I,IEWYORK

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PPTRTUI,ITY

Parks, Recreation,
and Historic Preservatcn

ANDREW M. CUOMO

ROSE HARVEY

Governor

Commissioner

December 2,2016
Ms. Suzanne Cahill
City of Kingston

City Hall- 420 Broadway

Kingston, NY 12401

Re:

LWRP

lrish Cultural Center

32 Abeel Street, Kingston, NY 12401
16PR06101
Dear Ms. Cahill:
Thank you for continuing to consult with the New York State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO). We have reviewed the provided documentation in accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. These comments are those of the SHPO and relate
only to Historic/Cultural resources.
We have reviewed the revised plans and application uploaded to our online CRIS system on
November 3,2016. Based upon our review of these documents and various phone calls to the
office since our first letter, we offer the following comments:
1. The North Elevation design appears to be greatly improved based upon our last comments.
2. Please provide a response to the remainder of our concerns expressed in our letter of
September 30, 2016; namely concerns regarding, Scale, Massing and Design Features,
Siting, Materials and Company Hill Path.
3. At this time, we understand that Company Hill Path will be rebuilt rather than repaired. We
request existing conditions, plans, specifications and/or scope of work describing the
proposed work for the historic Company Hill Path.
4. We understand that additional state andlor funding may be available for this project. Please
provide the state and federal funding agencies and their contact information.
ln order for our office to continue its review of this project, please submit comments and/or
revised renderings, plans and elevations for the proposed building that take into account our
concerns as listed above. Plans, specifications, and other documentation requested in this letter
should be provided via our Cultural Resource lnformation System (CRIS) at
www.nvsparks.com/shpo/online-tools/. Once on the CRIS site, you can log in as a guest and
choose "submit" at the very top menu. Next choose "submit new information for an existing
project". You will need this project number and your e-mail address.
lf you have any questions, I can be reached at (51 8) 268-2181.
Sincerely,

fu.+

Beth A. Cumming
Senior Historic Site Restoration Coordinator

Beth.cumming@parks.nv.gov
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 189, Waterford, New York 12188-'tEC). (5f 8) 237-843 . www.nysparks.com

via e-mail only

Parks, Recreation,
and Historic Preservation

T{EWYORK
STATE OF

OPPORTUNITY-

ANDREW M. CUOMO

ROSE HARVEY

Governor

Commissioner

September 30, 2016

Ms. Suzanne Cahill

Planning Director
City of Kingston
City Hall- 420 Broadway
Kingston, NY 12401
LWRP

lrish CulturalCenter
32 Abeel Street, Kingston, NY 12401
16PR06101

Dear Ms. Cahill:

Thank you for requesting the comments of the New York State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO. We have reviewed the provided documentation in accordance with Section 106 of the
National Historic preservation Act of 1966. These comments are those of the SHPO and relate
only to Historic/Cultural resources. They do not include other environmental impacts to New
yoit< State Parkland that may be involved in or near your project. Such impacts must be
considered as part of the environmental review of the project pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act and/or the State Environmental Quali$ Review Act (New York
Environmental Conservation Law Article 8).
We have reviewed you submission dated September 1,2016 forthe lrish CulturalCenter
project. We note tfrt tfre construction site is within the National Register listed Rondout-West
btrnO Historic istrict. We understand that the proposed project will include construction of a
16,889 $quare foot building on a currently vacant parcel between Abeel and West Strand
Streets.
Because this site had historically contained one or more buildings, it is appropriate to construct
a new building in this location tlrat will be compatible to the surrounding buildings within the
historic distriCt. Based on our review of the proposed building design, we have the following
comments concems:

.
o

Scale: The scale is very large in comparison to surrounding commercial and residential
buildings. Nearby buildingsre around 4-5,000 square foot. Set-backs, landscaping, and
varied massing may helpreduce the visual impact of this large structure particularly on
the West Strand Street facade.
Massing and Design Features: The rectangular flat roofed faade with fullwidth double
height porches, does relate to the historic faade of the D+H Paymaster Building that
was located adjacent to this site. Though the scale of the proposed building is much
larger. Windows are not compatble in this way, Particu larly the circular motif
Division for Historic Preservation
P.O. Box 189, Waterford, New York '12188-0189

'

(518) 237-8643 'www nysparks'com

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r
.
r

Siting: ln this location, where residential structures were located historically, the set-back
should relate closely with the resdential buildings along Abeel Street. The proposed
building footprint is set well back of the surrounding residential buildings, as it tries to
relate more to the West Strand Commercial buildings.
Solar panels "parapet", appear to be a modern application of solar panels and we have
no concerns.
Materials: Yellow "Norman" brick cladding does not relate wellto sunounding masonry
buildings, which are standard sized locally produced red brick. Local brickyards were a
major mployer of the lrish population in town, and use of this brick type would relate
wellto local history.
Abeel Street elevation is a too industrial in appearance. The height is good. We
understand the reference to Sullivanesque panels however, they do not related to the
the existing historic district. Please reconsider this treatment.
Company Hill Path: we are encouraged by the proposed plan to repair and rebuild this
historic pathway.

ln order for our office to continue its review of this project, please submit comments and/or
revised renderings, plans and elevations for the proposed building that take into account our
concerns as listed above.
Plans, specifications, and other documentation requested in this letter should be provided via
our Cultural Resource lnformation System (CRIS) at www.nysparks.com/shpo/online-tools/.
Once on the CRIS site, you can log in as a guest and choose "submit" at the very top menu.
Next choose "submit new information for an existing project". You will need this proiect number
and your e-mail address.
lf you have any questions, I can e reached at (518) 268'2181

Sincerely,

&.+
Beth A. Gumming
Senior Historic Site Restoration Coordinator
Beth. cum m nq @parks-nv. q ov
i

Division for Historic Preservation

P.O. Box 189, Waterford, NewYork 12188-0189'(518) 237-8613'www.nysparks.com

via e-mailonly