Steps to Landmark Long Island City
Clock Tower are in Motion
The Bank of Manhattan Clock Tower rises above train tracks as the 7, N and Q trains make their rounds around Queensboro Plaza. This Neo Gothic creation by architect Morrel Smith was built in 1927 and at the time was the tallest building in Queens and has mainly been vacant for close to three decades.
Within the midst of the constant change and construction happening in and around Queens Plaza, it's nice to know that two local residents are attempting to preserve a piece of the areas worthy building history. Matthew Chrislip and Michael Hall sent a request to the Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) in spring of 2014 to evaluate the Bank of Manhattan Clock Tower building located at 29-27 Queens Plaza North, Long Island City.
As for their next step, Matthew and Michael recently reached out to the Queens Community Board 1 (QBC1) to seek support for their efforts and to ask community members to submit letters encouraging the land-marking of the tower. The LPC is reviewing the building, according to a spokeswoman and QCB1 voted to advocate the campaign.
I remember seeing the Clock Tower every day since my college days as I commuted on the 7 train to and from Manhattan. For an area that's consistently changing its scene, some may say it’s being over developed, with new construction buildings it’s refreshing to see some fondness to preserve Long Island City’s history. Hall and Chrislip say their request only applies to the property's exterior, not its interior. "We are not opposed to development, but we think it's important to protect worthy buildings like the Clock Tower," Hall told members of QCB1.
If you would like to assist in Hall and Chrislip's efforts, and I encourage you to do so, please email them at everyone@pluspartners.org.
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