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Landmarks
625 5th Avenue, application from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York for a Restoration & Continuing Maintenance plan of St. Patrick’s Cathedral located on the east side of 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets
WHEREAS, St. Patrick’s Cathedral is located on 5th Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets, NY, NY; and
WHEREAS, Per the designation report, the structure was completed in 1878 and designed by James Renwick Jr.; and
WHEREAS, It was designated an individual and interior landmark on October 19, 1966; and
WHEREAS, The Archdiocese is requesting the approval of a continuing maintenance plan on the Cathedral to facilitate the transfer of development rights pursuant to ZR 81-642; and
WHEREAS, The maintenance plan includes a digital database of all interior and exterior features including, but not limited to:
- Cathedral, Cardinal’s Residence, Rectory & Grounds
- Entire Exterior Envelope, stone, roofs, spires, windows, doors, ornament
- Entire Interior
- All New MEP systems, fire protection, geothermal system
WHEREAS, The approval of the maintenance plan is required before the landmarked property can finalize the transfer of development “air rights” to another property or site in the Greater East Midtown Rezoning Plan; and
WHEREAS, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Archdiocese “The Applicant” will have an enhanced legal obligation to the City of New York to maintain the upkeep of all the documented historic elements of this property and will be subject to a regular inspection schedule of the conditions of the property; and
WHEREAS, CB5 feels that the maintenance plan and restoration work maintains a robust quality of craftsmanship and the Archdiocese has proven to be good stewards of their landmark; and
WHEREAS, Twenty percent of the value of the transaction will go to the East Midtown Public Realm Fund; and
WHEREAS, All future changes or alteration to this property will still be subject to LPC and Community Board/Public Review; and
WHEREAS, Only 30,000 sq. ft. of the available 1MM Sq. Ft is going to be transferred in this transaction; and
WHEREAS, The transfer of development rights will be reviewed by CB5 before the full project can be certified and authorized; and
WHEREAS, The receiving site for these development rights is located at 405 Park Avenue; and
WHEREAS, all future transfers of the remaining development rights will also be reviewed by CB5; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval for the Archdiocese’s proposed restoration & continuing maintenance plan of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in order to pursue the zoning approval to transfer development rights within the Greater East Midtown subdistrict.