In the News

 

By CAROLINE MASON, Albany County Historical Association First published: Sunday, October 1, 2000

Decision to demolish

The recent donnybrook, chronicled in the Times Union, over the fate of 41 Ten Broeck St. indicates the need for a major overhaul in the way our city and county governments provide stewardship for Albany's historic properties. Demolition without due diligence is, alas, no stranger to preservationists. It always is infuriating nonetheless. 

That the Historic Albany Foundation had to obtain a court injunction to stop the razing that was begun Aug. 29 without a city permit is cause for grave concern. Demolition is, with rare exception, the consequence of dereliction of duty on several fronts. Perhaps that is why it is so often done surreptitiously and without sanction.

If indeed the contractor hired by Albany County had what was characterized as tacit approval in the form of a sidewalk permit from the permitting city department, shame on that department. Those parties who hastened the demise of this building in one of the most important historical contexts in Albany should be held accountable.

But when all is said and done, demolition is irrevocable, and retribution is of little solace in the face of the obliteration of a landmark like 41 Ten Broeck. No replication is ever comparable to the real thing. Even the most rabid of preservationists will concede that not every historic structure is worth saving, but the decision to demolish must always be made by design and not by default.

Where does a successful program that reflects the need for a balance between development and preservation begin? First, it requires vision and commitment from city and county leaders. It requires the willingness to review and, if appropriate, reverse a decision in light of new information.

Mayor Jerry Jennings is to be commended for responding to efforts by preservation groups to save the former School 10 on Central Avenue, one of the "endangered species'' cited by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A successful program relies on the professional skill and integrity of the people in the offices and departments charged with its implementation.

In determining the disposition of a historic building, there are a number of factors to consider that add to the complexity of any decision. The historical/architectural significance of the structure, its context, its condition, ownership, the costs associations with rehabilitation, the suitability of use and its contribution to redevelopment -- each demands careful attention.

When any of these is overlooked, bypassed, circumvented, short-circuited or just plain ignored, the outcome is bound to be disastrous. There is absolutely no room for winking, looking the other way or failing to consult.

While a process that requires permits and approvals from a number of departments and agencies may seem labyrinthine, it is necessary. The oft-used argument that time does not allow for due diligence is almost always a specious one.

Stewardship begins with regular, rigorous inspections that require public and private property owners to protect their vacant buildings from weather and vandalism, and substantive penalties for failure to do so. Given the deteriorating condition of a number of historic structures in Albany, can a plea for their "emergency demolition'' be far off? The buildings are examples of a flawed and failing policy that cries out for re-engineering. Why were they allowed to deteriorate in the first place? Whose job is it to carry out those inspections and to enforce the penalties? Demolition, a last resort, might never be a viable option if such a policy were in effect.

Stewardship is championed by the likes of such venerable institutions as the the Albany Institute of History and Art and the two local historical groups, the Albany County Historical Society and Historic Albany Foundation. But their role is all too often that of watchdog rather than education, their chief raison d'etre. Unfortunately, they are frequently regarded as adversaries of development when, in fact, they provide an invaluable resource. Viewed as partners in the process, they bring to the table unique knowledge -- both technical and historical -- and perspective.

Great and thriving cities are those that have fully understood the critical connection between economic prosperity and preservation. Great and thriving cities are those that have embraced their cultural heritage by protecting their architecturally and historically significant buildings from the wrecking ball.

Caroline Mason is an educator, a trustee of the Albany County Historical Association and secretary of the Preservation League of New York State. The views expressed are her own. 

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