Remembering Michael E. Levine: A Life Dedicated to Preservation, Planning, and Community
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our fellow board member, dear friend, and longtime colleague, Michael E. Levine.
Remembering Michael E. Levine: A Life Dedicated to Preservation, Planning, and
Community
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our fellow board member, dear friend, and longtime colleague, Michael E. Levine.
Michael served on the Village Alliance Board for over a decade, bringing with him an unparalleled dedication to urban planning, historic preservation, and community advocacy. His contributions to New York City and Greenwich Village have left a lasting imprint on the neighborhoods we cherish.
Michael was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a true champion of New York City’s built environment. A Brooklyn native, he earned his planning degree from Hunter College in 1968 and quickly immersed himself in the work of shaping the city. His career spanned decades, beginning at the Department of City Planning, where he played an instrumental role in preserving the character of Greenwich Village, rezoning SoHo to allow for the artist community to legally flourish, and advocating for responsible development that balanced growth with history.
Board member, dear friend, and longtime colleague Michael E. Levine.
A longtime resident of Greenwich Village, Michael was present during the Stonewall
Riots of 1969, an event that helped define his lifelong commitment to the LGBTQ+
community. He was a founding member and the first president of Congregation Beit
Simchat Torah, New York’s first LGBTQ+ synagogue, where he built a spiritual home
that continues to provide sanctuary and support to this day.
He served as the Director of Administration at City Planning, and later moved on to
Manhattan Community Board 1 as Director of Land Use and Planning. He mentored
aspiring planners at Pace University and led the Community Planning Fellowship
Program for the Fund for the City of New York. His work with the American Planning
Association was instrumental in shaping the next generation of urbanists, and he served
as a dedicated member of the APA NY Metro Chapter, helping to guide its programs
and initiatives.
Michael remained deeply engaged in the everyday concerns of our community. He was
always present, always listening, and always advocating for a better, more thoughtful
approach to urban planning. His love for Greenwich Village, its streets, and its people
never wavered. His impact will continue to be felt in the historic districts he fought to
preserve, the policies he helped shape, and the community he strengthened through his
dedication and kindness.
As board and staff members who had the privilege of working alongside Michael for
over a decade, we will miss his wisdom, his humor, and his unwavering commitment to
making our city a better place. His was truly a life well-lived, and we are grateful for the
legacy he leaves behind.
Rest in peace, Michael. Your vision and passion will continue to inspire us.
Arlene Peralta-Avila, Board President
Martin Dresner, Board President Emeritus
William Abramson, Board Vice President
Jeffrey Sussman, Board Treasurer
Shirley Secunda, Board Secretary
Scott Hobbs, Executive Director
William Kelley, Former Executive Director
Daniella LaRocco, Former Director of Planning and Economic Development
