SOS COALITION
SAVE OUR SEAPORT COALITION
WATERFRONT | MUSEUM | MARKET | DISTRICT
Save Our Seaport is a grassroots organization that began primarily among South Street Seaport Museum volunteers and former staff, including its founding President Peter Stanford. We came together in 2011 when it looked as though the Museum would shut its doors and divest itself of its collections and working vessels; we sought a new beginning for this unique and critical waterfront institution. We have rapidly grown to include a broad array of citizens concerned with the preservation of the Museum, the Seaport Historic District, New York and American maritime history, the Museum ships and waterfront, and the public markets.
We believe that the Museum and its fleet will thrive only if the inherent character and public purpose of the neighborhood around it is respected and safe from the usurpation of development interests. The destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, the callous and insensitive threats to the District from Howard Hughes Corporation, and decisions by the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have prompted us to build a broader coalition, citywide and beyond, of institutions, organizations, prominent individuals, and community groups to defend this fragile neighborhood and ensure its revitalization.
OUR MISSION
PRESERVE PUBLIC SPACE:
The Letter of Intent (LOI) signed December 12, 2011 between EDC and Howard Hughes Corporation shall be amended to exclude any option for future disposition of city properties to Howard Hughes that are not currently demised under the 1981 Marketplace Lease.*
PLAN FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT:
The Seaport Working Group should be reinstated to study all city-owned property in the South Street Seaport Historic District and to determine its disposition and future uses so as to maintain the public purpose to which the District was dedicated; maximize commercial revenue for infrastructure maintenance and public programming; support local, independent businesses; serve community needs; promote contextual uses; retain within the District a viable public market & working waterfront; and position this fragile neighborhood as a model of resilient, sustainable redevelopment.
RETAIN AND ENHANCE MARITIME USES:
The South Street Seaport Museum shall be assured a permanent presence in the Seaport District; its unique maritime character will be preserved and enhanced by a steady stream of lease revenues sufficient for programming and infrastructure, including dockage for the Museum’s historic vessels, operating and stationary, as well as for visiting vessels, recreational and commercial uses.
REVIVE THE MARKET DISTRICT:
The New York City Landmarks “South Street Seaport Historic District” boundaries shall be extended to be contiguous with the federal and state historic-district boundaries, including the 1939 New Market Building and site. The former Fulton Fish Market shall be reserved for public market purposes, as proposed by New Amsterdam Market, in keeping with the District’s past and the goal of retaining that history while serving contemporary needs.
Joining Norma and Peter Stanford, Founders of The South Street Seaport Museum
ORGANIZATIONS
Save Our Seaport
American Ship Trust
City Club of New York
Downtown Independent Democrats
Heritage Radio Network
The Historic Districts Council
Historic Ships Coalition
Manhattan Yacht Club
Waterfront Alliance
National Lighthouse Museum
New Amsterdam Market
The New York Harbor Foundation
North River Historic Ship Society
Save Our Ships New York
Seaport Speaks
Southbridge Towers
Two Bridges Neighborhood Council
The Waterfront Museum
Tug Pegasus Preservation Project
Urban Oyster
LOCAL LEADERS & ADVOCATES
Paul Hovitz, Member, Community Board One
Jenifer Rajkumar, District Leader, Assembly District 65
CHEFS & RESTAURANTS
Michael Anthony (Gramercy Tavern)
Mario Batali (Babbo, Del Posto, Eataly, Lupa, Otto, & more)
April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig, The John Dory Oyster Bar, The Breslin)
Daniel Boulud (Daniel, Bar Boulud, DB Bistro Moderne, etc.)
Floyd Cardoz (North End Grill)
Michael Chernow (The Meatball Shop)
Elizabeth Falkner (Krescendo)
Luke Holden (Luke’s Lobster)
Carmen Quagliata (Union Square Cafe)
Bill Telepan (Telepan)
Jean-Georges Vongerichten (jean-Georges, Mercer Kitchen, ABC Kitchen, etc.)
Alice Waters (Chez Panisse)