Submitted by Hal Bromm, Nov 29, 2006 17:01

Its odd that EDWARD GLAESER imagines constructing luxury condominiums – in this case a handful of multimillion dollar apartments - might somehow provide more affordable housing for New Yorkers.

There also seems to be a misunderstanding of what NYC's Landmarks Law, under which historic districts are created, is meant to protect. Historic districts are created to protect and preserve a sense of place by regulating – by law – changes to structures within those districts. Neither the LPC, nor the historic districts they designate, are expected to maintain or create affordable housing. While Mr. Glaeser's writing suggests another odd idea - that historic districts are somehow guilty of contributing to a lack of affordable housing - the irony is that many historic districts throughout the city have helped to keep housing costs reasonable by preserving the very structures that provide affordable housing.

Hal Bromm

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.