Historic Districts Council
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| Headquarters | 232 East 11th Street, New York City, New York, USA |
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| Services | Historic Preservation |
| Website | www |
The Historic Districts Council (HDC) is a New York City-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as the advocate for New York City's historic buildings, neighborhoods, and public spaces.
HDC was founded in 1970 as a committee of the Municipal Art Society consisting of a coalition of community groups from the designated historic districts of New York City—of which there were only 14 at the time— to serve as their representatives and advocate for more support of the newly created Landmarks Preservation Commission. In the late 1970s, its focus shifted to helping advance district designations; in the 1980s its advocacy role expanded; and finally, in 1985, HDC became an independent, incorporated organization with its own officers.
HDC is a resident partner of the Neighborhood Preservation Center. HDC's first full-time executive director was hired in 1992, and its current executive director is Simeon Bankoff.
In New York City, HDC is the only advocate for designated historic districts and for neighborhoods meriting preservation in all five boroughs. HDC organizes neighborhood residents in efforts to gain protection for their communities and assists property owners through the Landmarks Preservation Commission's processes and monitors preserved properties. HDC also helps promote historic districts and holds annual conferences on topics related to preservation.
HDC is an independent, private organization, although it works with the city government, other preservation organizations, and individual neighborhood groups. As advocate for New York's over 100 designated historic districts, HDC advises community groups about preservation issues and consults with building owners about what Landmarks Preservation Commission regulations mean. So when owners of individual landmarks or buildings in designated districts—the same regulations apply to both categories—want to make changes to their property that affect its external appearance, they must under the law apply to the LPC for approval to make those changes. The applications are often approved at staff level. But when the proposals are complicated or do not suggest a clear-cut solution, they go to public review. Every month, a committee of HDC examines every proposal scheduled for review—about 400 a year—and then drafts testimony which is read at the commission's public hearing. HDC is the only organization in the city that covers all applications.
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