East End Apartments Receives 2019 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award, April 9

Preservation League of NYS recognizes eight best in the field of historic preservation

RUPCO’s East End Apartments of Historic Newburgh has been named one of this year’s Excellence in Historic Preservation award winners. Along with seven other honorees, the East End Apartments represents a shining example of historic preservation done well. The League’s statewide awards program has been honoring notable achievements in retaining, promoting, and reusing New York State’s irreplaceable architectural heritage since 1984.

WHAT: Preservation League of NYS “Excellence in Historic Preservation” awards ceremony
WHEN: Thursday, May 9, 2019, at 6:00 pm
WHERE: The historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street, New York, NY
More information about the event can found at preservenys.org/2019awards

The East End Apartments consists of 45 mixed-income apartments in 15 buildings in a 4-block radius within the second largest historic district in New York State. The buildings have been restored in a meaningful and sustainable way, maintaining the historic fabric of this architecturally significant area and reducing blight. This project serves as an example of what land banks can accomplish when dedicated to historic preservation. Once again, the RUPCO development serves as a model of how long-vacant buildings are brought back to life. This project has not only increased the availability of affordable housing, but it has also spurred economic investment in adjacent properties.

“Preservation League staff refers to this project often as a statewide model of excellence, showcasing what can be accomplished when developers and land banks work together,” said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. “The East End Apartments project is important at a local, state, and national level.”

“At a pivotal time in Newburgh’s history, when the seeds of revitalization are truly taking root, our East End Apartments collaboration has set a high bar for others to aspire to when restoring these abandoned properties,” said RUPCO Chief Executive Officer Kevin O’Connor. “In a place where too much history has already been lost, we are proud to play a part in preserving the history while restoring housing opportunities in Newburgh’s East End.”

The thoughtful preservation combined with a strong community building component make this project truly special. The Preservation League team is so pleased that this effort will receive statewide recognition.

Funding sources for this project included federal and state historic tax credits, federal low-income housing tax credits, 9% LIHTC administered through the NYS Department of Housing and Community Renewal, NYS OTDA Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, County of Orange HOME funding, City of Newburgh CDBG grant, and a $125,000 Housing for Energy Award from TD Bank Charitable Trust. Raymond James, Sterling National Bank and The Community Preservation Corp. also provided funding and financial assistance.

The project team included RUPCO (developer), Newburgh Community Land Bank (collaborative partner), Coppola & Associates (architect), Affordable Housing Concepts (general contractor), Safe Harbors of the Hudson (managing agent), Bridges of New York (support services), and NYS Home & Community Renewal (primary funder).

2019 Awardees:

• Graycliff – Isabelle Martin House | Derby, Erie County
• Eastman Gardens | Rochester, Monroe County
• NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project | NYC
• Knickerbocker Club: Centennial Renewal | New York City
• RUPCO East End Apartments of Historic Newburgh | Newburgh, Orange County
• Walton & Willett Stone Store – Cahill Landing | Oswego, Oswego County
• The News Apartments | Troy, Rensselaer County
• Neumann House designed by Marcel Breuer | Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County

As the Preservation League honors excellence in historic preservation, they will also look toward preservation’s future with the inaugural Zabar Family Scholarship. Following the Excellence award presentation, three current students will receive a scholarship of $1,000 each in support of their studies in historic preservation. They are Tabitha O’Connell (SUNY’s University at Buffalo), Camille Sasena (Pratt Institute), and Ryan Zeek (Columbia University).

About the Preservation League of New York State: Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts and landscapes and to build a bette

New York, one community at a time. The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development and education programs across the state. Connect with us at facebook.com/preservenys, twitter.com/preservenys, and instagram.com/preservenys.

About RUPCO: RUPCO creates home, supports people, and improves communities across a broad spectrum of community development solutions including housing, historic preservation, and neighborhood revitalization in the Hudson Valley. RUPCO creates and maintains quality, sustainable housing and rental opportunities, inspiring understanding and acceptance of affordable housing initiatives, and championing pathways to opportunity. RUPCO is focused to deliver over $100 million in real estate development over the next 24 months including three prominent historic preservation developments: Landmark Place, The Metro, and Newburgh Progress. RUPCO’s historic preservation work has been recognized previously with its development of The Lace Mill (2016), The Kirkland (2009), The Stuvesant (1993), and now East End Apartments (2019). Established in 1981, and a NeighborWorks America chartered member since 1999, RUPCO ushers community wealth-building opportunities, much-needed housing, and strong strategic partnerships into communities eager for change. Along with its real estate development arm, RUPCO possesses a stable and diversified business model with additional impact arenas in property management, resident program services, rental assistance, and homeownership center. For more information, visit www.rupco.org, Facebook/RUPCO, Twitter.com/RUPCO_, and YouTube.com/c/rupcony.