As we move to a new year and the beginning of a new administration in city hall, we need to talk about some unfinished business left over from the previous administration.

A year or so ago, at the request of local preservationists, the city put together a preservation task force, comprised of several committees made up of local interested citizens and professionals. Their mission was to look into the larger issue of historic preservation as it relates to our historic city. The committees spent several months looking at zoning issues, historic district designations, best use practices, specific buildings in danger of demolition, and a host of other problems. Lynn Kopka, a city policy analyst, oversaw the task force. While there were recommendations made by all of the committees, the only discernable result is the current look at redoing the city zoning laws and that seems to be moving along fine with several substantial improvements I am told.

No More Demolition by Neglect.

One of Troy's biggest problems is the demolition derby that takes place too often. Hundreds of historic buildings have been torn down leaving gaping holes in the city's fabric. One of the easiest methods for a building owner (often an out of city slumlord) to get out of his or her responsibility is to walk away from maintenance of the building. After years of not fixing leaks and other problems, and not paying taxes, these folks simply abandon the property. The city is slow to act, back taxes accumulate, and eventually the building crumbles or the city is forced to take it down.

Some strides have been made in the last few years to rectify this but the bottom line is this. If a building is not being used for more than two months, the owner should be notified and asked why. If there is no reply, the abandoned building should be moth balled, and the cost put on the owner's tax bill. If the owner is walking away, the building is at least put into a state where it can be restored for use in the future, not deteriorate to a point where it has to be demolished.

Furthermore, no buildings in this city should be demolished until there is a historic review of their importance to the city. We have lost all three of Uncle Sam's homes (yes, he had three), and other important buildings that today would be moneymakers in heritage tourism.

Design Standards

There needs to be a set of design standards in this city that apply to both the downtown city and Burgh. Other cities have used overlay zones to accomplish this. By allowing a split-level ranch to be built next to an 18th century Dutch style house is not only an architectural nightmare, but also simply plain ugly. Design standards force developers to create their projects so they are compatible with the neighborhood. A good example of why this is needed is the influx of national drug chains and restaurants that often have gaudy and unimaginable designs for their profit-boxes. Design standards also help a neighborhood in keeping their value by maintaining their aesthetic and historic fabric.

CLG

The city needs to become a CLG, (Certified Local Government), a State program run by the New York State Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau that coordinates state and federal programs.

Troy can become a member of the CLG program after the State Preservation office certifies that the city has passed appropriate preservation legislation and appoints a review commission that meets state and federal standards. The commission has to have real experts on it.

This opens up a wide range of special services, including grants, legal and technical assistance and training. Saratoga and Schenectady have both benefited from being a CLG. Why not Troy? There are currently more than 30 CLG communities across the State.

Historic Districts

Probably 75% or more of the city building stock could be considered historic (anything over 50 years). It does not mean that every building must be saved from the wrecking ball, but we don't have a database that tells what buildings are important either. We need to conduct a thorough review and inventory of every building in this city and develop priorities on what to save. We already have too many examples of buildings that should have been saved AFTER they have been demolished. By conducting an inventory, we can become proactive and work on making sure our priority buildings are maintained.

These are a few of simple but effective solutions to help keep Troy from becoming a Wolf Road or Latham Circle. We wouldn't wish that even on our worse enemies, right?