Update on Liberty Street School

Liberty Street School Newburgh

Back on June 18, 2012 at a City Council meeting, further updates were announced regarding the Liberty Street School, designed by Frank E. Estabrook. Here’s a little summary of what was said.

-In 2008 Bluestone Developers entered a Land Purchase Agreement with the City of Newburgh to purchase and redevelop the school.
-In 2009 Bluestone and the City entered an Option to Purchase Agreement for empty lots that would be used for parking at the school on Johnes Street.
-In 2010 the City issued Bluestone a stop work order
-The City Council now feels that it is in the best interest of the City to continue development of the site with Bluestone

Now that the work order has been lifted, Bluestone has a timeline in which they must submit construction plans and a building permit within 4 months of the June 18th City Council meeting. After the closing, completion of the work must occur within 18 months. The purchase price for all of the properties was $50,001.00.

That means that by October 18th the plans must be submitted. And Bluestone will have a year and a half to complete the work after they close on the purchase.

Bluestone shared their plans in 2009 and 2010 to renovate the school into condos. If not too much has changed, the school will look like the photo below:

The building would have 25 apartment units and restore original walls when possible. Some community members are worried that with the current state of the economy not many would be interested in purchasing a condo at the school and, in turn they would become public assisted housing. Would you be interested in purchasing a condo there?

One fact remains is that the renovation of this building would remove a giant eyesore to Liberty Street and it could become an anchor to the commercial district and the Heights Neighborhood. It just depends on how it is done and who would be moving in. For now it continue to deteriorate. If you love the Liberty Street School check out the Save the Liberty Street School Fanpage for old articles, photos, and discussions on the school.

Thank you Yaakov for the City Council information.

-Photo ©Jonathan Valle Photography , 2010

2 Comment

  • Interesting… I live in a very small town outside of Philadelphia. We have a very similar situation with a long-abandoned building. It’s just been sold for the amount owed in liens, (minimal) and now we are finding out that the developer has applied for low-income housing funding. Which will also give them a tax-abatement.

    Small towns are a funny place… three months ago, everyone was thrilled that this eyesore would be restored… now they’re outraged.

  • I think the condos are a great idea – it would be great if they could make it “mid-income” housing for people like me…I don’t consider myself low-income, and I don’t qualify for low income housing, I work two jobs yet I still can’t afford anything larger than a studio around here.
    Rant over. :o)
    I am so anxious to see this project come to fruition. I drive by the school all the time, I love the Heights. I’ll definitely keep a watch on this one!