Channel your inner Nicole Curtis and consider rehabbing one of the saddest houses in the Heights neighborhood. It might seem like a crazy idea to take on a project like this, but we have already had at least one successful purchase and rehabilitation begin on a previous “untouchable” home like this one from showcasing it on the blog. This is a great location and great neighborhood to consider.
Neglected beauty on the crest of Washington Heights. This one even boasts views of the Hudson River! Unbelievably, much of the original interior finish remains: beautiful wood trim, wood doors, solid staircase and even a wood mantelpiece. Unleash the river views. Enjoy them from the entire north side of the house – including the walk-up attic. Needs considerable (emphasis on considerable) work to bring this one back to life…but could be oh so rewarding.
9 Carson Avenue Newburgh NY
Asking Price: $1,190* Google Map
* This is the minimum price. The City of Newburgh will also entertain bids above the asking price. All interested purchasers need to submit a PODA (Private Owner Development Application) . The application is available on-line and at the City of Newburgh’s Planning & Development Office, 83 Broadway, Newburgh, NY. For additional information call: 845-569-7400.
Seeing inside this grand beauty is a special treat. It looks like it belongs in the English countryside. Judging from the photos, there doesn’t appear any need for renovations. Everything is move in ready. Many beautiful details remain, and I love the bathrooms. This house is located at the north west end of the city. It is much quieter and more suburban here. Make sure to click through the link to see many more photographs.
33 City Terrace North Newburgh NY (Kathleen Carhart, RE/MAX ) Asking Price: $385,000 Year Built: 1937 Size: 3,338 sq ft Neighborhood: North end of city Taxes: $17,489 Distance to NYC: 55.7 mi, 1 hr 2 mins Public Transportation: MetroNorth to Beacon, then take ferry across Closest Roadways: 9W, I-87, I-84 Google Map
The City of Newburgh is accepting requests for proposals for the purchase and rehabilitation of some of the most historically significant buildings in the city. Up for sale are the Dutch Reformed Church, the City Club aka William Culbert House and 2 Montgomery, a vacant urban renewal lot. RFP’s are due by Wednesday, February 1st, 2017.
A master developer is sought to collaborate with the City in the creation of viable residential, commercial, and public space. The empty lot is included for the purposes of providing for an income generating project to support the preservation and restoration of the City Club and the DRC, and to ensure a public use of the DRC. To view the RFP register with BidNet or check back with the city’s website to see if it has been published there.
The City has given a nice summary of historical details of the properties. Let’s take a look at each of the offerings.
Historic Dutch Reformed Church
Recognized as the ‘Beacon on the Hill”, this National Historic Landmark building was recognized as a “Save America’s Treasures” site by the federal government, was named one of the World Monument Fund 100 most endangered heritage sites and was named one of the “7 to Save” by the Preservation League of New York State in 2015. An outstanding Greek Revival building designed in 1835 by world-renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis, the monumental structure borrows proportions and details from classical Greek precedents and was intended as a symbol of the community’s enlightened taste.
Today, however, after several decades on non-use and neglect, the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) is in a dire state of disrepair needing immediate stabilization and extensive restoration. The magnificent, acoustically acclaimed interior has deteriorated significantly, specifically following a collapse of a large portion of the vaulted coffered ceiling in 2014. The DRC has been the site for a National Park Service and World Monument Fund Summer School in Restoration Arts in the early 2010s. Presently, the Preservation League of New York State has undertaken an update of the engineering study which will be available to potential developers. The nomination for the Dutch Reformed Church’s National Historic Landmark status is available upon request.
The City of Newburgh is seeking a full restoration of the DRC and re-establishment of its historic role as a civic center for the City, where people can gather together in common purpose to discuss ideas, celebrate our heritage and culture, host important events, and enjoy the arts. The final use and management of the DRC should be considered in consultation with the adjacent community in order to allow for some or all of those uses mentioned above, and to ensure long-lasting preservation of the structure.
The DRC, with its commanding hillside location, is highly visible from the river. Its lot size is approximately 160’ by 215’ (tax map parcel: section 19 block 1 lot 25). A community garden has been created along the southern end of the lot adjacent to the Newburgh Free Library and Newburgh Enlarged City School District administration building.
The City Club aka William Culbert House
Just south of the Dutch Reformed Church, is 120 Grand Street – commonly referred to as the “City Club” building. Like the DRC, it is located in the heart of Newburgh’s East End Historic District.
This distinctive brick and sandstone building was based on a collaborative design by Andrew Jackson Downing and Calvert Vaux. It was built between 1852 and 1857. A description of the building was included in the 1857 Vaux publication “Villas and Cottages” as Design No. 22 (“Suburban House with Curved Roof”). The building was originally designed as the home/office of William Culbert. In 1904, it became headquarters of the Newburgh City Club, an organization catering to the city’s leading businessmen and politicians. Shortly thereafter some additions were made to the original structure.
The building was carefully restored in the 1970’s but succumbed to a fire in 1981. Sadly, all that remains of the original structure are the foundation walls and exterior walls of the first and second stories. The first and second floors were listed as having a combined square footage of 7,128 square feet. The building has no interior walls or roof. The structure’s exterior walls are supported by interior steel beams.
