Kingston Stockade District 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

Friends of Historic Kingston Jane Kellar 845-339-0720

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBANY, January 24, 2007 – The Preservation League of New York State has named the Kingston Stockade District in Ulster County to the nonprofit group’s annual list of the Empire State’s most threatened historic resources, Seven to Save.

The State and National Register-listed and locally designated Kingston Stockade District comprises an 8-block area that developed over three centuries as the business center of the city as well as the location of county government. The original street plan of Kingston was designed by Provincial-Governor Peter Stuyvesant in 1658, and the district retains a large cluster of native limestone houses built by descendants of the early settlers. However, more than 300 years of architectural and historical distinction is currently threatened by large-scale development.

“Residential development could bring a much-needed boost to Kingston’s economy,” said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of New York State. “But the scope and scale of proposed developments will dwarf existing early architecture, and forever change the character of the neighborhood.”

The Teicher Organization has proposed a condominium building including a parking garage and retail space on the site of the City’s current 2-level parking garage. The building would tower nine stories above North Front Street, the boundary of the Stockade District, and rise to 12 stories at the rear. The Senate House State Historic Site, the first capitol of New York State and an individual landmark, is within the boundary of this district.

Local stakeholders have formed a coalition, Citizens Concerned for Planning Kingston’s Future, Inc., to reflect the broad concerns about the project. The coalition includes Friends of Historic Kingston, Friends of Rondout, Friends of Kingston Waterfront, Old Dutch Church, Friends of Senate House, and many citizens. “We are not necessarily opposed to development on the site, but are calling for a sensitive development process that includes proper scale and design,” said Lowell Thing, a member of Citizens Concerned for Planning Kingston’s Future. “Such a project would contribute to the vitality and growth of the city, but this oversized project of 214 units threatens the character and integrity of the uptown historic district.”

The city of Kingston has an established review process which could guide the alteration of the design for a more appropriately-scaled project, and local advocates want that review process to be implemented. “The existing zoning height restriction is 62 feet, set by the base of the Old Dutch Church Steeple,” said Jane Kellar, Director of Friends of Historic Kingston. “A building that exceeds this height limit will irreparably alter the character of the district.”

Kingston was the third of the first three urban areas settled in New York State – after Albany and New Amsterdam – and was the leading urban settlement in the mid Hudson Valley. “What happens at Kingston’s historic Stockade District is not only of importance to this city but to the entire region, and indeed is of statewide and national importance,” said Dr. Christopher Lindner, President of the regional preservation group Hudson River Heritage. “There are alternatives that could bring new development to the Uptown area while protecting its irreplaceable early historical resources that stand remarkably intact.  We urge the city to fully explore and develop such alternatives.”

According to Tania Werbizky, Director of Technical and Grant Programs at the Preservation League, the Seven to Save program also provides the opportunity for the League to work with strong local advocates. “We plan to partner with our Preservation Colleagues, Friends of Historic Kingston, as well as Citizens Concerned for Planning Kingston’s Future during this next year to educate developers, property owners and politicians alike on the value of the area’s historic resources. We hope to build consensus that solid preservation policies are not impediments, but stepping stones to successful and productive communities.” 

The Preservation League is pledging its support to identify strategies for dealing with the threats and opportunities that this distinctive neighborhood is facing. “We are looking forward to working with groups like Hudson River Heritage and others to develop tools to promote the value of the range of existing built resources,” said DiLorenzo. “Together, we can surely come up with a plan for development which enhances rather than overshadows the character of the area.”

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, was recently named to the 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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