An early morning blaze in the Bronx left a firefighter and two residents with minor injuries. The fire erupted on the second floor of a building located at 1513 Taylor Avenue. The three injured parties received treatment and are expected to make a full recovery. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated, as reported by ABC7 New York. Meanwhile, over in Brooklyn, tensions are simmering in the historically rich neighborhood of Flatbush.
Residents of Beverly Square West, a neighborhood with deep roots dating back to the 1890s, are advocating for a larger landmark district, according to a News 12 Brooklyn report. The New York City Landmark Protection Commission is facing pressure from locals following a decision to only include a portion of the neighborhood in the proposed landmark zone. Notably, the area left outside the proposed district includes the home of Harry Hawkins, one of the village's original builders. Brooklyn Borough Historian Ron Schweiger, who discovered original documentation for the lots, underscores the uniform historical value of the homes, stating, "We are calling for landmarks to take a look at the history of this entire neighborhood because there is no difference in these Victorian Flatbush homes from one street, and there is a lot of history here to protect."
Neighborhood advocates argue that the unique characteristics and the history of the entire area warrant protection from any development that could erase its charm. Janice Hamann, a local resident, told News 12 Brooklyn, "Walking through the neighborhood, you see houses with the exact same architectural details as every other block in the landmark zones, it's all Victorian Flatbush. It's all like a little town and it could go away." In response to the community's concerns, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission emphasized their regulatory role in protecting properties that have retained their historic features. A statement released by the agency read, "We deeply admire the pride and care that New Yorkers have for their beautiful homes and neighborhoods; however, as a regulatory agency, LPC ensures that all properties within a historic district meet specific legal requirements for landmark designation."
Despite the LPC's stance, residents remain hopeful for a comprehensive recognition of their neighborhood's historic value. Long-time resident Mary Helen Taylor argued that the entire area should be evaluated uniformly for landmark status, expressing, "We are Victorian Flatbush. The blocks have the integrity throughout. And to just go piecemeal and arbitrarily say which blocks are deserving or not just doesn't make sense to all of us," as reported by News 12 Brooklyn. A public comment hearing is anticipated, although a date has yet to be scheduled, where residents will have the opportunity to present their case to the commission.
