It isn't often that you get a chance to meet one of your heroes. And yet, on March 24, I, along with a few hundred others got a chance to listen to a lecture and slide show by Bernd Foerster, a preservation pioneer and early supporter of Troy's historic architecture from way back in the 1960s. Foerster is the former dean and professor of RPI's School of Architecture. He delivered his lecture at the First United Presbyterian Church on 5th Avenue. The event was organized by TAP's Michael Lopez and supported by RPI, TAP, and Siena College.

I've been a big fan of Foerster since I was a kid, and my barely held together copy of his Architecture Worth Saving (Rensselaer County) is testimony to its worth. This 200+ page book published in 1965, promoted restoring, not destroying, historic structures way before that became the preservationist's mantra. Recently, we showed his B&W documentary What Do You Tear Down Next? at the Ilium Roundtable; a 1964 film that showed the start of the destruction of hundreds of downtown buildings in Troy and Schenectady. This film has seen the rounds lately in Troy and makes you wonder what local officials were thinking as historic building after historic building was unceremoniously razed and replaced by - well, usually nothing!

While I didn't notice many elected officials at the lecture, others in the packed house clearly felt the message he has been delivering for all these years - that "Troy has forgotten what it was, and not yet seen what it can be." It was remarkable to watch as he displayed a slide and accompanied it with simply one sentence. That's all you needed to understand the impact of what he was saying - the power of a great communicator.

The story does have a good ending since we are still blessed with hundreds of great buildings, thanks in part to Foerster's early work. Even he was impressed that after his return of 40 years, not all was lost. Here's what he told me:

"The most striking finding during our visit was the existence of the remarkably large number of architecturally significant buildings that still remain. Many are of such quality that their careful preservation is clearly indicated. Not only is Troy fortunate to still have valuable historic buildings, but many exist in good relation to one another, making it possible to preserve them not as isolated objects, but as parts of a cohesive district. A spectacular example of such a success is the restoration of an increasing number of residences around Washington Park. The phrase that I used in advocating these efforts forty years ago still applies: "Improvement can be just as catching as neglect." The building that the Rensselaer County Council for the Arts bought in the sixties outgrew its functions and has been successfully restored as a residence.

Of equal importance to the preservation of spectacular residences is the vast number of older structures that may never be meticulously restored, but can become part of an affordable housing stock. The creative role of TAP Inc. in encouraging their preservation is especially praiseworthy because of the relationship between physical and aesthetic needs. The concern for a sense of community, and the efforts to provide humane surroundings for urban living seem to be at the heart of the work of TAP Inc.

A matter of concern is the introduction of parking garages. Their usefulness is undeniable, but they need to be designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, and to fit in with existing buildings nearby. Various approaches could be used to soften the effect of concrete construction, especially on pedestrians.

The conversion of six adjacent buildings facing Monument Square into a well functioning regional arts center is a brilliant use of formerly commercial properties. The internally connected interiors have been converted into fine facilities that meet contemporary needs while maintaining the historic exteriors in a significant location in the heart of downtown. "

He was particularly pleased with the use of a photograph to advertise the event, one that showed the beautiful brownstones on the east side of 5th Ave, between Fulton and Broadway, that were demolished and replaced by vacant lots and commercial structures. He observed, "The unnecessary loss of these handsome and occupied buildings became a symbol for the public opposition to thoughtless demolition." We all have been fighting ever since!

I was also fortunate that day as Sandy Horowitz and I lunched with Bernd and his lovely wife Enell (who made sure the slide equipment ran flawlessly) and discussed his impressive body of work since leaving RPI. I'm hoping that a little of that genius will rub off on me.