By Elizabeth Ladzinski
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE — The Landmarks Preservation Commission has unanimously approved an NYU plan to modify the landscape near Silver Towers.
The commissioners voted Tuesday in favor of the plan 6 to none, saying that the plan was "appropriate," "modest," and would "strengthen the landmark's site," a spokeswoman for LPC said.
The plan includes planting trees along Houston Street, installing lighting, and putting in a dog run and toddler playground near the Silver Towers at 505 LaGuardia Place.
"Today's approval is an initial step toward NYU's overall proposed plans for the superblocks, which call for adding some density but also introducing significant new landscape and public open space amenities for residents of the blocks as well as the neighborhood," said NYU's Vice President Alicia D. Hurley in a statement.
Six people, including a Community Board 2 spokesperson, turned out to testify against the plan, while four others testified in its favor, according to the LPC spokeswoman. One person suggested that the plan be modified before the vote.
Locals at a CB2 meeting last month seemed unimpressed with the features and objected to the proposal, according to Curbed.
The landscaping plan received backing from I.M. Pei's architecture firm. A managing partner at the firm stated in a letter that the design features would be "positive improvements" and said the proposed modifications would "respect the landmark status of the site."
Last year, Pei's firm objected to an NYU plan to build a fourth 400-foot tower at the site — a plan that was later scrapped by NYU.
