Preservationists have been battling to save the Bialystoker Nursing home building at 228 East Broadway since the facility closed in late 2011. Now the Landmarks Preservation Commission is poised to vote in favor of designation. The vote is expected to occur tomorrow afternoon during the commission’s regularly scheduled public meeting. The item is listed on the agenda at 1:56 p.m. (it could be heard any time after about 1:30).
In February, the Friends of the Lower East Side, a preservation coalition, and many other community members testified before the commission, arguing that the 1929 Art Deco building is worthy pf protection not only for its architecture but also because of the important role it played in Jewish immigrant life on the LES for many decades.
The nursing home board initially opposed landmark status and sought to demolish the building but later dropped its opposition. Several potential buyers expressed interest in purchasing the building for a condo conversion.
