Author: Willkie Farr and Gallagher

Publication Year: 1975

Media Type: Report

Summary:

This paper examines the unique responses of New York City to the needs of its artists. Recognizing the important contribution of artists to urban cultural life, city planners, community groups, real property owners and city and state legislators have joined with New York artists in a cooperative effort to find solutions.

Abstract:

This paper examines the unique responses of New York City to the needs of its artists. Recognizing the important contribution of artists to urban cultural life, city planners, community groups, real property owners and city and state legislators have joined with New York artists in a cooperative effort to find solutions. As a result, New York City has pioneered new zoning laws and a non-profit housing project tailored to the particular needs of its large population of residential artists. Happily, New York City's commitment to its artists has coincided with the preservation of architecturally significant commercial districts in downtown Manhattan where factory buildings once scheduled for demolition have been recycled to yield residential rents and increased municipal tax revenues.

Through an understanding of the historical origins, the legislative reforms and some of the social, economic and political ramifications of New York's experience, it is hoped that other communities will be better equipped to respond to the needs of their artists. Accordingly, this paper focuses upon an area of lower Manhattan known as SoHo, an acronym derived from its location south of Houston Street, a major east-west crossroad. Another area discussed is NoHo, a smaller area north of Houston Street where increasing numbers of artists live and work. Tracing the history of these two districts from their initial colonization by artists through the state and municipal legislation affecting them, this paper stresses the relevant considerations of the urban planner which must be analyzed to determine the advisability of any new zoning concepts.

CONTENTS
Introduction.

1. In the beginning was SoHo:

a. SoHo was reprieved from demolition.
b. Artists colonized SoHo.
c. The artists organized.

2. The legislators responded.

3. Municipal zoning laws legalized artists' housing in SoHo:

a. The city planners struck a delicate balance among competing interests.
b. In 1971, a new zoning resolution for SoHo was approved.
c. The MDL was amended and procedures for artists' certification 
    were established.

4. The rising rents of SoHo drove artists to the neighboring areas of NoHo and
    TriBeCa:

a. NoHo - SoHo revisited?
b. A 1976 zoning resolution has legalized artists' occupancy in NoHo and
    has enlarged the space legally available for artists in SoHo. 
    1976 Zoning Amendment for Washington Market and TriBeCa areas. 
    New York City Administrative Code - Landmarks Preservation Law.
c. Historical and supporting data:
         Application for artist's certification.
         Flyer on Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.
         News articles.

Bibliography.

Appendix:
     A. Maps. 
              SoHo. 
              1971 SoHo zoning proposal. 
              SoHo as of 1971. 
              (Detail) SoHo landmark district, NoHo and SoHo. 
              Washington market and TriBeca areas.
     B. Legislation. 
              New York multiple dwelling law.
              Art.
              7-B (1964) Art. 
              7-B (1964) Art.
              7-B as amended (1965) Art. 
              7-B as amended (1968) Art. 
              7-B as amended (1971). 
              1971 New York City Board of Estimate SoHo zoning resolution.
              1976 Zoning amendment for SoHo and NoHo.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Artists-Resources for