Bushwick Locals Renew Push for Historic District After Lindemann House Faces Wrecking Ball

Residents are making another attempt at landmarking historic Bushwick Avenue.

A group that included members of the community board, representatives for local officials and concerned residents held a virtual meeting Tuesday night to talk about strategies to reignite a landmarking proposal that was recently introduced as part of the stalled Bushwick Community Plan.

The incident that sparked the meeting was the news of the forthcoming demolition of the Charles Lindemann House, a Queen Anne home located at 1001 Bushwick Avenue. Following a petition that was sent around last week, which as of this writing has attracted 656 signatures, many of the people on the call were realistic that the chances are slim that they can save the Lindemann House. But they want to take the opportunity to push again for landmarking the neighborhood.

The Bushwick Community Plan called for three landmark districts, including the Bushwick Avenue Historic District, as well as six individual landmarks.

“With the community plan, this is something we really wanted to preserve,” said CB4 Chair Robert Camacho. “This should have been done a long time ago.”

Kelly Carroll, representing Historic Districts Council, suggested an explanatory Landmarks 101 as a next step, hoping to educate residents unaware of the landmarking process. Other residents suggested producing a short documentary about the historic architecture of the neighborhood. Some said on-the-ground protests might be the best option.

A request for evaluation was sent to the Landmarks Preservation Commission last week. During the meeting, the suggestion was made that a committee needed to be formed in order to provide a unified front in the fight to save Bushwick’s historic buildings before they are destroyed.

[Photos by Susan De Vries]

Related Stories

• Historic Queen Anne Home on Bushwick Avenue Will Face Wrecking Ball
• As Bushwick Booms With Development, Residents Move to Landmark It
• Pols Charge Mayor Backs ‘Irresponsible Development’ Over Bushwick Community Plan

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