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Celebrate CIVITAS Annual Benefit - March 6, 2014
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Celebrate CIVITAS
Annual Benefit - March 6, 2014
Honorary Chairs William Bernhard & Catherine Cahill and Paul Selver join CIVITAS in honoring
Stephen S. Lash
and
Charles S. Warren
“One of our most favored relations; a man who has accomplished much and, though born and raised in and around Boston, has become a real New Yorker and a strong preservationist of all that is best in this grand City. We and CIVITAS are honored to honor him.”
- Bill Bernhard and Catherine Cahill
“Chuck is an exceptional lawyer and an exemplary citizen. His work and his civic activities have demonstrated his commitment to a better human environment. The range of his experiences both in the public sector and in private practice have given him a unique perspective that informs his public role as a member of Com-munity Board No. 8 and his private role as an advocate for his clients.”
- Paul Selver
*This ad was paid for by an anonymous donor.
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The August Heckscher Award for Community Service
CIVITAS and Honorary Chairs William Bernhard & Catherine Cahilland Paul Selver honor
STEPHEN S. LASH&
CHARLES S. WARREN
In Recognition of their Major Contributions to Quality of Life on the Upper East Side and in East Harlem.
CIVITAS BENEFIT 2014
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Co-chairs: Genie Rice, Sava Thomas, Felipe VentegeatVice-chairs: Margit S. Bluestein, Elisabeth Clark, Joanna Delson, Janis M. Eltz, Christienne Ferreira, Judith Fresco, Katie Grishman, Matt Jupin, Jeanne McAnaney, Michael Morgenfruh, Steven Narker, John S. Winkleman
Visionary
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP • The Thompson Family Foundation
Angel
Stephen S. Lash
Patron
Marina Kellen French • Richard Gilder & Lois Chiles • Agnes Gund • Genie & Donald Rice • Roberta Schneiderman • Sava & Roger Thomas
Benefactor
The Arnhold Foundation • Edward H. Auchincloss • David W. Beer • Richard Chapman • Mary Ann Fribourg • Steven Narker & Edward Bank • Encarnita & Robert Quinlan • Elaine Rosenberg • Dr. & Mrs. Thomas P. Sculco • The Stahl Organization • TF Cornerstone Inc. • Sandra & Felipe Ventegeat • Anke & Paul Volcker
Supporter
Brad Beckstrom • Margit & Jeffrey Bluestein • Susie & Bob Bluestein • Dale J. Burch • George & Elisabeth Clark • Steve & Sally Clement • Marcia & Bruce Fowle • Glenwood Management Corp. • Marjorie L. Hart • Milton P. Higgins • Rita & John Hirsch • Susan Henshaw Jones • Hope Knight, UMEZ • Richard M. Leder • Kevin P. & Hatice U. Morrissey • Wilson & Eliot Nolen • Jessie & Bob Palmer • Sheila Johnson Robbins • Lise Strickler • Thomas A. Teeple • Jim & Ceci Tripp • Nancy L. Wender & Steven J. Rand • Sam White
Friend
Hunter F. Armstrong • Gillian Attfield • Judy & Brian Berger • Lucienne S. Bloch • Anthony Borelli • Peg Breen • Madeline Brine • Carolyn Brody • Joan & Bill Brothers • Natasha Brown • Adrienne Caplan • Nancy Carr • Helen Chapman • Stewart B. Clifford • Cornbill Associates • Melanie Coronetz & Bruce Miller • Nathalie & Marshall Cox • Joan K. Davidson • Janis M. Eltz • Michael Field & Jeff Arnstein • Elizabeth & Irvine Flinn • Michael Fonseca • John G. Fritzinger • Mrs. Robert Garrett • Alice & Stuart Goldman • Diahne D. Grosjean • Robert A. Haberman • Eugenie C.Havemeyer & Horace Havemeyer III • Roberta Hodgson • David I Karabell • Florence M. Kelly • Jane & Charles Klein • Mary Lee Leggett • Jeanne & Edward McAnaney • Vincent McGee • Barbara & Kevin McLaughlin • Lisa Meyer • Sybille & Gerald Novack • Jean & Marc Ostrow • Peter Pettibone • Jean Rawitt • Janice & Gorman Reilly • Agustin Rivera • Linda & Donald Schapiro • George Schwab • Lou Sepersky & Leida Snow • Mrs. C. Sidamon-Eristoff • James H. Silberman & Selma Shapiro • Phoebe R. Stanton • Therese G. Sweeney • Elizabeth & Michael Varet • Joanna Delson & David Venderbush • Arete Warren • Robin & Ted Withington
BENEFIT HOST COMMITTEE
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CIVITAS Founder & Chairman Emeritus1914-1997
A lifelong advocate of public affairs and the arts, August Heckscher served his country, city, and neighborhood through a diverse career in public service. Primarily a writer, having worked as chief editorial writer for The New York Herald Tribune, August was appointed to work for the Kennedy Administration as special consultant on the arts, and from 1967-1972 he served as Parks Commissioner and Administrator of Cultural Affairs for New York City. Throughout his life he published a series of books that illustrate his dedicated interest and knowledge of politics and culture, most notably When LaGuardia Was Mayor (1978), and his 1993 biography, Woodrow Wilson. In the 1962 book of essays The Public Happiness, August expressed his feelings about the rewards implicit in public service.
