Status of the 1999 Seven to Save

Status of the 1999 Seven to Save

Since the 1999 Seven to Save were announced, the Preservation League has been successful in bringing statewide and, in some cases, national attention to New York’s most threatened historic properties. The League is also pleased to announce that through partnering with local advocates, one of the Seven has officially been Saved. Unfortunately, some still face uncertain futures. Below is a status report of the 1999 Seven to Save.

Eastman Dental Dispensary, Rochester The dispensary was threatened with demolition by its current owner for a fast food restaurant and "big box" store. SAVED: The local preservation commission refused to give the owner a demolition permit, but the owner appealed the decision on the grounds of hardship and won. The Preservation League and the Landmark Society of Western New York supported the city’s appeal of the hardship case, and an Appellate Court upheld the original decision of Rochester’s preservation commission. While the building is not facing immediate demolition, a compatible use still needs to be found to truly save the Eastman Dental Dispensary.

Camp Santanoni, Newcomb Twenty years of vacancy and exposure to the weather deteriorated the camp to the point of possible demolition. Neglect and inadequate funding for restoration continued to endanger this Adirondack Great Camp. STATUS IMPROVED: In September 2000, New York State reclassified Camp Santanoni as a historic area within the Adirondack Park, making it legal to restore the camp. The Department of Environmental Conservation also approved a Unit Management Plan for the Camp Santanoni Historic Area, which will be the blueprint for its rehabilitation. The plan calls for spending about $750,000 over five years. In 2000, Santanoni was also designated a National Historic Landmark, which should help the state and its partners make an even stronger case for funding its preservation. However, the state’s 2001 allocation for building restoration and road improvements has yet to be released so work on the site is stalled.

Corning Free Academy (CFA), Corning This neighborhood school may be closed in favor of a larger, consolidated school. STATUS IMPROVED: Following months of often heated public debate, the Corning-Painted Post Board of Education recommended keeping CFA open and converting it to an elementary school (it’s a middle school now) but still constructing a new school five miles away. A June 2001 public referendum approved this plan, known as "Option 2." Two other historic neighborhood schools will not reopen despite a League and National Trust-funded feasibility study which showed that one of the schools could be rehabilitated for less than the estimate prepared by the school board.

U.S. Route 20 Sprawl and highway projects have compromised the character of historic villages and rolling farmland along this scenic and cultural landmark. STATUS IMPROVED: Strong local and statewide media coverage have helped publicize the assets of and the challenges facing U.S. Route 20. A Preserve New York grant of $8,000 (from a partnership program between the Preservation League and the New York State Council on the Arts) is supporting a cultural resource inventory of a 125-mile stretch of highway and is the first step toward seeking the state’s Scenic Byway designation. The survey began in 2001 by professionals, volunteers and SUNY Morrisville students but is on-hold until a final state budget is passed. However, DOT has allocated approximately $80,000 toward the project, and the funds are reported to be secure.

NYC Farm Colony-Seaview Hospital Historic District, Staten Island Years of neglect and exposure to the weather threaten this historic district with demolition. THREATENED: In 2000, the Municipal Art Society created an exhibit entitled Putting the Pieces Together: The Future of the Farm Colony-Seaview Historic District. It documented the architectural and environmental features of the district and explored potential restoration and reuse of the buildings and open space. A new not-for-profit board has been established to drive the redevelopment of the buildings, which remain vacant.

East End Historic District, Newburgh Vandalism and exposure to the weather have taken their toll on this historically, culturally and architecturally significant neighborhood. THREATENED: Despite greater visibility for the district and assistance from the League and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as some private investment, many buildings still face "demolition by neglect."

View from Olana, Greenport The power plant planned for the Village of Athens, across the Hudson River from State Historic Site Olana, could have detrimental effects on the famous views that inspired Hudson River Valley artists. THREATENED: The Athens Generating Station received its final federal permit and underwent ACHP review in May of 2001. Site construction has begun. A second threat to the Olana viewshed has emerged with the planned construction and operation of the St. Lawrence Cement plant. The League is monitoring and informing strong local and regional opposition to the plant, and has been granted an amicus role in the State permitting proceedings.

