845 Commons in Schenectady to be Honored

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845 Commons. Photo by Re4orm Architecture.

• The former Mica Insulator Company in 2010. Photo by PACA Preservation.

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2016)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected 845 Commons (Historic Mica Insulator Company Building) in Schenectady to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The Preservation League's awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"This $26.2 million project used housing tax credits as well as State and Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits to breathe new life into a 1915 industrial building that once housed the Mica Insulator Company," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "This formerly-vacant daylight factory has been converted to affordable housing for up to 155 residents, many of them military veterans. The League applauds the concerted efforts of all involved to return this structure to productive use."

President Obama recently recognized Schenectady as one of only three cities in the United States to eliminate veteran's homelessness. The 845 Commons project made a major contribution toward achieving this goal.

The project team included PACA Preservation LLC of Kinderhook; the Galesi Group of Schenectady; Bonacio Construction of Saratoga Springs; Re4orm Architecture of Schenectady; Key Bank; Capital District YMCA; Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The project also received support from the New York State Office for Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) Homeless Housing Assistance Program, and the City of Schenectady Industrial Development Agency.

The building that houses 845 Commons is part of the former Mica Insulator Company's research and manufacturing complex. The building was in poor condition after decades of vacancy, but was situated next to the Schenectady County Department of Social Services Empowerment Campus, where residents could access a number of programs devoted to health and self-sufficiency. Its massive size, unfinished interior and open floor plans provided ample, adaptable space for the number of apartments and variety of services required.

Anthony Jasenski, Chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature said, "This award is great recognition from the Preservation League of New York State for our efforts to save and renovate buildings with significant historic value in Schenectady County. This is a key focus of our economic development efforts and I would like to thank the Capital District YMCA, the Galesi Group, Bonacio Construction and our other partners for their dedicated efforts to restore this building following the County's earlier efforts to renovate the adjoining building at 797 Broadway."

David Brown, President and CEO of the Capital District YMCA said, "The Capital District YMCA is honored to part of this prestigious award. This is a great example of collaboration and partnership to better serve the community. The YMCA thanks the Preservation League of New York State for recognizing the work of all the project partners to make 845 Commons something that serves Schenectady, including many of our veterans."

Frank Ronkese, Vice President of the Galesi Group said, "This project was a great example of the cooperation that is needed to preserve and protect a 1915 building and transform it into a housing development with modern amenities. We could not be happier with the result and we thank the Preservation League for this award."

Sonny Bonacio, President of Bonacio Construction said, "This was one of the most difficult projects in terms of complexity that we have dealt with but also the most gratifying. We replaced a vacant factory with safe, affordable housing for residents including many vets who deserve a great building to call home. The Preservation League's award for 845 Commons is something we are very proud of."

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League's Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: The Renaissance Albany Hotel (Historic DeWitt Clinton Hotel) – Albany; Apple Store, Upper East Side – Manhattan; United Nations Campus Headquarters Glazed Façades Replacement – Manhattan; Babcock Shattuck House – Syracuse; Spirit of Life & Spencer Trask Memorial – Saratoga Springs; 845 Commons (Historic Mica Insulator Co. Building) – Schenectady; T. G. Hawkes Glass Co. Apartments – Corning; and Maverick Concert Hall, Woodstock.

"With our annual awards program, the Preservation League explores not just the present, but the future of historic preservation. Many of the 2016 award winners provide valuable examples for others by incorporating energy efficiency techniques, adaptive reuse strategies and Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits," said DiLorenzo. "Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to celebrate the rebirth of the Mica Insulator Co. Building as 845 Commons, and to commend all members of the project team for their leadership and vision."

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The Preservation League's Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs all across the state.