The Friends of Washington Park received $90,000 for the preservation of Washington Place, one of the few remaining streets in the Capital District with its original 1840s granite paving blocks. The street is in very poor condition from accumulated years of patching related to utility work, normal wear and tear, lack of appropriate routine maintenance, and road bed settling. The Friends will work closely with National Grid and city engineering staff to restore the one-block area, and note that preservation of the historic pavers of Washington Place is the final piece of the revitalization of the southern end of Washington Park. They predict that in one year, all ten row houses along Washington Place will be restored and occupied, with a drivable street in front.
Established ca. 1838, Washington Park is located a few blocks south of Troy's central business district on Second and Third Streets, Washington Street, and Washington Place, and is an elegant residential neighborhood with large Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, and Italianate brick townhouses, one church, and a former school facing a large private square. Notable buildings include Washington Place, a monumental block-long terrace of 10 Greek Revival townhouses that are still visible in spite of later remodelings. Enclosed by an iron fence, the park is one of only two privately owned urban ornamental parks in New York State (Gramercy Park in New York City is the other).
Led by indefatigable and enthusiastic Washington Park President Lynn Kopka, Washington Park has completed several major preservation projects in recent years. Building on the preservation of the park's lighting and sidewalks (slate and herringbone brick) through EQBA funding, they stabilized 8 Washington Place, a collapsed structure near the east end of Washington Place; the shell was sold in September 2005 to an owner occupant who is undertaking the extensive rehabilitation project. Washington Park also issues an eagerly awaited and much appreciated monthly newsletter, which aggressively promotes home ownership and restoration, encourages support for local businesses, and facilitates new friendships among the new and existing residents of Troy. An informal walking tour booklet about Washington Park's history and architecture, and additional information (including properties available for sale and rent) may be viewed at www.wpa-troy.org.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception received $350,000 to complete the restoration of the eastern facade. This project has been directed by Larry Wilson of Mesick, Cohen, Wilson, Baker Architects (MCWB). A nationally-recognized historic preservation architecture firm, MCWB has been active in the creation and development of the Building Conservation program and is the employer of three alumni.
The project will entail the removal of Portland brownstone, repointing the brick armature underneath and installing new sandstone. The restoration of the east facade will remove a public safety threat and enhance the Cathedral as a gathering space for year round public events.