“Works which are truly public are comparatively few…but they are very precious and the source of much that is enjoyable in the common life. They comprise those things, which make for neighborliness and a sense of roots, which remind us we are one with other generations and give us peace in surroundings that keep the spirit whole.”
Though he grew up on Long Island, August Heckscher later took residence on the Upper East Side where he became an advocate for neighborhood concerns about the built environment. In 1981 he helped found CIVITAS, a coalition of citizens committed to improving neighborhood quality of life. Since 2001, CIVITAS has presented The August Heckscher Award to commemorate a lifetime of community service.
CIVITAS1457 Lexington Avenue New York, NY 10128 Phone: (212) 996-0745 Fax: (212) 289-4291 www.civitasnyc.org [email protected]
ChairmanGenie Rice PresidentFelipe Ventegeat Executive Vice PresidentJames T.B. TrippVice PresidentT. Gorman ReillySecretaryNatasha S. Brown TreasurerEdward G. McAnaneyAssistant TreasurerMargit S. Bluestein
Board of Directors Mark S. AlexanderWilliam BatesonLucienne S. BlochJeffrey N. Bluestein Jo Ahern BresslerWilliam Q. BrothersAdrienne CaplanElisabeth R. ClarkRay CornbillJoanna DelsonJanis M. EltzCindy A. FieldsConrad FoaMarcia T. FowleJudith FrescoRita HirschRoberta HodgsonWilla Hutner
Jeanne G. McAnaney Steven NarkerPeter PettiboneSharon PopeAgustin RiveraRoberta SchneidermanM. Sava B. Thomas
Advisory BoardGenie Rice, co-chairRobert Quinlan, co-chairDavid BeerJoan K. DavidsonMarina Kellen FrenchElise FrickJamie GibbsHorace Havemeyer IIIEdith KeanMrs. Stephen Kellen
Stephen S. LashR. Geoffrey RoeschCynthia D. SculcoCharles S. WarrenMatthew WashingtonJohn S. WinklemanFrederic G. WithingtonAnthony C. WoodJoanne Woodward
Interim Executive DirectorLauren O’TooleAdministratorMichael StormDevelopment AssociateLara NahasEnvironmental AssociateMaura Smotrich
BOARD OF DIRECTORS`
August Heckscher
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Stephen S. Lash
2014 HONOREES
Stephen Lash is being honored for his major contributions to historic preservation in the Upper East Side and East Harlem. He is a longtime member of the CIVITAS Advisory Board.
Stephen Lash is Chairman Emeritus of Christie’s auction house, having helped open the New York offices of the company in 1977. He also serves as Vice Chairman for Christie’s American Advisory Board.
For over twenty years he managed Christie’s Trusts and Estates Department. During his tenure he has been involved with virtually every major auction, including Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of Dr. Gachet, which sold for $82.5 million in 1990, at the time the most expensive object ever sold at auction, and the Nicholas Brown desk, which sold for
$12.1 million in 1989 and remains today the record price for American furniture. Other high profile auctions include the 1997 sale of The John and Frances L. Loeb Collection, The Collection of Thomas Mellon Evans, The Doris Duke Collection Sold to benefit The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation in 2004, as well as most recently the Sale of the Collection of Elizabeth Taylor in 2011.
