Press Release
December 13, 2012
Randy Simons
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868
New York State Historic Preservation Awards Announced for 2012
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced the recipients of the 2012 New York State Historic Preservation Awards. Established in 1980, the State Historic Preservation Awards are given each year to honor excellence in the protection and rejuvenation of New York's historic and cultural resources.
"The historic preservation awards recognize the efforts and achievements of individuals, organizations, and municipalities that make significant contributions to historic preservation efforts across the state," State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. "This year's awards demonstrate the outstanding commitments, hard work, and strong partnerships that have made preservation an important tool for community renewal, economic development, and job growth in New York State."
The awards were announced at a ceremony held at the State Education Building in Albany, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. This year's award recipients include:
John J. McEneny, New York State Assembly
In addition to his distinguished career in the New York State Assembly as well as his service to the city and county of Albany, prominent local Assemblyman John J. McEneny has been an effective advocate for the preservation of New York's history and culture. While serving as the city's commissioner of human resources and director of public employment programs during the 1970s and 1980s, he oversaw historic resource surveys in the city of Albany and established Albany County's first archive of historical records. In 1985, he became the first director of the state Urban Cultural Parks program, helping to advance its heritage development goals. More recently he served on the Commission for the Restoration of the Capitol, actively promoting the landmark's rebirth. On the eve of his retirement, this award pays special tribute to the Assemblyman's long commitment to safeguarding New York's heritage.
Robert B. MacKay, Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities
As executive director of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA), Robert B. MacKay has skillfully led the society's evolution and growth from being primarily a manager of traditional house museums to becoming a vibrant regional preservation organization that provides assistance to communities to safeguard and revitalize their historic built environments in the midst of ever increasing development pressure. He also serves with distinction as chair of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation. As MacKay prepares to retire as SPLIA's executive director, this award recognizes his valuable contributions to advancing historic preservation on Long Island and across the state.
Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, Kings County
The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership, which includes the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project Local Development Corporation (MARP) and the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District, is working to improve the Myrtle Avenue commercial corridor in Brooklyn's Wallabout, Fort Greene, and Clinton Hill communities. MARP provides financial and technical assistance to local property owners and is committed to preserving the area's historic quality and character. The partnership sponsored the Wallabout Historic District and the Wallabout Industrial Historic District nominations for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Thanks to MARP's proactive community outreach efforts, owners within its service area have access to various programs and incentives, including the federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits. This award celebrates the partnership's extraordinary dedication to revitalizing Brooklyn's historic neighborhoods.
TWA Flight Center, JFK International Airport, Queens County
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has made an outstanding contribution to restoring and revitalizing the historic Trans World Airlines terminal at JFK. Throughout the federal historic preservation environmental review process, the Port Authority has worked hard to preserve this famous jet age landmark, making essential repairs to the structure and returning the building's spectacular public spaces to their original appearance. As the Port Authority proceeds with plans for the building's reuse, this award pays tribute to its exceptional oversight of the terminal's restoration.
Laraway Inn, Prattsville, Greene County
Last summer, the flood waters of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee inundated Prattsville. Numerous buildings in the community were destroyed or damaged, including the historic Laraway Inn, which was built in the late 18th century. Despite extensive damage, the property owners were committed to restoring their Greek Revival home, which is used as a single family residence. With help from the State Historic Homeowner Tax Credit program, the house was stabilized, repaired, and updated for contemporary use. The project restored an important local landmark and demonstrates that the state homeowner tax credit is an effective rehabilitation incentive for those who own and live in older homes. This award honored the owner's remarkable commitment to rescuing and rejuvenating one of the community's most prominent historic properties.
Chasan Building, Troy, Rensselaer County
The rehabilitation of the Chasan Building in downtown Troy has transformed an underused historic property into a vibrant office complex. Led by Columbia Development Companies in partnership with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and with support from the City of Troy, the project utilized various private and public sources of funding, including a Restore New York grant and the federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credit programs. RPI has become the property's anchor tenant. The building's rebirth is an important component of the city's revitalization efforts and promises to provide the catalyst for the partners to undertake the rehabilitation of the nearby Proctor's Theater.
Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, Erie Canal Park, Camillus, Onondaga County
Built in the 1840s as part of an Erie Canal enlargement, the 144-foot-long aqueduct carried the canal over the creek, helping to speed the flow of goods and people. The aqueduct was bypassed in 1918 when the Barge Canal opened and the structure became a ruin. The Town of Camillus purchased the property in 1972 for park use. In 1996, the Camillus Canal Society was established to explore the feasibility of restoring the aqueduct. The all-volunteer organization worked hard to generate local support and collaborated with the town on the restoration project, which was completed in 2009 with the help of a state Environmental Protection Fund grant. The project is the first time in the state that a historic canal aqueduct has been restored and returned to full operation. This award celebrated the community's remarkable commitment to rescuing and revitalizing a rare surviving Erie Canal feature.
Administration Building, Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, Onondaga County
Green Lakes State Park was established in the late 1920s and preserves two rare, geologically important meromictic lakes. The park was designed by landscape designer Laurie D. Cox and the administration building was one of its first structures. Over the past few years, OPRHP's Central Region has repaired and updated the building for special events while preserving its original features, including stone exterior, gable roofs, fireplaces, and windows. The project demonstrates that vacant or underused historic state park buildings can be rehabilitated for contemporary, income-generating public use. This award recognized the outstanding commitment of OPRHP's Central Region to preserving and reinvigorating the park's original administrative headquarters.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 58 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter