Rescue Me: 61 Chambers St

61 Chambers Newburgh NY

This house is either 59 Chambers Street, or just a few numbers off. Maybe 61 Chambers. The location of 59 Chambers is the address of La Vida Urban Garden, a community garden that grows organic food, and holds community events.  Who knows what the interior holds, but there is no condemned sign from what can be seen. It’s small, and probably the perfect size for a small family or couple. Hopefully one day we can see a transformation take place.

Newburgh is New York State’s second largest historic district after NYC. Newburgh literally has hundreds of dilapidated and abandoned buildings just begging for someone to come scoop them up and restore them. I’ll continue to post my own photos, but if you have a particular building you would like to see saved, email me the photo of any building you appreciate that you would like to see rescued!

6 Comment

  • I wish there were perspective buyers for 17 & 25 Overlook Place. Both for sale, 17 Overlook is a single bungalow with very good interior, floors, fireplace. The house needs work on exterior but could be great for a single person or young couple. 25 Overlook is a twin to my house on the same street. It is listed as a two family with the tax department but I wish it would sell as a single family to buyers rather than renters.

  • I wish there were perspective buyers for 17 & 25 Overlook Place. Both for sale, 17 Overlook is a single bungalow with very good interior, floors, fireplace. The house needs work on exterior but could be great for a single person or young couple. 25 Overlook is a twin to my house on the same street. It is listed as a two family with the tax department but I wish it would sell as a single family to buyers rather than renters.

  • Just found out that this house is basically a shell.

  • As I sit at work on this Friday morning, my wife forwards to my attention a copy of this very article referencing homes in Newburgh, NY that need to be rescued. What in particular catches my attention is the home I see before me, is my father’s former residence.

    My father, Bey Alexander, was the former owner of 61 Chamber Street, Newburgh, NY and resided there for over 20 years. Not only was my father a resident of the community, he was a glimmer of light in a dark area of New York that many New Yorkers simply wanted to forget. My father’s efforts to improve the community were chronicled in a Times Herald Record article titled “His Pot of Gold is the Rainbow” by Ben Montgomery to which I’ve included the link below for all that would like to see what the efforts of one man can do for the betterment of an entire community.

    http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030622/NEWS/306229988&cid=sitesearch

    Seeing the picture of my father’s (Bey Alexander) home brought back many memories, both fond and not so fond. I immediately forwarded this article to all that know my father and I and who are aware of how much love and faith he had in the City of Newburgh, NY. I would say to father at times, “Dad, why do you care so much? This area will never change!” and his response still echoes in my ears to this day, “Bun (as he called me), there’s going to big things and big money in Newburgh, NY and I’m not leaving until I see it!”

    My father never had the chance to see the City of Newburgh transform as he passed away in September of 2010 and had sold the home to the church across the street from the house a few years earlier. Although my father never witnessed the transformation, his 20 year fight to make it happen certainly transformed his son, as I have found the pot of gold that is not at the end of the rainbow but rather in the man who looked to transform the community, one painted rock at a time….that being my father, Bey Alexander!

    The point of my response to this article, other than to pay respects to my dearly loved father, is to bring to light the fact that one man can make a difference, even if for a short period of time. Now imagine if the entire community was to make a similar effort? The sky would be the limit, rainbow, pot of gold and all included!

    Hopefully my two year old son will be able to witness the transformation of the City of Newburgh, NY that his “Pop Pop” never got to see ….I certainly won’t stop checking in to see the progress…..

    Good luck, Newburgh, NY!

    Bey D. Alexander

  • That was such a touching story. Thank you for sharing Bey. I truly also hope that we will get to see the pot of gold also 🙂

  • Bey, that was not only beautifully written but very touching to me having spent a lot of time at the 61 Chambers address. You’re father was an amazing man amd he livesnon in you. Very very nice to read your words my brother. Great writer. Love you.