Felicia and Mark,

2015-08-30 comment from Town Historian, for filing and website posting. 

 

Eric Hollman, Planner

Town of Poughkeepsie

1 Overocker Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY  12603

Tel. (845) 485-3658, Fax (845) 486-7885

 

From: Town Historian
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2015 10:51 PM
To: Todd Tancredi
Subject: Hudson Heritage Scoping Draft Recommendations

To:     Supervisor Todd Tancredi

From: Town Historian John R. Pinna

Topic: Hudson Heritage Project Scoping Document Draft Considerations 

Date:  August 30, 2015

 The Town of Poughkeepsie has had a long and influential history in the Hudson Valley. The preservation of the town's history is what gives our community an identity and uniqueness which allows us to stand out from our neighbors. The Town of Poughkeepsie has had the foresight to establish the Historic Preservation Commission to assist the town with the conservation and preservation of our history and landmarks. The commission recognizes and supports the need for development and the need to maintain a balance between progress and preservation. It also recognizes that once historic landmarks disappear, they are gone forever and future town generations never get the opportunity to learn or experience their town history and the town further loses a part of its unique historic identity. Therefore, it is important to get it correct at the time of the development planning process. The commission supports the development of the Hudson River State Hospital site. As the chair of the Town of Poughkeepsie Preservation Commission and Town Historian the following are some recommendations which should be considered for the scoping draft.

1. Landmark buildings which are to be preserved for reuse should be clearly identified      prior to any demolition plan.

2. The identified landmark buildings should be better lighted, secured and protected from further damage, scrappers and vandals so they can be reused in the future development of the site. This should also reduce restoration cost.

3. Consideration should be given to the reuse of other historic buildings if they can assist the developer and town in marketing the project as a unique location to purchase and/or resettle.

4. The preservation of the Great Lawn should identify and include as much of the original Frederick Law Olmsted landscape vision as possible since this will recreate a historic gathering place for the town.

5. Historic markers should be created and appropriated located on the site in order to share with the community and visitors the important historic aspects of the site: the influence of the Roosevelt family, Frederick Law Olmsted, Frederick Clarke Withers and Calvert Vaux. It should also be noted that on this site was one of the first psychiatric hospitals to use open space to assist in the treatment of patients.   

 

6. The commission would like to see the development of a documented history and photographs of all the buildings located on the site prior to demolition for the education and appreciation for future generations.