Saw some work going on with scaffold at 172 Duane. I know there are plans for this building. Just an FYI. —G.

Indeed, there have long been plans for a four-story addition to the current two-story building (rendering at right). The Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the plans in 2008—and a three-year extension in 2014 (expiring this October)—but there’s been negligible sign of work until now. I asked the LPC whether a new design has been approved. The response: “There is a current open application for changes to the design, which is currently under review.” I asked whether any design changes would get a public LPC hearing and/or whether they’d have to go through CB1 first. “It depends on the scope of the changes/work, which is currently under review.” The rep offered to keep me posted, but the burden is on us. If anyone on CB1’s Landmarks Committee knows how to keep an eye on the process, please let me know. And in the meantime I’ll put a tickler on my calendar to check back with the LPC in a month.

P.S. Unless something substantial has changed, the four-story addition will be a “two-family dwelling,” with the existing structure remaining commercial, and a “residential egress exit” will be added to the front of the building.

Got a question? Email tribecacitizen@gmail.com.

Previous Nosy Neighbor posts:
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• What are cars doing on the Esplanade?
• How do these metal braces work?
• Is Franklin Place really a private street?
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• What are these new blue parking signs?
• What’s this thing embedded in the sidewalk?
• Where can I buy photos of old Tribeca?
• Is Distilled now a café during the day?
• Wasn’t the World Trade Center Greenmarket supposed to be open by now?
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• Why does 1 World Trade Center look so unfinished at night?
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• Why is the Duane Park flag almost always at half-staff?
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• Where can I get breakfast in Tribeca?
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