[MassHistPres] FW: Windows Press Release

[Carroon, Jean]

________________________________

From: Hollister, Susan 
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 4:20 PM
To: Carroon, Jean
Subject: FW: Windows Press Release

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: LandmarkConsultg at aol.com [mailto:LandmarkConsultg at aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 9:30 AM
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elisabeth.bakkerjohnson at ogs.state.ny.us
Subject: Windows Press Release

FROM:                   Preservation League of New York State

                        44 Central Avenue

                        Albany NY  12206-3002

                        www.preservenys.org
<http://www.preservenys.org/> 

 

CONTACTS:  Colleen M. Ryan, Director of Public Relations
                        Preservation League of New York State

                        518-462-5658 x. 17; cryan at preservenys.org

 

                                         Erin Tobin-Bearden, Director of
Preservation Services

                                         Historic Albany Foundation

                                         518-465-0876 x. 12;
etbearden at historic-albany.org

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 


HISTORIC WOOD WINDOWS  NAMED TO "SEVEN TO SAVE" LIST


Preservation League of New York State Releases Most Endangered List for
2006

 

ALBANY, February 2, 2006 - The Preservation League of New York State
named original wood sash windows across New York State to the nonprofit
group's annual list of the Empire State's most threatened historic
resources, Seven to Save, during a press conference held today at
Historic Albany Foundation's architectural parts warehouse.

As home heating costs continue to skyrocket, the Preservation League
wants to remind New York's homeowners that their original wood windows,
if properly weatherized and maintained, can be an efficient,
long-lasting, and appealing part of their older homes.   

Due to their high quality of materials and craftsmanship, the original
wood windows in many homes can remain structurally sound after decades
of use. Unfortunately, many property owners are led to believe that
their windows are beyond repair, or that they will reduce energy costs
by installing replacements. 

"Each year thousands of historic wood windows are removed and sent to
landfills across New York," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the
Preservation League. "At the Preservation League we have been
particularly concerned about this issue because original wood windows
are such an important part of the appearance and character of a historic
home. We want New Yorkers to have all of the facts before they opt for
replacement."

Experts from The Association for Preservation Technology-Northeast
Chapter (APT-NE) and the Historic Preservation Education Foundation
agree that restoring original windows may be the best choice - for
historic value, for homeowners, and for their household budgets. Kim
Konrad Alvarez, a preservation consultant and Board member of APT-NE who
has presented several window repair workshops, notes that, "While
destroying an important part of a building's history and taking up
landfill space, the owner who opts for replacement windows will likely
spend more money than successful repairs would have required."

According to James A. Cohen, an Albany architect and President of
Historic Albany Foundation, the significance of windows in historic
buildings is one of the most misunderstood issues of preservation and
rehabilitation. "Removal of historic windows significantly compromises
the architectural and visual integrity of a building," said Cohen. "I am
delighted that the Preservation League has put historic wood windows on
their 2006 Seven to Save list."

Lorraine Weiss, Program Manager for Technical and Grant Programs at the
Preservation League, notes that several preservation organizations will
be offering window repair workshops for homeowners and that the League
will debut a new section of its website devoted to information and
resources (www.preservenys.org).  "Sometimes a repair is a matter of
learning to re-tie the ropes holding the counter weights, and a few
yards of rope are far more affordable than a new window."  

"This is an unusual addition to the Seven to Save list since it does not
focus on one site or district in particular - instead, it addresses a
statewide preservation issue," explained DiLorenzo. "We hope that
through this listing, we can provide information on many options for
evaluation, repair and restoration work which are well within the reach
of most property owners."

Since 1999, publicity surrounding the Seven to Save designation has led
to the stabilization of St. Joseph's Church in Albany; the
rehabilitation of the Oswego City Public Library, the adaptive re-use of
the former Niagara Falls High School as a cultural and arts center, and
prevented the demolition of the Conger Goodyear House on Long Island. 

The Preservation League of New York State, founded in 1974, is a
not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of New York's
diverse and rich heritage of historic buildings, districts and
landscapes. From its headquarters in Albany, it provides a unified voice
for historic preservation. By leading a statewide movement and sharing
information and expertise, the Preservation League of New York State
promotes historic preservation as a tool to revitalize the Empire
State's neighborhoods and communities.

 

 

_______________________________________________
Kimberly Konrad Alvarez, Preservation Consultant
Landmark Consulting
83 Grove Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
518-458-8942 FAX-518-458-8977
landmarkconsultg at aol.com