HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230391 177 S Broadway Stewarts Demo & Construction SSPF Letter 2023 09F p R` e%�/%u�
PRESERVATION
Board of Directors
Michele M. Funiciello
President
Sheila Sperling
Vice Preside�it
Linda L. Harvey
Secretary
Stephen Kyne
Treasurer
Tiffany Blair
Steven Dodds
Giovanna D'Orazio
Julia Dunn
Adam N. Favro
John Haller
Vincent LaTerra
Patty Morrison
Samantha Nass
Dorothy Rogers-Bullis
Jason Thomas
Maddy Zanetti
James Kettlewell
emeritus
Staff
Samantha Bosshart
Executive Director
Nicole Babie
MemberslTip &Programs
Director
Patricia Herrick
Bookkeeper
112 Spring Street, Suite 203
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 587-5030
ww�V. saratogapres ervation. org
September 6, 2023
Ms. Tamie Ehinger, Chair, Design Review Board
City Hall
474 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
RE: 28 Lincoln Avenue � 177 South Broadway — Demolitioa� � New Construction
Dear Tamie,
The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation reviewed the proposed plans to redevelop
177 South Broadway and 28 Lincoln Avenue.
The Foundation has identified the house located at 28 Lincoln Avenue as a Greek Revival
style residence. Typical of the style, it house features a prominent front -gable pediment
with a wide cornice, symmetrical facade, full -width porch, and front door with narrow
sidelights. While the majority of the windows have been replaced, the house retains two
original multi -pane windows at the first story of the primary facade and a unique diamond
paned window in the gable that was added at a later date. Most likely, the original wood
clapboard siding is underneath the asbestos siding.
The Foundation does not object to the redevelopment of 177 Broadway. However, it has
done preliminary research on 28 Lincoln Avenue to learn about the residence that is
proposed to be demolished. Thus far, research indicates the following information:
The property at 177 South Broadway and 28 Lincoln Avenue were part of larger parcel. In
1865, Delia A. Morris acquired a parcel that had 400' of frontage on Broadway and was
by bounded South Street to the north (later renamed Lincoln Avenue following President
Abraham Lincoln's assassination), and �Jnion Street to the west. Delia was born in Troy,
New York, and was the daughter of Judge Henry Koon. She attended the Troy Seminary
in 1845 and married William Morris, who was listed as a physician in New York City. In
1861, newspapers recorded the divorce decree of Delia A. Morris and William H. Morris.
The 1870 Federal Census records Delia living in Saratoga Springs with her children, Anna
and Clarence, as well as she owned $20,000 in real estate, a significant sum at the time.
Delia is listed as living at 145 Broadway, where for a period she operated a boarding house.
The house at 28 Lincoln Avenue does not appear on early maps. It is present on the 1888
Burleigh Map, the 18 8 9 Sanborn Insurance Map, and the 18 92 map identified as "Property
of Mrs. D. A. Morris." Tax assessment records indicate that Delia paid taxes on a house
and lot located on South Street prior to 18 8 8 .
The house at 28 Lincoln Avenue was built in the Greek Revival style which was popular
between 1825 and 1860, indicating that the house was constructed earlier than 1888. It is
possible that the house was moved from another location as a March 31, 1885 Daily
Saratogian article reports that William L. Chase took action against Delia A. Morris to
recover expenses related to the moving and setting up a house. Unfortunately, no address
for the house that was moved in provided in the article.
Based on the preliminary research conducted thus far, the Foundation has concerns about
the proposed demolition and will continue to do more research to learn more about the
history of the property.
Sincerely,
Michele Funiciello
President
Cc: Stewart's Shops Corp, Owner
Libby Coreno, Attorney
Amanda Tucker, Senior Planner, City of
Samantha Bossham
Executive Director
Saratoga Springs