In the News

 

Editorial First published: Sunday, October 15, 2000

Saving History

Mayor Jennings has a good idea for 
rescuing endangered landmarks, 
but it's not the whole answer

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings deserves credit for offering the Historic Albany Foundation a larger role in rescuing dilapidated buildings from the wrecking ball. But he ought not stop there. The mayor would do the city a favor by also giving the foundation a larger role in monitoring the city's handling of code violations at historic buildings and proposing new ways to hold their owners accountable for repairs. 

The issue of historic preservation has intensified in recent weeks after Albany County began to raze 41 Ten Broeck St., a partially collapsed building it had foreclosed on for back taxes and deemed a hazard. Historic Albany pursued court action that halted demolition after a section of the building's facade had been destroyed. Now, negotiations are underway to construct affordable housing behind the facade.

The incident has focused public attention on the city and county's stewardship of old buildings. Critics have complained for years that these buildings are too often allowed to deteriorate by their owners because it is financially advantageous to demolish them and either sell the site to a developer or put the open space to a new use, such as a public parking lot. As a result, some buildings in prime neighborhoods fall to ruin, and the city or county moves in to demolish them at the first sign that they pose a risk to public safety.

The mayor's plan would alleviate this pattern by having the foundation move preemptively to rescue buildings from neglectful owners. But this would be no panacea. For one thing, acquiring older buildings is fraught with financial risk. Many contain asbestos and other environmental hazards that the owner must repair out of pocket, in addition to the heavy costs of restoring it to its original splendor. The Historic Albany Foundation would have to take these risks into account before making a bid. For another, no single group has the resources to take over all buildings in need of preservation.

The record of the Historic Albany Foundation reflects the benefits and pitfalls of acquisition. In some cases, the foundation has a good record in rescuing landmarks, such as the Hinckel Brewery in downtown Albany, and turning them into marketable properties. But it has also lost money on buildings it purchased and could not resell.

Even with the Historic Albany Foundation assuming a larger role in rescuing endangered buildings, there is no excuse for failing to hold building owners responsible for keeping them in good repair. The city should rigidly enforce code violations, making owners pay the price of neglect. The county, which takes title to tax-delinquent neglected buildings through foreclosure, should also crack down. Both should impose heavy fines for disrepair -- fines that would have to be paid even if the building is in foreclosure, or razed by the city as a safety hazard. By attaching such penalties to the building at the time of sale or demolition, there would be far less financial incentive to allow the properties to deteriorate.

To its credit, the Historic Albany Foundation will explore the mayor's partnership offer when it meets later this month. But stewardship is only half of the solution. Responsible ownership is the other. 

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