City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer held a historic district street sign unveiling in Sunnyside Gardens on Saturday, May 14.
With community members and Sunnyside Gardens preservation advocates present, the newly installed brown signs were revealed at 46th Street and Skillman Avenue.
The new signs reflect both the historic and present day street names, by showing both the commonly known street number, and the historic title. For example, “49th Street” will also be accompanied by another sign “Heiser.”
Some dual signs were released in the 1980’s due to the requests of local residents, but now the entire district is dually marked.
The historic district includes Sunnyside Gardens Park, Phipps apartment building, 12 courtyards and 16 blocks of Woodside and Sunnyside north of Queens Boulevard.
Residents had to work for years to compile a case regarding the necessity of preserving the district’s historic value. Their determination hit a breakthrough in 2007 when 11 members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously ruled in favor of making the district a historical landmark.
While most citizens applauded the unveiling of the dual signs, some residents weren’t as pleased. Numerous homeowners oppose the historic status because they believe the dual signs may not only be confusing, but will also hinder them from making changes to their property.
For the past year, Van Bramer secured the funds for the signs and also worked closely with the Department of Transportation, Landmarks Preservation Commission and advocates to help guide the project to a smooth completion.
Van Bramer was accompanied by Ethel Pilmack, 100, who has been living in Sunnyside since 1941. She was reportedly asked to unveil the sign with Van Bramer because of her status in the community and her advocacy for landmarking.
