Public Voting Will Help Determine Which Projects Receive Funds
Forty historic New York places representing all five boroughs were
announced today as finalists competing for $3 million in grants through
Partners in Preservation, a collaboration between American Express and
the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The City’s first-ever citywide preservation effort powered by social
media will allow the public to vote online for the preservation projects
most important to them. Through May 21, 2012, New Yorkers, and anyone
who loves New York, will help give away up to $1 million in grants by
voting at www.PartnersinPreservation.com
or www.Facebook.com/PartnersinPreservation.
Participants can vote once a day, every day, for the same site or for
different sites. The top four vote-getters, to be announced May 22, are
guaranteed to receive grants for their preservation projects. A Partners
in Preservation advisory committee of community and preservation
leaders, will select sites that will receive the rest of the $3 million
in grants.
“I am delighted that Partners in Preservation has chosen New York City
this spring,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "Preserving the 40 sites,
historic gems in all five boroughs, will help save the places that
matter to people. Historic preservation is a key in neighborhood
development, as well as expanding economic vitality and
sustainability. Historic buildings help define the personality of our
city and draw residents, tourists and entrepreneurs.
“I urge all New Yorkers and anyone who loves New York to vote every day,
from today through May 21, for the preservation projects most important
to them to help determine which will get the largest of $3 million in
grants from American Express and the National Trust for Historic
Preservation.”
“American Express has called New York City home since 1850, when the
company opened its first storehouses in lower Manhattan along with
stables to shelter the horses that powered our freight-forwarding
business,” said Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express.
“As long-term New Yorkers, we have a special interest in helping to
ensure that future generations can enjoy the historic buildings and
landmarks that help preserve our neighborhoods and our rich cultural
heritage.”
“Partners in Preservation has a strong track-record of mobilizing local
preservationists, so it’s fitting that this year the program is in a
city that personifies grassroots preservation,” said Stephanie Meeks,
president, the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Since its
inception, the program has not only raised awareness about some of the
nation’s most treasured historic sites, but also empowered local
preservationists across the country to take action in their communities.
Everyday citizens’ preservation efforts are critical to saving places
that are important to us all, retaining the character of communities and
expanding economic vitality.”
The campaign kicked off with the announcement of the sites at an event
held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art which was headlined by singer and
actress Katharine McPhee. Ms.