Preservation beats progress in New York City.

• Position: On First Reading

Historic preservation and the New York Afro-American community have won a battle over protecting an ancient burial ground (in prime real estate).

The trouble began when the General Services Administration (GSA)--the federal government agency charged with construction and maintenance of buildings--purchased property for a $276-million, 34-story office building on the corner of Broadway and Reade streets in New York City.

In Colonial days the desolate stretch was too poor to farm and became a burial site for thousands of slaves, felons and Revolutionary War prisoners. As the city grew, the ravine was filled, the graveyard forgotten, the property subdivided and built upon. The land evolved into some of the highest priced real estate in the nation.

After paying $104 million for the property, the GSA began excavation for the federal tower--only to have its heavy equipment unearth human bones.

Historians and archaeologists, armed with ancient records and antique maps, announced that the feds were digging up the "Negros Burial Ground" first used in 1697 when officials forbade the burial of African slaves in Trinity Church cemetery.

With contentions the GSA was stonewalling efforts to preserve the historic remains in order to meet its construction schedule, Afro-American community outrage flared.

Senator David Paterson of Harlem entered the fray, initiating action that led to a federal...