From ny1.com
quote:
L.E.S. Named An Endangered Historic Place
The Lower East Side was named one of America's 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation Tuesday.
The annual list points to examples of architectural, cultural, and natural heritage at risk for destruction or irreparable damage.
The Trust is urging the city and state to take steps to ensure the neighborhood retains its character and is not buried under a flood of new construction.
"So many people around the country can relate to this place as where their forbearers got their start," said Wendy Nicholas of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "And yet, if preservation protections are not put in place soon, the heart and soul of this neighborhood will be lost and we'll no longer be able to have that connection to history."
The neighborhood was named to the National and State Register of Historic places in 2000, but preservationists argue that has not curbed widespread demolition and construction amid the area's real-estate boom.