The Landmarks Preservation Commission Finally Explains Its Indifference to NYU's Raping of the Provincetown Playhouse

Some time ago I wrote to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, asking why it has expressed no interest, no concern and, I guess, no awareness of the impending rape and destruction of the Provincetown Playhouse by President John Sexton of New York University and his right-hand gal, the raging anti-preservationist Alicia Hurley. This is the response I received. The line about
"leaving no historic fabric extant associated with the building's use as the Provincetown Playhouse" is clearly a lie. So the question remains whether the members of the Commission have been bought off in some way by NYU.

It also makes wonder whether local preservationists, such as Andrew Berman at the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, made the best case they could on this issue to other city agencies and elected officials.

Here's the letter in its entirety:

Mr. Jacobs,

In response to your inquiry concerning the Provincetown Playhouse & Apartments, please be advised that the property was not recommended to the full Commission for further consideration as an individual New York City Landmark due to its current condition and architectural integrity. Upon careful review by a senior staff committee of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the property was found to be too significantly altered leaving no historic fabric extant associated with the building's use as the Provincetown Playhouse.

Although we know this is not the response you wished to receive, we are sure you understand that in a city the size of New York, the committee must be extremely selective in the structures it proposes for landmark designation. We hope that your interest in the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission continues.

Sincerely,

Emily Rich
Public Information Officer
Landmarks Preservation Commission
One Centre Street, 9th Floor North
New York, NY 10007
Ph: 212-669-7817
Fax: 212-669-3844

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