Statement of Purpose

As first-year Historic Preservation students, our goal in producing a Preservation Plan for Union Square and 14th Street: River to River, is to present our analysis of the specific issues affecting the built fabric and the community on 14th Street and Union Square, and to propose solutions for the preservation of historically significant buildings and sites that respect and complement the existing economic, political, and social character of the area.

The Plan is the result of one year of intensive research and thorough survey of the area’s history and conditions. However, our investigation was not confined to the built environment: we engaged in direct dialogue with representatives from the various communities on and around 14th Street and Union Square in order to better understand the non-physical forces that affect preservation.

The intended audience for our Preservation Plan includes the academic community in general, professionals who have an interest in urban historic preservation, and, most importantly, the constituents of 14th Street and Union Square. In addition to providing a significant depth of new knowledge about New York City, the Plan seeks to present a model for activism that addresses specific preservation issues in a timely, practical, and accessible way.

We have attempted to synthesize our idealism as historic preservationists while recognizing the economic, political, and social limitations of the present time. It is our hope that future preservation students will reference our Plan in their learning process; that the City of New York will take note of the concerns highlighted by our research and analysis; that our preservation goals will be implemented by the City and other organizations; and that the community of 14th Street and Union Square will be able to utilize our plan to their benefit.