Stephen received his BA in French Literature from Yale, and his MBA in International Business from Columbia. He serves on the Boards of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, the Museum of the City of New York, the Park Avenue Armory, the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, as well as serving as co-Chair of the American Friends of the Israel Museum, for which he was President for six years. He has also been a member of the Century Association since 1988.
An avid collector of trans-Atlantic passenger steamship memorabilia, Stephen was the founder and first president of the Ocean Liner Museum, now part of the South Street Seaport. Items from his collection have been on loan to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, as well as the Cooper Hewitt, Mystic Seaport, Peabody Essex and Forbes museums.
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Chuck Warren is being honored for his community advocacy and contributions to transportation and environmental quality on the Upper East Side and in East Harlem. He is a longtime member of the CIVITAS Advisory Board.
Chuck Warren is the chairman of the Environmental Group at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP. He is a former regional administrator with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with over 30 years’ experience in environmental law, both in government and private practice. His practice includes matters under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, solid waste and brownfield laws, the Superfund law and other hazardous waste statutes as well as OSHA, environmental auditing, environmental impact review, corporate due
Charles S. Warren
diligence, environmental aspects of mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcy, permitting and enforcement procedures and litigation.
Chuck has a long and accomplished record of community service. He is a board member of the New York League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Advocates of New York, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, and chairs the board of Settlement Housing Fund. He is a longtime member of Community Board 8 and chairs its Transportation Committee.
He is also a member of the Policy Committee of the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program and has been Co-Chair of the Committee on Air Quality of the Environmental Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Chuck previously served as Regional Administrator for Region II (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chuck is distinguished by his peers as one of the preeminent lawyers in his field, and has been recognized as such by Chambers USA (2008-2011) and the Guide to the World’s Leading Environmental Lawyers. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2012 and in New York Super Lawyers, a special supplement to The New York Times (2006-2011). He was awarded the 2011 Global Award for New York Environmental Attorney of the Year by Corporate International Magazine.
Committed to visions for an enhanced New York City, we celebrate past August Heckscher Honorees
Tony Bechara & El Museo del Barrio, 2011
Paul Buckhurst, Frank Fish & Georges Jacquemart, 2011
Carlton Brown & Bruce Fowle, 2009Susan Henshaw Jones & Newton Merrill, Museum of the City of New York, 2008
Amanda Burden, 2004Courtesy of the NYC Dept. of City Planning
Richard Ravitch & Kathy Doyle, 2006
Genie Rice, 2003
Horace Havemeyer III & Susan Szenasy, Metropolis, 2007
Betty Cooper Wallerstein, 2001Marcia Fowle & EJ McAdams, New York City Audubon, 2005
Joan K. Davidson & Bob Quinlan, 2010
Penelope Maynard and Lynden Miller for the Transformation of Central Park’s Conservatory Garden, 2012
Carmine Branagan and The National Academy Museum and School, 2012Adrian Benepe & Edith Kean, 2013
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PREVIOUS AWARD HONOREES
2013Honorable Adrian Benepe and Edith KeanFor positively transforming New York City with their major contributions to green space and parks.
2012Carmine Branagan and the National Academy Museum and SchoolFor her leadership and the remarkable renovation of the institution’s Fifth Avenue landmark. Penelope Maynard and Lynden MillerFor their rescue and restoration of Central Park’s Conservatory Garden.
2011Tony Bechara, Chair, and El Museo del BarrioFor a commitment to Latino, Latin American and Caribbean arts and for thriving as a standout cultural institution in East Harlem. Paul Buckhurst, Frank Fish, and Georges Jacquemart and BFJ Planning For a commitment to good urban design and for educating citizens to participate effectively in shaping their communities.
2010Joan K. Davidson and Robert QuinlanFor leadership and committment to restoring and revitalizing New York City’s historic structures and neighborhoods.
2009Carlton Brown and Bruce S. FowleFor exemplifying socially and environmentally responsible urban development through the practice and advocacy of sustainable design.
2008Museum of the City of New York Award accepted by Susan Henshaw Jones, President and Director, and Newton P.S. Merrill, Chair EmeritusFor providing the people of New York with an engaging forum to celebrate the city’s heritage of diversity, culture, opportunity, and perpetual transformation.
