For those of you who have been following closely on the update of the Liberty School, here is some hopeful news for you…
Work will be moving forward, and the developer is currently soliciting bids from subcontractors. So you see? Things are moving? You just can’t always see it. Hopefully everything will fall in to place. 2010 is looking pretty good already! We will continue to follow this closely.
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Preservation and Restoration
Everyone has been chattering about the restoration of Newburgh’s West Shore Rail Road Station that is at the foot of Broadway. This building was a major eyesore but, as has been mentioned before, there is a great restoration process taking place there. The building is part of the Newburgh Historical Society’s 2009’s Candle Light Tour, and was mentioned in the Wallkill Valley Times. Here are some interesting details of the article:
“Owner Ray Yannone is aiming for Spring 2010 occupancy of the station, pending final approval of the Newburgh City Planning Board. One potential tenant is an art and antiques gallery. “It’s more a labor of love than anything,” said Yannone, a Newburgher by birth. He long hoped for the opportunity to purchase the old station, and about a year ago, a deal was finalized. “Things were all over the map for a while,” Yannone said of negotiations. But now, he is only months away from completion of the project…I found by working on the building… there’s a general interest in improving things. It shows that people do respect it a little. Yannone’s two daughter, Elizabeth and Marinna, will be dressed in period clothing, and the sounds of holiday broadcasts starring Bing Crosby will fill the brick building. War posters, as well as historical photographs of the station in its prime will decorate the walls.”
The future occupation of the building is definitely hopeful news. And, Newburgh Restoration came across Mr. Yannone’s website that tracks the progress of the restoration. There are many photos, and if you scroll all the way down on the ‘progress’ page, you can see enlarged photographs. When you see the state of train station in older photos, you really come to appreciate the hard work that has been done there. It was certainly not an easy task! The rest of us anxiously await the outcome!
If you are interested in renting the commercial space at the train station, contact:
Raymond D.Yannone, Jr.
Phone: 845-565-8530
Fax: 845-565-6360
WestShoreStation@gmail.com
(source)
Broadway Park-a small, seemingly insignificant space, is yet just another example of the deep historical roots that Newburgh carries. This park, only a half-acre in size was designed by Downing Vaux, son of Calvert Vaux. Calvert Vaux had a hand in collaborating with some of the most popular parks in New York which include, Central Park, Prospect Park, Fort Greene Park, and Morningside Park. So as you can see Downing Vaux came from a lineage of great minds….
(source)
This park was constructed in 1903 and was lined with buildings to the north and south of it-none of which exist due to the urban renewal projects of the 1970’s. However, the park still exists and as Heritage Landscapes concluded through their report, still has many of the original path alignments, retaining walls, and other remnants that date from the initial park construction with limited alterations. But, the park had become “overgrown and decrepit” as one Newburgh resident described it. It was litered wth broken glass and seemed uninviting. Then came Ray Yannone of Storm King Building Company and landscaper Lynn Warren.
Mr. Ray Yannone is owner of the West Shore Train Station. While working on the reconstruction of the train station, he decided to make what seemed a simple pathway safe. Little did he know the historical importance of that simple pathway. With the help of Lynn Warren Landscaping and many other contributors the restoration of the park was a success. And the best part about it is, it cost the city zero dollars! Mayor Valentine had commented at the press conference that debuted the park, “I had actually gotten some calls that said, ‘Why are you spending all this money on a park when we have so many other budgetary problems?’” The reality of the case was that it was completed with donations and hard work by many people.
The bulk of the work is done now but, further improvements will be made in April. And, many of the plants will begin to sprout come the Spring weather. It will be so pretty! For more positive Newburgh news check out this link.
Sources (HV Press, Heritage Landscapes, Mid-Hudson News)
I know that this project was publicized a few months ago. But I just came across this video documenting the work that was done at the Dutch Reformed Church over the Summer. I thought I’d share. Enjoy.
Attention anyone renovating a home in the city of Newburgh! This Thursday, November 19th will be a Green Conference teaching how to:
Learn How To:
• Plan and implement historic preservation rehab projects using green design to save $$$.
• Use energy efficiency and weatherization in local historic preservation projects.
• Use the new New York State tax credits that can help fund historic rehabilitation
Session 1 – For building professionals and architects 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Session 2 – For home and building owners 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Networking – 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Register at www.newburghlibrary.org and click on “Calendar of Events” or call 845-563-3624.
Pick up a copy of the Newburgh Free Library’s bibliography of green design resources.
Rendering of One Liberty©Bluestone Developers
Many of you have been curious about the update of the project going on at the Liberty School. Bluestone Developers is trying to convert the dilapidated school house into living space of 25 apartment units. Recently I blogged about the façade being fixed with the replacement of the brick exterior. But many would like to know what is going on NOW.
I was able to speak to the president of Bluestone Developers, Jerome Blue, about the update on the school. And, he also graciously provided me with the renderings and other images you see here. So what is going on???
Date Unknown, note the trolley in the left corner
First of all, I made it very clear to Mr. Blue that I was not interested in negativity or carrying out a debate with him. He opened up and was very friendly and helpful in providing me information. It was very apparent in my mini interview that this is a very difficult project. Each step involves manysub-steps, and a hiccup in any one of the sub-steps can set the entire project back for months. So has been the case with the development of the school. As of now, all the approvals have been made, such as the zoning boards, the architectural commission etc. However, these approvals do not happen over night and take time. One thing that has set back this project substantially is the parking lot. They had to go through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation since there used to be a dry cleaners on the site. Tests needs to be run to make sure the site is clean. Approvals have to be made, and consultants are needed for these approvals which equals more money needed to complete this project. Along the way the developers must meet city, state, and federal guidelines. Mr. Blue wouldn’t go into more detail, but overall this is a huge undertaking.
Future Parking Lot on Johnes Street
©Bluestone Developers
©Bluestone Developers
Considering all the levels of government the approvals must go through, the money needed, the fine tuning, and hiccups that can happen along the way-this project is going to take some time. Mr. Blue is extremely interested in the history of the structure and the history of Newburgh. He has even looked up articles on the school’s closing in 1980. There had been talks of closing the school 6 years prior to it’s closing. 550 parents protested against the closing of the school and signed a petition. At the time the school closed it had approximately 360 students in grades k-4. Mr. Blue definitely wants to see the project through. That is why even though there is much left to be done in paper work and approvals, he has secured the structure of the building by replacing the bricks. Last time I checked the fence was fixed as well. He mentioned that there is really no point to put up scaffolding if no work can actually be done until months later. It really accomplishes nothing. But rest assured, he is continuing with the project. And, when we last spoke had recently been to meetings regarding the project.
So what should you digest out of all of this? It’s going to take time. Whether or not the school will really be developed and inhabited can only be determined with time. But what Mr. Blue would like for people to know is that even though you don’t see anything happening on the exterior, he has not dropped this project. There are still many things going on behind the scenes. Hopefully he will give me updates as things progress.
Click below to enlarge the three news articles from The Evening News dated 1980.