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last revised December 12, 2001
Preservation League of New York State

Eastman Dental Dispensary, Rochester The dispensary was threatened with demolition by its current owner for a fast food restaurant and "big box" store.	SAVED: The local preservation commission refused to give the owner a demolition permit, but the owner appealed the decision on the grounds of hardship and won. The Preservation League and the Landmark Society of Western New York supported the city’s appeal of the hardship case, and an Appellate Court upheld the original decision of Rochester’s preservation commission. While the building is not facing immediate demolition, a compatible use still needs to be found to truly save the Eastman Dental Dispensary.
Camp Santanoni, Newcomb Twenty years of vacancy and exposure to the weather deteriorated the camp to the point of possible demolition. Neglect and inadequate funding for restoration continued to endanger this Adirondack Great Camp.	STATUS IMPROVED: In September 2000, New York State reclassified Camp Santanoni as a historic area within the Adirondack Park, making it legal to restore the camp. The Department of Environmental Conservation also approved a Unit Management Plan for the Camp Santanoni Historic Area, which will be the blueprint for its rehabilitation. The plan calls for spending about $750,000 over five years. In 2000, Santanoni was also designated a National Historic Landmark, which should help the state and its partners make an even stronger case for funding its preservation. However, the state’s 2001 allocation for building restoration and road improvements has yet to be released so work on the site is stalled.
Corning Free Academy (CFA), Corning This neighborhood school may be closed in favor of a larger, consolidated school.	STATUS IMPROVED: Following months of often heated public debate, the Corning-Painted Post Board of Education recommended keeping CFA open and converting it to an elementary school (it’s a middle school now) but still constructing a new school five miles away. A June 2001 public referendum approved this plan, known as "Option 2." Two other historic neighborhood schools will not reopen despite a League and National Trust-funded feasibility study which showed that one of the schools could be rehabilitated for less than the estimate prepared by the school board.
U.S. Route 20 Sprawl and highway projects have compromised the character of historic villages and rolling farmland along this scenic and cultural landmark.	STATUS IMPROVED: Strong local and statewide media coverage have helped publicize the assets of and the challenges facing U.S. Route 20. A Preserve New York grant of $8,000 (from a partnership program between the Preservation League and the New York State Council on the Arts) is supporting a cultural resource inventory of a 125-mile stretch of highway and is the first step toward seeking the state’s Scenic Byway designation. The survey began in 2001 by professionals, volunteers and SUNY Morrisville students but is on-hold until a final state budget is passed. However, DOT has allocated approximately $80,000 toward the project, and the funds are reported to be secure.
NYC Farm Colony-Seaview Hospital Historic District, Staten Island Years of neglect and exposure to the weather threaten this historic district with demolition.	THREATENED: In 2000, the Municipal Art Society created an exhibit entitled Putting the Pieces Together: The Future of the Farm Colony-Seaview Historic District. It documented the architectural and environmental features of the district and explored potential restoration and reuse of the buildings and open space. A new not-for-profit board has been established to drive the redevelopment of the buildings, which remain vacant.
East End Historic District, Newburgh Vandalism and exposure to the weather have taken their toll on this historically, culturally and architecturally significant neighborhood.	THREATENED: Despite greater visibility for the district and assistance from the League and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as some private investment, many buildings still face "demolition by neglect."
View from Olana, Greenport The power plant planned for the Village of Athens, across the Hudson River from State Historic Site Olana, could have detrimental effects on the famous views that inspired Hudson River Valley artists.	THREATENED: The Athens Generating Station received its final federal permit and underwent ACHP review in May of 2001. Site construction has begun. A second threat to the Olana viewshed has emerged with the planned construction and operation of the St. Lawrence Cement plant. The League is monitoring and informing strong local and regional opposition to the plant, and has been granted an amicus role in the State permitting proceedings.