CENTER SQUARE ASSOCIATION OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

President, Miss Ruth Gilbert; Vice-President?, Mr. H. C. Schramm; Corres-
ponding Secretary, Mrs. J. F. Hegarty; Recording Secretary, Miss Elfrieda
Hartt; Treasurer, Mr. R. E. Foskett.
Board of Directors: (in addition to officers): Mr. H. L. Betham, Past President;
Mr. E. D. Blanner, Treas.; Mrs. G. W. Hemstead, Historic Sites Commission;
Mrs. H. L. Malone, Real Estate; Mrs. A. W. Pohl, Membership; Mr. Harold
Rubin, Publicity; Mr. W. J. Sullivan, Legal Matters.

FACADES AROUND US

The Center Square area is by and large composed of houses of the Victorian era. Some few are early twentieth century, and some fewer date to the eighteen fifties. The early houses are late Federal in architecture and have the simple, uncluttered facades, and are also identified by low "stoops" and entries. Some few have a "service way" that goes from street to garden. Both the Victorian and early twentieth century house took advantage of the "English Basement" idea, where half to three-fourths of the first floor is above sidewalk level. This made the firstfloor of the house as usable as the floors above.

A large percentage of the Federal and Victorian houses are painted brick. In their original state they were not painted, but the soft brick·of the era and the gradual seeping in of moisture made paint a necessity to seal the exterior. Some few of these houses have been sandblasted and sealed with modern sealers and present a fine appearance, particularly if the trim has been done in the soft beige of the mortar joints of the brick.

As is generally known, designers and architects classify Victorian architecture as bad. The over—embellishment of cornices, windows, doors and entries with "gingerbread" is frequently pointed out as an"unfortunate" era which never should have happened. However, these houses can be most attractive with proper handling of their facades. As was mentioned earlier, sand-blasting, with softbeige trim, isgmost satisfying. In painting, the usual mistake is to point out all of the "gingerbread" by boldly contrasting it by a deep color paint against a light background. The more successful ones are painted all one color, with possibly just the front door contrasted. This does not accentuate the bad points of the front, and lets the facade become a whole.

We all wish to make our fronts as. attractive and distinctive as possible. The most successful colors are usually greys,beiges, celadon, creams, off whites. These middle soft shades have dignity and wear well. Bizarre colors too frequently callundue attention to not so good architecture.

"Brides Row," as part of upper Chestnut Street was once known, is early twentieth century, made of modern high-fired brick, and fortunately simple in design. Luckily noone has ever painted any of these houses and the more successful ones have blended the cornices, bays, and trim into the color of the brick, affordinga dignified appearance.

During some point in their history, several houses in the area were covered with stucco. These
were probably clapboard houses and stucco offered a weather-tight, upkeep-free front. However, the original architecture of the house was lost in the process.

There are also several interesting old clapboard houses that have survived beautifully. Usually these are some of the early ones, as well as smaller ones, and add a quaint touch sandwiched in between larger brick structures.

Some of the larger, more elegant houses in State Street and elsewhere are brownstone. These remain pretty much as they always were. The trim is painted about the same color as the stone itself. Occasionally someone will paint brownstone, but it does not hold paint well, and most people have learned to leave well enough alone.

A neighborhood or area is usually what the people make it who live there. A facade is more than paint, brick, or stone. A swept sidewalk, plants in season, clean windows and foyers, and garbage cans taken in promptly, frequently make the difference in what the visitor sees to talk about. A concentrated effort by all of us along this vein will make our area a more pleasant place to be, and a nicer place in which to receive our guests and friends.

- GEORGEJ.MORGAN


PROGRESS NOTES

Center guare Zoning.
There is a strong probability that we shall be applying to the Common Council for an amendmenttothe present zoning ordinances A which would set up regulations specific to Center Square. The Schenectady zoning ordinance has such an amendment on behalf of the Stockade. You remember that last fall’s questionnaire showed that we were not informed as to our zoning in this area or on its use fulness for our purposes. This matter has had careful study since that time and we will be in touch with you about future developments.

