Winston Churchill said it best: "We shape our buildings; thereafter, our buildings shape us." The reuse of Utica’s historic buildings can and should be an essential means to “shape” the quality of life in our community and provide an ongoing link to our collective past while simultaneously delivering measurable economic development and stimulating private investment.
A rehabilitated building is not just a capital asset. It has broad economic impact during renovation, as well as a subsequent fiscal benefit in its long-term use, not the least of which is neighborhood revitalization, typically in the older parts of a community. There is not a single sustained success story in downtown revitalization anywhere in the United States where historic preservation was not a key component of the effort.
Additionally, the designation of a property or a district as historic has a positive effect on property values. In 2003, New York City’s Independent Budget Office conducted a study of the effect of local historic district designation and regulation on real-estate prices and “[found evidence of a statistically significant price premium associated with inclusion [of a property] in an historic district. The extent of the premium varied from year to year, ranging from 22.6%... to 71.8%.”
It has been demonstrated time and again that historic preservation projects make a quantifiable, positive financial impact on a community as well. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis has developed an econometric model to measure the local impact of output from a variety of economic activities. They found that manufacturing produces 13 fewer jobs and adds $223,000 less to household income for each million of production than does rehabilitation activity.
Versus new construction, rehabilitation fares equally well. The U.S. Commerce Department compared $1 million spent on rehabilitation and $1 million spent on new construction, and found that rehabilitation created five more construction jobs and three more permanent jobs; kept $120,000 more in the community; increased household incomes by an additional $107,000 and increased retail sales by $142,000 - 20% more than with new construction.
Most recently, a 2006 independent audit of almost 2000 communities taking part in The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street program found the “reinvestment ratio” (average number of dollars generated in a community per dollar to operate) was $25.76 for every $1 spent.
And in May, the Brookings Institution issued “Restoring Prosperity” which cites historic building stock as a primary asset to the economic revitalization of America’s older industrial cities. The typically low acquisition cost of these buildings, coupled with their unique architecture, and urban location attract and retain the coveted 25-34 year old demographic. The report also found that “in 2000, 25- to 34-year olds were about 33 percent more likely than other Americans to live in a close-in metropolitan neighborhood, up from12 percent in 1990. Downtowns, particularly, have experienced a tremendous surge in young residents: From 1970 to 2000, the number of 25- to 34-year olds living in a sample of the country’s downtowns grew 90 percent, and their share of the overall downtown population nearly doubled, jumping from 13 percent to almost 25 percent.”
Another benefit of historic preservation that has gained major recognition nationwide is heritage tourism. Tourism is the number two industry in New York State, and history-based tourism represents a significant opportunity for the Greater Utica area. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, preservation visitors stay longer, visit twice as many places and spend two-and-a-half times as much money as non-preservation visitors. Visiting historic sites and museums is the third most popular vacation activity for U.S. travelers, and towns and cities that have protected their historic areas show a substantial local economic benefit year after year.
A nice place to visit is also a nice place to live. Historic preservation creates these “livable” cities, prevents sprawl and is a hallmark of smart growth – factors that increasingly dictate which cities thrive, and which ones don’t. Rehabilitation fosters density and diversity, while allowing for growth without pollution - after all, reusing an old building is the ultimate recycling.
For cities like Utica that are trying to reinvent their economy, leveraging our unique assets to create a sense of place, a sense of identity and a sense of community can and should be done through the rehabilitation of our built environment. Preservation has proven itself to be much more than nostalgia. It is a powerful economic engine that creates jobs, increases community reinvestment and raises property values. It is our past, it is our future and it is invaluable.
For more information: www.uticalandmarks.org
Pamela Jardieu is a trustee of the Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, and a Scenic and Historic District Commissioner for the City of Utica.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Landmarks Annual Dinner with Roberta Brandes Gratz
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica’s 2007 Annual Meeting + Awards Dinner
with keynote speaker Roberta Brandes Gratz
Wednesday, October 3 from 6 - 9 p.m.
Historic Hotel Utica’s Crystal Ballroom
$50 members // $65 non-members
Reservations required
Book signing before and after dinner
tele: 315.794.4370
fax: 315.724.6963
email: events@uticalandmarks.org
www.uticalandmarks.org
www. robertabrandesgratz.com
Roberta Brandes Gratz is an urban critic, award-winning journalist and consultant based out of New York City. Her concept of “urban husbandry” is a flexible and effective approach to urban rejuvenation - one more about incrementally creating unique places and less about replacing large areas of downtown with expensive blockbuster projects. She illustrates how this organic, sustainable process promotes low-cost, community-based initiatives that capitalize on the inherent value in the existing built environment while promoting the care, management and preservation of urban neighborhoods. Gratz writes for The New York Post and lectures internationally on the topic of urban development. She is the author of The Living City: Thinking Small in a Big Way and Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown.
“A love song for the city... [Cities Back from the Edge], attractively packaged and richly illustrated, is really a cookbook for downtown revitalization.” -- The Wall Street Journal
with keynote speaker Roberta Brandes Gratz
Wednesday, October 3 from 6 - 9 p.m.