2007 Metropolis MagazineAward accepted by Horace Havemeyer III, Publisher, and Susan Szenasy, Editor-in-Chief For publishing clear and thought provoking articles on design excellence, and for educating readers about engaging and creative projects, city and nationwide.
2006Kathy Doyle and Richard RavitchFor demonstrating the value of private citizens working for the public good through community and government in education, business, housing and urban issues.
2005New York City AudubonAward accepted by Marcia Fowle, Board President, and E.J. McAdams, Executive DirectorFor championing the protection of New York City’s bird species through effective and innovative programming such that birds and people may coexist in this crowded city.
2004Honorable Amanda BurdenFor recognizing the value of New York City neighborhoods by leading positive urban planning initiatives in zoning, development and housing throughout the five boroughs.
2003Genie RiceFor commitment to the Upper East Side and East Harlem neighborhoods as a co-founder of CIVITAS, a concerned citizen, and an active community leader.
2001Betty Cooper WallersteinFor fighting the tough battles on behalf of her neighbors in order to preserve and protect the quality of life in her neighborhood and beyond.
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Residents sue Dalton over school expansion plans
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Residents sue Dalton over school expansion plans
In December 2013, CIVITAS lost long-time board member and former Board President, Joseph Walsh. Joe was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1935. He was an orphan and the people who brought him up lived in Dublin and moved to England. He later moved to the U.S. and graduated from the University of Miami in 1959. From 1979-1982, Joe worked as the head of Governmental Affairs for the NY State Loan Enforcement and Administration Corporation (MLC). MLC was created under Gov. Hugh Carey to resolve defaulted debt and deferred maintenance of 113 Affordable Housing Projects in distressed areas of NY State and City, including Harlem and the South Bronx.
He later went into real estate and was instrumental in establishing the Clinton Special District to keep that area of the city affordable as well as contextual with other low scale buildings. He was an effective Account Manager at Gumley Haft from 1992-2012. Joe
served on the Corporation Board of The Fire Island Pines where he was described as a valued member doing whatever was needed to improve the quality of life and maintain shareholder value.
As a board member of CIVITAS and Board President from 2008-2010, Joe was very engaged, gave strategic counsel and began the transition to a more “corporate” approach, streamlining the structure and meetings. He was “hands on” in driving a van with a few of us to pick-up and deliver Benefit supplies. He was full of good cheer and made any task fun. He was a vocal proponent of Excellence in Architecture which he deemed should be a core value of CIVITAS. We shall miss his “can do” attitude, good company and infectious laugh.
IN MEMORIAM
We mourn the loss of Robert Fresco, longtime loyal Benefit volunteer. We shall miss his cheerful attitude and good humor. He could always be called upon to step in wherever he was needed. Robert and his special bourbon laced ham were always stars at the buffet. His memory and the ham will live on!
Joseph Walsh
Robert Fresco
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Environmental QualityImproving the Air We BreatheCIVITAS has sponsored a series of air quality and heating oil workshops, which informed building managers and co-op board members about the process and costs of converting from the harmful No. 6 “dirty” heating oil to natural gas and/or No. 2 oil. The Upper East Side has among the worst air quality in New York City. A major contributing factor to this problem is the burning of No. 6 and No. 4 oil to heat neighborhood apartment buildings and institutions. The City of New York has issued a moratorium on No. 6 fuel oil starting in 2015 and as a result, has adopted the Clean Heat Program to assist buildings in converting to natural gas and/or No. 2 oil.
Photo by Isabelle Silverman, Environmental Defense Fund
StreetscapesIncreased Newsrack EnforcementCIVITAS is continuing the campaign to improve enforcement of newsrack box violations and to push for a City Council oversight hearing on maintenance and better legislation. We meet regularly with elected officials, Department of Transportation staff and community groups across the city to address the proliferation of dilapidated and vandalized newsrack boxes. In September 2013 we wrote to the Borough Commissioner with recommendations for new legislation to regulate newsracks and for more effective enforcement procedures. CIVITAS also submitted a FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) request and received data from the city regarding newsrack enforcement policies and actions over the past year. We continue to report illegal boxes to 311.
