Back in April, 2000, Mayor Mark Pattison convened a diverse group of local community leaders, preservationists, academics, business representatives, and concerned citizens in an effort to prepare a plan addressing the needs of the city's historic infrastructure. Four committees were formed: Historic Resources, Zoning, Best Practices, and Certified Local Government.

Last January, nine months later, the four committees made their recommendations to the Mayor.

In a nutshell, the Historic Resources committee suggested that a top ten list of threatened historic buildings be developed. By identifying those resources most threatened, an effort can be made to concentrate on restoring and reusing these structures. A few that come to mind downtown are the Quackenbush Department store on the corner of Third and Broadway (Rite Aid was recently there), the Brown Building on Broadway (next to Clement's Frame Shop), and the old foundry on the corner of Fourth and Broadway (across from the post office).

The city should designate additional historic districts, according to the committee. Back in the 1970's, a proposed list of several districts were made and a review of these can determine if designation is still viable. With this designation certain tax breaks are available.

The group also suggested the development of an archeological review process. There has been virtually no archeology done in Troy and yet the area is well known to be an archeological treasure. The city's planning board was sued last year over this very issue (Freihofer's). I can think of important archeology that needs to be done on two of the Vanderhyden home sites on Division and River and River past Hoosick. Several Native American skeletons have tumbled out of their resting place when developments occurred along the Hudson over the last 200 years. And there are the historical documents that talk about Mohican Village sites along the river (three that I know of).

Another recommendation made is to adopt a review process for any building 75 years or older. The bulk of Troy's buildings were built before the 20th century. Many historic buildings get demolished in the city each year. There needs to be a process to identify valuable historic properties so that they are saved and restored (or at least stabilized) instead of meeting the wrecking ball.

The Certified Local Government group suggested that the city not seek this status yet. It would allow the city to create a historic sites board with some teeth in it and it would open up some grant money to the city. However, the group feels it is premature to seek this status until many of the ideas suggested by the Historic Resources group get implemented.

The Zoning Committee has proposed working on a land use plan and developing good zoning districts and guidelines that are in plain English (and graphically). There are plenty of good examples by cities around the country that have done this.

The Best Practices Committee looked at some other cities across the country that had successful zoning and preservation laws and recommended adopting those that are applicable to a city the size of Troy. For example, Vancouver, Washington has a great archeological ordinance. A few cities in Tennessee have developed visual guidelines that make it clear and easy to understand.

Overall, the Mayor's initiative was a fruitful one and brought a lot of important issues to the forefront. The Troy's Redevelopment Foundation has already provided $95.000 for a comprehensive master plan and zoning revision. No doubt the city will continue working with those volunteers that have given their time, and in fact it appears the groups will continue to meet to fine tune their recommendations.

If anything, the 'Pragmatic and Proactive Historic Preservation Initiative' is a good example of community and government working together for a common goal. Isn't that what democracy is all about?