Iron Block Named to Seven to Save List

CONTACTS

Preservation League of New York State Colleen M. Ryan 518-462-5658

Preservation Watertown Brian Gorman 315-408-6486

ALBANY, January 21, 2005 – The Preservation League of New York State has named The Iron Block at 29-39 Public Square in Watertown one of New York State’s Seven to Save, the nonprofit group’s annual list of the Empire State’s most threatened historic places.

The building is threatened with imminent demolition by the City of Watertown despite being structurally sound.  Standing at the northwest corner of Public Square, the wood and iron frame, brick-faced structure built in 1850 dominates the approaching view from Washington and Franklin Streets, two of the seven main roads that converge at the Square.  Listed on the National and State Registers of historic places, the State Historic Preservation Office recognizes the Iron Block as “... an anchor for the entire historic district.”

Watertown is at a critical crossroads and the City Council has one last opportunity to avoid th loss of yet another significant downtown building," said Brian W. Gorman of Preservation Watertown, Inc. "Over the last decade, many irreplaceable buildings have fallen to the wrecking ball, most recently the American Hotel and Smith Building, which were both torn down months after completion of stabilization work. If demolition of the Iron Block proceeds, the result will be an enormous storefront gap, merely opening views to a large parking lot and the backs of several buildings on an adjacent street."

However, while Watertown's historic commercial core is threatened today, these proud buildings could enjoy a new life.

“Like a phoenix, the Iron Block building that stands today rose from the ashes of the great fire of 1849,” said Tania Werbizky, Director of Technical and Grant Programs for the Preservation League of New York State.  “If stabilized and marketed for eventual reuse, the Iron Block can rise once again.  But the City of Watertown must recognize that its downtown historic buildings represent critical components for any sustained economic renewal, and the threat of yet another loss of a historic structure bodes poorly for Watertown’s future planning efforts.”

According to Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League, Watertown’s historic resources must be recognized as critical components of a successful revitalization effort. “This Seven to Save listing furthers the League’s efforts to support the revitalization of historic downtowns and Main Streets across New York State, and to foster the growth and development of new preservation advocacy organizations in underserved areas of New York State.”

In addition to the Iron Block, the Seven to Save list for 2005 includes:

• Hudson Area Library, Hudson, Columbia County
• The Herkimer County 1834 Jail, Herkimer County
• Todd Shipyards Graving Dock, Brooklyn, Kings County
• St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Harlem, New York County
• The Old Custom House, Niagara Falls, Niagara County
• The Guastavino Tile House, Bay Shore, Suffolk County

A complete description of Seven to Save designees can be found on the League’s web site at www.preservenys.org .

Since 1999, publicity surrounding the Seven to Save designation has led to the stabilization of St. Joseph’s Church in Albany; the rehabilitation of the Oswego City Public Library, the adaptive re-use of the former Niagara Falls High School as a cultural and arts center, and prevented the demolition of the Conger Goodyear House on Long Island.

The Preservation League of New York State, founded in 1974, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of New York’s diverse and rich heritage of historic buildings, districts and landscapes. From its headquarters in Albany, it provides a unified voice for historic preservation. By leading a statewide movement and sharing information and expertise, the Preservation League of New York State promotes historic preservation as a tool to revitalize the Empire State’s neighborhoods and communities.