In the Preservation Law class, students learned about the elements and administration of a local historic preservation ordinance, the federal and state court systems, takings, and due process. Small teams of students were also assigned specific cases to brief and present at the next class in two weeks.
Preservation Design Studio was held within our study area, at St. Francis de Sales Church on Congress Street (see 1875 map above). Building on ideas articulated at a smaller neighborhood meeting held at Minissale's Wine Bar and Cafe on February 22nd, students presented an animated Powerpoint whose theme was "Mt. Ida...Nature in Your Neighborhood, History at Your Doorstep," -- an illustrated summary of their findings and observations thus far, to approximately 30 neighborhood residents.The presentation included project and meeting goals; a historical overview of the Congress Street/Mt. Ida neighborhood (with great historic photographs, maps and other images); an overview of natural features (Poesten Kill Gorge) and recreational assets (Prospect Park, designed by Troy's noted the African American architect Garnet Baltimore, an alumni of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); an analysis of neighborhood demograhics, analysis of the neighborhood's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; land use and zoning; and architectural analysis and design ideas.
Students also gave residents an overview of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street program and concluded by outlining a range of possible final products, including historic district nominations, design guidelines, web site, 3D models, a blueprint for organizing a neighborhood group, and a marketing and promotion strategy for the neighborhood.After the neighborhood meeting, students and faculty had a leisurely and delicious dinner at Minissale's, where we had an opportunity to discuss the residents' reactions and ideas, and socialize!
