What’s going on with Liberty Street School?

(Picture taken from Hudson River Valley Heritage Library)

It’s crazy to see the state this school has fallen into from the pristine condition in the first photo. (You can click on the library link below the photo and even get a close up of the wardrobes of the people). And, you can check out more recent pictures of the school and Newburgh from Anna at Door Sixteen here. Here’s a bit of history of the structure: This school was designed by architect Frank E. Estabrook when in 1891 the contract was awarded to build the structure. The building contained 8 classrooms with enough room for 40 desks each. The estimated cost to build the structure was $30,000. The last class left this building in 1980. That is 29 years of non habitation.

I know I’m a little late with this but, for those of you wondering what was going on with the Liberty Street School here is a little information. An anonymous person informed me Bluestone Developers are in the process of restoring the building. I’m saddened to know that this WON’T become a building dedicated to artists as was once planned in 2003 by Philip Rudolp! After doing a little digging here are the minutes from the public hearing July 22, 2008. For a full version, click here. (Skip to the last paragraph to read a summary of the minutes)

“Requesting a Use Variance to renovate the existing Liberty Street School building into approximately 25 apartment units and the Johnes Street parcels for parking use…Jerome Blue, of Bluestone Developers, addressed the Board and explained how the exterior of the building, for the most part, will remain the same. The interior will consist of approximately 25 various sized apartment co-ops and the parking will be around the corner on Johnes Street.. He noted that one of the parcels included in the project is currently designated as a brownfield. The target is 80% market value and 20% affordable housing.”

Then on September 9, 2008 they were back again. Here are the minutes. Click here for full detail:

“The Board discussed the limitation of the interior brick work and roof repair to the stabilization of the structure and to install one over one wood windows and wood entry door for the purposes of stabilizing the building located at One Liberty Street. The Board also acknowledged the integration of the demolition of the building located at 5­11 Johnes Street into the project. “

On November 12, 2008 they were back again. Click here for full details.

“To install GAF fiberglass roof shingles, repair/restore cornice? rebuild existing gutter system? repair existing stone staircase? install new handicap concrete ramp with metal pipe railing? remove existing pavement? remove/replace existing concrete sidewalk and install new concrete sidewalk pattern to match existing on Renwick Street side? reset existing flagstone walk and install concrete sidewalk and patio area on Liberty Street side? install trees, shrubs and ground cover at One Liberty Street? remove concrete sidewalk and curb and install 6’ wood stockade fence and decorative lighting at 5­11 Johnes Street … The Commission discussed the application as submitted and requested that the Applicant return for further approvals regarding the color of the roof shingles and paint and for additional landscaping “

I was beginning to think nothing is going on with this structure, but apparently things are going on behind the scenes. They are going to knock down the building at 511 Johnes Street, but I guess it’s for the better because this school is huge. The impact of the restoration is going to be a lot greater than keeping one structure in the way. It is just really disappointing to see that the school didn’t end up becoming the artist haven it was once envisioned as. Newburgh could really use more community minded buildings, rather than more unconventional housing-no matter how awesome the condo’s might turn out. However, it’s great to see that the city/developer is making the structure historically accurate because they are already discussing roof shingles, paint, and landscaping. Now my question is-when do they break ground??? The last meeting minutes are 3 months old.

16 Comment

  • And who, exactly, will be buying the 25 co-op apartment units? I’m not sure the City of Newburgh can support that kind of development right now.

    I have a strong feeling this building will be vacant for a long, long time, but it’s awful that the building owner isn’t required to immediately stabilize the building NOW. It is in far worse condition today than it was when I took that photo in early 2006.

  • And who, exactly, will be buying the 25 co-op apartment units? I’m not sure the City of Newburgh can support that kind of development right now.

    I have a strong feeling this building will be vacant for a long, long time, but it’s awful that the building owner isn’t required to immediately stabilize the building NOW. It is in far worse condition today than it was when I took that photo in early 2006.

  • Those types of concerns are something that can be voiced to the city and to the developer. I’ll see if I can find contact info for those on the board at public hearing

  • Mary Crabb, Chairperson
    Mary Decker, Secretary
    123 Grand Street, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
    (845) 569­7400 Fax 569­0096

  • Mary Crabb, Chairperson
    Mary Decker, Secretary
    123 Grand Street, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
    (845) 569­7400 Fax 569­0096

  • I’m not talking about the Architectural Review Commission (with which Crabb and Decker are associated) saying yes or no to a proposed eventual plan, I’m talking about building owners being held accountable by the city for the stability of their properties RIGHT NOW — regardless of the stage of proposed development.

    Abandoned buildings are supposedly inspected by the city on a biweekly basis. If the building fails the inspection, the owner is, according to the city, given 7 days to correct the problems. Why is there no scaffolding around this building? If the developer is serious about this project moving forward, you would think it would be in their best interest to not let the building fall further and further into structural disrepair.

    The entire right side of the facade of this school is collapsing. Every day more bricks fall. The plywood that once covered the windows has fallen, leaving the structure totally exposed to the elements. The interior has completely collapsed.

    (And yes, I have called Codes Compliance. This is an epidemic problem in Newburgh.)

  • This Building was owned by the School District. They let it fall into disrepair and eventually the City got it a few years ago. The City still owns the building and property. They have an agreement to sell it to Bluestone at an agreed upon price when the work is done. There is a time limit on this agreement which as history shows they always come to the City Council for an extension of.
    I don’t think the ARC minutes captured this but we did inquire when Mr. Blue anticipated completion and he indicated within 12 to 18 mos. We really thought he was ready to get working on it. If he is getting state or fed. grants or tax credits he had to get local approval (granted) before going to the State Office of Historic Preservation which may be the only hold up. Spring is around the corner so maybe they will be starting then. I would encourage you to call Bluestone and to inquire at City Council meetings so they know people are watching and paying attention.
    I think it is sad that two schools Nora Crowin and San Miguel were looking for appropriate buildings but were never offered this building.
    It would be almost completed by now.