In 1981, when CIVITAS was founded, August Heckscher, its first chair, hearkened back to the Roman Republic to find a name that would express the spirit of the new community organization. The name chosen, “CIVITAS” referred to that quality of a citizen that made him deeply involved in the life and fate of his city. Such has been the guiding spirit for CIVITAS ever since.
The mission of CIVITAS is to foster, mobilize and coordinate civic concern in the community of Manhattan’s Upper East Side and East Harlem. To that end, CIVITAS seeks to promote, preserve and protect residential neighborhoods that are lively and livable. To focus its energies and maximize its impact, CIVITAS has identified the following issues as its principal areas of concern:
Working For Quality In Urban Life
CIVITAS MISSION AND CURRENT INITIATIVES
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RecyclingIncreasing Recycling in Our Community As part of its three-pronged recycling initiative, CIVITAS launched a schools recycling project in fall 2013 at PS 07 and Global Tech in East Harlem. We committed to a pilot program through collaboration with another non-profit, Cafeteria Culture (CafCu). This immersed CIVITAS board members in their cafeteria recycling methodology, which board members then took to the classroom as well as directly to the cafeteria, implementing the sorting for recycling methods alongside students. CIVITAS is using this experience to determine how to push forward in its mission to raise recycling rates and motivate student and administrator involvement in the service of increasing recycling in East Harlem schools. CIVITAS also continued outreach to building managers and neighborhood organizations to promote participation in the Department of Sanitation’s Apartment Building Recycling Initiative (ABRI), and testified at a City Council hearing in support of the ban of polystyrene products. This collaborative effort yielded a far-reaching environmental win, with the City Council unanimously voting to ban toxic and polluting styrene foam.
Land Use and ZoningUpdating Zoning in East HarlemCIVITAS has been working with Community Board 11 to make the case for rezoning East Harlem (Madison, Park and Lexington Avenue) to promote the following goals: affordable housing opportunities, economic development and job creation, new buildings that are contextual in scale with their surroundings, and revitalization of upper Park Avenue. The area in question spans 115th to 132nd Streets and has not been rezoned in its entirety since 1961, leaving significant unrealized potential for development that is out of context with the neighborhood. The final recommendations were approved by Community Board 11 and are being considered by the Department of City of Planning.
CIVITAS also weighed in on these local land use issues:Landmark District Support for Park Avenue including
the Park Avenue Christian Church
The Dalton School Expansion
Memorial Sloan-Kettering-CUNY Hunter College East
74th Street Project
Rockefeller University Expansion Over FDR Drive
St. David’s School Proposal
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REIMAGINING THE WATERFRONTTHE EAST RIVER ESPLANADE
This key CIVITAS initiative grew from recognition of the deteriorated condition of the East River Esplanade from 60th - 125th Streets and the documented lack of high-quality park space in the eastern areas of our community. Superstorm Sandy was a reminder that if we do not shape our waterfront edge, nature will continue to shape it for us. While attention is on our waterfronts, we aim to make sure that the Esplanade is made into a truly great park that is an inviting destination, as well as more ecologically resilient. In its current condition and with its limited access, the waterfront represents a real missed opportunity as a recreational resource.
In 2012, CIVITAS organized an international ideas competition to inspire innovative thinking about our waterfront. We sponsored an exhibition of the winning entries at the Museum of the City of New York, exposing the projects to thousands of visitors. In the past year, CIVITAS has continued to display the beautiful designs and thought-provoking concepts at local community facilities to draw attention to the initiative and elicit feedback as to what changes neighbors would like to see on the Esplanade. In 2013, the exhibition was displayed at the Lenox Hill Community House, and is currently on show at City Swiggers store on East 86th Street. We have held community events and attended meetings relevant to the Esplanade on a regular basis.
Recently, CIVITAS successfully applied for a grant from the New York Community Trust towards waterfront planning and advocacy in 2014. For the next phase of the project, we have selected Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects to work with us. They will develop a study analyzing existing conditions of the Esplanade, both physical and regulatory, in order to frame the strategic long-term and short-term opportunities for improvements, including planning for rising sea levels. This will lead into a program of community outreach, starting with listening sessions and then focusing on opportunities, constraints and risk assessment that embrace issues such as Esplanade dimensions, adjacencies, land use, regulatory parameters and recreational considerations. Visioning meetings will establish specific long and short-term goals.
