Summer is always busy for Historic Properties Fund staff Jim Mahoney and Kyunhea West—and this year was no exception. They kicked off three new loan projects, kept an eye on four ongoing ones, and spent plenty of time climbing rooftops in the heat.
In Jackson Heights, work began at both Hawthorne Court and Hampton Court to repair parapets (the low walls at the top of buildings) and restore brick and stonework. At Hampton Court, Jim and Kyunhea got a close look at the half-moon-shaped terracotta details that line the parapet. Part of their job is figuring out what can be saved, what needs replacing, and how to keep the structure safe without losing its historic charm.
We’ve been working in Jackson Heights since 2007, and at this point, it feels like we’ve gone roof to roof across the whole neighborhood. Over the years, we’ve completed work on 16 buildings there, investing more than $6 million in loans. The buildings may be hot and sunny, but the lush gardens tucked between them always tempt us to climb down for some shade.
Meanwhile, in Crown Heights North, we’re wrapping up the restoration of a beautiful rowhouse. The project included rare wood windows with stained-glass transoms. Matching those windows with the right contractor was key—and luckily, we had just worked with a stellar restoration team. The owner couldn’t have been happier with the results.
Looking ahead, we’re starting new projects in Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, and the Upper West Side. That means building new project teams, getting permits from the Landmarks Preservation Commission and Department of Buildings, and gearing up for another challenge—restoring a mansard roof. A change that will get us off the flat roofs of Jackson Heights.
As summer winds down, Jim and Kyunhea are prepping for two more loan closings—one in Jackson Heights and another in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. If summer was busy, fall looks like it will be just as full of rooftops, repairs, and restoration wins.
