The building housing Engine Company 305 and Hook and Ladder Company 151 in Forest Hills might soon be an official landmark, if it wins approval. Forum Newsgroup photo by Luis Gronda.
The building that houses New York’s bravest in Forest Hills could be added to the list of New York City landmarks if it gets the approval of a city agency and the City Council.
Engine 305, a firehouse on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, has been nominated for landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
The facility was built between 1922 and 1924, and was intended to serve the population boom of that neighborhood during that time. It had an increase in residential construction after World War I ended.
The building is a two-story Neo-Medieval-style firehouse that is made out of red bricks. The size and design of the facility is thought to be unique for a New York City firehouse, but it was built to fit the structure of nearby communities in the area. John Sliney is credited with designing the building. During his tenure as head building inspector of the Fire Department, he designed about 70 firehouses throughout New York City.
To become a landmark, a building must first be nominated. Then the Request for Evaluation committee, which includes LPC’s chairman, executive director and chief of staff, reviews the materials and determines if the building meets its criteria for a landmark designation. After that, LPC’s director of research notifies the people who sent the request of the decision.
If the RFE committee decides that a proposal merits further consideration, a photo of the structure, a statement of the significance of the proposed landmark and the committee’s recommendation is sent to each of LPC’s 11 commissioners. The chairman ultimately decides if a landmark proposal is brought to a full review.
The LPC then holds a public hearing for a property that has been voted for landmark consideration.
After LPC’s research department writes a detailed report about the proposed landmark site, the LPC votes on the proposal at a public meeting. Six votes are needed to approve or deny a site.
The City Planning Commission then has 60 days to submit a report to the city council, highlighting how the designation would effect the surrounding area, especially in terms of zoning and projected public improvements.
Next, the city council votes on theproposal. It has 120 days after the LPC vote to change or reject the proposal.
According to Elisabeth de Bourbon, a LPC spokeswoman, two of the three formal stages of the designation process have passed, including a public hearing on the firehouse at their offices in Manhattan. She also said that they expect to send the proposal to landmark the building to the commissioners for a vote in June, and that the Manhattan meeting is the only one planned.
By Luis Gronda
