Landmark permit issued for 85-02 37TH AVENUE, QUEENS in Jackson Heights

Landmark building permit details

Location 85-02 37TH AVENUE, QUEENS
Issue date April 15, 2008
(?) COFA COFA 08-8899

Certificates of Appropriateness (COFAs) are issued by the landmarks commission when it approves such things as building construction, demolition and visible additions to historic property. The certificates require a public hearing and the entire process can take several months.

Docket 06-3269
Historic district Jackson Heights
Landmark name N/A
Expiration date April 15, 2014
Text
Pursuant to Section 25-307 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Landmarks Preservation
Commission, at the Public Meeting of April 15, 2008, following the Public Hearing and Public Meeting of
February 26, 2008, voted to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed work at the subject premises,
as put forward in your application completed January 31, 2008.

The proposed work, as approved, consists of creating two new masonry openings at the western (85th Street)
facade, symmetrically arranged in relation to the existing windows above them; installing aluminum-framed
display windows, transoms and a door within the new openings; applying logos at the display windows and
transoms; and installing two black canvas awnings, with white lettering at the skirts ("Cafe La Nueva"), above the
new masonry openings. The work, as initially proposed, included new masonry openings, with paired doors and
transoms, that were not symmetrically placed in relation to the existing windows.

The existing conditions and approved work were shown on four presentation boards, labeled A-1 and dated
January 3, 2008, and labeled A-1, A-2, and A-3 and dated March 12, 2008, and consisting of drawings,
photographs, and a photomontage; and the work, as initially proposed, was shown on three presentation boards,
labeled A-0 and dated February 20, 2008, and labeled A-2 and A-3 and dated January 30, 2008, and consisting of
drawings, photographs and photo montages, all prepared by Bosch Architecture and presented at the Public
Hearing and Public Meetings.

In reviewing this proposal, the Commission noted that the Jackson Heights Historic District Designation Report
describes 85-02-85-30 37th Avenue (aka 37-01 85th Street, 37-02 86th Street) as a Moderne style commercial
building, designed by Shampan and Shampan and built in 1947; and that the building's style, scale, materials and
details are among the features that contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the historic
district. The Commission also noted that Warning Letters 01-0305 and 01-0306 were issued November 28, 2000
for the "installation of fixed awning ("Kenny's Fish Market") and painting bulkhead at 85-06 37th Avenue
without permit(s)" and the "installation of projecting sign ("JC Appliances") at 85-24 37th Avenue without
permit(s)" respectively and advanced to Notices of Violation on April 17, 2001; that Warning Letters 03-0105,
03-0106, 03-0107, 03-0108 and 03-0109 were issued July 31, 2002 for the "installation of advertising sign at 85th
Street sidewall without permit(s);" the "replacement of shopfront, security roll-down gates with exterior housing
and awning ("Templo Del Indio Amazonico") at 85-06 37th Avenue without permit(s);" the "replacement of
shopfront and installation of sign ("SHB Discount Store") at 85-24 37th Avenue without permit(s);" the
"replacement of shopfront at 85-26 37th Avenue (J.C. Appliances) without permit(s);" and the "replacement of
shopfront and installation of signage ("Seduccion") at 85-28 37th Avenue without permit(s)" respectively and
advanced to Notices of Violation on October 10, 2002; and that Warning Letter 03-0372 was issued October 31,
2002 for the "installation of HVAC equipment at roof, visible above 85th Street side wall, without permit(s)" and
advanced to a Notice of Violation on January 15, 2003.

With regard to this proposal, the Commission found that the creation of the new masonry openings will not alter,
eliminate or conceal any significant historic features of the building; that the presence of secondary masonry
openings at the sidewall will be in keeping with the character of this Moderne style commercial building; that the
symmetrical placement of the masonry openings beneath the decorative pattern brickwork and windows, as well
as their limited scale and simple detailing, will help maintain a unified composition of this facade, without
altering the overall character of the building or overwhelming significant features of the facade; that the
configuration, proportions and simple detailing of the display windows and door will be well related to the
existing corner shopfront infill, thereby helping to integrate these new elements into the overall shopfront design;
that the awnings will project at an angle and be of a length, size and slope which are proportional to the infill; and
that the proposed signage at the transoms, display windows and awning skirts will be well scaled to the infill and
not result in excessive signage at this shopfront. Based on these findings, the Commission determined the work
to be appropriate to the building and the historic district and voted to approve the application.

The Commission authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness upon receipt, review and approval of
two sets of signed and sealed Department of Building filing drawings showing the approved design.

On April 15, 2008, the Commission received final drawings A-1 and A-2, dated March 12, 2008 and prepared by
Jorge L. Bosch, RA. Accordingly, staff reviewed the drawings and noted that the design approved by the
Commission has been maintained. Based on this and the above findings, the drawings have been marked
approved with a perforated seal, and Certificate of Appropriateness 08-8899 is being issued.

Please note that Notices of Violation 01-0305, 01-0306, 03-0105, 03-0106, 03-0107, 03-0108, 03-0109 and
03-0372 remain in force and are not addressed by this permit. Failure to resolve these matters may result in the
issuance of second Notices of Violation (NOV) originating from the Environmental Control Board in accordance
with Title 63 of the Rules of the City of New York, Section 7-02 (c). These Notices of Violation would require a
court appearance and a civil fine may be imposed.

This permit is issued on the basis of the building and site conditions described in the application and disclosed
during the review process. By accepting this permit, the applicant agrees to notify the Commission if the actual
building or site conditions vary or if original or historic building fabric is discovered. The Commission reserves
the right to amend or revoke this permit, upon written notice to the applicant, in the event that the actual building
or site conditions are materially different from those described in the application or disclosed during the review
process.

All approved drawings are marked approved by the Commission with a perforated seal indicating the date of
approval. The work is limited to what is contained in the perforated documents. Other work or amendments to
this filing must be reviewed and approved separately. The applicant is hereby put on notice that performing or
maintaining any work not explicitly authorized by this permit may make the applicant liable for criminal and/or
civil penalties, including imprisonment and fines. This letter constitutes the permit; a copy must be prominently
displayed at the site while work is in progress. Please direct inquiries to Bernadette Artus.

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Issued: 4/15/08
DOCKET: 06-3269
Robert B. Tierney
Chair

PLEASE NOTE: PERFORATED DRAWINGS AND A COPY OF THIS PERMIT HAVE BEEN SENT TO:
Ramona Bosch, Bosch Architecture

cc: Caroline Kane Levy, Deputy Director of Preservation; Diane Simonson, Compliance Officer




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Issued: 4/15/08
DOCKET: 06-3269

Added to EveryBlock on April 25, 2008.

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