Permits & development · 10/13/2026
LPC Names Pamela Puchalski as Executive Director
The Landmarks Preservation Commission appointed Pamela Puchalski as Executive Director. She will oversee the agency's administrative, research and public affairs work and help shape policy with Chair Lisa Kersavage. She brings 25 years of experience in architecture, neighborhood revitalization and climate resilience.
Reported by The Bronx DailyRead the original ↗
What happened
The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) has named Pamela Puchalski as its Executive Director. The Bronx Daily reported the announcement on October 13, 2026.
As Executive Director, Puchalski will oversee the agency's administrative, research and public affairs work. She will also lead special projects across departments and agencies, and work with LPC Chair Lisa Kersavage on policy and strategic planning for the whole agency. Kersavage said she looks forward to working with Puchalski to advance the work of the Commission and the Mamdani administration.
Puchalski has 25 years of executive leadership experience in architecture, urban innovation, neighborhood revitalization and climate resilience. She previously led Open House New York and The American Assembly at Columbia University. She co-founded the Global Institute on Innovation Districts and held roles at New America and the Brookings Institution. In her statement, she said recent designations show how preservation, growth and affordability can work together.
LPC is the mayoral agency that protects the city's architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings and sites. Since 1965 it has granted landmark status to more than 38,500 buildings and sites. That total includes 1,473 individual landmarks, 125 interior landmarks, 12 scenic landmarks, and 159 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs.
Key facts
- Agency
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC)
- Appointee
- Pamela Puchalski, Executive Director
- Date reported
- October 13, 2026 (The Bronx Daily)
- LPC Chair
- Lisa Kersavage
- Experience
- 25 years of executive leadership
- Prior roles
- Executive Director of Open House New York and The American Assembly at Columbia University; roles at New America and the Brookings Institution
- Protected sites
- More than 38,500 buildings and sites since 1965
- Historic districts
- 159 historic districts and extensions in all five boroughs
What it means
Landlords
This is a staffing change at LPC. The announcement does not describe any change to permit rules or review procedures for owners of landmarked buildings.
Buyers and owners
Owners and buyers of property in historic districts deal with LPC on exterior work. The new Executive Director will help shape agency policy and planning, but no specific policy changes were announced.
Tenants and voucher holders
The announcement has no direct effect on rents, vouchers or tenant rights. Puchalski's statement links preservation with affordability, but no programs or rules were described.
The highlights
- She will work with LPC Chair Lisa Kersavage on agency-wide policy and planning.
- She previously led Open House New York and The American Assembly at Columbia.
- LPC has landmarked more than 38,500 buildings and sites since 1965.
Why it matters Landlords
No rule changes were announced, but owners in historic districts may want to watch for policy shifts under new LPC leadership.
Not known yet
- Whether Puchalski's start date differs from the announcement date
- Whether LPC plans any changes to how it reviews permit applications
- What specific designations she meant when she cited preservation, growth and affordability working together
- Who held the Executive Director role before her
Background
In New York City, buildings that are individual landmarks or sit inside a historic district are regulated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Owners generally need LPC approval before doing work that affects protected features, such as exterior changes, and that approval is typically required in addition to any Department of Buildings permits. LPC is led by a chair and a panel of commissioners, while agency staff handle day-to-day review and administration.
Summary written by Bulwark from The Bronx Daily’s reporting. The original story is at bronx.com. This is general information, not legal advice.
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