 |
||||||||
|
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Deborah Howard Pratt Area Community Council Beth Cooper Lawrence Architect Anthony Frustaci Bruno Frustaci Contracting, Inc. Carol Rosenthal, Esq. Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP Alla Antsis Antsis Design |
Though not protected by Landmark designation, the Pratt Area Community Council (PACC) acquired the severely deteriorated Gibb Mansion in 1998. Located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, the once-dilapidated mansion has been transformed into service-enriched housing for low-income community residents living with HIV/AIDS. The acquisition of the severely deteriorated Gibb Mansion – not to tear down, but to renovate for important new uses – shows a remarkable sensitivity to the value of New York’s historic built environment. “This is a great honor for all of us at PACC,” said Deborah Howard, the group’s executive director. “The award from the Preservation League for the Gibb Mansion gives us an opportunity to showcase our stated goals of fostering an equitable, diverse, engaged, and flourishing community in central Brooklyn – starting with the preservation and development of safe and affordable housing, a basic human right.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Anthony Conte, President, Shea’s Performing Arts Center Joseph Giambra, Commissioner Buffalo Dept. of Public Works Mayor Anthony Masiello, City of Buffalo Doris Collins Collins Restoration Thomas E. Jaeger, AIA Kideney Architects Rodems Construction Buffalo Plastering Boston Valley Terra Cotta |
This 3,000 seat theatre was built in 1926 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shea’s closed in the 1970s and was later threatened with demolition due to deterioration. Shea’s O’Connell Preservation Guild leased the building in 1981 and has managed the restoration process. The restored theatre now hosts an all-star lineup of Broadway musicals and brings much-needed business to downtown Buffalo. This project illustrates that with careful planning, successful restoration and preservation of historic architecture can be accomplished in ways that add to the vitality and economic well-being of our state’s urban centers. Shea’s is truly a celebration of a caring community’s efforts to save an irreplaceable landmark. “In addition to being the anchor of Buffalo’s Theatre District, Shea’s is featured in several historic and architectural tours of the Buffalo area,” said Anthony Conte, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. “Our recent efforts have increased the visibility and significance of Shea’s as an architectural gem, and we are honored to have been selected for this award.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Randall T. Crawford Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners Ian Shapiro Taitem Engineering Dolores D. Fleckenstein Past Director |
The National Register-listed Powers Library is believed to the oldest continuously occupied Free Association Library building in New York. In addition to needed renovations to the 1882 structure, the award-winning project included an addition built to provide handicap accessibility, new restrooms, and additional space for library patrons and community meetings. The Powers Library project offers a thoughtful and cost-effective solution to a challenge facing communities across the state. It shows that historic libraries can provide modern amenities while preserving a community’s treasured landmark and sense of place. “As director of Powers Library from 1977 to 2004, I have observed the growth of the library from a small, antiquated facility to a facility providing academic, cultural and social opportunities to all segments of our diverse population,” said Dolores D. Fleckenstein, Past Director. “We are delighted that the efforts we made to overcome design and funding challenges and complete a successful project will be recognized with this prestigious award.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Gail V. Webster Executive Director, HRH Charles Liscum, AIA Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis Roy Johnson Johnson’s Construction Donald J. Hines Associate Executive Director, HRH |
The Garden Street Row Houses were constructed in the 1890s as seven attached Queen Anne style homes. The row houses were in an advanced state of disrepair and decay when Hudson River Housing (HRH) acquired them. Now, saved from the wrecking ball, these houses are homes for low-income first-time property owners. The Preservation League salutes Hudson River Housing not only for its commitment to historic preservation, but for theexample set through their careful and creative restoration of these formerly dilapidated structures. To say that these buildings were brought back from the brink of demolition would not be an overstatement, and the League hopes that this successful project will serve as a model for other small cities. “This project was many years in the planning, and we spent almost as many years bringing it to fruition,” said Gail V. Webster, Executive Director of Hudson River Housing. “This is an example of people working together for the common good of a neighborhood, a city and a region. We are very proud to receive this award.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Virginia G. Searl, Architect Bero Architecture, PC Rev. Adam Ogorzaly, Pastor St. Stanislaus Kostka Church |
This 1909 Romanesque Revival church, built for Polish immigrants to the Rochester area, is a locally designated landmark and eligible for State and National Register listing. Built in an area that was then the outskirts of town, it is now an anchor of its urban neighborhood and remains the spiritual center of Rochester’s Polish community. The congregation of “St. Stan’s” and volunteers raised some $800,000, hired qualified contractors, and completed an extensive exterior and interior renovation. In addition to being an extraordinary architectural gem in a diverse, multi-ethnic neighborhood, St. Stan’s is the anchor on a major route into the city of Rochester. The restoration of this church has set the tone for additional neighborhood revitalization efforts including planters, community gardens, and restored commercial facades.” “Our congregation treasures its church and has shown a strong commitment to historic preservation with an overwhelming response to the restoration campaign,” said Kathleen Urbanic, chair of the restoration committee. “We are so pleased to receive this award.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Sheila Richards-Perez Kevin Murrett, R.A., A.I.A. Architectural Resources NYS OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH Karen Nicholson Agency Preservation Officer Thomas Cisek, R.A. Project Manager Revitalization Team Members: Steven Hoffman, Leslie Beck, Robert Badger, Michael Bartle, Nathan Hershowitz, Robert Lackey, John Odrzykowski, Marvin Swift, Donald Witte |
