We’re working on a record 15 loan projects this summer. A number of the projects are holdovers from last construction season, delayed because of the pandemic. Our Historic Properties Fund staff is currently working with seven co-op’s, five homeowners, two owners of investment properties, and one church.
“New York is certainly bouncing back in terms of the amount of restoration work being done this summer,” said HPF’s Blaire Walsh, “We’re beginning to see the results of projects we’ve been planning for many months. It’s so exciting to have tangible results.”
Work is diverse and includes brownstone facade and stoop restorations on rowhouses in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and Harlem. We’re putting a new copper tile tower roof on the Church of the Resurrection in Richmond Hill, Queens – where we have provided two previous loans for restoration work. We’re overseeing the installation of new stoop ironwork on a rowhouse in the Bedford Historic District, Brooklyn; and restoration work on decorative parapets on co-op’s in the Jackson Heights Historic District, Queens.
Susanna Ko and Mitch Ratchik are restoring their brownstone façade on Clermont Avenue with one of our loans. They appreciate that our staff has helped with everything from the architect selection to contractor bid reviews.
“Working with the Conservancy has been efficient and cost-effective,” Ms. Ko said. “It eliminates the possibility of unforeseen and expensive mistakes. ”
Contractors are also busy this year. Some of our projects have to wait until next spring to go into construction.