By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
CITY HALL — Russian Orthodox Cathedral clergy turned out in force to a Landmarks Preservation Commission hearing Tuesday, arguing that a bid by preservationists to historically preserve the East Village church could push it under.
“The bottom line is that we humbly believe that landmark status is not the best solution,” Russian Orthodox Cathedral member Jake Walker told the hearing.
“The burden of landmark status within the community … would endanger the parish of continuing.”
Clergy and congregants fear that maintenance costs related to maintaining the cathedral would come out of an already cash-strapped programming budget. The iconic gothic-style church was the set for scenes of "Salt" with Angelina Jolie.
Also speaking out against landmark designation at the meeting were residents of the pre-war East 22nd St Gramercy House, home to several fixed-income residents.
“We see a neighborhood, a community and a home in Gramercy House,” said longtime resident Mary-Ellen Banashek.
“We do not need you and we don’t want you. It’s insulting to say we can't take care of our home and that we are making a mess there.”
She said she gathered a petition in protest of landmark designation with more than a hundred signatures, which she submitted to the LPC.
Landmarks designation of both buildings is being pushed by preservation groups, including the Historic District Council, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation.
Elizabeth Finkelstein, director of preservation and research at GVSHP said both structures were “historic jewels” that merit preservation.
Andrea Goldwyn of The New York Landmarks Conservancy said there were grants available to address with preservation-related costs, relating to the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Father's Heart Church on East 11th Street was also discussed, with all speakers were in favor of preservation.
Council member Rosie Mendez supported all three proposals.
“I am in support of preserving the rich history of my council district with the landmarking of these three buildings,” she said.
The Germania Fire Insurance Company Building at 357 Bowery was also approved for historic landmark designation at the meeting.
