Preservation and Restoration

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Developments
05/03/10 7:00am

New Proposed Project on Broadway and Liberty Street

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Corner of Broadway and Liberty
(click to enlarge for detail)
©Coppola Associates  

I am always in awe anytime I see old photos of the grand old Newburgh so many people talk about. Looking at old photos you can see they were certainly right. You can see a bustling city with a lot of life and movement. You can also see a walkable Newburgh were everything you could have possibly needed was probably available at every corner shop around. Today, there are so many empty lots in Newburgh it’s kind of hard to imagine such a busy mini metropolis. But it really did exist, and now there is the opportunity to transform yet another empty space as it once was above. So, some of you have heard the buzz that a brand new project is in the making on an empty lot in Newburgh. Well, it’s true, but it has a lot of finishing touches left before it can be approved and construction can begin. For now let’s talk about the things we do know.

©Coppola Associates  

Coppola Associates is planning a huge project on Broadway and Liberty Street. This is an exciting pivotal project for the City of Newburgh in this economy. This could drastically change the area in many different ways. The project would be located on the South East Corner of Broadway. It’s a 5 story building, with commercial store fronts along the first floor. The architecture of the building will compliment the historic landscape of neighboring buildings, as well as echo the architecture of the building that once stood there for about 100 years before as you can see in the original photo above. They will also be using green building efforts in the construction. Parking will be included in the project as you can see in the rendering. It suggests that perhaps there will be an underground or rear parking lot. However, the parking situation is something that will probably be tweaked with time. 

Two and three bedroom apartments (1100-1400 sq ft each) are also included in the plan with about half of them being affordable housing. They are targeting people from different career backgrounds and demographics. They are also targeting the growing senior population, who will be able to remain active in the communities in which they have lived, but without the burden of maintaining houses, removing snow, mowing lawns, etc. They feel that affordable housing will give seniors this option.

©Coppola Associates 

It’s going to take time to get all of the approvals for this project because there will be a lot of planning involved. Parking is already a tight situation in Newburgh. So, the City will have to come up with public transportation and parking ideas to accommodate the growing Newburgh population. Remember, Newburgh used to have trolley and bus system. This made it easy for people to live and work in Newburgh with out a car. Also, affordable housing isn’t in the master plan of the City council, but as Coppola Associates mentioned to me, the renderings will change over time. That might come as a result of compromising on different levels and not just on design. Time will only tell. 

It is extremely positive that Newburgh has someone willing to construct a project that could drastically change the neighborhood. When word got out about a possible new project in Newburgh two people said, “it helps us envision a better Newburgh,” and “any progress is good news.” Local established businesses would greatly benefit from added traffic from new residents. Also, the new commercial space could motivate business owners and entrepreneurs to fill up the new and existing store fronts of the area. This section of Newburgh could become walkable again. Overall, compromises will have to be made and brainstorming done. This is just another positive drop in the bucket for the restoration of Newburgh. We’ll be watching closely.

*Thank you Coppola Associates for providing the renderings.

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Preservation and Restoration
04/23/10 7:00am

Community Meetings

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If you live in the Washington Heights section of Newburgh, here is a heads up for a new community organization in the making. Their first meeting will be held April 29 at 7pm. Here is their official announcement:
Dear Neighbors,
The time has come for a safer, cleaner, better neighborhood, and it won’t happen without your help! Please come to an inaugural meeting to revitalize the Heights (Neighborhood) Association on Thursday, April 29th at 7pm at our Community Center located at 104 S. Lander Street (South Lander between Courtney and Overlook).  The meeting will end promptly at 9pm. 

The goals for the meeting are to meet each other, compile a list of concerns regarding our neighborhood, and organize the Association.  In the interest of time, fairness and efficiency, we will moderate the meeting by giving all those who wish to speak a maximum of five minutes.

Please come with your concerns and consider how you can help us move forward.  At the very least, we need volunteers to help coordinate Association activities (e.g. interim Association officers, and project volunteers for things such as membership, crime alert, etc..).  If you would consider volunteering, please email us at this address heightsassociation{at}gmail{dot}com.

Vista volunteers will be helping us publicize this meeting.  However, please help us spread the word by forwarding this email to anyone living within our Association’s boundaries, which are the area West of Bridge Street,  East to Bay View, from the North side of Benkard south to Bay View.

