A Landscape Worth Defending: The New Jersey Palisades.
Photo by Anthony Taranto, courtesy PIPC Archives
In October 2012, the Borough of Englewood Cliffs, NJ, amended its zoning code to permit construction of buildings 150 feet in height in an area along the Palisades Interstate Park. The limit was previously 35 feet. The change would detrimentally impact this iconic and environmentally sensitive landscape. The park is listed as a National Historic Landmark and the Palisades are a National Natural Landmark. The suit was prompted by a proposal to build a new, 143-foot tall headquarters for LG Electronics. Read more.
Latest Updates
July 25, 2014: Building height heads to ballot in November
June 5: Hearing in Trenton on bill to restrict building height on the Palisades.
February 25, 2014: Palisades commission asks LG to lower height of planned Englewood Cliffs headquarters
February 22, 2014: Six Bergen County Mayors Join to Oppose LG Plan: Letter Urges LG to Modify Headquarters Design
Mourning the Death of a Historic Landscape? On November 14, 2013 at 9:30 AM more than 40 people turned up to protest LG Electronics breaking ground on its new corporate headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. The demonstration was quite the spectacle, with dozens of signs and even a rented hearse going back and forth in front of the building site, drawing attention to the death of the historic view of the Palisades. A steady stream of honks, waves, and cheers from passing vehicles showed beyond a doubt that the views of the protesters were shared by many of those who pass the site every day.
Make your views known.
- Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper, including:
The Record (Bergen County, NJ): letterstotheeditor@northjersey.com
- New Jersey residents, call or write to Gov. Christie.
- New York residents, call or write to Gov. Cuomo
- Visit the news articles linked below and leave your comments on the articles.
- Send an email to William Cho, CEO and President of LG Electronics North America: Click here for NRDC contact form , or mail a letter to Mr. Cho at 1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632; cc cc to John Taylor, Vice-president for Public Affairs.
- Spread the word. Share these links and this info with your friends, neighbors, and organizations you belong to.
Some possible talking points:
We understand LG may not have been aware of the 100-year-long legacy of preserving a precious landscape by citizens of both states.
This treasured landscape’s setting, respected for more than a century as a public trust, would now be violated for private gain by this giant maker of TVs and refrigerators seeking to display its brand.
Yet on its large 27-acre site, LG could provide the same amount of office space for the same number of jobs by choosing an alternative lower design that does not rise above the ridgeline. But so far, LG refuses to reconsider.
I join other protectors of the Palisades and urge LG Electronics to redesign its new office which, if built as currently planned, would desecrate an iconic American landmark.
February 25, 2014: Palisades commission asks LG to lower height of planned Englewood Cliffs headquarters
February 22, 2014: Six Bergen County Mayors Join to Oppose LG Plan: Letter Urges LG to Modify Headquarters Design
December 23: 2013: Opinion: Still time for LG to reconsider (published in The Record)
December 22, 2013: Opponents protest outside NYC Best Buy
December 13, 2013: Rally Planned in NYC Dec. 22
November 14, 2013: Opponents protest as LG celebrates beginning of work on Englewood Cliffs HQ
November 13, 2013: Protests planned at LG HQ groundbreaking on Nov. 14
October 9, 2013: The World Monuments Fund Lists Palisades in Report on At-Risk Cultural Heritage Sites (pdf). See p. 4 of WMF press release
September 4, 2013: Bergen freeholders support LG building plans
August 11, 2013: Foes of LG Electronics' planned headquarters in Englewood Cliffs plan to appeal judge's decision
August 10, 2013: LG Wins New Jersey Court Approval to Build Atop Hudson Cliffs
July 30, 2013: Coalition Releases New Image Showing LG Impact on Palisades
July 30, 2013: Christie, Booker Stay Out of LG Fight
June 6, 2013: Four former NJ governors join call to block plan for 143-foot tall Englewood Cliffs building.
May 8, 2013: Women's Clubs' members to rally May 11 for continued preservation of the Palisades
May 7, 2013: Protect the Palisades takes full-page ad in NY Times
May 4, 2013: Hikers, Cyclists, Bikers Support Effort to Limit Height of LG Electronics Building on Palisades
April 25, 2013: Local Opposition to LG Electronics tall building on Palisades grows
April 17, 2013: Creskill Woman's Club Calls for Protection of "Our Palisades"
April 2, 2013: Trail Conference Executive Director: "Natural, Historic Legacies of Palisades Deserve Respect"
March 25, 2013: Urge LG Electronics to respect our National Historic and Natural Landmark along the Palisades.
March 12, 2013: Judge orders mediation in LG Electronics building lawsuit
February 19, 2013: Sign the petition to protect the Palisades!
December 11, 2012: The Trail Conference Board of Directors voted to join a lawsuit against the Borough of Englewood Cliffs by the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, Scenic Hudson, and two Trail Conference members.
Press Coverage & More
Opinion: Room for reasonable compromise on LG tower. Jun. 19, 2014, NJ.com
World Monuments Fund Lists Vista of the New Jersey Palisades as Endangered, Oct. 8, 2013, NY Times
Preservationists deem Palisades 'endangered,' oppose LG expansion plan, Oct. 8, 2013, The Record
Palisades cliffs 'at risk' list of historic sites says, Oct. 8, 2013, NJ.com
Trail Conference Executive Director's Opinion Piece in The Record, April 24, 2013: One tall building will impact the Palisades forever
See this excellent story, A view to behold, now to change?
Visit our coalition's website, Protect the Palisades for links to additional news stories and more.
Comment: Please be relevant, civil, non-commercial.
Keep up the Pressure on LG to build LOWER