Schumer Goes Straight to the Top & Urges LG Top Exec. to Immediately Modify Its Plan & Reduce the Height of Tallest Building, Before it is Too Late; New Plan Should Not Be Visible Above Palisades' Tree Line

Press Release

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged a top executive of LG Electronics to modify the company's plan for a new North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, which will seriously damage the iconic landscape of the Palisades -- a national natural landmark and historic site -- that hundreds of thousands of residents in Yonkers and greater Westchester, as well as thousands of tourists, enjoy. Specifically, Schumer is demanding that LG reduce the height of the tallest building, before construction progresses further, so it does not show above the tree line of the Hudson River Palisades. LG's plan includes a 143-foot high building that would rise 70 feet over the tree line in an area that has been preserved in its natural state, by both New York and New Jersey, for generations. Schumer today urged LG to redesign the building and consider a plan that would build out horizontally, keeping the same planned square footage while not interfering with the treasured landscape and unique vista.

"After more than a century of both New York and New Jersey working to preserve the unparalleled natural beauty of the Palisades, one company should not be permitted to sweep in and taint that iconic landscape, particularly when an alternative building plan exists. LG's planned tower will severely detract from the Palisades' sky line and may set a precedent for future high-rise office buildings to be built and destroy this iconic vista. We should work together to ensure that the rare and magnificent vista of the Hudson River Palisades is preserved for all those who live here and pass through," said Schumer. "I am strongly urging top executives at LG to modify their plan and build a site that will not interfere with the majestic beauty that both New Jersey and New York residents love."

LG Electronics plans to build a new North American headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ. As part of the plan, one of the office buildings will be 143 feet tall and will therefore severely mar the largely unbroken natural sweep of the Palisades north of the George Washington Bridge.

"I am all for building, development and job creation, but the type of building should be appropriate for the area it is in. And, sadly, this LG tower would stick out like a sore thumb in one of the rarest places of all -- a sweep of natural beauty in the midst of the most densely packed urban area in America," said Schumer.

This area along the Hudson River was designated by the U.S. government as both a National Natural Landmark and a National Historic Site, a rare duel honor. For years, companies and office buildings in the area adhered to zoning limits that maintained its iconic landscape. Recently, the Borough of Englewood Cliffs revised its zoning ordinance, which would allow LG Electronics and other companies to construct an office building high above the tree line of the Hudson River Palisades.

Schumer today urged LG Electronics to reconsider its plan by redesigning the building so it does not rise above the tree line. Schumer explained that the current plan would do irreparable damage to this iconic landscape, and encouraged the firm to achieve its desired size by building horizontally instead.

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