Led Campaigns To Save Landmarks
The Historic Districts Council (HDC), the citywide advocate for New York’s historic neighborhoods, presented Michael Perlman, Queens native and chairman of the Rego-Forest Preservation Council with a 2014 Grassroots Preservation Award yesterday, Wednesday, June 4, at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights.
The Grassroots Awards honor and celebrate the activists and groups who work to preserve New York City’s historic neighborhoods.
“These advocates are the foundation of the preservation movement and their efforts benefit everyone who lives, works or visits New York City,” said Simeon Bankoff, executive director of HDC. “It’s an honor and pleasure to be able to shine the spotlight on these neighborhood leaders.”
A native Forest Hills resident, Perlman chairs the Rego-Forest Preservation Council, which was founded in 2006 in response to that year’s 100th anniversary of Forest Hills and the parcel which would become known as Rego Park in 1923. It works to preserve and commemorate the architectural and cultural history of Forest Hills and Rego Park, as well surrounding areas of Queens through advocacy and property owner assistance.
In 2010, Perlman launched a public campaign to preserve and creatively reuse the iconic Forest Hills Tennis Stadium which was under threat of demolition. As a result of these efforts, the stadium has undergone some restoration work and has been reborn as a concert venue.
He is involved in the continuing preservation efforts of a number of civic, religious and popular neighborhood institutions in Queens and earned the nickname “Diner-Man” after his efforts to save and relocate a number of historic freestanding diners.
The Historic Districts Council is New York’s only citywide grassroots advocate for historic buildings and neighborhoods. Since 1971, the HDC has been committed to preserving New York’s rich architectural and historical heritage, working with communities to landmark and protect significant neighborhoods and buildings, as well as helping already designated historic communities to understand and uphold the Landmarks Law.
The HDC engages in community building and development, offers educational programs and delivers technical resources, strategic assistance and direct advocacy support to aid local groups in their individual preservation campaigns.
