Mayor Joseph P. Riley was first elected in 1975 and is serving his 6th term. Under his leadership, Charleston has increased its commitment to racial harmony, achieved substantial reduction in crime, seen the creation and growth of the Spoleto Festival USA, built a waterfront park, developed nationally acclaimed affordable housing, and developed a thriving heritage tourism economy. Mayor Riley has become a leading authority on urban design and livability, and is a frequent speaker across the country on these issues.

The luncheon was made possible with the support from civic leaders and organizations including Historic Albany Foundation, Albany College of Pharmacy, and the New York Conference of Mayors.
 

A Tale of Two Cities 
-- Colleen M. Ryan

June 14, 2000 -- Albany -- According to Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. of Charleston, South Carolina, "Beautiful, livable, invigorating and inspirational cities are essential to our quality of life." The Mayor, visiting Albany recently as part of the Albany Roundtable Civic Luncheon series, went on to describe the preservation movement that he has seen grow and bear fruit during his 24 years in office.

The city of Charleston is serious about preservation. A number of nonprofit organizations, including the Preservation Society of Charleston, the South Carolina Historical Society, the Charleston Museum and the Historic Charleston Foundation were at one time referred to collectively as "the Hysterical Society." But now, Mayor Riley points out, "the stories about the buildings they weren't able to save are the ones that make you cry."

One of the great losses to the city was the Charleston Hotel, which was designed in the early 1800's by Robert Mills. Best known for designing the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., Mills was the first professionally trained architect born in America. His landmark hotel was razed to make room for a suburban-style drive-in motel. In 1951, the Charleston Orphan House, one of the city's grandest buildings -- and one of the nation's oldest orphanages -- was demolished. The lot was used to build a Sears department store, which later relocated to a suburb 15 miles away. 

Why should a city work to save its older buildings? According to Mayor Riley, we're not just saving them for ourselves, but for future generations. "We're a young nation. We don't want to turn around one day and have nothing but 50-year-old architecture." He believes that in order to rebuild and maintain thriving cities, leaders must develop a clear visioning process. And that process is rooted in historic preservation.

Preservation can begin with one building, one block, or one street. Queen Street was one such catalyst in Charleston. The area had become a little run down, the buildings had a down-at-the-heels appearance. But the city, together with preservation groups, stepped in. They saved one building. Now, there's an historic inn, several restaurants -- an enclave of buildings with a bright future -- as well as a colorful past.

Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, believes that the history of preservation in Charleston is a mirror of the national preservation movement. "[They realized] it wasn't enough to save scattered historic buildings, but that it made more sense to save entire neighborhoods and entire communities."
 

Mayor Riley discusses preservation issues with Elizabeth Griffin, Executive Director of Historic Albany Foundation.

When it comes to new construction, Mayor Riley is equally passionate. "There's never an excuse to build anything that doesn't add to the beauty of the city," he said. Public housing, city infrastructure, parking garages, waste barrels, benches and light posts must be attractive, and built to the scale of the neighborhood.

Mayor Riley described his approach as a "commitment to the public realm." While he is proud of his Charleston's waterfront park, baseball stadium and aquarium, he believes there's more to a city than its destinations. He also believes in making the city better -- not just for tourists -- but for the people who call it home. "Build the cities for the people who live there," he said. "Give them of a sense of civic pride, peace and beauty."

As a visitor in the city of Albany, Mayor Riley was impressed with the historic commercial districts and residential neighborhoods that make our city unique. But without a vision for the future -- one that respects the past -- many of our architectural treasures are in danger of demolition. The loss of these structures would forever change the unique historic character of their neighborhoods.
 

Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings (left)  with Mayor Riley.

Albany could follow Charleston's example by working to preserve and restore the structures at 132-140 State Street. The quality of their design and construction make each of these buildings an important component of the city's built environment. 134 State Street was designed by nationally renowned architect James Dakin in 1832. The Elks Lodge's superb facade was designed by M.L. and H.G. Emery in 1911. Prominent Albany Architect Albert Fuller designed the Berkshire Hotel in about 1900. Unfortunately, their owner is seeking to demolish the buildings in the belief that an empty lot will be more marketable than the existing buildings.

In Charleston, Mayor Riley was faced with a similar dilemma. The Francis Marion Hotel, built in the 1920's, fell into disrepair and had been abandoned for seven years when the city intervened. The hotel was completely renovated in the mid-1990's, and was named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's success stories of 1996. The National Trust credited the public-private partnership that did the renovation, including the city of Charleston and Chevron USA. The success of the hotel has spurred additional preservation and restoration efforts. According to the Mayor, some "thirty building permits have been issued in a three block square area around the hotel."

Albany's endangered State Street properties stand across the street from a preservation success story -- the Bloodgood Houses at 111-113 State Street. After standing vacant and dilapidated for nearly 15 years, the former home of President Martin Van Buren and its neighbor are about to be renovated. The conversion to residential housing is being undertaken by Albany construction firm  A & R DeThomasis Co. Inc., with assistance from Historic Albany Foundation, Albany Local Development Corporation, and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. 

Another collaborative effort between city, state, business and preservation partners could make Albany's State Street a success story to rival Charleston's. When it comes to preserving the past, there's no time like the present to begin.

-- Colleen M. Ryan is a resident of Albany and Vice President of Historic Albany Foundation