Isn’t it time that we, as a community, develop a more comprehensive plan to prepare for the future of our waterfront? Many of New York’s great—and recently opened—waterfront parks have their origins in the 1980s and 1990s. Such ambitious expensive projects take time. To prepare for the future needs of our Upper East Side and East Harlem community, the time is now. Imagine a truly enjoyable and pleasant Esplanade park!
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Art, Design and the Urban Environment – Panel Discussion with National Academy
CIVITAS jointly organized three panel discussions held in a packed hall at the National Academy from October 2013 through January 2014. This series explored how artist and architects—as well as activists, grassroots organizers, scientists, urban planners, and city agencies—work together to improve urban environments in meaningful ways. The interdisciplinary conversations led by prominent urbanists addressed key themes of CIVITAS’s work: Water and the East River Esplanade; Urban Revitalization and East Harlem Rezoning; and Transportation and the Second Avenue Subway.
Tour of FDR Four Freedoms Park
Board member and urbanist Sharon Pope led a tour of the newly opened Four Freedoms Park in June 2013. The Four Freedoms outlined in President Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union speech, which are expressed in the new memorial, were discussed: freedom of speech and expression, of worship, from want, and from fear. The group was joined by the park conservancy’s president, Sally Minard, who provided insight into Louis Kahn’s stunning design and the long-term commitment it took to realize the park.
Tree Stewardship Workshop and It’s My Park Day
CIVITAS teamed up with Trees New York in May 2013 to offer a workshop on tree stewardship and advocacy. Participants mulched, weeded, and cleaned up street tree beds on East 120th Street, Pleasant Avenue and East 119th Street. In May and October we also joined other local community groups for It’s My Park Day, a citywide park cleanup event. Volunteers planted rose and butterfly bushes at East 96th Street and the FDR Drive.
Neighborhood Discussion: An Exploration of East 96th Street and Environs from Central Park to the East River
In May 2013 Hunter Armstrong and Architectural Historian John Kriskiewicz presented an in-depth, illustrated discussion in the historic library of the former Fabbri Mansion, now House of the Redeemer. Attendees discovered the geographic, technological, economic and planning influences that have shaped the development of the iconic neighborhoods of the Upper East Side and East Harlem as they intersect at East 96th Street.
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PUBLIC OUTREACH
1984-1989: 108 East 96th StreetThe East 96th Street study led to the discovery of illegal construction at 108 East 96th Street. A protracted legal battle lasting five years followed. In the end, the twelve non-permitted stories were removed.
1984: East 96th Street A Planning StudyCIVITAS worked with community members to achieve more affordable housing in smaller scale buildings, to improve the streetscape, and to obtain traffic recommendations.
1993: Simulation CenterAs part of the No More Tall Stories initiative, CIVITAS commissioned The New School’s Simulation Center to model different zoning scenarios from the NYC Dept. of City Planning, Real Estate Board of NY, and Oculus. Zoning was amended on the Upper East Side and other areas of Manhattan. New buildings would not exceed 35 stories, the street wall would match the other buildings and affordable housing was encouraged instead of plaza bonuses.
1985: No More Tall StoriesCIVITAS initiated a study to make the case for lower, more contextual buildings. Paul Newman narrated a short documentary illustrating the issue. Watch the video at www.civitasnyc.org.
1993: A Community ViewThe study of Upper Madison Avenue, 94th-125th Streets, examined the sociological effect of storefronts versus blank walls and vacant lots. Sociological consultants designed a survey for local youth to interview the community to determine what they viewed as priority problems in their area.
1991: The ABC of ZoningCIVITAS commissioned Jack Huberman to write and illustrate The ABC of Zoning to demystify the city’s Zoning Resolution and complex planning issues. This has been an invaluable resource to hundreds of organizations and individuals.
1995: Opportunities & Issues: East 125th StreetAs an extension of A Community View, this planning study of East 125th Street compiled up-to-date land use, zoning and transportation information and recommended a planning framework for the area.
MILESTONES
1981: Formation of CIVITAS The former Ruppert Brewery site between Second & Third Avenues and 93rd & 94th Streets was being developed into a large residential complex. CIVITAS was formed to protest the proposed plan and sued the City for an Environmental Impact Statement. The suit failed, but the building height on Third Avenue was reduced. CIVITAS was underway.
