Neighborhood preservation — economic, social, cultural, and architectural — is central to the mission of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council. Since 2002, Two Bridges has worked to have over 1000 buildings in Chinatown, Little Italy, the Lower East Side, the Two Bridges, and the Bowery Historic Districts listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places. We undertake these projects not only to celebrate and highlight our rich cultural and architectural heritage, but preservation of these historic building often means preservation of affordable, rent controlled or stabilized housing units and affordable commercial space, occupied by long-term tenants.
National Register listing also creates the opportunity for property and business owners to tap into the generous tax benefits, grants, loans, and technical assistance offered by the National Register and associated programs in these historic districts. Property and business owners now have access to tens of millions of dollars in State and Federal Historic Preservation tax credits, as well as grants and low or no-interest loans through the New York Landmarks Conservancy, to encourage the preservation of our historic resources.
In 2010, Historic Districts Council presented Two Bridges with its Grassroots Preservation Award in recognition of our work documenting and celebrating the historic neighborhoods we serve.