Manhattan's Morningside Heights is a neighborhood comprised of world-class institutions of higher learning and an array of early-twentieth-century apartment buildings bordered by two magnificent urban parks. Intent on protecting this rich architectural legacy, the Morningside Heights Historic District Committee (MHHDC) was organized in 1996 to advocate for its preservation. GDPC's involvement with this community effort began with the completion of a survey of its residential buildings, followed by a plan for a phased approach to local designation that culminated in several studies and presentations to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. After twenty-one years of grassroots advocacy by the MHHDC, bolstered by GDPC's services, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated Morningside Heights' first historic district, along with the cathedral and close of St. John the Divine.