Also, this Thursday from 5-7pm will be an event with the Newburgh Preservation Society. They will be presenting an evening with Wint Aldrich, Historic Preservation Deputy Commissioner, for a Discussion on “Historic Preservation in Tough Times”. The event will be held at Chill Wine Bar, 173 Main Street, Beacon, NY. A cash bar and light appetizers will be served along with the chance of winning a door prize. Cost: $10.00. Please RSVP by April 23rd by calling Nancy Billman at 845.562.8076 or email ncbillman227@aol.com
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East Parmenter
04/15/10 7:00am

East Parmenter Construction Update

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© Jonathan Valle Photography 

First, a huge thank you is due to Jonathan Valle for the awesome pictures he provided me of the new East Parmenter Houses! Click to enlarge for awesome detail. Oh, and one more thing. If you love these pictures as much as I do and you want to share them, make sure you credit Jonathan for his work. 

Back to the story. Remember back in September when Newburgh Restoration told you about the Neighborhood Foundation Celebration of the East Parmenter neighborhood? Well things are taking off! Remember what this exact same corner used to look like?


Leyland Alliance and Habitat for Humanity have pulled these homes together in very little time. And it’s just the start. Eventually there will be more homes built on this street according to their neighborhood master plan. The plan includes two pocket parks, historically-designed street lamps, underground utilities and city water and sewer. Only sixteen residences will be available for purchase. They are targeting the neighborhood to “teachers and fire or police professionals.” As well as the “creative class of artists, writers, entrepreneurs and boomers.” Click here for photos during the construction.

This was a scary street to be on before. But, with the hope of new families moving in, things could drastically change on this small block. It’s also right down the street from Washington’s Headquarters, Habitat’s ReStore, and all the shops on Liberty Street. It’s also very close to the Ritz Theater. We will be following this closely to see how this project develops.



Check out the following link to  see more examples of Newburgh Real Estate.

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Preservation and Restoration
04/14/10 7:00am

A feast of the Arts 4th Biennial Fine Art Auction

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Newburgh’s historic West Shore Train Station will be the venue for “A Feast of the Arts” 4th biennial fine art auction which will be featuring local artists. It will benefit the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.

Sunday, April 25, 2010 at The Historic West Shore Train Station
Preview Reception (wine bar and hor d’oeurves) — 2pm
Live Auction — 4pm
Live auction/Silent Auction/Chinese Auction

Tickets $25 in advance; $30 at the door
Ticket price includes chances for the Chinese Auction

For tickets and information please call 845-561-2585
or visit our website www.newburghhistoricalsociety.com


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Preservation and Restoration
03/18/10 7:00am

Contributing From Afar

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©Times Herald-Record/JEFF GOULDING

Many people follow this blog because you grew up in Newburgh and have fond memories. Many of you have gone off and moved away, started families, and retired far away; yet you still hold Newburgh dear to your hearts. Quite frequently requests are made about how monetary contributions can be made to restoration efforts in Newburgh. Well, here is a prime example of a historic structure that is in need of donations to keep progress moving forward….(great pictures to follow)


Dutch Reformed Church– As mentioned in the Times Herald Record article, “two new projects, one ready to go and one in the planning stages, would together open it to the public when just 10 years ago, its west wall was ready to collapse. But the City of Newburgh, which is in the middle of a financial crisis, can’t afford the $50,000 it is supposed to spend toward the first project.” Another article also mentions, “According to Stuart Sachs, chairman of the Dutch Reformed Church Restoration Committee, repairs to the ceiling are all that is holding up progress from the next step in restoring the Newburgh site.” You can read more on their restoration progress here. Also, check out the historic structure report for detailed photos of the interior which show things like hidden murals and stencils (PDF files).

1967, Year last service was held
(Dutch Reformed Church)

The reuse of the building has many possibilities. The restoration committee has already considered many aspects that will be needed to bring the building to function for future events and ensure that the building is never unoccupied. If you would like to see this building restored with new life and performances click here to donate now. When this project is completed it could bring a huge positive impact on Newburgh.

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Preservation and Restoration
01/21/10 8:00am

Help Continue to Preserve Newburgh

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Click to Enlarge 

The NPA – Newburgh Preservation Association, an all-volunteer organization founded in 1978 will be hosting after-work get-togethers to raise awareness of its mission, to network with the community, and build membership. The first will take place January 28th, and the other dates are in February and March are TBA. The NPA’s mission is to rebuilds, preserves, and promotes the architectural heritage and historic viewsheds of Newburgh, New York.
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