The commissions strength lies not so much in its power to stop an owner from altering or destroying a building. if he is really determined to. as in Its power to delay himwhile using the time to find an acceptable solution. "The commission expects to work with an owner on his problems after a building has been designated." says Mr. Platt. So far the commission has had one spectacular success--saving the old Astor Library on Lafayette Street. The commission saw it as a landmark. nearly everyone else saw it as a white elephant. Its owners. the United BIAS Service (the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). had already contracted to sell it to a developer. Lithos Properties. Inc.. to be torn down to make way for an apartment building.
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Immigrant