City (kind of) Endorses Idea of Second Carroll Gardens Historic District

Although a mixed bag, the expansion of the Carroll gardens Historic District will ultimately benefit the local community. It certainly took the LPC long enough to answer the CGNA's request, and it will be quite some time before the actual rules are in place, but it seems as if the boundaries have been set. From the Brooklyn Paper:

"The Landmarks Preservation Commission revealed last week the working boundaries of the proposed historic district — an area bounded by Court, Henry and Huntington streets, and First Place — that would dwarf the existing postage-stamp-sized zone bounded by President, Carroll, Smith and Hoyt streets.

A second zone is unnecessary, said John Esposito, co-founder of the anti-expansionist group Citizens Against Landmarks.

“Landmarking will force the old-timers out,” he said. “All the new people who have $100,000 income a year think this is a great idea.”

But a study by the Independent Budget Office suggests that landmarking does not, in itself, cause higher home prices."

Again, John Esposito cites his study that proves that "old-timers" will be forced out. This study was commissioned as a response to...oh, wait. That's right. I forgot. No one has ever proven that anyone has been moved by anything other that market forces.

Also, the picture shown on the Brooklyn Paper identifies the two women as being Third Street residents, but they are staged in front of homes on either Second Street or a Place block, the very type of street that needs preservation protection, unlike Third.