ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Landmark Society of Western New York announced its Five to Revive locations that it says are the highest priorities for investment and rehabilitation. The vision is to make these historically significant buildings important again and for them to spur development in their communities.
“The Landmark Society of Western New York provides preservation services to the Rochester and Western New York region, fostering grassroots preservation and supporting local advocacy," said Erin Tobin of the Preservation League of New York state. "Lists like the Five to Revive focus attention on some of the most important historic endangered resources in the region.”
The Rochester sites are the East Main Street/North Clinton Avenue Retail District, the former Wollensack Optical Company and the Lockwood-Alhart House, the only remaining cobblestone house in city limits. Other regional sites are the Cattaraugus Library in Little Valley and three fraternal meeting halls in Genesee, Wayne, and Livingston counties.
“There’s a lot of exciting things that we’re talking about and working on," said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. "Quite honestly, there’s a lot of things couldn’t do alone. We need the collaboration and partnership of organizations like the Landmark Society.”
The Landmark Society is based in Corn Hill, a neighborhood with many landmarked buildings. They hope this latest project is an opportunity for each site to be a catalyst for change and transform an entire neighborhood.
“One of the big misconceptions is that we, Landmark Society, strives to preserve buildings for history’s sake only," said Wayne Goodman of the Landmark Society of Western New York. "And it couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s about economic development, job creation, community development. It’s really a package deal.”
This is the third year of the program