Although the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is still a work in progress, it is the largest gothic Cathedral in the world. To those of us who are charged with its stewardship-and to many of our neighbors and most New Yorkers-the Cathedral is beloved not only as an architectural gem, but also as a spiritual and civic treasure. Several years ago, following decades of annual deficits and deferred maintenance, the Cathedral Trustees decided to make available two perimeter parcels for development.
In June of this year, the City's Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) voted unanimously to designate the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine as a City Landmark. The Commission also removed from LPC's consideration the two parcels, but placed strict limits on development to insure that, among other things, views of the Cathedral would be preserved. The balance of the campus will remain eligible for future designation. The income from the development will provide a steady revenue stream that will help to maintain the historic buildings on the 11.3-acre property and support the Cathedral's century-old mission of service to the community. We believe the LPC's decision strikes a careful and thoughtful balance between preservation and development.
The new development will be a $250-$300 million investment in our community, will generate thousands of construction jobs and increase business for area merchants. It will also enliven 113th Street between Morningside Drive and Amsterdam Avenue, and the corner of 110th Street at Morningside Drive, resulting in more activity in Morningside Park. Finally the development will provide greater access to the Cathedral and its campus for the entire community.
Some people have argued that the entire campus should be landmarked and that the Cathedral should not he allowed to lease the two parcels for development. That kind of thinking could jeopardize the very things that make the Cathedral so important to all of us. It would also deprive the area of much needed economic development.
Currently the Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses sub-committee of the Land Use Committee of the City Council is considering whether or not to overturn the designation of the Cathedral as a Landmark. They will hold a hearing on the subject this Friday morning (10/24). We need your help. Contact our Councilman, Bill Perkins, who is on the Landmarks subcommittee. Send him a letter or call him at (212) 662-4440, or send an e-mail to perkins@council.nyc.ny.us and note your support of the Cathedral and the Landmarks Commissions decision. If you are interested in attending the hearing email stjohns.interport@rcn.com and we will provide you with information regarding time and location.
Our ability to preserve the Cathedral building, to protect our mission and to maintain the special relationship we now enjoy with the community will he more secure if the designation of the Cathedral as a Landmark is sustained.
With your help, we look forward to serving the community well into the future.
Sincerely,
The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski
Dean