Flea Market.
Flea Markets are a lot of fun and a lot of work and we have hopes that we may have one during the fine fall weather. They are money raisers too. If we are successful in getting an experienced dealer to put on a flea market for us on a percentage basis, leaving us space for a jelly stand, a "white elephant" stand and other possible bright ideas of our own, we shall go ahead with this plan and you will be hearing more about this.

Future News Letters.
It was voted at a recent Board meeting that our News Letter, as originally planned, should appear more frequently and more informally than the present once-a-year publication. Experience seems to show that if one waits for current activities to settle down enough so than an informative article can be written. about them, the News Letter gets later and later-as witness the one you hold in your hands.

Membership.
The popularity polls indicate that you like the membership cards that came into use about. a year ago. At the present time we have 145 paidup memberships representing considerably more than that number of individuals because of the Mr. and Mrs. memberships. The City Club and the Emmanuel Baptist Church have joined us. Dues ($2.00) are payable annually, and the fiscal year runs from October to October.

No Progress Note.
We did not succeed in getting Picctte Realty to help us establish Center Square’s Pocket Park #1 on the Picotte lot on Chestnut Street-the lot where we were given permission to have a Christmas tree in 1965 and ’66.

Littering.
The mysterious empty cartons, six or eight of whioh appeared on Chestnut Street between Lark and Dove Streets early on several mornings of each week, have been tracked to their source, and the source has quit this form of littering apparently permanently. (But, see"Help--Help")

HISTORIC SITES ORDINANCE CAN HELP CENTER SQUARE

Albany’s Historic Sites Ordinance which designates certain "areas, buildings, structures and objects" as protected, and which creates an Historic Sites Commission, was passed by the Common Council on February 2lst to take effect immediately. Center Square Association had been actively interested in bringing the need for such an ordinance to the attention of the Mayor and was gratified that this action was taken.

One of the strengths of this ordinance is its protection of areas rather than of individual buildings
only. This means that all structures within the boundaries of a described area are included. Every owner and tenant in Center Square (with the exception at the present time of the south side of Jay Street) is affected by the Ordinance and therefore, if our area cooperates responsibly, the property values, businesses and living arrangements of all of us could improve steadily with no fear of area deterioration.

Some of our members and friends may still be uncertain of Center Square boimdaries. The following therefore is quoted from the Ordinance and exactly describes Center Square except for the omission of the south side of Jay Street:

"State Street between Lark Street and Swan Street; Chestnut Street between Lark Street and Swan Street; Lancaster Street between Willett Street and Swan Street; the north side of Jay Street between Lark Street and Swan Street; Lark Street between Jay Street and State Street; and Dove Street between Jay Street and State Street."

The general purposes of the Ordinance, to be carried out through the Historic Sites Com-
mission, are as follows:
"a. To protect, preserve and enhance
those places, buildings, structures and objects which are of special character or interest to the City of Albany.
b. To foster civic beauty.
c. To safeguard and preserve the historical, culture, and architectural heritage of the City of Albany."

(N.B. the term "areas," previously mentioned., appears later in the Ordinance.)

What are some of the basic implications for people like ourselves who live in the area, or own property here and live elsewhere, or conduct a business or maintain a professional office here? First, it should be pointed out that the Historic Sites Ordinance has to do with the exterior of buildings (not interior remodeling) "including the reasonable and appropriate controlof the use and appearance of neighboring private property within public view..."

Second, inasmuch as changes to the exterior of structures usually necessitate the obtaining of a permit from the Commissioner of Buildings, the following item is quoted from the Ordinance:

"6. No permit for construction, repair, alteration or demolition of any property within any area designated in Section 4 herein shall be granted by the Commissioner of Buildings if it affects the exterior of such building in any way or manner until after such time as the application for such permit has been presented to the Historic Sites Commission for its study and recommendation. Said application for such permit shall be submitted to the Chairman of the said Commission."

The Ordinance then goes on to state the length of time granted the Commission for consideration of the application for permit; points out that the Ordinance does not affect the powers of the Commissioner of Buildings where matters of public safety, health and welfare are concerned; and does not affect the right of appeal provided to any individual.