1981 1984 1985 19931991 19951984-1989
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2007-2009: Mount Sinai Medical Center TowerCIVITAS led a coalition of neighbors and community groups to urge denial of permits and raise public awareness regarding Mount Sinai Medical Center’s proposed research lab and 540-foot residential tower to loom over Central Park. The NYC Board of Standards and Appeals approved the variances in 2008. Under construction, the mid-block tower is the tallest north of 60th Street.
2011-Ongoing: East River EsplanadeCIVITAS organized the Reimagining the Waterfront ideas competition that received international attention. The top eight designs were selected by a professional jury and exhibited in a 2012 exhibition at the Museum of the City of New York. CIVITAS is focusing on developing plans with the community to improve this important neighborhood park.
1998: A Land Use Survey & A Call to Action: Rebuilding Main Street in the Village of East HarlemAs part of this ambitious undertaking, CIVITAS conducted a land use survey of East Harlem commercial corridors. This was followed by A Call to Action: Rebuilding Main Street in the Village of East Harlem. Based on survey findings and analysis, this study became a wake up call to rehabilitate and use existing residential lots in corridors to revitalize the area. Roundtable discussions with stakeholders explored ways to develop vacant lots in East Harlem.
1997: A Community Facilities StudyA troubling issue has been the expansion of community facilities into the rear yards of residential blocks - taking up light, space, and air from neighbors. CIVITAS conducted A Community Facilities Study in 1997 and issued recommendations for changes to the Dept. of City Planning (DCP). Aspects of this study are pending certification at DCP.
1998-2004: East 86th Street Trees and Tree GuardsCIVITAS raised $75,000 to bring new trees and tree guards to East 86th Street, between First and Lexington Avenues. The project involved surveying, creating and enlarging tree beds, replacing damaged trees, and planting new ones.
2000-Ongoing: Rezoning of East HarlemCIVITAS organized community ef-forts and outreach to achieve con-textual zoning for 52 blocks in East Harlem. CIVITAS is continuing this effort with the current rezoning of Lexington, Madison, and Park Avenues (115-132nd Streets).
2000: East 125th Street Enhancement StudyThe study by planner Geoffrey Roesch includes recommendations for more trees, an improved streetscape, access to the waterfront and a pedestrian bridge to the Randall’s Island sports complex.
2008-Ongoing: Second Avenue SubwayCIVITAS hired BFJ Planning to prepare A Review of Entrances and Ancillary Buildings of the Second Avenue Subway to pro-pose alternatives to mid-block subway entrances and improve-ments to mechanical and ventila-tion ancillary building design.
1997 1998 2000 1998-2004
2008- 2011-2014
2007-2009
20072000-2003
1991: The ABC of Zoning
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Mark S. AlexanderDavid BeerJo Ahern BresslerElisabeth R. ClarkRay CornbillNathalie & Marshall CoxJoanna DelsonJanis M. Eltz
Cindy A. FieldsConrad FoaMarcia T. FowleJudy FrescoRoberta HodgsonJeanne & Edward McAnaneyJean & Peter PettiboneSharon Pope
Janice & Gorman ReillyGenie RiceAgustin RiveraRoberta SchneidermanJim & Ceci TrippFelipe VentegeatMatthew S. Washington
Stephen S. Lash and Charles S. Warren
Salutes the Service of Past Board Members:Lee Chong, Cora Shelton, and Jorge Pereira
Honors the Memory of:Robert Fresco and Joseph Walsh
Congratulates the 2014 Honorees:
CIVITAS CITIZENS
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GABRIEL ASSOCIATES
Congratulations to our Friends and Colleagues at
CIVITAS
Honoring
Stephen S. Lash
And
Charles S. Warren
With
The August Heckscher Award For Community Service
Thank You
William Bernard, Catherine Cahill, and Paul Selver
Honorary Chairs
Sandra Talavera Favian G. Ventegeat Co-Founder & President Vice President
Gabriel Associates, Inc. Developers / Construction Managers
215 East 111th Street, Suite 3 New York, New York 10029 (212) 534-8374
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A Townhouse With Staying PowerAs New York City Parks Commissioner, CIVITAS founding chair August Heckscher spent a good deal of time in parklands, but as a Center for Inter-Amer-ican Relations board member, he also spent many hours in the rooms of 680 Park Avenue.
