History of 14th Street and Union Square

After highlighting the character, primary and secondary resources, and issues—both positive and negative—of each geographic region, we compiled a group of “street-wide issues,” including:

• - Unprotected Historic Resources
• - Public-Private Interface
• - Institutional Presence
• - Development
• - Open Spaces
• - Physical Deterioration
• - Alterations to the Built Environment

Out of these “street-wide” issues, we developed general initiatives that would address each issue in a broad way (i.e. “Balance Public and Private Interests”).

While we felt that this approach was helpful in identifying our goals generally, we also realized the importance of singling out instances and examples in order to create an executable plan. For each of these specific examples, we have suggested certain tools that address the specific needs of that situation. The examples that we have identified are in no way an exhaustive list of the instances where certain issues play out on the street; however, they are the most illustrative.

We have also written this plan with the assumption that the most important tool to be applied in order to protect our primary and secondary resources would be landmark designation. Designation would be achieved through education and advocacy that would also concurrently aid in other preservation goals.