Some of our members may feel that the phrase, "to enhance" or, to make more beautiful and suitable, will be both the most difficult and the most promising part of the Ordinance — difficult because an "improvement" to the outside of his house that appeals to a property owner as a good idea may be found not to be in accord with the "specia1 character" and architecture of the area. The owner, lmowing that he E the owner, feels that he shouldbe able to do as he pleases with his own property and, naturally, does not like to have his "good taste" questioned. However, we have learned to understand and accept building codes, fire laws, and zoning regulations because they are for the common good including that of the owner. So it may not take us too long to realize that the use of materials and styles appropriate to exteriors in this neighborhood will upgrade an owner’s property and be a source of interest and pleasure to him, as well as to the neighborhood.

The Historic Sites Commission is preparing a letter to go to all property owners in the various protected areas in Albany, explaining the Commission’s purpose and methods and giving the names of the five commissioners. One of them, as we know, is Mrs. George W. Hemstead of Center Square.

At the present time it seems to the Board of Center Square Association that questions and problems related to the Historic Sites Ordinance should be made known to the president of the Association for transmission to the Building Commissioner or the Historic Sites Commission in order to make this an organizational effort and also so that the Association may become familiar with the scope of problems that arise.

Copies of the Ordinance may be obtained from the City Clerk ("City Record" for February 16, 1966).

25 NEW TREES

Twenty—five fine, healthy young
trees- have been planted in Center
Square this spring. They are oaks
and locusts which, with the
maples planted previously, gives
us a pleasing variety and offers
a safeguard in the event that a
blight should strike one kind of
tree.
As you have seen, the new
trees and a few of the older ones
in more exposed places, have
been bricked in and protective
supports have been erected. The
latter can be removed ina couple
of years when the trees have
achieved more growth. We had
lost so many trees in past years
because of mistreatment of them
by passers-by or because the
ground was trodden hard, that the
Board voted this year to expend
fifteen dollars a tree to protect
them. Mr. Avant, the tree spe-
cialist who is doing the work,
lost money on this contract but
was willing to help us as a dem-
onstration to other parts of the
city of an effective way to guard
young trees.
.We are most grateful to the
Mayor who, when he was in-
formed of our bricking—in and
protection project, said that Cen-
ter Square need not pay the fif-
teen dollars a tree as originally
agreed upon as the costto Center
Square of the trees. The trees
and their planting, especially
when the sidewalk must be broken
as is thecase with Center Square
now, cost many times fifteen dol-

lars so that we have received a
substantial gift.
Our trees are flourishing at the
present time and should continue
to do so if householders will take
responsibility for watering them.
The sand around the bricked-in
trees should be damp at all times.
This means that for the first
year at least they should be
watered every other day when the
weather has been fair. A couple
of pails of water suffice since
the sand absorbs the water rather
than letting it run off. The sand
also retards the growth of grass
and weeds but where such growth
takes place it can easily be
weeded out from the open side of
the support. The Association will
see that the trees are fertilized
twice a year. lf you have ques-
tions about the condition of
"your" tree, get in touch with
Mr. Blanner.
As a matter of fact we pulleda
fast one on Mr. Blanner. We of-
fered to write this piece for him
supposedly to save him the
trouble of doing it himself, but
actually because this gave us a
chance to say how much we re-
spect his knowledge of trees and
how deeply we appreciate the
hard work he has given to Center
Square’s tree project.
We would also like to thank
those who have made a financial
contribution to the tree project
thus helping to pay the bill for
keeping the trees safe and
healthy. °

OIIR OWH HISTORIC
RESEARCH PROIECT

Now that Center Square has
been officially designated as an
historic area, it seems most
appropriate to undertake a pro-
gram to document the history of
the area by obtaining information
on all the residences. This is not
a short-term project but rather
one that should be developed and
expanded over the years.
The Center Square Association
is starting such a project. De-
tailed information will be ob-
tained on each Center Square
residence—when it was built, the
date and description of each ma-
jor structural change, interesting
architectural features, and any
other building data which would
be of interest, as well as the
names of present and previous
owners and occupants.
A variety of sources can and
will be used. Much information
concerning the area’s past resi-
dents is available from backvol—
umes of the City Directory and-
newspaper files. Individual mem-
ories will be tapped. Historic
records and legal documents,
such as deeds, will also be useful.
Residents who have old maps and
pictures will be urged to submit
them to the committee for copy-
ing.
A committee is being estab-
lished which will include Mrs.
Harold Rubin of Chestnut Street
whose brain—child this project is.
We are happy to announce that
Miss Catharine M. Bacon of Lan-
caster Street has consented tobe
chairman of the committee.