Historic Hotel Utica’s Crystal Ballroom
$50 members // $65 non-members
Reservations required
Book signing before and after dinner
tele: 315.794.4370
fax: 315.724.6963
email: events@uticalandmarks.org
www.uticalandmarks.org
www. robertabrandesgratz.com
Roberta Brandes Gratz is an urban critic, award-winning journalist and consultant based out of New York City. Her concept of “urban husbandry” is a flexible and effective approach to urban rejuvenation - one more about incrementally creating unique places and less about replacing large areas of downtown with expensive blockbuster projects. She illustrates how this organic, sustainable process promotes low-cost, community-based initiatives that capitalize on the inherent value in the existing built environment while promoting the care, management and preservation of urban neighborhoods. Gratz writes for The New York Post and lectures internationally on the topic of urban development. She is the author of The Living City: Thinking Small in a Big Way and Cities Back from the Edge: New Life for Downtown.
“A love song for the city... [Cities Back from the Edge], attractively packaged and richly illustrated, is really a cookbook for downtown revitalization.” -- The Wall Street Journal
Utica Monday Nite 2007 Schedule
Utica Monday Nite / Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Schedule of Walks & Talks for 2007
All walking tours begin at 6:00 p.m.
The Landmarks Society/Utica Monday Nite “On The Move” will require your own transportation to the various locations.
Most tours are accessible to persons with disabilities.
If you have questions, please call the Landmarks Society office at 315.732.7376 or www.uticalandmarks.org.
June 4TH: An Inside Look at “Old Main” (Utica State Hospital)
Presented by: Michael Bosak, Trustee, The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Located at: Court Street
Meet at: The front of Old Main - Main Drive, off of Court Street
June 11TH: “A Nite at the Park” -- F.T. PROCTOR PARK
Presented by: The Central New York Conservancy
Located at: The Park on Culver Ave and Rutger Street
Meet at: The pavilion (across from Café Canole) at the end of Rutger Street
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
June 18TH: 3 CHURCHES IN NEW HARTFORD: The New Hartford Presbyterian Church, The First Baptist/Christ Church, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Presented by: New Hartford Historical Society
Located at: Oxford Road and Genesee Street, New Hartford, NY
Park at: Presbyterian Church parking lot
Meet at: The Village Gazebo (next to the lot)
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
June 25TH: THE VERNON METHODIST CHURCH
Presented by: Beatrice Jones, Lay Leader and Head of the Administration Council
Located at: Route 5, corner of South Sconondoa Street, Vernon, NY
Meet at: The front of the Church.
July 2ND: DOUGLAS CRESCENT
Presented by: Judy Olney, Trustee, The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Located at: Douglas Crescent, Southeast Utica
Meet at: The corner of Genesee Street and Proctor Boulevard
July 9TH: THE ONEIDA COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
Presented by: Tracey Mills, with assistance from Paula Eannace
Located at: Elizabeth Street, the former Central Fire Station
Meet at: The front of the Law Library, across from the Court House
July 16TH: PRIVATE RAILCAR “Silver Spring”
Presented by: Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and Adirondack Scenic Railroad Volunteers
Located at: The north passenger boarding platform at Union Station
Meet at: The upper level pedestrian walkway over the tracks at Union Station
July 23RD: THE ONEIDA COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Presented by: Tracey Mills
Located at: The corner of Elizabeth and Charlotte Streets
Meet at: The parking lot entrance off of Park Avenue
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
July 30TH: GRAND VIEW CEMETERY, Whitesboro
Presented by: Susan Lorraine
Located at: West Street, off of Clinton Street, just up from Oriskany Boulevard
Meet at: The entrance to the cemetery, next to the chapel
August 6TH: “A Nite at the Park” -- ROSCOE CONKLING PARK
Presented by: Central New York Conservancy
Located at: The Parkway
Park at: The Val Bialis Ski Chalet parking lot
Meet at: T.R. Proctor statue along the Memorial Parkway (eastbound side) past the tennis courts
August 13TH: JETNET – The Former Hurd Shoe Company Building
Presented by: Amy Lopez, Jetnet
Located at: The corner of Main and First Streets, in Bagg’s Square
Meet at: The front of the building
August 20TH: SHIPRITE Software Headquarters
Presented by: Mark Ford
Located at: 1312 Genesee Street
Meet at: Genesee Street entrance, in the front of the building
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
August 27TH: HERKIMER HISTORIC DISTRICT
Presented by: Susan Perkins, The Herkimer County Historical Society
Located at: North Main Street
Meet at: The Herkimer County Historical Society, 406 North Main Street
Schedule of Walks & Talks for 2007
All walking tours begin at 6:00 p.m.
The Landmarks Society/Utica Monday Nite “On The Move” will require your own transportation to the various locations.
Most tours are accessible to persons with disabilities.
If you have questions, please call the Landmarks Society office at 315.732.7376 or www.uticalandmarks.org.