Currently home to the Americas Society, the five-story townhouse is one of four mansions on the blockfront known as the “Pyne-Davison Row.” It was designed by prestigious Beaux-Arts architects McKim, Mead & White and constructed between 1910–12 for financier and industrialist Percy Rivington Pyne.
Wreckers and Rescuers In January 1965, when the house was almost 53 years old, it was nearly razed to make room for a
31-story luxury co-op. The scaffolding went up, and for several days wreckers began to gut the mansion’s interior. Then, the Marquesa de Cuevas intervened. A next-door neighbor, the Marquesa offered to purchase the Pyne mansion, as well as two adja-cent buildings slated for the demolition. As soon as the purchase contract was signed, demolition work halted.
The following January, she gave 680 Park Avenue to the Center for Inter-American Relations, Inc., a new organization dedicated to cultivating cultural and trade relations between the United States and Latin America. It would take eighteen months to restore the mansion’s interior. The building was designated a New York City landmark in 1970.
-Elizabeth Manus
680 Park Avenue, circa 1918. Courtesy of Christopher Gray.
AMERICAS SOCIETY
680 Park Avenue
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New York, NY 10019(212) 974-2200
We are pleased to support CIVITAS and the 2014 Honorees.
CARNEGIE HILLNEIGHBORS
We are very pleased towork with CIVITAS onmany common interests.
Salutes CIVITAS
Established 1863 Member FDIC
50 branches throughout greater New York
www.applebank.com 1-914-902-2775
Visit us today!124 East 125th Street (at Lexington Avenue), 212-360-7532
Faith Williams, Vice President, Branch Manager
At Apple Bank, we’ve always believed that a strong community and a strong bank go hand in hand.
That is why we support the families, businesses and organizations in the neighborhoods we serve.
Commercial and ResidentialRefuse Removal and Recycling Systems
845-896-6000 800-522-7235 845-227-7235
www.royalcarting.com
FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS, LLP | 22 WEST 19 STREET | NEW YORK, NY 10011 | T 212.627.1700 | WWW.FXFOWLE.COM
FXFOWLE COngratuLatEs thE 2014 CIVItas aWard rECIpIEnts Stephen S. LaSh and CharLeS S. Warren.
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center renovation
M Swenson Monogram salutes
CIVITAS for its service and dedication
to the community
www.MSwensonMonogram.com917.752.4306
We support CIVITAS
and this year’s
Honorees for their vision and service
to the community
Phyllis H. Weisberg Montgomery McCracken 437 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 212.867.9500 [email protected]
mmwr.com
From your friends at
1304 Madison Avenue @ 92nd St. New York, NY 10128 • 212-289-7367 www.sfeldmanhousewares.com
Housewares and Gifts You Need, Personal Service You Deserve
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTINGTHE 2014 BENEFIT...
Apple Bank for SavingsBenjamin CompaniesCarnegie Hill NeighborsDouglas Elliman Property ManagementEast Midtown PartnershipFiduciary TrustFoa & Son CorporationFratelli Brick Oven PizzaFX Fowle ArchitectsGabriel AssociatesHK HotelsHope Community Inc.JDM Real Estate CompanyKings’ Carriage HouseThe Kinsale Tavern
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLPLex RestaurantM. Swenson Monogramm2 Asset Management Madison Avenue BIDMister Wright Fine Wines & SpiritsMontgomery McCracken Walker and Rhodes LLPR.H. Bluestein & CompanyRountree FlowersRoyal Carting Service CompanyS. Feldman HousewaresStonehengeWest Coast Wine & Liquor, Inc. WQB Architecture PLLC
Please Patronize our Advertisers
CIVITAS appreciates the generous support of our advertisers
Flowers by Rountree FlowersEvent Photography by Anton BrookesMusic by Alex Donner Orchestra
Illustrations and Award Design by John S. WinklemanPrinting by Mar+x Myles
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
is proud to support
CIVITAS
for its mission in improving the
quality of urban life.
We are also proud that
Chuck Warren,
the leader of
our Environmental Law Department and our friend,
has been chosen to receive this year’s
August Heckscher Award for Community Service.
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212.715.9100
www.kramerlevin.com
NEW YORK n SILICON VALLEY n PARIS
