Gigliotti Gas Station in Geneva
Named to "Seven to Save" List
Preservation League continues listing most endangered places

CONTACTS

Preservation League of New York State Colleen M. Ryan 518-462-5658 x17 cryan@preservenys.org

Geneva City Historian Steve O’Malley 315-521-3253 (mobile)

ALBANY, March 5, 2007 – The Preservation League of New York State will name the former Gigliotti Gas Station in Geneva, Ontario County to the nonprofit group’s annual list of the Empire State’s most threatened historic resources, Seven to Save. The announcement will take place at the New York State Armory at 300 Main Street, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6.

This 1920s, semi-circular, colonnaded gas station is an unusual and rare example of early roadside architecture, and appears to be unique in New York State. Purchased by the City of Geneva as part of a now-defunct expansion plan for an adjacent site, the building is now vacant, neglected and threatened with demolition. The City Council has voted for demolition despite a purchase offer and redevelopment proposal.

“The city of Geneva is enjoying a renaissance, with a great deal of that revitalization taking place in the National Register-eligible Downtown Geneva Historic District,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of New York State. “As the city’s website says, Geneva has a ‘downtown dedicated to its past with amenities for the present,’ and we are here today to ensure that the Gigliotti gas station plays a role in the future.”

Like many former gas stations, the site may be contaminated with hazardous substances. Local advocates and League staff, however, believe that “brownfield” issues can be addressed without demolition, and that the building can once again become a focal point in a pedestrian-friendly downtown street.

“The Gigliotti gas station may be small but it reflects a big idea – the City Beautiful movement which took America by storm with the opening of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The Fair’s exhibit buildings, with their classical details, inspired the design of city halls, banks, schools and commercial buildings well into the 1920s,” said Tania Werbizky, director of technical and grant programs for the Preservation League. “The Gigliotti building, with its stately Doric columns, is a rare – possibly unique – remaining example in the state of this national design trend as applied to filling station architecture. The recognition and preservation of this building would complement earlier preservation success stories in Geneva, and add an important architectural feature to the Finger Lakes tourist experience.”

The Preservation League is pledging its support to identify strategies for dealing with the threats and opportunities that this distinctive building is facing. “We plan to continue working with local advocates, elected officials and others to return this building to its rightful place as a link between the Geneva Public Library, the Smith Opera House and businesses on Seneca Street,” said DiLorenzo. “We commend the city for its efforts on these and other structures, and look forward to bolstering the statement on the city’s website that ‘Geneva has a committed populace that understands the need to preserve its past while building for its future.’”

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, and prevented the demolition of the Conger Goodyear House on Long Island, along with successes at other locations.

The Dana L. Lyon School in the Village of Bath, Steuben County; the Stockade Historic District in Kingston, Ulster County; The Lamotte Cohu House, known as “Gissa Bu” in Southampton, Suffolk County; and Henry Varnum Poor’s “Crow House” in New City, Rockland County, were previously named to this year’s Seven to Save list. Additional announcements will be made around the state in coming weeks.

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.

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