SCHENECTADY STOCKADE TRIP
November 7, 1965

On a blustery Sunday noon, 59
members of Center Square took
off by chartered bus for a tour
cf the Schenectady Stockade. They
were met at the parking lot of
St., George’s Church by Mr. Hor-
ace Vanlfoast, Historian of the
Stockade. The preliminary meet··
ing was held in the Great Hall of
the church where l\/Irs. ArnoldW.
Pohl, project chairman, intro-
duced the group to Mr. Vanl/`oast
and Mrs. WilliamJ, Quinn, Mem-
bership Chairman of the Stock-
ade. They both extended a warm
and sincere welcome to us all.
Mr, Vanlfoast based his talk
to our group on his ownobserva—
tions of Center Square conditions.
Landscaping, lighting, exterior
painting, parking lots, and clean-
liness were discussed in detail.
He stressed the desirability of
softer shades of paint, andpaint-
ing the "eye—-brows" ofVictorian
houses the same shade as the
house itself, thereby giving an
overall quiet effect. By painting
the molding at the top of the
house, right under the roof, the
same cclor as the house, the
height would be de—emphasized. ’
He stressed the importance of
window blinds and attractive
doorways ~··- both adding charm to
any house when accented with a
suitable and contrasting color.
The desirability of small plant-
ings along _the foundations of a
house was shown. In many in-
stances the entire bitof greenery
consisted of aplot twelve to twen-
ty—~four inches deep and extending
along the house — a base of ivy
or myrtle, accented with two or
three small evergreens. The
planting of many, many trees was
encouraged and the lack of them
throughout Center Square was
noted (see our story: "25 New
Trees"),
We were all impressed to hear
how Stockade residents not only
religiously sweep their sidewalks
but also the gutters and deposit
the dirt in their own trash cans.

They do not wait for the city to
do the job.
After a brief period of ques-
tions and answers we were taken
on a tour of three residences.
They included an unusual and
lovely four—family cooperative
apartment house —- the first of
its kind to be built in the Stock-
ade. Mr. Vanl/`oast had the cour-
age and foresight to carry out this
project and within one year ofthe
construction date all four apart-»
ments were eagerly snatched up.
Needless to say, the interior of
this building as well as the ex-
terior was in beautiful taste. It
was interesting to note as we left
through the rear exit that all
trash cans for this house were un·-
obtrusively concealed in a lat··»
ticed space beneath the porch, and
securely covered. Garages for
the owners of the apartments
were easily accessible and on
their own property and had been
carefully planned to form a pleas-
ing part of the garden at the rear
of the house.
We nextvisitedProfessor Har-
low’s home where the Board of
the Stockade held a reception for
us. The exterior of this house
gave the impression of a large
and truly lovely one—family home
as it had been at one time. How-
ever, we were interested to find
that there were some deluxe
apartments in it. The gardens,
hot—house and pool in the rear
were beautiful, and it was difficult
to end this delightful interlude. As
we were leaving, General Milton?
a member of the Board, invited us
to visit his home which was on our
route back to the bus, This trim
and charming house was as indi-
vidually lovely as the others we
had seen-—each standing on its
own merits,
As we left the Stockade we all
took with us a memory ofa neigh··~
hood where it was evident the
residents cared very much for
their environment.
‘ OLGA Pom