    Brigidanne

    P.S. Mary Decker is no longer serving as Secretary to the ARC. You may address correspondence to the Chairperson Mary Crabb c/o Codes Office. Although there is little she can do the City Council holds more sway over Bluestone right now, than the ARC.

  • This Building was owned by the School District. They let it fall into disrepair and eventually the City got it a few years ago. The City still owns the building and property. They have an agreement to sell it to Bluestone at an agreed upon price when the work is done. There is a time limit on this agreement which as history shows they always come to the City Council for an extension of.
    I don’t think the ARC minutes captured this but we did inquire when Mr. Blue anticipated completion and he indicated within 12 to 18 mos. We really thought he was ready to get working on it. If he is getting state or fed. grants or tax credits he had to get local approval (granted) before going to the State Office of Historic Preservation which may be the only hold up. Spring is around the corner so maybe they will be starting then. I would encourage you to call Bluestone and to inquire at City Council meetings so they know people are watching and paying attention.
    I think it is sad that two schools Nora Crowin and San Miguel were looking for appropriate buildings but were never offered this building.
    It would be almost completed by now.

    Brigidanne

    P.S. Mary Decker is no longer serving as Secretary to the ARC. You may address correspondence to the Chairperson Mary Crabb c/o Codes Office. Although there is little she can do the City Council holds more sway over Bluestone right now, than the ARC.

  • Brigidanne, thank you for the clarification and additional insight. Knowing that the building is indeed still owned by the City is even MORE frustrating.

    This morning I noticed that one of the basement windows has been removed, and that trespassing clearly is taking place. It also appears that an additional portion of the right front facade is collapsing. I will take photos and make myself heard.

    I have very little hope this project will ultimately be a success (25 brand new co-op apartments in the City of Newburgh? Now??), but at the very least the structure itself needs to be saved and kept from further deterioration.

  • I am a recent home owner in Washington Heights and this project is a very sore point with me. The entire quadrant of which the school is one section, at Renwick and Liberty, is a disgrace. This is a signifcant four corners. I just called Bluestone Developers and was informed Mr. Jerome Blue was "out of the office". I left a message for him to get back to me. A few months ago they did some brick work on the exterior facade and when I spoke weith the forman he said they would be continuing their work. They have not and in the meantime the building continues to deteriorate. It is wide open, open to the ellments dangerous to children who might enter it and a center of illegal activity. The building could be a gem and serve as an anchor to the Heights. Right now, it is a major eye sore. As for Mr. Blue and the City of Newburgh…well, what more can one say, but hopefully residents in the neighborhood will advocate for some real progress.

  • I am a recent home owner in Washington Heights and this project is a very sore point with me. The entire quadrant of which the school is one section, at Renwick and Liberty, is a disgrace. This is a signifcant four corners. I just called Bluestone Developers and was informed Mr. Jerome Blue was "out of the office". I left a message for him to get back to me. A few months ago they did some brick work on the exterior facade and when I spoke weith the forman he said they would be continuing their work. They have not and in the meantime the building continues to deteriorate. It is wide open, open to the ellments dangerous to children who might enter it and a center of illegal activity. The building could be a gem and serve as an anchor to the Heights. Right now, it is a major eye sore. As for Mr. Blue and the City of Newburgh…well, what more can one say, but hopefully residents in the neighborhood will advocate for some real progress.

  • I tried contacting them myself to no avail. I will do some more digging to see what I can come up with.

  • I tried contacting them myself to no avail. I will do some more digging to see what I can come up with.

  • What is the update on this? That school still looks the same as it did in the 2009 photo.
    I cannot imagine that there is no market for an educational use for this building given that most public schools in Orange do NOT offer onsite elementary programs for autism for example.There is no school on this side of the river like Eagle Hill and Windward for bright learning disabled students.
    ???Parents needing pediatric physical rehab are still traveling down to Atlanta for the pediatric SCI program at Shephard. Maybe a work week boarding program could work for NYC kids.

    Why can’t some need be identified that is different than upscale condo which is quite frankly a stretch for that location–Construction jobs are great but they do not provide long term economic benefit to the community.It is a school building so it is designed to have lovely classrooms.Another area that s booming is residential programs during the summer for foreign –Korean and Chinese students who want to learn English. NYC is nearby for cultural day trips as are many Hudson River Valley places.Outreach to the community could include English for the Spanish speaking locals.

  • What is the update on this? That school still looks the same as it did in the 2009 photo.
    I cannot imagine that there is no market for an educational use for this building given that most public schools in Orange do NOT offer onsite elementary programs for autism for example.There is no school on this side of the river like Eagle Hill and Windward for bright learning disabled students.
    ???Parents needing pediatric physical rehab are still traveling down to Atlanta for the pediatric SCI program at Shephard. Maybe a work week boarding program could work for NYC kids.

    Why can’t some need be identified that is different than upscale condo which is quite frankly a stretch for that location–Construction jobs are great but they do not provide long term economic benefit to the community.It is a school building so it is designed to have lovely classrooms.Another area that s booming is residential programs during the summer for foreign –Korean and Chinese students who want to learn English. NYC is nearby for cultural day trips as are many Hudson River Valley places.Outreach to the community could include English for the Spanish speaking locals.

  • NJP- we should be hearing something soon. But I don’t think there is an education possibility anywhere in the plans.