New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

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The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission is the New York City agency charged with administering New York's Landmarks Preservation Law.

New York City's first landmarks legislation was enacted in 1965, prompted by the demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station, to make way for the construction of the current Madison Square Garden, which was being relocated from the Madison Square area of New York City.

The goal of New York City's landmarks law is to preserve the aesthetically and historically important buildings, structures, and other objects that make up the New York City vista. The Landmarks Preservation Commission is responsible for deciding which properties should be subject to landmark status and enacting regulations to protect the aesthetic and historic nature of these properties. These regulations are generally designed to allow property owners to continue to use and maintain their properties, while preserving the important design characteristics of the properties.

New York City's Grand Central Terminal was subsequently saved from demolition by New York City's landmarks law. In 1978, the United States Supreme Court upheld the law, stopping the Penn Central Railroad from demolishing the structure and replacing it with an office tower.