The City Club building is prominently located on a 45’ x 122’ lot (tax map parcel: section 24 block 2 lot 17) at the corner of Grand and Second Streets. The property borders a parcel containing the Newburgh Free Library as well as the offices of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. The 1841 County Courthouse and St. George’s Episcopal Church, one of the oldest buildings in the City of Newburgh, sit across the street – to the west of the City Club building. A municipal parking lot is situated across Second Street, to the building’s south.
Both the City Club and the DRC are located in the Downtown Neighborhood zoning district. Interested developers are urged to consult the City of Newburgh’s Zoning Ordinance for information on the variety of uses permitted within the Downtown Neighborhood District.
A full exterior restoration would be preferred, however alternative plans for rehabilitation or reuse may be considered. Additionally, some public access or community use would be preferred. However, the City may consider projects or developments that offer less public access in exchange for a more substantial restoration.
Parcel of Former Urban Renewal Land
Bundled with the two historically significant buildings is 2 Montgomery Street, a 1.8 acre block of former urban renewal land bounded by Montgomery Street, Second Street, Colden Street, and Orange County Community College. This vacant, commercial parcel possesses panoramic, unobstructed views of the Hudson River and Mount Beacon.
The property is also known as 1-3 Colden Street, 2-34 Montgomery Street and 56 Second Street (tax map parcel: section 24 block 10 and lot 1.2). It was formed by combining several small lots into one larger parcel. Years ago, a city street transected the property; remnants of the street’s retaining walls emerge as outcroppings throughout certain sections of the lot. The parcel has access to both municipal water and sewer.
Mid to high-rise buildings, with shop fronts on the first floor to foster pedestrian activity, are encouraged in this zoning district. Projects that meet the zoning requirements without the need for substantial variances are expected. Details of the Waterfront Gateway Zone can be found at http://ecode.com/30538943.
The City of Newburgh is accepting requests for proposals for the purchase and rehabilitation of 257 Liberty Street. All proposals are due by December 7th. You can find the entire file for the RFP here. This building is historically significant, estimated to have been constructed between 1867 and 1872. Fortunately the city has given extensive details of the building, hoping they will entice the right developer.
The City of Newburgh is seeking a developer to repurpose this building for a public use that will serve the community and incorporate the use and maintenance of the adjacent public park into its programming.
The building at 257 Liberty Street is estimated to have been constructed between 1867 and 1872. It was first used as a parsonage for Calvary Presbyterian Church. Calvary Presbyterian Church originally stood next to the parsonage, on the lot of the present-day playground of Audrey Carey Park. The congregation of Calvary Presbyterian Church had separated from First Presbyterian Church (then located at the corner of First and Montgomery Streets) and built their own church at the location known today as 251 Liberty Street. In the 1940s, Calvary Church once again merged with the First Presbyterian Church. The reunited congregations occupied – and continue to occupy – the Frederick Clarke Withers’ Calvary Presbyterian Church that stands today at the corner of Grand and South Streets. During the 1940s, the vacated Liberty Street Calvary Church was acquired by the City of Newburgh. The City briefly considered using the church as a firehouse but instead, shortly after World War II, decided to demolish it and create a park. The parsonage, though, remained. Beginning in the 1950s, 257 Liberty housed the City’s Building Department, Office of the Corporation Counsel, Surrogate Court Office and Civil Defense Office. Through much of the 1960s the Red Cross and the Orange County Heart Association had offices in the building. By 1968, most of the municipal departments and the health organizations had left the building. The Newburgh Youth Corp moved into the building in the late 1960s, followed shortly thereafter by the Newburgh Community Action Committee (NCAC). The NCAC had offices at 257 Liberty Street for nearly 20 years until they also left the building. The building and playground subsequently fell into disrepair. In 2004, the playground was rehabilitated and dedicated to a former Newburgh Mayor Audrey Carey. The building remains unoccupied and continues to deteriorate.
This is another property from the City of Newburgh’s Planning and Development Department.
1860’s brick row house directly across from the Mount Saint Mary College campus. Last used as a 3-family home. Remarkable exterior brickwork and cornice details. But it needs a complete renovation. Sadly it has been neglected for many years. For more information, first consult the City of Newburgh’s website – www.cityofnewburgh-ny.gov – and click on the link on the left side of the home page titled “Buying Property From the City of Newburgh”. If you have any additional questions, call the Department of Planning and Development at 845-569-7400.”
251 Powell Avenue Newburgh NY
Asking Price: $19,300* Google Map
* This is the minimum price. The City of Newburgh will also entertain bids above the asking price. All interested purchasers need to submit a PODA (Private Owner Development Application) . The application is available on-line and at the City of Newburgh’s Planning & Development Office, 83 Broadway, Newburgh, NY. For additional information call: 845-569-7400.
If Newburgh’s inner city isn’t for you and you are interested in a good sized single family home that you can customize, check this one out. The street is busier but this part of the city is less dense. Most of the neighbors have maintained their homes nicely. I realize due to the state of the home, it might be hard to imagine it differently, but check out this renovation with an almost identical kitchen and attic bedroom. The living room is also similar, due to the direct entry into the living room from the doorway. If you like that renovation, the same could be done in this house.
131 North Street Newburgh NY (Donald Maher, BHHS Hudson Valley ) Asking Price: $74,900 Year Built: 1920 Size: 1,221 sq ft Neighborhood: North end of city Taxes: $7,300 Distance to NYC: 55.7 mi, 1 hr 2 mins Public Transportation: MetroNorth to Beacon, then take ferry across Closest Roadways: 9W, I-87, I-84 Google Map