“Old Main” was built between 1837 and 1843 and is the oldest of New York’s four landmark psychiatric hospitals – including others in Poughkeepsie, Binghamton and Buffalo. When constructed, it was the largest and most modern single-purpose hospital of its kind in the nation. The grounds were equally impressive, created by landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing. The Office of Mental Health’s efforts to preserve and reuse New York State’s first institution built to provide care for the mentally ill holds the promise of inspiring adaptive reuse strategies for the State’s other endangered landmark psychiatric hospitals. “I would like to thank Governor Pataki for his leadership in finding an important new use for this historic building, and making this restoration project a reality,” said Sharon E. Carpinello, R.N., Ph.D., Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health. “I am very proud of the work done on Old Main by our project team, and I am thrilled that their hard work and attention to detail is being recognized.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Margo and Don Stever Founding Board Members The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center Akram Atallah Soundbuild, Inc. Nicholas Robinson Founding Board Member The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center Connie Silver, Conservationist Preservar, Inc. Joanne Tall, Jonathan Felsman Bond Street Architecture & Design |
Erected between 1910 and 1912, this handsome granite edifice became the gateway for one of the nation’s first (1903) planned suburban developments, Philipse Manor. In the 1970s, Penn Central ceased using the building, and its great fireplace and American Chestnut-paneled waiting room fell victim to vandals. The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center successfully restored the majestic building as a space for offices, poetry readings, writing workshops and other cultural programs. The restoration of the formerly abandoned railroad station is a wonderful example of the beautiful results that can be achieved through attention to professional standards in historic preservation and a creative approach to adaptive re-use. Once neglected and in disrepair, the station is now an amenity to the community and a year-round hub of activity. “When the majestic stone walls and setting of this structure cried out for restoration, not demolition – we listened,” said Margo Stever, Founding Board Member of The Hudson Valley Writers’ Center. “Today, the former train station serves as an inspiration to commuters, writers, and to all lovers of the arts and history.” top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: Vincent Lepera Architecture + Thomas C. Celli Celli-Flynn Brennan & Associates J. Lomnes Project Manager, Bast Hatfield |
In addition to exemplary maintenance and rehabilitation of the campus’ built environment, which includes historic Victorian brownstones and the Bush Memorial in Troy and renovations to buildings in Albany, The Sage Colleges initiated a home ownership assistance program in 1999. Dedicated to bringing more owner-occupants to historic homes in the neighborhood surrounding its Russell Sage College campus in Troy, the program is a partnership among Sage, Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP) and the Troy Architectural Program (TAP). The program’s centerpiece is a $5,000 grant for homeowners to use toward a down payment, closing costs or renovations. The Sage Colleges are truly a part of the urban fabric of Troy and Albany. Their responsible stewardship of the campus’ built environment, thoughtful renovation of its historic treasures, and successful neighborhood revitalization initiatives have proven to be a winning combination. “This recognition is a wonderful honor for all those at Sage who share the commitment to historical preservation – a project that is never done,” said Jeanne H. Neff, President of The Sage Colleges. top ^ |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| key participants: The Trustees of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation are: Janet L. Day Robert J. Kresse Thomas D. Lunt |
The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation has long been known for leadership in promoting private action for the public good. From the establishment of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy to the restoration of Graycliff, the Darwin Martin House and the Roycroft Inn – Western New York would look very different but for the financial support of The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. Another important project funded by The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation is The King Urban Life Center, housed in the former St. Mary of Sorrows church, which celebrated its grand opening in October, 1998. In the program prepared for the occasion, it was noted that the King Urban Life Center has been reborn to serve the individuals, families and children who live in the community surrounding it. Neighborhood children call it their school. Area residents can claim it as their community center. Western New York can take pride in its innovative educational programs and services. And other cities across America can find inspiration in this creative new life for an old Landmark building. “The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation is delighted to be recognized for our efforts in Western New York, and is looking forward to partnering with the Preservation League of New York State on many projects in the future,” said Robert J. Kresse, Trustee of the Foundation. top ^ |
