Community room sparks debate

By Randy Koniowka

It has been nearly 125 years since a new structure was built in what is now the Harmony Mills National Historic Landmark District. But build a new structure is exactly what the Community Builders plan to do.

The Community Builders Inc, a national non profit, is under negotiations to purchase numerous apartment units throughout the City of Cohoes. Among these units are the 19th century row houses which line North Mohawk Street.

Constructed between 1853 and 1865 for workers of the Harmony Company, the structures, according to the National Park service, "retain an exceptional integrity of form, massing, materials, and style. All of the houses in this section are in good condition and have preserved much of their original appearance, contributing to the National Historic District."

In its plans for the area, Community Builders seeks to construct a community room in what is now a vacant lot on the corner of North Mohawk and Front Streets. Good idea? Perhaps, but many historic preservationists in the city have concerns. The plans submitted by Community Builders call for a one story building with a pitched roof, gables, and white pillars. Some community members feel that the building is too suburban in character for such a district of national prominence and that Community Builders should reconsider not only the style of the building, but of the location all together.

And during a meeting of the city Planning Board Monday night, things got heated.

"If you want to keep the old buildings and vacant lots, why don't YOU buy them", exclaimed city planner Melissa Ashline- Heil to a member of the public expressing his concerns. Ms. Heil even challenged Planning Board Chair Joe Molughney to expedite the process, claiming that "there is no negative impact on the community, let's stop hanging these people."

Whether there is a negative impact or not has yet to be decided. A meeting of the city's Historical and Architectural Review Board will review a revised rendering of the structure as well as hear from a representative from the State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17 at 6:30pm in City Hall.