Town of Lexington Secures Preservation Grant

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Properties like the Lexington Hotel would be eligible for incentives for rehabilitation if a Cultural Resource Survey leads to Historic District designation.

ALBANY, NY (12/18/2014)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State recently made a grant of $8,800 to support the cost of completing a Cultural Resource Survey of the Town of Lexington in Greene County.

Settlers first populated the area known as the Town of Lexington in 1788. The Town was established in 1813. The community sits within the Catskill Park, southwest of Windham on the Schoharie Creek, and experienced significant flooding following Hurricane Irene. Lexington's collection of early- to mid-19th century homes, hotels, and commercial buildings reflect its history as a Catskill resort town. The community began seeking support for a townwide reconnaissance-level survey to protect its historic resources following its Bicentennial in 2013.

All of the buildings within the survey area fall within a New York State Rehabilitation Tax Credit-eligible census tract. Historic District designation would open doors for financial incentives for rehabilitation of commercial and residential properties. Preservation consultant Jessie Ravage will complete the survey.

The Preserve New York Grant Program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. "With the announcement of the 2014 awards, the total support provided by Preserve New York since its launch in 1993 is over $1.9 million to 307 projects statewide," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. "Preserve New York has a strong track record of bolstering local preservation efforts and delivering a strong return on investment."

"At its August, 2014 meeting, the Preserve New York grant program panel selected 15 applicants in 12 counties around the state to share $100,000 in funding," said Erin Tobin, the League's Regional Director of Technical and Grant Programs in eastern New York. "As always, the competition for these funds was intense. The Preservation League is delighted to help advance the preservation efforts of the Town of Lexington with timely funding from Preserve New York."

Organizations and municipalities receiving grant awards in 2014 are: Albany County: Westerlo Public Library; Chautauqua County: Chautauqua County Historical Society; Columbia County: Town of Livingston; Erie County (2): Elmwood Village Association; Village of Springville; Essex County (2): Fort Ticonderoga Association, Inc.; Town of Westport; Genesee County: LeRoy Business Council; Greene County: Town of Lexington; Montgomery County (2): Village of Fultonville; Village of St. Johnsville; Orleans County: Village of Holley; St. Lawrence County: Town of Russell; Steuben County: Town of Campbell; Sullivan County: Town of Delaware, Hamlet of Callicoon.

For more information on the Preserve New York Grant Program, please call 518-462-5658 or visit the League's website at www.preservenys.org.