, in a meeting last Wednesday with Manhattan Community Board 5 about the company’s permit to run the building, said a move to the block now occupied by the Pennsylvania Hotel might work.
“Well that would probably satisfy us,” said Fisher. “But ultimately, who’s going to pay for that? Where is the money? That plan hasn’t come to us. But that would satisfy being right on top of a transportation hub.”
The Garden’s 10-year permit to operate the building expires in July, with officials filing an application for a special permit to run the facility in perpetuity. As for a new Garden east of the current incarnation, the price tag for redeveloping the new space was estimated at a minimum of $8.5 billion.
“This was certainly, for us, the first time that we’ve heard MSG express that they would consider this option,” CB5 Chair Layla Law-Gisiko told Crain’s New York Business.
Earlier this month, MSG issued a statement saying the permit had nothing to do with moving the home of the Knicks and the Rangers. Mayor Adams promised the city would be “a hard negotiator” in its dealings with the Garden.
The existing permit, which allows MSG to operate with attendance above 2,500 guests, expires July 24.
Transit advocates, along with City Councilman Erik Bottcher (D-Manhattan) believe the process could offer a chance to relocate the arena while creating room for a new Penn Station on the current Garden site.
Only days after the board meeting, Dolan and other MSG officials blew off a City Council hearing on Dolan’s use of facial recognition technology to ban his perceived enemies — attorneys involved in litigation against the Garden, among others.
The combative Dolan repeatedly defended MSG against critics of the policy to police the arena and bar certain guests from attending, including one attorney who was a long-time Knicks season ticket holder.

Madison Square Garden brass suggested the World’s Most Famous Arena could relocate across Seventh Ave. if a new permit deal can be reached.

08/01/2018

As part of our campaign to expand the Jackson Heights Historic District, we are asking people to sign postcards that will be sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Stop by our cooperating shops, Table Wine, Happy Kitchen, Lockwood, Espresso 77, the Jackson Heights Green Market and the Jackson Heights Library to sign one.
Leave it with the merchant. We will collect, stamp and mail for you.
BTW, while you are there, why not buy something from these merchants who are helping to protect Jackson Heights from runaway development sweeping through Queens, which threatens to overwhelm our transit and infrastructure.

05/28/2018

Here's our video on why the Jackson Heights Historic District should be expanded. This site has the most information on the effort.

This is "Jackson Heights Historic District Expansion Promo" by Wesley Swinnen on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/22/2018

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

You can preserve one of NYC's highest density neighborhoods - Jackson Heights - in a form that doesn't feel crowded by contacting the Landmark Preservation Commission's Executive Director Sarah Carroll at [email protected]

Please put Expand the Jackson Heights Historic District in the subject line.

Please include these two key points in urging the expansion of the historic district: 1) the expanded district's proposed buildings are just as high quality as the current district. 2) these distinct buildings and their generous open space are endangered by development.