51-53 & 55-57 Market St, Potsdam Re-development
The Village of Potsdam has a remarkable history of maintaining the Victorian character of its downtown in spite of challenges like the 1998 fire which gutted 51-53 and 55-57 Market Street. While many communities would respond by razing buildings to create more and more parking lots for fewer and fewer cars, civic leaders in Potsdam have insisted on taking the long view, recognizing the value to the community of maintaining its rich architectural heritage.
It hasn´t always been easy. Some property owners refused to act, even in the face of court orders. The Village was forced to go to court to take possession so not only unattractive but also dangerous conditions could be remedied. It hasn´t been inexpensive, but the value of the properties to the community far exceeds the value of the bricks and mortar.
The redevelopment of 51-53 Market Street was completed in 2003 through the collaboration of the Village of Potsdam, its Planning and Development Office, and the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, Inc. which became the project developer. Together they were able to obtain grants, tax credits and private investment to raise a Phoenix from its ashes.
More remained to be done as the adjacent structure at 55-57 was still a gaping sore. Again, through the collaboration of the Housing Council and the Village, the challenge was accepted to create another structure which would be useful and maintain the historic appearance of the shopping district.
Funding was obtained from the New York State Governor´s Office for Small Cities and the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, and this was coupled with grants from National Grid, NeighborWorks® America, and private investment from the National Development Council. The architectural firm of Crawford & Stearns and Heritage Homes Construction were again engaged to do their magic.
The building was gutted down to its exterior walls, and two retail spaces on the first floor and seven elegant apartments with a townhouse design on the second and third floors were created – one with a single bedroom, six with two. The apartments, which are available only to persons with limited incomes, are managed by the St. Lawrence County Housing Council.
A project of this scope and quality was only possible because of the talents and dedication of an outstanding development team, including: the staff of the St. Lawrence County Housing Council, Inc.; Mayor Ron Tischler and the Village Board of Potsdam; Fred Hanss, director of the Potsdam Planning and Development Office; architect Randy Crawford of architectural restoration firm of Crawford & Stearns, Syracuse; Dick Maginn, President of Heritage Homes; Tisdel Associates of Canton, project engineers; Gary Beasley and Paul Babitz of Affordable Housing Consultants, tax credit consultants; the staff of the National Development Council; the New York State Governor´s Office for Small Cities; National Grid; and NeighborWorks®America.
In addition to providing attractive spaces for two local businesses and comfortable homes for seven local families, the success of the rehabilitation of 51-57 Market Street will make a significant contribution to the continuing vitality of the Village of Potsdam.