BACK IN 1965
Some of our members probably
are even now shopping in the re-
sorts for Christmas presents for
Christmas, 1966. Be that as it
may, we still wish to take note
of our 1965 Christmas observ-
ance during some of the coldest,
most blustery weather of the
year. Mrs. J. Frank Hegarty,
Corresponding Secretary, was
diverted from that job long enough
to be the effective chairman of
the activities. She was able to in-
terest Miss Eleanor Foote in
leading the carol singing which,
due to the weather, turned out to
be the vocal efforts ofafewhardy
souls who sang as they ran. How-
ever, Miss Foote had obtained
song books that were helpful and
will be used again this Christmas
-·-» and we hope Miss Foote will
make her skilled help available
again too. The frozen carol sing-
ers and others gathered at Miss
Gilbert’s house later for eggnog,
where Mrs. Herbert L. Betham’s
committee assisted with refresh-
ments. A tree, donated by Mr.
Littlefield and set in `place by
Mr. Blanner on the Picotte lot
on Chestnut Street, was trimmed
by some of the children the
previous afternoon.

Partly in 1965 , but spilling over
into the present year, we had the
largish task of preparing, sending
out, filling out, and returning the
Center Square questionnaires ··—
designed to give us at the same
time as reliable as possible an
idea of the overall problems and
concerns of the area; information
as to whether certain concerns
were more true of one section of
Center Square than another, and
also to point up some individual
suggestions. While the returns
were not overwhelming in num-
ber, they were adequate, espe-
cially as they represented every
block in Center Square. They have
been useful and will continue to be
so, One of the major results is the
follow-up on our expressed wish
to know more ‘about our zoning.

help-Help-HELP
Street Cleaning. We called the
Bureau of Streets and Sewers to
find out the schedule for street
cleaning for Center Square. We
were told that there was no regu-
lar schedule due to limitations of
staff and equipment. Streets are
cleaned based on need, as meas-
ured by the number of complaint
calls.
lf you feel that your street
needs cleaning, telephone the
Bureau of Streets and Sewers —
472—8856.
Littering. At our winter mem-
bership meeting, after hearing
the cries of disgust about littered
sidewalks reported from the
questionnaire, an Anti-Littering?
Committee was authorized by
vote of the membership, to be ap-
pointed by the president.
Except for the gentleman who
made the motion to establish the
committee, the president has
been unable to find people who
will serve on it. The request
seems to strike possible mem-
bers either as very funny or as
faintly insulting. Anyone who
walks around our area on a Mon-
day morning knows that our need
for the committee continues. Vol-
unteers, please?

Mrs. Frederick S. de Beer,
Chairman of the City Planning
& Housing Committee of the City
Club of Albany (one of our new
members) has circularized the
Club’s membership and others
with a telling letter in favor of
preservation of Pruyn Library.


A "LETTER T0 THE EDITOR" THAT SHHIJLIT HAVE BEEH WRITTEN

The piece quoted in part below
is from the "Times—Union" for
March 21 and appeared under the
head, "l\/{ALL CHANGES TO
‘RUB OFF’ ON AREA PROP—-
ERTY." It is an interesting story
but with some aspects not de-
veloped from Center Square’s
point of view. So, we follow it by
a letter to the Editor as Center
Square Association might have
written it.
"Changes in the periphery of the South
Mall are expected late this year as build-
ings rise within the Mall. That’s the opin-
ion of some of Albany’s leading real estate
men. One veteran Albany real estate broker
summed up the forecast when he told the
Times-Union:
‘Once they see the evidence of the build-
ings in the South Mall, people with far-
reaching minds will try to acquire property
facing and near the Mal1.’
The periphery of the South Mall is under-
going extremely little change as construc-
tion ofthe vast governmental complex moves
ahead with the thump-thumping of pile driv-
ing for foundations. Business and dwelling
structures surrounding the South Mal1’s
98 1/2 acres appear about the same as they
did when the Mall project got underway.
Mall planners contended that the beauty
and new life of state structures spanning
the top of the hill and throughout the Mall
would ‘rub off' on the surroundings, giving
the periphery a new look, This, generally
hasn’t happened. But the real estate men
point out ‘It unquestionably is to come.’
Appreciation has already occurred, they
said ...... "

