Great news just came over from another great Newburgh blog, My Second Favorite Organ. This home that I photographed last year that was in need of saving will indeed receive some aid from Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately it looks like they might tear it down because it is unsalvageable, but the restoration of a home on this plot will do a great service to this section of Liberty Street! Two homes that were once abandoned will now be added back to the list of rehabilitated homes. Check out My Second Favorite Organ for photos of the back of the home. It’s a wonder it hasn’t collapsed already!
Find out everything you need to know to purchase your own home this Saturday!
Saturday, October 22, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free Admission The Henry A. Wallace Center At the FDR Presidential Library & Home 4079 Albany Post Road (Route 9) Hyde Park, NY 12538
The work at 11 Henry is moving right along. Already there is a huge difference than what it looked like a few months ago. Check out the rendering to see what the final product will eventually look like. Neighbors say a lot of work has been happening and it shows. There is probably a lot being done to the interior, but as far as what we can see has been done to the exterior, paint has been removed, the porch is being redone, windows have been replaced as well as the bay window being restored, and the cornice is already seeing some paint. Can’t wait to see how the rest turns out!
April 14th marks the day that the City of Newburgh will hold an auction for 50 distressed and vacant properties/land. This one at 197 Lander is up for sale. Apparently the city has changed some of the auction rules in hope of receiving more buyers this time around. Click on this link to a THR news article that sums up the changes. You can click here (PDF) for more info and pictures of the properties for sale. Click here for the official auction site with bidder entry forms and info or, read below for further details.
Proposed Terms of Auction:
No owner occupancy required for existing structures
Building permit needed within 12 months and certificate of occupancy within 18 months for existing structures
For vacant properties, no building permit required, but must keep property clean, in accordance with property maintenance code. If purchased by adjacent property owner and lot is substandard in size under zoning requirements, the lot must be merged.
For 4 very dilapidated buildings in the Historic District (21 Leroy Place, 10 and 12 Van Ness Street and 16 William Street) City hopes to have demolition permits pre-approved. For bidding on those properties, buyers must demo building within 6 months. No requirement to build new structure within 18 months. When building construction is economically feasible, must be done with ARC approval. If purchased by adjacent property owner, lot must be merged, if lot is substandard in size under zoning..
Some contiguous properties will be sold as a package with requirement to merge.
Other details:
Some properties in the Historic District, may qualify for a property tax exemption for improvements that are made to the interior and exterior of the building. The Architectural Review Commission may be able to confirm that the building is contributing to the character of the Historic District and, thereby, qualify for historic properties alteration, rehabilitation, and renovation tax exemptions under the City Code. Not all properties may qualify for the exemption.
In addition, a property tax exemption is available for first time home buyers, when the value of the improvements exceeds $3000. Details of these programs are available in the Department of Development and the Tax Assessor’s Office.
The “Rescue Me” post featured 2 weeks ago showed the above home in the vacant disarray condition that it currently is in. Thankfully I have come to find out this home will be rescued! Above is the rendering that was done by Minuta Architecture, who were nice enough to send over the rendering. Looking at some of the specifications, it looks like the original brick will get a make over and will have all that paint removed. I’ll continue to follow the progress. It will be a striking contrast from what it once was!
Habitat for Humanity has just shared some exciting news for Newburgh. Director of Development, Marci Gurton said they have “been selected (out of 2,300 affiliates) to receive the lumber milled from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It will help build a home for a working family, not to mention garner the largest (and only) national publicity the Newburgh Habitat has ever seen.” It’s huge, and they are so grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully this event will help raise more awareness to revitalization of Newburgh and to Habitat’s work here.
Ms. Gurton also mentioned, “The special nature of this gift also raises awareness about the critical need for affordable housing in our community and the ongoing efforts for neighborhood revitalization.” The milling ceremony will be held January 7th. To read more information and see a nice slide show, click on this link here. For more positive Newburgh news check out this link.
