Editorial First published: Sunday, March 25, 2001

Albany's Two Faces

The state wants to preserve the past, 
but the city is busy burying parts of it

In an ironic twist, Albany was preparing to cover a priceless part of its past on the very day that the state was awarding funds to conserve open spaces and preserve historic sites. The contradiction ought to shame Albany officials into finally adopting a more inclusive policy for preserving its Colonial origins. 

On Wednesday, Gov. Pataki announced a $575,000 grant to purchase 10 acres of inland barrens in the Pine Bush Preserve. Another $375,000 will go for a waterfront promenade and floating docks in Albany's Corning Preserve. In ceremonies at Madison Avenue Extension, Mr. Pataki articulated a vision that calls for "reconnecting people to natural ecosystems like the Pine Bush and also making sure that we don't lose important historic sites.''

But even as he was speaking, officials in Albany were taking steps to bury the remains of an 18th-century distillery that had been unearthed during an archaeological dig conducted before the start of construction of a $12 million parking garage near the preserve.

The distillery is within a short distance from Albany's historic Quackenbush House, a standing reminder of the city's Dutch heritage. Some preservationists appealed to the city to preserve the remains and showcase them as a tourist attraction. Assemblyman Jack McEneny, D-Albany, suggested the site be covered with glass and placed on public display inside the new garage. But the head of the city's parking authority board derided the idea.

He -- and other Albany officials, including Mayor Jerry Jennings -- should think again. Albany has long needed a policy for dealing with its buried treasures, rather than simply covering them over in the rush to build. As for their tourist appeal, the numbers speak for themselves. When the distillery was being unearthed last weekend, some 4,000 people visited the site for a chance to see it before it was again consigned to the past.

If that many people will turn out on just one weekend, what would permanent displays attract?