To the Editor:
This letter is in response to a
story appearing in the "Times—
Union" for 3/21/66 in which the
reporter suggests that "Mall
changes" can be expected to "rub
off on area property." The story
is written from the business and
property value point of view which
is understandable and to the point,
but is far from giving the whole
picture of the areas adjacent to
the Mall.
Had your reporter walked a
little to the west, he would have
been in "Center Square." Center
Square is largely a residential
area with some business estab-

lishments. Its houses, dating
from soon after the turn of the
century or considerably earlier,
are of a style and architecture
that the City of Albany wants to
preserve. Center Square there-
fore is one of the areas protected
by the Historic Sites Commission
that was set up by the Ordinance.
Many people (including our-
selves) think our area presents a
charming aspect with its old
houses, its attention to flower
boxes, gardens and trees. In many
ways it is an exceptionally con-
venient place in which to live.
And, while we admit that Center
Square has its eyesores and
trouble spots, we think these will
decrease as interest in Center
Square continues to grow.
Not too many years from now,
when the tall new buildings stand
just to the east of Center Square
in all the beauty we expect from
them, there will be many visitors
to the South Mall as well as many
persons employed there. Some of
them will cross Swan Street into
a section that represents part of
the past of this historic city even
though the people who live here
know how to make themselves
comfortable in a more modern
manner.
By that time what may have
"rubbed off" in our area from
its nearness to the South Mall
is an added awareness that these
few strategic, protected blocks
between the Mall and Washington
Park that constitute Center
Square must be as clean and
beautiful and as faithful to their
architectural character as we
know how to make them.
(signed)
Center Square Association

SOME OUESTIONS FOR US TO THINK ABOUT

For a long time Center Square Association has had the idea
that it would be well to mark the area in some way so that people
coming into our neighborhood would know they had arrived in Cen-
ter 'Square. The plan that has had the most careful study is that of
obtaining special street lights in an appropriate design probably to
supplement our present street lights. We investigated a report that
Syracuse University was replacing campus lights of adesign appro-
priate to Center Square with more modern lighting. However, the
Syracuse lights were found to be in bad shape, and, not suprisingly,
operated on an outmoded type of circuit. Another plan that was
considered was to ask the City’s cooperation inbracketing lanterns
to existing electric light poles. The Board of the Association finally
voted to table any plan for special lighting for the area until we have
more money in the treasury or until just the right inspiration comes
to mind.
We have also been thinking about Center Square markers—iden-
tifying signs appropriately placed in the area, perhaps attached to
the electric light poles, with the City’spermission. Such signs might
be metal and might bear the sketch thatyou see on the masthead and
that is on our stationery. Avariationon this idea has just been sug-
gested by one of our Board members—that such metal signs be at-
tached to the supports of our new trees. Another idea is that the
signs might be tied in with an anti—littering campaign.
What would you like to see Center Square do in this respect?

Suggestions for another type of marker have been brought up
several times-this one a plaque perhaps to be displayed on certain
individual houses in Center Square. If we had such a plaque, would
you like to see it used on houses that have historic interest known to
us at this time; as an award for appropriate and beautiful exteriors
of houses; or, how would you like to see it used?

This year we shall have held one additional membership meet-
ing as compared with previous years. It is a little difficult to know
in which year to count the fall membership meeting inasmuch as
the current president presides, but a new slate of officers is
elected. However, _there has been a fall meeting, a winter meeting
and a spring meeting of the membership. And there will be a meet-
ing this coming fall. Is the number of membership meetings held
this year about right, or what would be your preference? If it was
ever necessary to call a membership meeting on short notice for
some now unforseen reason, do you think the membership would
come to it?


NEW MEMBE§S WELCUMED

The following new members ·
should have been introduced at
our May membership meeting.
Our apologies to them that this did
not take place. We welcome:
Mrs. Victoria Nichols, 41 Dove
St.; Miss Helen Evers, 41 Dove
St.; Dr. William deRouville, 216
Lancaster St.; Dr. Raymond G.
Leddy, 224 Lark St.; The City
Club of Albany, 257 State St.
(Mrs. Dorothy Burns, rep.); The
Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275
State St.; Miss Janet MacFar=
lane, 348 State St.; Dr. John Filli-
ppone, 216 Lancaster St.; The
Rev. and Mrs. EdmondJ. O’Neal?,
131 Jay St.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Wilpers, 224 Lark St.