Restore & Rehab Worksheets
Since urban renewal in the 1960’s, Newburgh, NY has steadily been rebuilding itself. This is vital as Newburgh is the second largest historic district in New York State with 2,400 historic properties dating as far back to the 1700s. Alas 200 buildings are vacant and many are at risk because of years of deferred maintenance or neglect. Many homes are in the historic district, particularly the Washington Heights and East of Downing Park. Repairing them is challenging because the average median income is $35,000 with 25% of the population living below the poverty line and nearly 60% of the population is from Latin American countries, predominantly Mexico, Central America, where English is a second language.
An inadvertent obstacle to home renovations is the Architecture Review Commission (ARC). The ARC has worked to protect the city’s historic assets, however there is very little support system offered by the government or the related not for profits to help citizens prepare and navigate the process. Existing preservation-focused organizations struggle with capacity and outreach in particular to low income and the Latino population, many of whom are becoming building owners.
“Demystifying the Architectural Review Commission” aims to audit the ARC process, design bilingual worksheets, and facilitate the general public’s knowledge of navigating the process successfully. To build awareness and expertise in preservation processes, and foster better relations among government, professionals and public, the scope of work includes:
Research and verify the key ARC stumbling blocks that the public encounters in the process. Examples include doors, windows, porches/stoops, fences, and general masonry.
Review and interpret the ARC codes. The consultant creates 4-6 worksheets according to ARC codes and together with The Fullerton, the ARC and City’s Land Use Secretary shares feedback on the drafted worksheets. Design a bilingual (English-Spanish) worksheets with illustrations, checklist, photos, facts and descriptions of key processes.
Present worksheets to the community through an ARC presentation and 1-2 public workshops. Consultant presents them at Archtober Newburgh- a satellite of NYC’s annual design festival.
Marketing to Wider Audience Fullerton shares project with past/present ARC applicants, local architects, general contractors, trade unions, homeowners as well as HGAR realtors. Invite organizations like Newburgh Habitat for Humanity, Newburgh Landbank, Newburgh Free Library, NYS Preservation League, HV AIA and those serving the Latino community For the Many, Latinos Unidos, Armory Recreation Center. Ask the City to make material available on website, at the ARC meetings and in the Building Department.
Fall 2024: Audit/Review/Interpret ARC issues, codes, and procedures
Spring: Finalize, design, translate to Spanish 4-6 worksheets
Fall 2025: Disseminate guide, host public workshops at Archtober Newburgh 2025
Project cost: $13,500. Requested funds of $5,000 covers preservation architect ($3,000); graphic designer ($1,000), and marketing ($1000). Additional funds will cover project management, Spanish translation, overhead, dissemination or provided inkind by The Fullerton. See budget.
Urban planner Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, President of The Fullerton focuses on downtown revitalization, historic preservation and community engagement in Newburgh. Anoushae Eirabie is a sustainable architect and working for artist Torkwase Dyson. Liz McEnaney is a preservationist and a Fullerton board member, ARC members and local architects will be advisors to the project (Carson Carter, Jeff Wilkinson, Chris Berg, Beth Sigler). The consultant, the Architectural Preservationist, is an architect who is knowledgeable of the local codes, historic rehabilitations, and may currently or in the past have sat on the ARC or an equivalent body. Graphic designer and illustrator is Art & Anthropology; and Spanish translator Mariella Salazar.
Quantitative and qualitative measures will determine the project's outcomes: build a stronger local preservation community by facilitating the public’s technical expertise; increase the knowledge/use of helpful resources; augment the ARC's capacity and public outreach; ensure a more equitable preservation field by engaging Latino homeowners, help other regional CLG’s ask can see/use worksheets. Most importantly, it helps build better relations between the ARC members and government for the sake of the public and advances other preservation goals.
This project is very timely because of The Fullerton’s review of the 1985 East End Historic District boundaries which excludes today’s Latino-based neighborhood. This project could help efforts in expanding the historic district. The Fullerton’s previous preservation work and Latino-outreach includes Building Shells:Building Community, Look! Mira! Architectural Scavenger Hunt, Latinos in Preservation study and walking tours.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR FUNDER
We are grateful for the John E. Streb Fund for New York of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for their 2024 support for Demystifying the ARC Process. And thank you to Beth Sigler Architecture Studio, the Archtober Newburgh volunteer team and board members of The Fullerton who have donated both time and money to make this project happen!