June 4TH: An Inside Look at “Old Main” (Utica State Hospital)
Presented by: Michael Bosak, Trustee, The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Located at: Court Street
Meet at: The front of Old Main - Main Drive, off of Court Street
June 11TH: “A Nite at the Park” -- F.T. PROCTOR PARK
Presented by: The Central New York Conservancy
Located at: The Park on Culver Ave and Rutger Street
Meet at: The pavilion (across from Café Canole) at the end of Rutger Street
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
June 18TH: 3 CHURCHES IN NEW HARTFORD: The New Hartford Presbyterian Church, The First Baptist/Christ Church, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Presented by: New Hartford Historical Society
Located at: Oxford Road and Genesee Street, New Hartford, NY
Park at: Presbyterian Church parking lot
Meet at: The Village Gazebo (next to the lot)
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
June 25TH: THE VERNON METHODIST CHURCH
Presented by: Beatrice Jones, Lay Leader and Head of the Administration Council
Located at: Route 5, corner of South Sconondoa Street, Vernon, NY
Meet at: The front of the Church.
July 2ND: DOUGLAS CRESCENT
Presented by: Judy Olney, Trustee, The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica
Located at: Douglas Crescent, Southeast Utica
Meet at: The corner of Genesee Street and Proctor Boulevard
July 9TH: THE ONEIDA COUNTY LAW LIBRARY
Presented by: Tracey Mills, with assistance from Paula Eannace
Located at: Elizabeth Street, the former Central Fire Station
Meet at: The front of the Law Library, across from the Court House
July 16TH: PRIVATE RAILCAR “Silver Spring”
Presented by: Utica & Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society and Adirondack Scenic Railroad Volunteers
Located at: The north passenger boarding platform at Union Station
Meet at: The upper level pedestrian walkway over the tracks at Union Station
July 23RD: THE ONEIDA COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Presented by: Tracey Mills
Located at: The corner of Elizabeth and Charlotte Streets
Meet at: The parking lot entrance off of Park Avenue
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
July 30TH: GRAND VIEW CEMETERY, Whitesboro
Presented by: Susan Lorraine
Located at: West Street, off of Clinton Street, just up from Oriskany Boulevard
Meet at: The entrance to the cemetery, next to the chapel
August 6TH: “A Nite at the Park” -- ROSCOE CONKLING PARK
Presented by: Central New York Conservancy
Located at: The Parkway
Park at: The Val Bialis Ski Chalet parking lot
Meet at: T.R. Proctor statue along the Memorial Parkway (eastbound side) past the tennis courts
August 13TH: JETNET – The Former Hurd Shoe Company Building
Presented by: Amy Lopez, Jetnet
Located at: The corner of Main and First Streets, in Bagg’s Square
Meet at: The front of the building
August 20TH: SHIPRITE Software Headquarters
Presented by: Mark Ford
Located at: 1312 Genesee Street
Meet at: Genesee Street entrance, in the front of the building
THE LANDMARKS SOCIETY “ON THE MOVE”
August 27TH: HERKIMER HISTORIC DISTRICT
Presented by: Susan Perkins, The Herkimer County Historical Society
Located at: North Main Street
Meet at: The Herkimer County Historical Society, 406 North Main Street
Welcome!
Since 1974, Landmarks has been the leading voice for the preservation and restoration of historic, irreplaceable buildings, districts and sites in the Greater Utica Area.
We value the architectural richness of these structures, the special character they give to our neighborhoods and communities, and the contributions they make to our area’s economy, culture and quality of life.
Landmarks has played an active role in such projects as the rejuvenation and transformation of Union Station into a regional transportation and municipal center; saving 3 Steuben Park and maintaining the architectural integrity of the Rutger-Steuben Historic District; and the 2004 reopening of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center’s “Old Main” building as the Records Archive for the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Our members represent all ages, professions and walks of life – but come together to share a common enthusiasm for historic buildings, to raise public awareness of their importance, and advocate their protection and reuse in a variety of ways.
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica was chartered by the State of New York on October 25, 1974, as a nonprofit educational corporation to preserve historic buildings and districts in the Greater Utica Area.
Landmarks’ offices are at 1124 State Street, Utica, New York 13502 // 315-732-7376 // info@uticalandmarks.org
We value the architectural richness of these structures, the special character they give to our neighborhoods and communities, and the contributions they make to our area’s economy, culture and quality of life.
Landmarks has played an active role in such projects as the rejuvenation and transformation of Union Station into a regional transportation and municipal center; saving 3 Steuben Park and maintaining the architectural integrity of the Rutger-Steuben Historic District; and the 2004 reopening of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center’s “Old Main” building as the Records Archive for the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Our members represent all ages, professions and walks of life – but come together to share a common enthusiasm for historic buildings, to raise public awareness of their importance, and advocate their protection and reuse in a variety of ways.
The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica was chartered by the State of New York on October 25, 1974, as a nonprofit educational corporation to preserve historic buildings and districts in the Greater Utica Area.
Landmarks’ offices are at 1124 State Street, Utica, New York 13502 // 315-732-7376 // info@uticalandmarks.org
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